bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Vecchietti procedure for surgical treatment of vaginal agenesis: comparison of laparoscopy and laparotomy
Authors: Borruto F , Chasen S.T , Chervenak F.A , Fedele L 
Published: April 2003

AbstractObjective: Our goal was to describe the outcomes of women with vaginal agenesis who had surgical creation of a neovagina using the Vecchietti technique over a 20‐year period. We also sought to determine whether the laparoscopic approach would result in similar outcomes as laparotomy. Method: Retrospective analysis of 76 women with vaginal agenesis treated at the University of Verona Hospital between 1976 and 1996 with the Vecchietti procedure. Operative and postoperative records were reviewed, and sexual histories were obtained. Data were analyzed based on surgical approach and postoperative sexual satisfaction. Continuous data were analyzed with student's t‐test, and categoric data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Result: Those who underwent the Vecchietti procedure with a laparoscopic approach (N=7) had similar complication rates (0% vs. 13.0%, P=0.59) and postoperative neovaginal depth (74.9 mm vs. 73.7 mm, P=0.93) as those with laparotomy (N=69). Similar proportions of women reported inadequate vaginal lubrication (28.6% vs. 17.4%, P=0.61) and sexual satisfaction (100% vs. 78.3%) in the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups as well. Operative complications, neovaginal depth, or degree of lubrication were not good predictors of sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: Outcomes in those women who underwent the Vecchietti technique via the laparoscopic approach are comparable to those who underwent laparotomy.
Biophysical profile score in late pregnancy and timing of delivery
Authors: Archibong E.I 
Published: April 2003

AbstractObjective: To determine if the Biophysical Profile Score (BPS) as a screening procedure on patients without antenatal care (unbooked patients), seen in late pregnancy, is of value in providing an insight into the mode of delivery and fetal outcome. Design: Prospective case study of pregnant mothers, data collection and analysis over 2 years at Abha Maternity Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Subjects: Unbooked patients with abnormal BPS (Group I), and patients with normal BPS (Group II) used as control subjects, delivered in the hospital from January 1996 through December 1997. Results: The number of normal deliveries was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the control group than in the study group patients. Cesarean section rate was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P<0.01, OR=4.48). There was a significant increase in the number of asphyxiated and meconium aspirated babies in the study group than in the control group. Neonates that needed mechanical ventilation were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P<0.01, OR=10.38). Conclusion: These findings suggest that abnormal BPS is invaluable in effecting delivery, particularly in women without antenatal care, who present in late pregnancy to an obstetric unit. Patients with abnormal BPS are four times more likely to be delivered by cesarean section than those with normal BPS.
Paleomagnetic correlations between Scandinavian Ice-Sheet fluctuations and Greenland Dansgaard–Oeschger events, 45,000–25,000 yr B.P.
Authors: Mangerud Jan , Løvlie Reidar , Gulliksen Steinar , Hufthammer Anne-Karin , Larsen Eiliv , Valen Vidar 
Published: April 2003

AbstractTwo paleomagnetic excursions, the Skjong correlated with the Laschamp (about 41,000 GISP2 yr B.P.) and the Valderhaug correlated with the Mono Lake (about 34,000 GISP2 yr B.P.), have been identified in stratigraphic superposition in laminated clay deposited in ice-dammed lakes in three large caves in western Norway. During both periods the margin of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet advanced and reached the continental shelf beyond the outermost coastline. The mild, 4000-yr-long Ålesund interstade, when the coast and probably much of the hinterland were ice-free, separated the two glacial advances. The two paleomagnetic excursions have also been indirectly identified as increased fluxes of36Cl and10Be in the GRIP ice core, Greenland. This article presents a correlation between ice-margin fluctuations of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet and the stratigraphy of GRIP/GISP cores, using the paleomagnetic excursions and the36Cl and10Be peaks and thus circumventing the application of different dates or time scales. Some of the fluctuations of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet were of the “Allerød/Younger Dryas type” in the sense that its margin retreated during mild interstades on Greenland and readvanced during cold stades. However, some fluctuations were apparently not in phase with the Greenland climate.
Chronology of glacial Lake Agassiz meltwater routed to the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Fisher Timothy G. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractSediment cores with new radiocarbon dates from the southern outlet of glacial Lake Agassiz indicate that meltwater delivery to the Mississippi valley was disrupted at 10,800 14C yr B.P. and the outlet was abandoned by 9400 14C yr B.P. These findings confirm the timing of generally accepted terminations of the Lockhart and Emerson Phases of Lake Agassiz. Additionally, the radiocarbon chronology indicates that the spillway was fully formed by 10,800 14C yr B.P. and that the occupancy in late-Emerson time was likely short-lived with minimal spillway erosion.
Biotite composition as a tool for the identification of Quaternary tephra beds
Authors: Shane Phil , Smith Victoria , Nairn Ian 
Published: April 2003

AbstractStratigraphically important Quaternary rhyolitic tephra deposits that erupted from the Okataina and Taupo volcanic centers in New Zealand can be geochemically identified using the FeO and MgO contents of their biotite phenocrysts. The FeO/MgO ratio in biotite does not correlate with FeO/MgO in the coexisting glass phase so that tephra beds with similar glass compositions can be discriminated by their different biotite compositions. Some individual tephra deposits display sequential changes in biotite composition that allow separate phases of the eruption to be identified, greatly increasing the potential precision for correlation. In addition, devitrified lavas that are unsuitable for glass analysis can be correlated to coeval tephra deposits by their biotite compositions. Biotite is common in high-K2O (>4 wt%) tephra beds and is widely dispersed in ash plumes because of its platy form, thus making it important in correlation studies.
Contagion of suicidal symptoms as a function of assortative relating and shared relationship stress in college roommates
Authors: Joiner Thomas E. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractVulnerable people may become socially contiguous via assortative relating, and thus simultaneously susceptible to the effects of shared life stress. To test this possibility, 138 undergraduates and their roommates completed questionnaires on suicidality and stress. Consistent with an assortative relating process, roommates who chose to room together were more similar on a suicide index than were roommates who were assigned to room together. Stress in the roommate relationship amplified similarity in roommates’ suicide levels. Results were consistent with the view that shared stress simultaneously affects the suicidality of people whose contiguity was pre‐arranged by an assortative relating process.
A reliable externally fixated murine femoral fracture model that accounts for variation in movement between animals
Authors: Connolly Chris K. , Li Gang , Bunn Jonathan R. , Mushipe Moses , Dickson Glenn R. , Marsh David R. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractFifty‐two CFLP mice had an open femoral diaphyseal osteotomy held in compression by a four‐pin external fixator. The movement of 34 of the mice in their cages was quantified before and after operation, until sacrifice at 4, 8, 16 or 24 days. Thirty‐three specimens underwent histomorphometric analysis and 19 specimens underwent torsional stiffness measurement. The expected combination of intramembranous and endochondral bone formation was observed, and the model was shown to be reliable in that variation in the histological parameters of healing was small between animals at the same time point, compared to the variation between time‐points. There was surprisingly large individual variation in the amount of animal movement about the cage, which correlated with both histomorphometric and mechanical measures of healing. Animals that moved more had larger external calluses containing more cartilage and demonstrated lower torsional stiffness at the same time point. Assuming that movement of the whole animal predicts, at least to some extent, movement at the fracture site, this correlation is what would be expected in a model that involves similar processes to those in human fracture healing. Models such as this, employed to determine the effect of experimental interventions, will yield more information if the natural variation in animal motion is measured and included in the analysis. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Skeletal homeostasis in tissue‐engineered bone
Authors: Schneider Abraham , Taboas Juan M. , McCauley Laurie K. , Krebsbach Paul H. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractTissue‐engineering strategies to stimulate bone regeneration may offer an alternative approach to conventional orthopaedic and maxillofacial surgical therapies. Over the last decade, significant advances have been accomplished in developing biomimetic matrices, growth factors, cell transplantation and gene delivery therapeutics to support new bone growth. However, it is not known if tissue‐engineered bone recapitulates the biology of normal skeletal tissue in response to physiologic cues. Here, we report that bone formed by the differentiation of transplanted murine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) responds to a systemically delivered calciotropic hormone. Ectopic ossicles in mice exposed to catabolic doses of parathyroid hormone (PTH) had increased numbers of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐positive osteoclasts as compared to control mice. In contrast, treatment with anabolic doses of PTH promoted a marked increase in trabecular bone mass as analyzed by microcomputed tomography and histomorphometry. Our findings demonstrate that bone formed from transplanted BMSCs is responsive to normal physiologic signals, and can be augmented by the addition of a systemic anabolic agent. Because multiple and distinct ossicles can be generated in a single animal, this versatile system may be used to: (a) elucidate cellular/molecular mechanisms in bone regeneration; (b) study cell‐to‐cell interactions in the bone marrow microenvironment in health and disease; and (c) evaluate the efficacy of osteotropic agents that modulate bone turnover in vivo. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Fibronectin metabolism of cartilage explants in response to the frequency of intermittent loading
Authors: Wolf Amela , Raiss Ruth X. , Steinmeyer Jürgen 
Published: April 2003

AbstractChondrocytes within articular cartilage experience complete unloading between loading cycles and in so doing utilize mechanical signals to regulate their own metabolic activities. A strongly elevated fibronectin content is an early feature in osteoarthritis and appears to be related to increases in both the synthesis and retention of this glycoprotein. The objectives of this study were to investigate systematically whether the frequency of intermittently applied cyclic mechanical loading of cartilage explants alters the biosynthesis and retention of fibronectin, and to assess whether it is possible to induce in vitro osteoarthritic‐like changes of this metabolic parameter by mechanical means over a period of 6 days. Cartilage plugs consisting of viability‐checked chondrocytes were exposed to sinusoidal cyclic compressive pressure alterations of 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 Hz frequency with a peak stress of 0.5 MPa for a period of 5, 10 or 20 s, followed by an unloading period of 10, 100 or 1000 s, and compared to unloaded reference plugs from the same joint and topographic origin. The incorporation of radioactive precursor into fibronectin during the last 18 h, the content of fibronectin, and the viability of chondrocytes were determined. Our data revealed that (a) the fibronectin synthesis was selectively, but non‐linearly affected by the frequency of intermittent loads applied (as defined by the frequency of the applied force, the duration of the loading cycle and the duration of the force‐free period between each loading cycle), and that (b) the retention of endogenous fibronectin and proteins within loaded cartilage explants is strongly elevated. These data support our hypothesis that the mechanical factor “frequency of intermittent loading” seems to be the crucial mechanical parameter controlling the metabolism of chondrocytes. The effect of the frequency of intermittent loading cannot be described by a simple statistical correlation, so that no specific predictions are possible. However, our results imply that distinct loading protocols have been established that can induce alterations of the fibronectin metabolism similar to those observed in human and animal osteoarthritis. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Pharmacological discrimination between muscarinic receptor signal transduction cascades with bethanechol chloride
Authors: Liu Liwang , Rittenhouse Ann R 
Published: April 2003

Muscarinic agonist specificity is limited, making it difficult to match receptor subtypes with signal transduction cascades that mediate ion channel modulation. We have characterized the inhibitory effects of two muscarinic agonists, oxotremorine‐M (Oxo‐M) and bethanechol chloride (BeCh), on Ca2+ currents in neonatal rat superior cervical ganglion neurons.
Oxo‐M‐mediated (10 μM) inhibition occurred via two signaling pathways. The first pathway inhibited whole cell peak currents, consisting primarily of N‐type current, but not FPL 64176‐induced, long‐lasting tail currents, comprised entirely of L‐type current. Inhibited currents displayed slowed activation kinetics and voltage dependence, characteristics of membrane‐delimited inhibition. Current inhibition was blocked by the selective M2 receptor antagonist, methoctramine (METH; 100 nM), or following pertussis toxin (PTX) pretreatment.
Activation of the second pathway inhibited both peak and long‐lasting tail currents. This pathway was voltage‐independent, PTX‐insensitive, but sensitive to internal Ca2+ chelator concentration. Muscarinic toxin 7 (MT‐7, 100 nM), an irreversible M1 receptor antagonist, eliminated this inhibition. Oxo‐M (100 μM) decreased L‐ and N‐type channel activities in cell‐attached patches, indicating that a diffusible second messenger is involved.
BeCh (100 μM) also inhibited whole cell currents via the membrane‐delimited pathway. Blocking M4 receptors with 100 nM pirenzepine (in the presence of MT‐7) had no effect, while antagonizing M2 receptors with METH abolished inhibition. Concentrations of BeCh as high as 3 mM failed to inhibit either peak or long‐lasting tail currents following PTX pretreatment.
These results indicate that BeCh may be an effective tool for selectively activating M2 receptor stimulation of the membrane‐delimited pathway.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 138, 1259–1270. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705157
Vasodilator actions of abnormal‐cannabidiol in rat isolated small mesenteric artery
Authors: Vanessa Ho W‐S , Hiley C Robin 
Published: April 2003

The nonpsychoactive cannabinoid abnormal‐cannabidiol (trans‐4‐[3‐methyl‐6‐(1‐methylethenyl)‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐yl]‐5‐pentyl‐1,3‐benzenediol) (abn‐cbd) produced concentration‐dependent relaxation of methoxamine‐precontracted rat small mesenteric artery. Endothelial removal reduced abn‐cbd potency six‐fold without affecting the maximum relaxation.
In endothelium‐intact vessels, abn‐cbd was less potent under 60 mM KCl‐induced tone and inhibited by combination of L‐NG‐nitroarginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor; 300 μM), apamin (small conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels inhibitor; 50 nM) and charybdotoxin (inhibitor of intermediate conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels and large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels BKCa; 50 nM). L‐NAME alone or in combination with either toxin alone had little effect.
In intact vessels, relaxations to abn‐cbd were inhibited by SR 141716A (cannabinoid receptor antagonist; 1 or 3 μM). Concomitant addition of L‐NAME, apamin and charybdotoxin had no further effect. Other cannabinoid receptor antagonists either had little (SR 144528; 1 μM and AM 251; 1 μM) or no effect (AM 630; 10 μM and AM 281; 1 μM). Inhibition of gap junctions, Gi/o protein coupling and protein kinase A also had no effect.
Endothelium‐independent relaxation to abn‐cbd was unaffected by L‐NAME, apamin plus charybdotoxin or capsaicin (10 μM). Abn‐cbd inhibited CaCl2‐induced contractions in vessels with depleted intracellular Ca2+ stores and stimulated with methoxamine or KCl. This was insensitive to SR 141716A (3 μM) but greatly reduced in vessels stimulated with ionomycin (Ca2+ ionophore; 1 μM).
We conclude that abn‐cbd relaxes the rat small mesenteric artery by endothelium‐dependent activation of K+ channels via SR 141716A‐sensitive pathways, which do not involve CB1 and CB2 receptors. It also causes endothelium‐independent, SR 141716A‐insensitive, relaxation by inhibiting Ca2+ entry through voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 138, 1320–1332. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705160
An assessment of the role of the inhibitory gamma subunit of the retinal cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase and its effect on the p42/p44 mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway in animal and cellular models of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Murray Fiona , MacLean Margaret R , Pyne Nigel J 
Published: April 2003

We have previously reported that the inhibitory gamma subunit of the rod photoreceptor type 6 cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (PDEγ) is expressed in nonretinal tissues and is involved in the stimulation of the p42/p44 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by growth factors and G‐protein‐coupled receptor agonists. We have now investigated whether PDEγ plays a role in modulating chronic hypoxic‐dependent mitogenic signalling pathways in pulmonary smooth muscle from rats with pulmonary hypertension (PHT).
We show for the first time that PDEγ is expressed in rat main, first, intrapulmonary and resistance pulmonary arteries. Moreover, its expression is increased in all the arteries to varying extents by chronic hypoxia. The extent of the increased expression of PDEγ is correlated with an enhanced activation of p42/p44 MAPK in these vessels.
We also report that PDEγ translation from mRNA transcript is increased in cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells subjected to chronic hypoxia for 14 days. This was correlated with hypoxic‐dependent increase in p42/p44 MAPK activation.
In conclusion, our studies identify for the first time a major chronic hypoxic‐dependent change in the phenotypic expression of an intermediate protein regulating mitogenic signalling in pulmonary arteries. This may have a significant effect on arterial remodelling in PHT. Future studies will focus on strategies designed to knockout rod PDEγ to assess whether this rescues rats from chronic hypoxic‐dependent changes in arterial remodelling and PHT.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 138, 1313–1319. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705190
Temporal variation of hydroxyl radical generation and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine formation by coarse and fine particulate matter
Authors: Shi T , Knaapen A M , Begerow J , Birmili W , Borm P J A , Schins R P F 
Published: April 2003

Aims:To determine the induction of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) by fine (<2.5 μm) and coarse (10–2.5 μm) particulate matter (PM) sampled over time at one sampling location, and to relate the observed effects to the hydroxyl radical (•OH) generating activities and transition metal content of these samples, and to meteorological parameters.Methods:Weekly samples of coarse and fine PM were analysed for H2O2dependent •OH formation using electron spin resonance (ESR) and formation of 8-OHdG in calf thymus DNA using an immuno-dotblot assay. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine 8-OHdG formation in A549 human epithelial lung cells. To determine temporal effects, samples from six weeks in summer and six weeks in autumn/winter were compared using ESR and the dotblot assay. Concentrations of leachable V, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Cu were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results:Both PM fractions elicited •OH generation as well as 8-OHdG formation in calf thymus DNA and in A549 cells. 8-OHdG formation in the naked DNA was significantly related to •OH generation, but not to metal concentrations except for copper. A significantly higher •OH generation was observed for coarse PM, but not fine PM collected during the autumn/winter season; this was not due to differences in sampled mass or metal content. Specific weather conditions under which increased •OH formation in the coarse mode was observed suggest that other, as yet unknown, anthropogenic components might affect the radical generating capacity of PM.Conclusions:Both coarse and fine PM are able to generate •OH, and induce formation of 8-OHdG. When considered at equal mass, •OH formation shows considerable variability with regard to the fraction of PM, as well as the sampling season. The toxicological implications of this heterogeneity in •OH formation by PM, as can be easily determined by ESR, need further investigation.
THERMODYNAMICS OF SCHWARZSCHILD–(ANTI-)DE SITTER BLACK HOLES WITH ACCOUNT OF QUANTUM CORRECTIONS
Authors: NOJIRI SHIN'ICHI , ODINTSOV SERGEI D. 
Published: April 2003

We discuss the quantum corrections to thermodynamics (and geometry) of S(A)dS BH's using large N one-loop anomaly induced effective action for dilaton coupled matter (scalars and spinors). It is found that the temperature, mass and entropy with account of quantum effects for multiply horizon SdS BH and SAdS BH which also gives the corresponding expressions for their limits: Schwarzschild and de Sitter spaces. In the last case one can talk about quantum correction to the entropy of an expanding universe. The anomaly induced action under discussion corresponds to 4d formulation (s-wave approximation, 4d quantum matter is a minimal one) as well as 2d formulation (complete effective action, 2d quantum matter is a dilaton coupled one). Hence, most of the results are given for the same gravitational background with interpretation as 4d quantum corrected BH or 2d quantum corrected dilatonic BH. Quantum aspects of thermodynamics of 4d 't Hooft BH model are also considered.
RECENT CLEO RESULTS ON CHARMED BARYONS
Authors:   CLEO Collaboration., SEVERINI HORST 
Published: April 2003

Using data recorded by the CLEO II and CLEO II.V detectors at CESR, we report new measurements of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] masses, and the first measurements of their intrinsic widths. The measured widths of these particles agree with the theoretical predictions. We also present a new measurement of the mass of the [Formula: see text] charmed baryon, observed by its decay into [Formula: see text], and the first observation of a new state which is identified as the [Formula: see text], the isospin partner of the previously discovered [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The quark model predicts many excited states of Λc and Σc baryons, some of which cannot, because of quantum mechanical conservations rules, decay via one pion to the ground state. We present results of a search for such states decaying via dipion decays into the ground state [Formula: see text] Recently, The CLEO collaboration also reported the existence of a pair of excited Ξc particles decaying into [Formula: see text]. These are thought to be orbitally excited Ξc' s with JP = 3/2-. Here we present a search for the analogous JP=1/2- particles, which are predicted to decay into [Formula: see text].