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Induction of labour for improving birth outcomes for women at or beyond term.

BACKGROUND: As a pregnancy continues beyond term the risks of babies dying inside the womb or in the immediate newborn period increase. Whether a policy of labour induction at a predetermined gestational age can reduce this increased risk is the subject of this review. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the benefits and harms of a policy of labour induction at term or post-term compared to awaiting spontaneous labour or later induction of labour. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (June 2006). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials conducted in women at or beyond term. The eligible trials were those comparing a policy of labour induction to a policy of awaiting spontaneous onset of labour. Trials comparing cervical ripening methods, membrane stripping/sweeping or nipple stimulation without any commitment to delivery within a certain time were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently evaluated potentially eligible trials and extracted data. Outcomes are analysed in two main categories: gestational age and cervix status. MAIN RESULTS: We included 19 trials reporting on 7984 women. A policy of labour induction at 41 completed weeks or beyond was associated with fewer (all-cause) perinatal deaths (1/2986 versus 9/2953; relative risk (RR) 0.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 0.99). The risk difference is 0.00 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.00). If deaths due to congenital abnormality are excluded, no deaths remain in the labour induction group and seven deaths remain in the no-induction group. There was no evidence of a statistically significant difference in the risk of caesarean section (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.12; RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.72 to 1.31) for women induced at 41 and 42 completed weeks respectively. Women induced at 37 to 40 completed weeks were more likely to have a caesarean section with expectant management than those in the labour induction group (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.99). There were fewer babies with meconium aspiration syndrome (41+: RR 0.29; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.68, four trials, 1325 women; 42+: RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.24 to 1.81, two trials, 388 women). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: A policy of labour induction after 41 completed weeks or later compared to awaiting spontaneous labour either indefinitely or at least one week is associated with fewer perinatal deaths. However, the absolute risk is extremely small. Women should be appropriately counselled on both the relative and absolute risks.

Cesarean Section↗

Signalling the molecular stress response to nephrotoxic and mutagenic cysteine conjugates: differential roles for protein synthesis and calcium in the induction of c-fos and c-myc mRNA in LLC-PK1 cells.

Nephrotoxic and mutagenic cysteine conjugates (NCC) are activated by the enzyme cysteine conjugate, beta-lyase, to reactive acylating species which bind covalently to cellular macromolecules. We now show that an early event after treatment of LLC-PK1 cells with NCC is the induction of mRNA for both c-fos and c-myc. Treatment with S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC) induced c-fos (53-fold) and c-myc mRNA (20-fold) and increased transcription about 3-fold for both genes. Covalent binding was required for induction of both mRNAs. Dithiothreitol partially prevented induction of both c-fos and c-myc RNA. Buffering the DCVC-induced increase in cytosolic free calcium had no effect on c-fos mRNA, but partially blocked c-myc mRNA induction. Cycloheximide blocked the induction of c-myc mRNA in the absence of an effect on c-fos induction. The data suggest that the increase in c-fos mRNA is a primary response to DCVC toxicity and occurs without a requirement for protein synthesis or an increase in intracellular free calcium. In contrast, c-myc induction requires protein synthesis, suggesting that the presence of another primary response factor may regulate induction either transcriptionally or posttranscriptionally. The data suggest that different signalling pathways regulate induction of c-fos and c-myc mRNA in response to stress caused by reactive acylating species.

Animals↗

The role of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase in quinone-mediated p21 induction in human colon carcinoma cells.

This study examines the role of NAD(P)H:quinone acceptor oxidoreductase (NQOR) (EC 1.6.99.2) in the metabolism of aziridinylbenzoquinones and the ensuing formation of reactive oxygen species in the induction of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 (WAF1, Cip1, or sdi1) in human colon carcinoma cells. The aziridinylbenzoquinones used were 2,5-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DZQ) and 2,5-bis(carboethoxyamino)-3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (AZQ). The cell lines used in this study, BE and HT29 human colon carcinoma cell lines, are devoid of and overexpress NQOR activity, respectively. The rate of reduction of the above quinones in BE cells proceeded at similar rates (approximately 170 nmol/min/ mg protein) and, expectedly, it was not affected by the NQOR inhibitor, dicumarol. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells was largely accomplished by NQOR (approximately 94%), whereas that of AZQ was accomplished by dicumarol-insensitive reductases. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells was accompanied by H2O2 formation, which was approximately 10-fold higher than that ensuing from the activation of AZQ. In agreement with these data, the production of H2O2 during the activation of DZQ by purified NQOR was approximately 10-fold higher than that of AZQ. The formation of H2O2 during the metabolism of aziridinylbenzoquinones in BE cells was 24- to 57-fold lower than that in HT29 cells. At variance with HT29 cells, H2O2 formation by BE cells was insensitive to the catalase inhibitor sodium azide. The bioactivation of AZQ and DZQ in BE cells yielded O2.- and HO. as detected by spin trapping/EPR, the intensity of the former adduct being approximately 2-fold higher than that of the latter. These signals were insensitive to dicumarol. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells yielded mainly HO. and a modest contribution of O2.- (ratio HO./O2.- approximately 10), whereas that of AZQ yielded a HO./O2.- approximately 2. The effect of dicumarol on the free radical pattern obtained during DZQ metabolism resulted in a strong inhibition (80%) of HO. production and a substantial increase of O2.- generation. The metabolism of DZQ and AZQ in BE cells was associated with a significant increase of p21 mRNA levels; the former quinone was approximately 2-fold more efficient than the latter. DZQ metabolism in HT29 cells led to an increase of p21 mRNA levels 15-fold higher than that observed with AZQ activation. Dicumarol did not inhibit p21 induction associated with the metabolism of DZQ in the NQOR-deficient BE cells, whereas the inhibitor decreased p21 induction in HT29 cells by approximately 30%. This modest inhibition is likely due to the low concentration of dicumarol used, which did not affect p21 constitutive levels in control experiments carried out in the absence of the quinone. p21 induction in HT29 cells was also inhibited by DTPA, a metal chelator, and N-acetylcysteine, a potent cellular anti-oxidant, suggesting that HO. may serve as an ultimate mediator for the induction. It may be surmised that the higher efficiency of DZQ in p21 induction may be related to its efficient metabolism by NQOR in HT29 cells and the associated high level of reactive oxygen species. The role of reactive oxygen species in p21 induction was further assessed upon supplementation of cells with H2O2:p21 induction in BE cells was 4-fold higher than that in HT29 cells. These findings suggest that assessment of the role of NQOR and reactive oxygen species in p21 induction requires careful consideration of the cell genotype.

Acetylcysteine↗

MAP kinase-independent induction of proto-oncogene c-fos mRNA by hemin in human cells.

Treatment of HeLa cells or human skin fibroblast cells with hemin led to a time- and dose-dependent rapid induction of c-fos mRNA. This induction was absent in the cells treated with actinomycin D, indicating that the c-fos induction by hemin occurs at the level of transcription. Metalloporphyrins, including zinc-, cobalt-, and tin-protoporphyrin, ferric ion, and protoporphyrin also induced c-fos mRNA. Transient reporter assay with the reporter constructs of the human c-fos gene promoter up to -404 bp connected to the luciferase gene showed high activity but no induction by hemin, suggesting that cis-acting elements, including the serum response element located about -310 bp upstream of the human c-fos gene promoter, may not contribute to the heme-dependent induction. With in-gel assay of protein kinases, the activity of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 12 or p38 MAP kinase in hemin-treated HeLa cells was not stimulated. Stimulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase by hemin was nil. Furthermore, PD58059 and SB203580, inhibitors for MAP kinases, did not affect the hemin-dependent c-fos induction. Of the inhibitors for protein kinases so far tested, KN-62, a specific inhibitor for calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), inhibited the induction of c-fos mRNA by hemin. Phosphorylation of CaMK II in hemin-treated cells increased. With gel mobility assay, the DNA AP-1 binding activity transiently increased when treating HeLa cells with hemin. Therefore, induction of c-fos led to an activation of AP-1 in the presence of hemin. We suggest that calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II rather than the MAP kinase family regulates the induction of the human c-fos gene expression by hemin.

Arsenites↗

Evaluating the decay gradient for collinearity bias with lateral displacement from the axis of induction.

The misperception of alignment which is found in many geometric illusions can be quantified using relatively simple stimulus configurations. Perceived collinearity of one segment (designated as the test segment) is biased by a second segment (designated as the induction segment), with the size of effect being a function of the relative angle between the two segments. The process can be described as angular induction. The strength of bias is greatest when the induction segment is centered at the tip of the test segment. Tong and Weintraub have reported that lateral displacement from the tip, i.e., at right angles to the axis of the induction segment, produces a sharp drop in the strength of effect. This decline is described as a "decay gradient" for the angular induction. One experiment replicates and provides better quantification of this "decay gradient". Two other experiments examine the decay gradient using a pair of induction segments, one on each side of the tip of the test segment. Displacement of the segments (either in the same direction or in opposite directions) produces substantially the same gradient of effect. Therefore, previous evidence of "tandem boosting" of effect for segment pairs does not depend on collinearity among the stimulus components. Finally, a fourth experiment finds that an induction segment which is at a fixed position and orientation differentially affects the influence of a variable induction segment. At some angles the influence of the variable segment is augmented, and at others it is suppressed. These findings are discussed in a neuroreductionist context, and a simple model for angular induction is presented.

Analysis of Variance↗

Vulva formation in Pristionchus pacificus relies on continuous gonadal induction.

One of the best known features of vulva development in Caenorhabditis elegans is the induction of vulval precursor cells by the gonadal anchor cell. Induction is crucial for the initiation of pattern formation within the C. elegans vulva equivalence group, and it is therefore surprising to find that this aspect of vulva formation, in particular, varies greatly among nematodes. In some species which form vulvae in the posterior body region, no gonadal signal is necessary for vulva induction. In other nematodes, such as Panagrolaimus, Oscheius, and Rhabditella, vulva formation depends on two temporally distinct gonadal inductions which specify the different cell fates. Here we report our analysis of vulva induction in Pristionchus pacificus, a species which has recently been used as a genetic system to analyze the evolution of vulva development. Cell ablation studies in P. pacificus show that another mode of vulva induction exists. P. pacificus vulva formation depends on a continuous gonadal induction that starts several hours after hatching and continues until the birth of the anchor cell, some 20 h later. Mutations defective in gonadal induction result in the absence of vulva differentiation, suggesting that only one signaling system is involved in the gonadal-epidermal interaction. This new mode adds further to the great variety of gonadal inductions among nematode species.

Animals↗

Immune induction of human monocyte plasminogen activator. Characteristics of an assay for cell-mediated immunity.

We characterized immunologic induction of monocyte plasminogen activator (PA) to determine whether assay for PA induction reliably detected cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) were incubated in teflon-lined culture tubes for 1-4 days in the presence or absence of phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) or Candida antigen. PA activity of the monocytes in those suspensions was then measured using a micro fibrin plate assay. Monocytes in stimulated MNL had more PA activity than monocytes in unstimulated MNL. Maximal differences between stimulated and unstimulated cells were seen after 2 days of culture. Dose-response studies demonstrated that PA induction occurred at submitogenic concentrations of stimuli. Peak induction was seen using suboptimally mitogenic concentrations of PHA, Con A and Candida antigen. PA induction in response to Candida stimulation corresponded with skin test results. More than 90% of healthy adults tested had positive assays to all stimuli. LPS, in picogram concentrations, induced PA activity in the absence of lymphocytes, but such induction was prevented by polymyxin B. Supernates from activated MNL also induced PA in purified monocytes. This indirect assay of PA induction was less sensitive than direct assay of the MNL. A standard indirect assay for leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) was also less sensitive than the direct PA induction assay. The direct PA induction assay is sensitive and convenient and requires small volumes of blood. It may prove valuable in in vitro analysis of cell-mediated immunity in health and disease.

Antigens, Fungal↗

Induction by ouabain of hemoglobin synthesis in cultured Friend erythroleukemic cells.

Induction of erythroid differentiation in ouabain-resistant murine erythroleukemia cells by ouabain is reported. Ouabain induction results in the appearance of hemoglobin-containing cells 12-24 hr earlier than induction of the same clone by dimethyl sulfoxide. The levels of globin mRNA after ouabain induction are similar in amount to the globin mRNA levels observed after induction by dimethyl sulfoxide. The concentration of ouabain required to induce hemoglobin synthesis depends upon the K+ ion levels in the culture medium. Lowering the extracellular K+ ion concentration 2-4 fold reduced by 10-40 fold the ouabain concentration necessary for the induction of hemoglobin synthesis. In low K+ medium (1.8 mM), ouabain is an effective inducer of hemoglobin synthesis at a concentration of 0.02 mM. This K+ effect is specific for ouabain induction, since induction by other inducers, such as dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl acetamide, does not exhibit this marked sensitivity to the levels of K+ ions in the culture medium. These results suggest that the binding of ouabain to the plasma membrane enzyme, Na/K ATPase, is required for the induction of erythroid differentiation by ouabain. A small but significant proportion of wild-type, ouabain-sensitive cells also can be induced by ouabain, below ouabain concentrations that are toxic to these cells. The observation that the binding of ouabain to the Na/K ATPase induces hemoglobin synthesis suggests that changes in the intracellular concentration of K+ ions may be involved in the control of erythroid differentiation in Friend erythroleukemic cells.

Acetamides↗

Inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced induction of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen in Raji cells by some inhibitors of tumor promotion.

The effects of some compounds, which have been reported to inhibit tumor promotion in vivo, on the induction of the early antigen (EA) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells were examined. The inhibitors of the cascade process involving arachidonic acid, indomethacin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, phenidone and p-bromophenacyl bromide, effectively inhibited EBV-EA induction by TPA. Two flavonoids, morin and kaempferol also inhibited EA induction. Among antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene effectively inhibited EA induction, though alpha-tocopherol did not show any inhibition of EA induction at concentrations of up to 150 micrograms/ml. N-(6-Aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, a calmodulin antagonist, and esculetin showed inhibitory effects on EA induction, though slight cytotoxicity was observed. L-1-p-Tosylamino-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone, a protease inhibitor, showed cytotoxicity and no specific inhibition of EA induction. Five kinds of steroids, cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone and fluocinolone acetonide showed no inhibitory effect on EA induction at concentrations of up to 100 micrograms/ml. In addition, the relationship between the inhibition of EBV-EA induction and that of tumor promotion is discussed.

Antigens, Viral↗

Propofol infusion for induction and maintenance of anesthesia in elderly patients: recovery and hemodynamic profiles.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of propofol infusion for both induction and maintenance of anesthesia on hemodynamics and recovery in elderly patients compared with conventional thiopental-isoflurane anesthesia. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, study. SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 60 nonpremedicated ASA physical status I, II, and III adult elderly patients scheduled to undergo total hip replacement surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either intravenous propofol infusion at 0.75 mg/kg/min or thiopental bolus 2 to 4 mg/kg for induction, followed by variable-rate propofol infusion up to 0.15 mg/kg/min or isoflurane 0.5% to 1.5% for maintenance of anesthesia. Nitrous oxide and fentanyl supplements were given in all patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Perioperative hemodynamic changes, patient recovery profile, and myocardial ischemia incidents were assessed in both anesthetic groups. Induction of anesthesia by propofol infusion (1.6 mg/kg) did not produce significant hypotension (-8.3% +/- 5.5%) or bradycardia; these changes were similar to induction by thiopental bolus injection (3.3 mg/kg). Furthermore, increases in blood pressure and heart rate (HR) during endotracheal intubation were limited to 6% following propofol induction compared with 22% for thiopental induction. During maintenance of anesthesia, the decrease in MAP and HR was comparable in both anesthetic groups. Postanesthetic recovery times for patient to achieve wakefulness, mental orientation, and a maximum Aldrete score (10) were significantly faster in the propofol group, by 4 minutes, 6 minutes, and 20 minutes, respectively; however, the time to discharge from the postanesthesia care unit was not different. Holter-monitored perioperative myocardial ischemic events detected in 23% of the patients occurred independent of hemodynamic changes or the type of anesthetic administered. CONCLUSION: Induction of anesthesia by propofol infusion in elderly patients produces greater attenuation of cardiovascular sympathetic response than thiopental bolus induction. Induction and maintenance of anesthesia by propofol infusion results in more rapid recovery in our elderly patients than thiopental isoflurane anesthesia.

Aged↗

Soluble osteogenic molecular signals and the induction of bone formation.

The induction of bone formation starts by erecting scaffolds of smart biomimetic matrices acting as insoluble signals affecting the release of soluble osteogenic molecular signals. The cascade of bone differentiation by induction develops as a mosaic structure singly initiated by the osteogenic proteins of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) supergene family. The osteogenic signals when combined with an insoluble signal or substratum initiate de novo bone formation by induction and are deployed singly, synergistically and synchronously to sculpt the architecture of the mineralized bone/bone marrow organ. The osteogenic proteins of the TGF-beta superfamily are the common molecular initiators deployed for embryonic development and the induction of bone in postnatal osteogenesis, whereby molecules exploited in embryonic development are re-deployed in postnatal tissue morphogenesis as a recapitulation of embryonic development. The pleiotropy of the osteogenic proteins of the TGF-beta superfamily is highlighted by the apparent redundancy of molecular signals initiating bone formation by induction including the TGF-beta isoforms per se, powerful inducers of endochondral bone but in the primate only. Bone induction by the TGF-beta isoforms in the primate is site and tissue specific with substantial endochondral bone induction in heterotopic sites but with absent osteoinductivity in orthotopic calvarial sites on day 30 and only limited osteogenesis pericranially on day 90. Ebaf/Lefty-A, a novel member of the TGF-beta superfamily, induces chondrogenesis in calvarial defects of Papio ursinus and bone regeneration across the defect on day 30 and 90, respectively. The strikingly pleiotropic effects of the bone morphogenetic and osteogenic proteins (BMPs/OPs) spring from amino acid sequence variations in the carboxy-terminal domain and in the transduction of distinct signalling pathways by individual Smad proteins after transmembrane serine/threonine kinase complexes of type I and II receptors. Predictable bone regeneration in clinical contexts requires information concerning the expression and cross regulation of gene products of the TGF-beta superfamily. OP-1, BMP-3, TGF-beta1 and type IV collagen mRNAs expression correlates to the morphological induction and maintenance of engineered ossicles by the hOP-1 osteogenic devices in the non-human primate P. ursinus. Amino-acid sequence variations amongst BMPs/OPs in the carboxy terminal domain confer the structure/activity profile responsible for the pleiotropic activity that controls tissue induction and morphogenesis of a variety of tissues and organs by different BMPs/OPs which are helping to engineer skeletal tissue regeneration in molecular terms.

Animals↗

Antithymocyte globulin induction therapy in hepatitis C-positive liver transplant recipients.

It is unclear whether antithymocyte globulin (ATG) induction therapy in hepatitis C-positive (HCV-positive) liver transplant recipients influences the risk of developing recurrent HCV disease. Multiple acute rejection episodes and high-dose steroids and/or OKT3 used to treat acute rejection increase the risk of graft loss from HCV. We studied the impact of ATG induction on graft and patient survival in HCV-positive liver transplants performed since 1990. Recipients who died or lost their grafts within 1 month of transplantation were excluded. Second, third, and fourth grafts were excluded, as were patients with stage III or IV hepatocellular carcinoma. There were 443 cadaveric liver transplants in adult recipients, of whom 142 (32%) were HCV positive. The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection was less in patients who received ATG induction, 34.2% (ATG induction) versus 66.6% (no ATG induction) (P<or=.01). ATG induction did not influence the risk of graft loss from HCV-related disease (P=.75). When only HCV-related graft loss was considered, 10-year graft survival for HCV-positive recipients was 74% (ATG induction) versus 68.2% (no ATG induction). Whether ATG induction was given or not had no significant impact on either overall graft survival (P=.39) or patient survival (P=.11) in HCV-positive recipients.

Adult↗

Induction, adaptation and recovery of biological responses: implications for environmental monitoring.

A wide range of biological responses have been used to identify exposure to contaminants, monitor spatial and temporal changes in contamination levels, provide early warning of environmental deterioration and indicate occurrences of adverse ecological consequences. To be useful in environmental monitoring, a biological response must reflect the environmental stress over time in a quantitative way. We here argue that the time required for initial induction, maximum induction, adaptation and recovery of these stress responses must first be fully understood and considered before they can be used in environmental monitoring, or else erroneous conclusions (both false-negative and false-positive) may be drawn when interpreting results. In this study, data on initial induction, maximum induction, adaptation and recovery of stress responses at various biological hierarchies (i.e., molecular, biochemical, physiological, behavioral, cytological, population and community responses) upon exposure to environmentally relevant levels of contaminants (i.e., metals, oil, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorines, organophosphates, endocrine disruptors) were extracted from 922 papers in the biomarker literature and analyzed. Statistical analyses showed that: (a) many stress responses may decline with time after induction (i.e., adaptation), even if the level of stress remains constant; (b) times for maximum induction and recovery of biochemical responses are positively related; (c) there is no evidence to support the general belief that time for induction of responses at a lower biological hierarchy (i.e., molecular responses and biochemical responses) is shorter than that at higher hierarchy (i.e., physiological, cytological and behavioral responses), although longer recovery time is found for population and community responses; (d) there are significant differences in times required for induction and adaptation of biological responses caused by different types of contaminants; (e) times required for initial and maximum induction of physiological responses in fish are significantly longer than those in crustaceans; and (f) there is a paucity of data on adaptation and recovery of responses, especially those at population and community levels. The above analyses highlight: (1) the limitations and possible erroneous conclusions in the present use of biomarkers in biomonitoring programs, (2) the importance of understanding the details of temporal changes of biological responses before employing them in environmental management, and (3) the suitability of using specific animal groups as bioindicator species.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Calcium-dependent viral internalization is required for adenovirus type 7 induction of IL-8 protein.

The host response to adenovirus (Ad) infection involves induction of cytokines in lung epithelia. We have demonstrated induction of the lung neutrophil chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) by Ad7, a major lung pathogen, in A549 lung epithelial cells and lung tissue through activation of the Erk signaling pathway. However, the mechanism of IL-8 induction is still unclear. In this paper, we first showed that Ad7 viral gene expression is not essential for IL-8 induction as psoralen-UV inactivation of Ad7 did not affect IL-8 mRNA induction or IL-8 protein induction in A549 cells. We then inhibited internalization of Ad7 by treatment of A549 cells with EGTA in calcium-free medium during exposure to Ad7. We verified that this treatment inhibited Ad internalization by confocal microscopy, FACS analysis and Ad E1A and fiber mRNA expression. Preventing internalization by calcium depletion did not inhibit Erk activation by Ad7. However, calcium-dependent internalization was required for IL-8 protein production in Ad7 exposed cells. This is not likely due to an effect of calcium depletion on downstream Erk signaling or IL-8 protein production since calcium depletion did not block IL-8 protein production stimulated by PMA, and because addition of EGTA subsequent to Ad7 internalization also did not prevent Ad induction of IL-8. These studies indicate that Ad7 internalization is calcium-dependent and is required for IL-8 protein induction upon Ad7 infection. Ad7 induction of Erk is independent of calcium and does not require virus internalization.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Differences in sensitivity of murine spermatogonia and somatic cells in vivo to sister-chromatid exchange induction by nitrosoureas.

Previously published data indicate that spermatogonia (SPG) are less sensitive to a sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) induction for different mutagens. In an earlier study, we have observed that bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) substituted murine SPG are less sensitive to SCE induction by gamma ray in cells, than bone marrow (BM) and salivary gland (SG) cells in vivo. This was interpreted to mean that SPG are more efficient in DNA repair or are less prone to SCE induction. That the lower induction of SCE could be due to a reduced accessibility of mutagens to the SPG by virtue of a physiological barrier, was discarded by using gamma radiation. The aim of the present study was to establish whether or not there are differences in SCE induction by nitrosoureas among SPG, SG and BM cells with BrdU substituted or unsubstituted DNA. It was observed that SCE induction by methylnitrosourea (MNU) or by ethylnitrosourea (ENU) in SPG was, respectively, five and two times lower than in SG, and ten and three times lower than in BM. In SPG after BrdU incorporation, there was no increase in efficiency of SCE induction; in fact, there was even a slight decrease by exposure to MNU or ENU. BM and SG cells showed an increased efficiency in SCE induction after BrdU incorporation. This implies that SPG are also less sensitive to SCE induction by nitrosoureas, which cause a different kind of damage from previously assayed mutagens.

Animals↗

The value of the cervical score in predicting successful outcome of labor induction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare cervical dilation and the Bishop score as correlates of successful labor induction and vaginal delivery and to determine whether the prognosis of post-ripening cervical characteristics varies with the method of ripening used. METHODS: Four hundred forty-three women with Bishop scores less than 9 who required induction of labor were assigned randomly to cervical ripening with prostaglandin E2 gel or hygroscopic dilation. The Bishop score and its component characteristics were evaluated as univariate correlates of successful induction of labor and vaginal delivery and then were assessed using logistic regression to adjust for other maternal and fetal factors. The differences in the association between method of ripening and successful labor induction were evaluated relative to pre-ripening and post-ripening cervical examination characteristics. RESULTS: Cervical dilation was a better correlate of successful labor induction and vaginal delivery than was the Bishop score, even after exclusion of patients with initial Bishop scores greater than 6 and dilation greater than 3.0. Both ripening methods yielded similar success in labor induction and vaginal delivery, but when categorized by post-ripening cervical examinations, patients undergoing hygroscopic ripening had lower rates of successful labor induction and vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Cervical dilation is a better predictor of successful labor induction and vaginal delivery than either the Bishop score or any other Bishop score component characteristic. The likelihood of successful labor induction and vaginal delivery based on post-ripening cervical characteristics varies by the ripening method used.

Cervix Uteri↗

Elective induction versus spontaneous labor: a case-control analysis of safety and efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, efficacy, and safety of elective induction in a community teaching hospital over 1 year. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study of rate, safety, and efficacy of all term inductions with vertex presentations judged to be elective by chart analysis. Cases were matched one for one for age, parity, and pay status with controls in spontaneous labor. The elective induction women were compared with those in spontaneous labor using chi2 Student t test, and Fisher exact test. Potential risk factors for cesarean delivery and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission were then selected and subjected to bivariate analysis. Stepwise logistic regression was applied to control for confounding and to select which risk factors were important for those end points. RESULTS: There were 461 case-control pairs. The elective induction rate was 12.3%. Cesarean delivery was increased by elective induction in bivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR]=1.81, confidence interval [CI]=1.07, 3.08; power=.60). The cesarean delivery rate was 8.7% (control 5.0%). In a multiple regression model of potential risk factors for cesarean delivery, nulliparity (OR=6.14, CI=2.90, 13.04), cervical priming (OR=3.06, CI=1.46, 6.40), oxytocin usage (OR=2.82, CI=1.03, 7.75), gestational age at least 287 days (OR=2.51, CI=1.38, 4.58), and birth weight at least 3800 g (OR=2.29, CI=1.27, 4.13) were significant, but elective induction and epidural anesthesia were not. Elective induction did not significantly increase the rate of NICU admission (4.6% versus control 3.9%). In a multiple regression model of potential factors predicting NICU admission, only a 5-minute Apgar score of at most 8 was significant (OR = 12.34, CI=6.01, 25.3). CONCLUSION: Elective induction is commonly practiced, safe, and efficacious. Cesarean delivery is increased significantly by nulliparity and/or an unfavorable cervix, among other factors, but not by elective induction itself.

Adult↗

Maternal and neonatal outcome following prolonged labor induction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of labor induction length on maternal and neonatal outcome. METHODS: Inductions of labor were reviewed retrospectively, comparing 27 patients with infectious complications to 313 with no infections. Univariate analysis, t-test, chi2, and Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis. Forward stepping logistic regression was used in a multivariate model to identify odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increased risk of maternal infection with increasing induction time. In univariate analysis, cesarean delivery, duration of induction, duration of oxytocin administration, nulliparity, use of internal monitors, increased maternal weight gain, and low cervical dilatation at start of induction were all associated with increased maternal infection risk. Multivariate analysis showed duration of induction for each additional 2 hours (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.01, 1.18) and nonwhite ethnicity (OR 5.95; 95% CI 1.72, 20.49) to be associated significantly with maternal infection. Maternal infection was associated with lower Apgar scores and increased neonatal intensive care unit admissions. In patients who delivered vaginally, a logistic regression model estimated infectious morbidity at 40 hours to be 10%. The cesarean rate was not increased with prolonged induction. CONCLUSION: Prolonged induction is associated with a small increased risk of infectious morbidity, with an estimated 10% incidence noted after 40 hours of induction in women who deliver vaginally.

Adult↗