bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Efficacy and Complications of the Therapy in Long‐Term Follow‐up
Authors: SYSKA PAWEŁ , PRZYBYLSKI ANDRZEJ , CHOJNOWSKA LIDIA , LEWANDOWSKI MICHAŁ , STERLIŃSKI MACIEJ , MACIĄG ALEKSANDER , GEPNER KATARZYNA , PYTKOWSKI MARIUSZ , KOWALIK ILONA , MĄCZYŃSKA‐MAZURUK RENATA , RUZYŁŁO WITOLD , SZWED HANNA
Published: February 2010

ICD in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients. Introduction: Although implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) are used in sudden cardiac death (SCD) prevention in high‐risk patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), long‐term results as well as precise risk stratification are discussed in a limited number of reports. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of ICD intervention in HCM patients with relation to clinical risk profile.

Methods and Results:
We studied 104 consecutive patients with HCM implanted in a single center. The mean age of study population was 35.6 (SD, 16.2) years with the average follow‐up of 4.6 (SD, 2.6) years. ICD was implanted for secondary (n = 26) and primary (n = 78) prevention of SCD. In the secondary prevention group, 14 patients (53.8%) experienced at least 1 appropriate device intervention (7.9%/year). In the primary prevention (PP) group appropriate ICD discharges occurred in 13 patients (16.7%) and intervention rate was 4.0%/year. Nonsustained VT was the only predictive risk factor (RF) for an appropriate ICD intervention in the PP (positive predictive value 22%, negative predictive value 96%). No significant difference was observed in the incidence of appropriate ICD discharges between PP patients with 1, 2, or more RF. Complications of the treatment included: inappropriate shocks (33.7%), lead dysfunction (12.5%), and infections: 4.8% of patients. Four patients died during follow‐up.

Conclusion:
ICD therapy is effective in SCD prevention in patients with HCM, although the complication rate is significant. Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia seems to be the most predictive RF for appropriate device discharges. Number of RF did not impact the incidence of appropriate ICD interventions. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 883‐889, August 2010)
Detection of invasive protein profile of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 isolates from pharyngitis patients
Authors: HASEGAWA TADAO , OKAMOTO AKIRA , KAMIMURA TAKUYA , TATSUNO ICHIRO , HASHIKAWA SHIN‐NOSUKE , YABUTANI MITSUTAKA , MATSUMOTO MASAKADO , YAMADA KEIKO , ISAKA MASANORI , MINAMI MASAAKI , OHTA MICHIO
Published: February 2010

Hasegawa T, Okamoto A, Kamimura T, Tatsuno I, Hashikawa S‐N, Yabutani M, Matsumoto M, Yamada K, Isaka M, Minami M, Ohta M. Detection of invasive protein profile of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 isolates from pharyngitis patients. APMIS 2010; 118: 167–78.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a re‐emerging infectious disease in Japan and many other developed countries. Epidemiological studies have revealed that the M1 serotype of Streptococcus pyogenes is the most dominant causative isolate of STSS. Recent characterization of M1 isolates revealed that the mutation of covS, one of the two‐component regulatory systems, plays an important role in STSS by altering protein expression. We analyzed the M1 S. pyogenes clinical isolates before or after 1990 in Japan, using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PFGE profiles were different between the isolates before and after 1990. Markedly different profiles among isolates after 1990 from STSS and pharyngitis patients were detected. Sequence analysis of two‐component regulatory systems showed that covS mutations were detected not only in STSS but also in three pharyngitis isolates, in which proteins from the culture supernatant displayed the invasive type. The mutated CovS detected in the pharyngitis isolates had impaired function on the production of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB) analyzed by 2‐DE. These results suggest that several covS mutations that lead to the malfunction of the CovS protein occurred even in pharyngeal infection.
Overexpression of TrkB promotes the progression of colon cancer
Authors: YU YINGJIAO , ZHANG SIYANG , WANG XUEMEI , YANG ZHIWEI , OU GUOCHENG
Published: February 2010

Yu Y, Zhang S, Wang X, Yang Z, Ou G. Overexpression of TrkB promotes the progression of colon cancer. APMIS 2010; 118: 188–95.

Studies have confirmed that TrkB plays important roles in facilitating metastasis in various types of malignant tumors. In the present study, 30 cases of colon cancer and matched non‐tumors were examined for the expression of TrkB by Western blot. The expression of TrkB was also examined in 90 colon tumor sections by immunohistochemical methods, and D2‐40 staining was used to evaluate the correlation between TrkB expression and lymphatic vessel density. To investigate the effects of TrkB on the progression of colon cancer, siRNA specific for TrkB was transfected into LoVo cells, and proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of trasfected cells were examined using MTT [3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide], flow cytometry and Transwell assays, respectively. Our results showed that TrkB was up‐regulated in colon tumors compared with the non‐tumorous counterparts, and the overexpression of TrkB was closely correlated with lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and metastasis. Inhibition of TrkB by siRNA increased the apoptotic rates of transfected cells, while the numbers of proliferative and invasive cells were decreased. In summary, our data suggest that overexpression of TrkB in colon cancer possibly plays roles in inhibiting apoptosis, promoting proliferation and invasion, facilitating tumor progression by lymphangiogenesis‐associated metastasis.
Mitotic arrest defective protein 2 expression abnormality and its clinicopathologic significance in human osteosarcoma
Authors: YU LING , GUO WEI‐CHUN , ZHAO SHENG‐HAO , TANG JIN , CHEN JIA‐LU
Published: February 2010

Yu L, Guo W‐C, Zhao S‐H, Tang J, Chen J‐L. Mitotic arrest defective protein 2 expression abnormality and its clinicopathologic significance in human osteosarcoma. APMIS 2010; 118: 222–29.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of bone. Overexpression of mitotic arrest defective protein 2 (MAD2) is found in many human neoplasms, but its role in the oncogenesis of osteosarcoma is an untouched topic. The objective of this research was to observe the expression of MAD2 in human osteosarcoma and explore its clinicopathologic significance. MAD2 expression was analyzed in 48 primary osteosarcoma cases (19 osteoblastic osteosarcomas, 17 chondroblastic osteosarcomas and 12 fibroblastic osteosarcomas) using immunohistochemistry. A total of 20 normal bone specimens formed a control group. MAD2 was commonly overexpressed in human osteosarcoma. Immunopositivity was higher in tumors with lower differentiation and higher clinical stage. Increased expression of MAD2 was associated with earlier metastasis and poorer survival. Our findings provide evidence that MAD2 contributes to the pathogenesis and development of human osteosarcoma, Testing may have a clinical role in predicting prognosis, selecting appropriate chemotherapeutic strategies and providing novel strategies for osteosarcoma therapy.
Echocardiographic evaluation of aged male cross country skiers
Authors: Grimsmo J. , Grundvold I. , Mæhlum S. , Arnesen H.
Published: February 2010

The aim of this echocardiographic study was to evaluate the effects of long‐term endurance training on cardiac structure and function in three different age groups of 48 healthy middle‐aged and old former or still active male cross country skiers (23 in age group I: age 58.6 ± 2.2 years; 21 in age group II: age 74.9 ± 2.2 years; four in age group III: age 89.5 ± 1.9 years). The two oldest age groups were combined and compared with age group I. No significant differences in left atrial or ventricular dimensions between these two age groups were found. A high proportion of enlarged left atrial dimensions were found among all subjects with 80% exceeding the upper reference limit of 40 mm in diameter (LADs) and 94% exceeding the upper reference limit of 20 cm2 in area (LAAs). Mean values for LADs (mm) and LAAs (cm2) were: group I: 41.9 ± 4.7 and 24.7 ± 3.3; group II: 43.5 ± 4.8 and 25.2 ± 3.7; group III: 44.5 ± 4.7 and 25.8 ± 3.7. Left ventricular diastolic diameter exceeded the upper reference limits of >54 mm in 20 subjects among all. The groups had preserved systolic and age‐related diastolic function.
Fluid balance, thermoregulation and sprint and passing skill performance in female soccer players
Authors: Ali A. , Gardiner R. , Foskett A. , Gant N.
Published: February 2010

Ten females performed 90 min of the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) on two occasions separated by 7 days. Water [3 mL/kg body mass (BM)] was provided every 15 min during exercise (FL); no fluid was given in the other trial (NF). Participants performed the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) before and every 15 min during the LIST. Core temperature (Tc) was measured throughout using ingestible temperature sensors. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate ([La−]) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected at regular intervals during exercise. Participants experienced greater BM loss in NF (2.2 ± 0.4%) than FL (1.0 ± 0.4%; P<0.001). Sprint performance deteriorated by 2.7% during exercise (P<0.001) but there was no difference between trials (P=0.294). No significant differences in LSPT performance were detected between trials (P=0.31). Tc was higher during exercise in NF and was 38.6 ± 0.3 °C (NF) and 38.3 ± 0.3 °C (FL; P<0.01) after 90 min. HR (P<0.001), [La−] (P<0.01) and RPE (P=0.009) were higher during exercise in NF. Ingesting water during a 90‐min match simulation reduces the mild dehydration seen in female soccer players when no fluid is consumed. However, there was no effect of fluid ingestion on soccer passing skill or sprint performance.
Relative age is associated with sport dropout: evidence from youth categories of French basketball
Authors: Delorme N. , Chalabaev A. , Raspaud M.
Published: February 2010

The aim of the current research was to investigate the relative age effect (RAE) as a factor of basketball dropout. In order to do so, we examined the distribution of birth dates of young male (n=44 498) and female (n=30 147) French basketball players who have dropped out this sport during or at the end of the 2005–2006 season. χ2 analyses showed an underrepresentation of dropouts among male players born early in the competition year and an overrepresentation among those born late in the “9–10 years old,”“11–12 years old,” and “13–14 years old” categories and in the first year of the “15–17 years old” category. Concerning girls, this asymmetry was observed across the same age categories. For both boys and girls, there was no biased distribution in the “7–8 years old” category. Findings of the present study confirm that the RAE should be taken into consideration in studies about sport dropout as a variable that may influence this phenomenon significantly.
Long‐term clinical and radiological assessment of untreated severe cartilage damage in the knee: a natural history study
Authors: Widuchowski W. , Widuchowski J. , Faltus R. , Lukasik P. , Kwiatkowski G. , Szyluk K. , Koczy B.
Published: February 2010

We aimed to evaluate whether and to what extent an isolated deep cartilage lesion localized within the tibiofemoral and the patellofemoral joint has an impact on the clinical outcomes and osteoarthritis (OA) progression when it is left untreated. From 1991 to 1994, 4121 consecutive knee arthroscopies were performed, and 37 of them in patients with a single isolated chondral lesion of Outerbridge grade 4 located within weight‐bearing areas of the femoral and tibial condyles (FT group) and patella (P group). The lesion size ranged from 2 to 4 cm2. Outcomes were reported at a mean 15.3‐year follow‐up using the Lysholm score, the Tegner activity scale and the Womac score. The mean Lysholm, Tegner and Womac score in the FT group was 87.7, 5.6 and 88.7, respectively. In the P group, it was 83.8, 4.8 and 84.6, respectively (P<0.0.5). Osteoarthritic changes were found in 39% of the patients. There was no difference in OA severity between an injured and an uninjured knee. In patients of the FT group, there was a relationship between the incidence of tibiofemoral OA and patellofemoral OA (P=0.00075). Severe isolated single chondral damage left with no treatment has a limited influence on clinical outcomes and the development of OA.
The effect of heavy strength training on muscle mass and physical performance in elite cross country skiers
Authors: Losnegard T. , Mikkelsen K. , Rønnestad B. R. , Hallén J. , Rud B. , Raastad T.
Published: February 2010

Aim: To investigate the effect of supplementing high‐volume endurance training with heavy strength training on muscle adaptations and physical performance in elite cross country skiers. Eleven male (18–26 years) and eight female (18–27 years) were assigned to either a strength group (STR) (n=9) or a control group (CON) (n=10). STR performed strength training twice a week for 12 weeks in addition to their normal endurance training. STR improved 1 repetition maximum (RM) for seated pull‐down and half squat (19±2% and 12±2%, respectively), while no change was observed in CON. Cross‐sectional area (CSA) increased in m. triceps brachii for both STR and CON, while there was no change in the m. quadriceps CSA. VO2max during skate‐rollerskiing increased in STR (7±1%), while VO2max during running was unchanged. No change was observed in energy consumption during rollerskiing at submaximal intensities. Double‐poling performance improved more for STR than for CON. Both groups showed a similar improvement in rollerski time‐trial performance. In conclusion, 12 weeks of supplemental heavy strength training improved the strength in leg and upper body muscles, but had little effect on the muscle CSA in thigh muscles. The supplemental strength training improved both VO2max during skate‐rollerskiing and double‐poling performance.
A boy born with multiple lesions of atrophoderma
Authors: Pavone Piero , Romantshik Olga , Caltabiano Rosario , Micali Giuseppe , De Pasquale Rocco , Pavone Lorenzo , Ruggieri Martino
Published: February 2010

Aims:  The Atrophodermas include a large group of disorders appearing as localized or widespread depressed skin areas and characterized by underlying dermal atrophy. The present study aims to report a peculiar form of previously unreported focal dermal atrophy.

Methods:  We studied over a period of 5 years a boy who manifested, since birth, multiple hypopigmented cutaneous atrophic lesions of the atrophoderma type in a mosaic distribution over the body and the legs.

Results:  This boy did no develop other cutaneous or systemic stigmata except for an idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) manifested at age 2 years. Full serum, metabolic and infective analyses; full ophthalmological examination; ultrasound examination of the heart and internal organs; skeletal x‐rays; brain magnetic resonance imaging; and DNA analysis of the PORCN (Focal Dermal Hypoplasia ‐ FDH) gene in this boy yielded normal results. Pathological analysis of multiple skin specimens from an affected area revealed slightly reduced dermal thickness; hyperpigmentation of the basal layer; homogenized and disarrayed collagen bundles; perivascular chronic infiltrates of lymphocytes and histiocytes; and normal skin appendages. Currently, the child is healthy; he has mildly improved skin status with less‐evident skin depression throughout the lesion areas and no further complication has been recorded. The histological and clinical appearance of the skin lesions and the course were against any known disorder in the group of the atrophodermas.

Conclusions:  The cutaneous lesions seen in this boy represent a possibly new congenital skin disorder characterized by multiple, benign areas of focal dermal atrophy in a mosaic distribution.
Increased prevalence of burnout symptoms in parents of chronically ill children
Authors: Lindström C , Åman J , Norberg AL
Published: February 2010

Aim:  To examine the prevalence of burnout symptoms in the context of parenting a chronically ill child.

Methods:  A total of 252 parents of children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and 38 parents of children with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases participated in a population‐based study. A control group consisted of 124 randomly selected parents of healthy children. We used self‐report questionnaires to assess symptoms of burnout.

Results:  The main finding was that significantly more parents of children with chronic diseases (36%) scored for clinical burnout, compared with parents of healthy children (20%). Burnout symptoms were most prominent among mothers of children with diabetes, although fathers of children with diabetes and mothers and fathers of children with inflammatory bowel diseases also reported higher levels of various burnout symptoms.

Conclusion:  Burnout may be a useful model for understanding long‐term parental responses and should be acknowledged among the different types of psychological consequences of the multi‐faceted experience of parenting a child with chronic illness. Gender seems to influence the risk of burnout symptoms. Continued research about other background factors, and how the parents’ situation changes over time are warranted. In the clinic, we need to draw attention to the group of parents who may suffer from burnout.
Cytokine levels in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and long‐term growth and neurodevelopment
Authors: Lodha A , Asztalos E , Moore AM
Published: February 2010

Objective:  To investigate if circulating cytokines are related to growth and neurodevelopmental outcome following necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Study design:  Pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels were measured prospectively in 40 neonates and compared with neurodevelopmental outcome. Cytokine levels were measured at the onset of feeding intolerance (Group II, n = 17) or NEC (Group III, n = 10) and at weeks 2–3 in control infants (Group I, n = 13). Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at the age of 24–28 months. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non‐parametric tests and Student t‐test.

Results:  Median birth weights (range) in groups I, II and III were 1120 (525–1564) g, 1068 (650–1937) g and 1145 (670–2833) g, and median gestational ages (range) were 28 (24–35) weeks 28 (24–35) weeks and 28 (25–37) weeks respectively. NEC occurred in 10 infants. Serum IL‐6 (interleukin‐6) was elevated in group III, (p = 0.03). Significant developmental delay was found in 12% of the infants in Group II and 20% of the infants in Group III, but no infant in group I. Five infants in group III with NEC (50%), had head ultrasound abnormalities. At 1 year of age, growth, weight and head circumference were significantly different in Group III, however, at two years of age, only height was significantly different, p < 0.02. Although there was wide variation, neonatal cytokine levels tended to be greater in the infants later found to have abnormal cognitive and psychomotor outcomes.

Conclusion:  This study suggests that increased serum levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines may play a role in the poor growth and neurodevelopment associated with this high‐risk population.
Length of the treatment and number of doses per day as major determinants of child adherence to acute treatment
Authors: Chappuy H , Tréluyer J‐M , Faesch S , Giraud C , Chéron G
Published: February 2010

Objective:  To determine the rate of aftercare adherence to prescriptions from a paediatric emergency department and to identify predictors for nonadherence.

Methods:  Patients discharged from a French paediatric emergency department with at least one oral drug prescription were included. A telephone interview questionnaire was used to determine whether the child had received the treatments according to the prescription. Adherence was assessed according to three items: frequency of drug administration, length of treatment and drug administering method. Complete adherence was defined as adherence to the three items mentioned above, and nonadherent as nonadherent to at least one of the items. Influence of age, sex, pathology, language spoken at home, type of medical insurance, type of medication prescribed, diagnosis, dissatisfaction with the explanation of the medical problem, number of prescribed medications, length of the treatment and number of doses per day was assessed.

Results:  One hundred and five telephone interviews were exploited. The children were 60 boys (57%) and 45 girls (43%). The ages of these 105 children were between 0.2 and 12 years. The most common diagnoses were asthma and pulmonary infection. Complete adherence with the prescription was 36.2%. Three factors were significantly associated with nonadherence (p < 0.05): length of treatment, number of doses per day and male sex.

Conclusion:  This study suggests that simplifying treatment schedules is an effective strategy for improving compliance in paediatric emergency departments.
Correlation between 6‐min walk test and exercise stress test in healthy children
Authors: Limsuwan A , Wongwandee R , Khowsathit P
Published: February 2010

Aim:  To investigate the correlation between 6‐min walk test (SMWT) and incremental treadmill exercise stress test (EST) as indicators for the functional capacity in children.

Methods:  Healthy children aged 9–12 years were included. The anthropometric data, SMWT and EST were prospectively measured using the standard protocols. Various parameters were analysed to define the correlation between SMWT and EST.

Results:  A total of 100 subjects (53 boys) aged 10.3 ± 1.0 years participated in the study. The SMWT distance was 586.1 ± 44.0 m. Height (r = 0.59, R2 = 35%), length of the leg (r = 0.64, R2 = 41%), heart rate at the end of SMWT (r = 0.59, R2 = 35%) and heart rate difference at the end of SMWT (r = 0.71, R2 = 50%) were found to have significant correlation with SMWT distance. The estimated maximal oxygen consumption (eVO2) obtained during the EST tended to be greater in boys than in girls. Among the parameters obtained during EST, maximal heart rate (r = 0.33, R2 = 11%) and the eVO2 (r = 0.54, R2 = 53%) were found to have significant correlation with SMWT.

Conclusions:  SMWT distance is significantly correlated with the eVO2 obtained during the EST. This indicates that SMWT is also one of the predictive markers for EST performance.
Feeding infants with CHD with breast milk: Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study
Authors: Tandberg B. S. , Ystrom E. , Vollrath M. E. , Holmstrøm H.
Published: February 2010

Objective:  To explore the prevalence of breast milk feeding (BMF) of infants with congenital heart defects (CHD) during first 6 months of life, as compared with general population.

Design:  The study is based on a subsample of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study conducted by Norwegian Institute of Public Health. A total of 60 600 mothers completed a questionnaire about infant feeding at 6 months postpartum. Infants with moderate/severe CHD (n = 131) were identified using nationwide CHD registry. A group of infants with CHD with comorbidity was also defined (n = 65). BMF was classified as predominant, continued, or no BMF. Month to month feeding status was analysed by means of Cox regression analyses.

Results:  Between child age 2–6 months, mothers of infants with CHD had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.69 of weaning their child compared with mothers of controls. Mothers of infants with CHD with comorbidity weaned at an even faster rate (HR 3.54). At age 6 months, 9.9% of infants with CHD were fed with breast milk predominately, 64.1% continued to receive breast milk, and only 26% were fed no breast milk. For infants with CHD with comorbidity, corresponding percentages were 7.7%, 43.1% and 49.2%, respectively.

Conclusions:  Although CHD alone and particularly CHD with comorbidity increased risk that mothers wean earlier, a relatively high rate of continued breastfeeding was maintained. Future studies should investigate factors that support continued BMF even in the most severely affected children with CHD.
Cytokine gene polymorphisms and sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Ferrante L , Opdal SH , Vege Å , Rognum TO
Published: February 2010

Aim:  Several studies indicate that the mucosal immune system is stimulated in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and our hypothesis is that this immune reaction is because of an unfavourable combination of functional polymorphisms in the cytokine genes.

Methods:  Thus, in this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐12, IL‐13, IL‐16, IL‐18 and IFNγ were investigated in 148 SIDS cases, 56 borderline SIDS cases, 41 cases of infectious death and 131 controls.

Results:  Regarding genotype distribution, no differences between the investigated groups were found. However, in the SIDS group, the genotypes IL‐8 −251AA/AT and IL‐8 −781CT/TT were significantly more frequent in the SIDS cases found dead in a prone sleeping position, compared with SIDS cases found dead in other sleeping positions. In addition, there was an association between fever prior to death and the genotype IL‐13 +4464GG in the cases of infectious death.

Conclusion:  This study indicates that specific interleukin genotypes are a part of a genetic make up that make infants sleeping prone at risk for SIDS.
Pain management during eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants: a systematic review
Authors: Sun X. , Lemyre B , Barrowman N , O’Connor M
Published: February 2010

Aim:  To assess whether non‐pharmacological and/or pharmacological measures lead to decreased pain during an eye examination in preterm infants.

Methods:  .

Design:  Systematic review.

Subjects:  Premature infants meeting the criteria for screening eye examination for retinopathy.

Intervention:  Databases were searched through the Ovid interface. Randomized and quasi‐randomized controlled trials were included. Data were assessed independently by three reviewers.

Main outcome measures:  Pain assessed by Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) or physiological changes.

Results:  Eight studies were included and grouped according to intervention: oral sucrose (group 1), anaesthetic eye drops (group 2) and non‐pharmacological measures (group 3). For group 1, the mean PIPP score with sucrose was 1.38 (WMD) (95% CI: 0.41–2.35) lower than that of placebo (p = 0.005). For group 2, one study showed a reduction of two points on the PIPP score with topical proparacaine, whereas another showed no benefit. For group 3, developmental care improved developmental scores and salivary cortisol in one study.

Conclusion:  Sucrose reduced pain during the eye examination, whereas the efficacy of proparacaine was not consistent in the studies included. However, PIPP scores remained relatively high in all the studies; thus further research is required to delineate better pain reduction strategies.
Reduced quality of life in children with Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Marlais M , Fishman JR , Köglmeier J , Fell JME , Rawat DJ
Published: February 2010

Aim:  To assess self‐reported Quality of life (QoL) in children with Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) aged 5–18 and compare this with both disease and healthy control children in a prospective consecutive sample.

Methods:  All children attending a tertiary paediatric gastroenterology clinic from February 2009 to May 2009 with GORD, chronic constipation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were asked to complete the validated PedsQL generic QoL assessment (self‐report) at their clinic appointment. The PedsQL considers physical, emotional, social and school domains and is scored from 0 to 100. Healthy children were also recruited from the same site. Groups were compared using the independent samples Student’s t‐test.

Results:  A total of 184 children completed the assessment [103 (56%) male, mean age 10.7 years ± 3.3] including 40 children with GORD, 44 with chronic constipation, 59 with IBD and 41 healthy children. QoL was significantly lower in the GORD group compared with both children with IBD (74 vs. 82) and healthy children (74 vs. 84), and was comparable to that of children with chronic constipation (74 vs. 74).

Conclusions:  Self‐reported QoL in children with GORD attending a tertiary paediatric gastroenterology clinic is significantly reduced compared with both healthy children and children with IBD.
Risk indicators for hearing loss in infants treated in different Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Authors: Van Dommelen P , Mohangoo AD , Verkerk PH , Van Der Ploeg CPB , Van Straaten HLM ,   The Dutch NICU Neonatal Hearing Screening Working Group
Published: February 2010

Aim: To assess which infants’ characteristics and specialized procedures are risk indicators for unilateral or bilateral hearing loss (HL) and to evaluate whether these risk indicators are associated with variation in prevalence of HL between Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).

Methods: For 2002–2005, data from the NICU hearing screening database in the Netherlands were matched with the national neonatology database in which all NICU infants with their patient characteristics and specialized procedures are registered. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk indicators for HL and to explain differences in prevalence rates between NICUs.

Results: A total of 10 830 infants were available for analyses. The prevalence of HL was 1.8% and ranged from 0.7 to 3.7% between NICUs. Infants’ characteristics that significantly increased the risk of HL were the presence of craniofacial anomalies, chomosomal/syndromal anomalies, central nervous system conditions, circulatory system conditions and intra‐uterine infections. The specialized procedures involving ≥12 days of intensive care and high frequency oxygenation ventilation were independent risk indicators for HL. Approximately 20% of the variance can be explained by the studied risk indicators. Differences in prevalence rates between NICUs were slightly reduced after adjustment for these risk indicators. NICUs with the highest prevalence rates of HL were situated in the largest cities in the Netherlands with a mixed population because of immigration. Therefore, ethnicity may be a risk indicator.

Conclusions: Several independent risk indicators for HL were found, but they could not explain all differences in prevalence rates of HL between NICUs.
Self‐perceived health and burden of diabetes in teenagers with type 1 diabetes: psychometric properties of the Swedish measure ‘Check your health’
Authors: Viklund G , Wikblad K
Published: February 2010

The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the instrument ‘Check your health’ in teenagers with type 1 diabetes. The instrument measures ‘self‐reported health’ and ‘burden of diabetes’. A convenience sample of 199 teenagers, 12–17 years of age, completed the questionnaires ‘Check your health’ and DisabKids when visiting the diabetes clinic. Forty‐seven patients completed the questionnaires at home a second time. In the reliability test, the correlation between test and retest was found to be satisfactory, (0.94–0.62, except for social burden, 0.41). Convergent validity was moderate (0.62–0.38), while the instrument showed good discriminant validity. Self‐reported health and burden of diabetes were different in boys and girls, in patients with good or poor metabolic control or who reported high and low disease severity. The domain burden of diabetes turned out to be very sensitive.

Conclusion:  The instrument ‘Check your health’ showed clinical utility in teenagers with diabetes. Reliability and validity tests of the measure showed promising results in Swedish teenagers, and it can probably be used in clinical settings. To further strengthen the convergent validity, it should be compared with other QoL instruments, and to obtain normative values, it has to be used in a larger context.
Evaluation of the acceptability of a new oral vitamin K prophylaxis for breastfed infants
Authors: Strehle E‐M , Howey C , Jones R
Published: February 2010

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptability and tolerability of the oral food supplement Neokay for the prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding in newborns.

Methods:  A questionnaire survey was conducted among 45 midwives in which they were asked 10 questions about their use of Neokay, its advantages and disadvantages, and their perceptions of parental attitudes towards this new prophylactic treatment.

Results:  During a 6‐month period one dose of Neokay was given to 1794 healthy newborns at birth and further daily doses were given to 812 breastfed infants for 3 months. The midwives listed as main advantages ease of administration, no need for prescription or written consent, and transfer of responsibility to parents. As disadvantages, they mentioned possible reduced compliance as a result of the frequency of dosing, decreased parental confidence in breastfeeding and technical issues with packaging.

Conclusion:  A prophylactic vitamin K dosage regimen of 1 mg oral vitamin K (Konakion MM Paediatric or Orakay) given to all healthy neonates at birth, combined with daily doses of 50 μg Neokay for 3 months for breastfed babies is well tolerated and acceptable to midwives and parents.
Prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia associated with the haem oxygenase‐1 gene promoter polymorphism
Authors: Bozkaya OG , Kumral A , Yesilirmak DC , Ulgenalp A , Duman N , Ercal D , Ozkan H
Published: February 2010

Aim:  To elucidate the genetic factors causing hyperbilirubinaemia in prolonged jaundice of the newborns, we investigated whether the HO‐1 gene promoter polymorphism is a cause in unexplained pathological or prolonged jaundice.

Methods:  Three groups were defined: healthy newborns with no clinical jaundice, newborns hospitalized for jaundice without any identifiable pathological cause and newborns with prolonged jaundice associated with breast milk. Genomic DNA was extracted from the white blood cells and the promoter region of the HO‐1 gene was amplified using PCR and their allelic repeats were determined.

Results:  We did not detect any significant difference in the allele frequencies between the healthy newborns and the newborns whose serum total bilirubin levels were >12.9 mg/dL. However, the patients with short (<24 GT) dinucleotide repeat in the HO‐1 gene promoter on either allele had significantly higher prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia than the healthy newborns. There was no significant difference between the groups 2 and 3.

Conclusion:  The results indicate that polymorphism of HO‐1 gene promoter region can be an underlying cause of the prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia associated with breast milk. In this patient population, short repeat alleles of the HO‐1 gene promoter polymorphism were associated with prolonged jaundice.
Biochemical evidence for conformational changes in the cross‐talk between adenylation and peptidyl‐carrier protein domains of nonribosomal peptide synthetases
Authors: Zettler Joachim , Mootz Henning D.
Published: February 2010

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases serve as multidomain protein templates for producing a wealth of pharmaceutically important natural products. For the correct assembly of the desired natural product the interactions between the different catalytic centres and the reaction intermediates bound to the peptidyl carrier protein must be precisely controlled at spatial and temporal levels. We have investigated the interplay between the adenylation (A) domain and the peptidyl carrier protein in the gramicidin S synthetase I (EC 5.1.1.11) via partial tryptic digests, native PAGE and gel‐filtration analysis, as well as by chemical labeling experiments. Our data imply that the 4′‐phosphopantetheine moiety of the peptidyl carrier protein changes its position as a result of a conformational change in the A domain, which is induced by the binding of an amino acyl adenylate mimic. The productive interaction between the two domains at the stage of the amino acyl transfer onto the 4′‐phosphopantetheine moiety is accompanied by a highly compact protein conformation of the holo‐protein. These results provide the first biochemical evidence for the occurrence of conformational changes in the cross‐talk between A and peptidyl carrier protein domains of a multidomain nonribosomal peptide synthetase.
A cryptochrome‐based photosensory system in the siliceous sponge Suberites domuncula (Demospongiae)
Authors: Müller Werner E. G. , Wang Xiaohong , Schröder Heinz C. , Korzhev Michael , Grebenjuk Vladislav A. , Markl Julia S. , Jochum Klaus P. , Pisignano Dario , Wiens Matthias
Published: February 2010

Based on the light‐reactive behavior of siliceous sponges, their intriguing quartz glass‐based spicular system and the existence of a light‐generating luciferase [Müller WEG et al. (2009) Cell Mol Life Sci 66, 537–552], a protein potentially involved in light reception has been identified, cloned and recombinantly expressed from the demosponge Suberites domuncula. Its sequence displays two domains characteristic of cryptochrome, the N‐terminal photolyase‐related region and the C‐terminal FAD‐binding domain. The expression level of S. domuncula cryptochrome depends on animal’s exposure to light and is highest in tissue regions rich in siliceous spicules; in the dark, no cryptochrome transcripts/translational products are seen. From the experimental data, it is proposed that sponges might employ a luciferase‐like protein, the spicular system and a cryptochrome as the light source, optical waveguide and photosensor, respectively.
A new highly toxic protein isolated from the death capAmanita phalloidesis an l‐amino acid oxidase
Authors: Stasyk Taras , Lutsik‐Kordovsky Maxim , Wernstedt Christer , Antonyuk Volodymyr , Klyuchivska Olga , Souchelnytskyi Serhiy , Hellman Ulf , Stoika Rostyslav
Published: February 2010

A new highly cytotoxic protein, toxophallin, was recently isolated from the fruit body of the death cap Amanita phalloides mushroom [Stasyk et al. (2008) Studia Biologica 2, 21–32]. The physico‐chemical, chemical and biological characteristics of toxophallin differ distinctly from those of another death cap toxic protein, namely phallolysin. The interaction of toxophallin with target cells is not mediated by a specific cell surface receptor. It induces chromatin condensation, as well as DNA and nucleus fragmentation, which are typical for apoptosis. However, caspase III inhibitor [benzyloxycarbonyl‐Asp(OMe)‐fluoromethylketone] did not stop toxophallin‐induced DNA fragmentation. Thus, toxophallin uses a caspase‐independent pathway of apoptosis induction. In the present study, we applied a complementary approach based on a combination of proteomics and molecular biology tools for the protein identification of toxophallin. The primary structure of toxophallin was partially studied via direct sequencing of its tryptic peptides, followed by PCR‐based cloning of the corresponding cDNA. A subsequent bioinformatic search revealed a structural homology of toxophallin with the l‐amino acid oxidase of the Laccaria bicolor mushroom. This demonstrates the usefulness of our approach for the identification of proteins in organisms with unknown genomes. We also found a broad substrate specificity of toxophallin with respect to oxidizing selected amino acids. Ascorbic acid inhibited the cytotoxic effect of toxophallin, most likely as a result of scavenging hydrogen peroxide, which is the product of oxidase catalysis. Thus, in addition to highly toxic cyclopeptides and toxic lectin phallolysin, the death cap fruit body contains another cytotoxic protein in the form of an enzyme, namely l‐amino acid oxidase.
Minor capsid proteins of mouse polyomavirus are inducers of apoptosis when produced individually but are only moderate contributors to cell death during the late phase of viral infection
Authors: Huerfano Sandra , Žíla Vojtěch , Bouřa Evžen , Španielová Hana , Štokrová Jitka , Forstová Jitka
Published: February 2010

Minor structural proteins of mouse polyomavirus (MPyV) are essential for virus infection. To study their properties and possible contributions to cell death induction, fusion variants of these proteins, created by linking enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to their C‐ or N‐termini, were prepared and tested in the absence of other MPyV gene products, namely the tumor antigens and the major capsid protein, VP1. The minor proteins linked to EGFP at their C‐terminus (VP2–EGFP, VP3–EGFP) were found to display properties similar to their nonfused, wild‐type versions: they killed mouse 3T3 cells quickly when expressed individually. Carrying nuclear localization signals at their common C‐terminus, the minor capsid proteins were detected in the nucleus. However, a substantial subpopulation of both VP2 and VP3 proteins, as well as of the fusion proteins VP2–EGFP and VP3–EGFP, was detected in the cytoplasm, co‐localizing with intracellular membranes. Truncated VP3 protein, composed of 103 C‐terminal amino acids, exhibited reduced affinity for intracellular membranes and cytotoxicity. Biochemical studies proved each of the minor proteins to be a very potent inducer of apoptosis, which was dependent on caspase activation. Immuno‐electron microscopy showed the minor proteins to be associated with damaged membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope and mitochondria as soon as 5 h post‐transfection. Analysis of apoptotic markers and cell death kinetics in cells transfected with the wild‐type MPyV genome and the genome mutated in both VP2 and VP3 translation start codons revealed that the minor proteins contribute moderately to apoptotic processes in the late phase of infection and both are dispensable for cell destruction at the end of the virus replication cycle.

Structured digital abstract

MINT‐7386399, MINT‐7386463, MINT‐7386515: VP3 (uniprotkb:P03096‐2) and GRP94 (uniprotkb:P08113) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)

MINT‐7386328, MINT‐7386434, MINT‐7386493: VP2 (uniprotkb:P03096‐1) and GRP94 (uniprotkb:P08113) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)

MINT‐7386294, MINT‐7386413, MINT‐7386482: VP2 (uniprotkb:P03096‐1) and Lamin‐B (uniprotkb:P14733) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)

MINT‐7386354, MINT‐7386450, MINT‐7386504: VP3 (uniprotkb:P12908‐2) and Lamin‐B (uniprotkb:P14733) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)
Gamma-ray halo around 3C 279: looking through the Sun on the 8th of October
Authors: Fairbairn Malcolm , Rashba Timur , Troitsky Sergey
Published: February 2010

We discuss how the solar occultations of bright sources of energetic gamma-rays can be used to extract non-trivial physical and astrophysical information, including the angular size of the image when it is significantly smaller than the experiment's angular resolution. We analyse the egret data and discuss prospects for other instruments. The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope will be able to constrain the size of a possible halo around 3C 279 from observations it makes on October 8 each year.
Diffuse far-infrared and ultraviolet emission in the NGC 4435/4438 system: tidal stream or Galactic cirrus?
Authors: Cortese L. , Bendo G. J. , Isaak K. G. , Davies J. I. , Kent B. R.
Published: February 2010

We report the discovery of diffuse far-infrared and far-ultraviolet emission projected near the interacting pair NGC 4435/4438, in the Virgo cluster. This feature spatially coincides with a well-known low surface-brightness optical plume, usually interpreted as tidal debris. If extragalactic, this stream would represent not only one of the clearest examples of intracluster dust, but also a rare case of intracluster molecular hydrogen and large-scale intracluster star formation. However, the ultraviolet, far-infrared, Hi and CO emission as well as the dynamics of this feature are extremely unusual for tidal streams but are typical of Galactic cirrus clouds. In support to the cirrus scenario, we show that a strong spatial correlation between far-infrared and far-ultraviolet cirrus emission is observed across the centre of the Virgo cluster, over a scale of several degrees. This study demonstrates how dramatic Galactic cirrus contamination can be, even at optical and ultraviolet wavelengths and at high galactic latitudes. If ignored, the presence of diffuse light scattered by Galactic dust clouds could significantly bias our interpretation of low surface-brightness features and diffuse light observed around galaxies and in clusters of galaxies.
High-resolution AMI Large Array imaging of spinning dust sources: spatially correlated 8 µm emission and evidence of a stellar wind in L675
Authors: Scaife Anna M. M. , Green David A. , Pooley Guy G. , Davies Matthew L. , Franzen Thomas M. O. , Grainge Keith J. B. , Hobson Michael P. , Hurley-Walker Natasha , Lasenby Anthony N. , Olamaie Malak , Richer John S. , Rodríguez-Gonzálvez Carmen , Saunders Richard D. E. , Scott Paul F. , Shimwell Timothy W. , Titterington David J. , Waldram Elizabeth M. , Zwart Jonathan T. L.
Published: February 2010

We present 25 arcsec resolution radio images of five Lynds Dark Nebulae (L675, L944, L1103, L1111 and L1246) at 16 GHz made with the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI) Large Array. These objects were previously observed with the AMI Small Array to have an excess of emission at microwave frequencies relative to lower frequency radio data. In L675, we find a flat spectrum compact radio counterpart to the 850 μm emission seen with Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) and suggest that it is cm-wave emission from a previously unknown deeply embedded young protostar. In the case of L1246, the cm-wave emission is spatially correlated with 8 μm emission seen with Spitzer. Since the mid-infrared emission is present only in Spitzer band 4 we suggest that it arises from a population of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules, which also give rise to the cm-wave emission through spinning dust emission.
Evaluating MT3DMS for Heat Transport Simulation of Closed Geothermal Systems
Authors: Hecht‐Méndez Jozsef , Molina‐Giraldo Nelson , Blum Philipp , Bayer Peter
Published: February 2010

Owing to the mathematical similarities between heat and mass transport, the multi‐species transport model MT3DMS should be able to simulate heat transport if the effects of buoyancy and changes in viscosity are small. Although in several studies solute models have been successfully applied to simulate heat transport, these studies failed to provide any rigorous test of this approach. In the current study, we carefully evaluate simulations of a single borehole ground source heat pump (GSHP) system in three scenarios: a pure conduction situation, an intermediate case, and a convection‐dominated case. Two evaluation approaches are employed: first, MT3DMS heat transport results are compared with analytical solutions. Second, simulations by MT3DMS, which is finite difference, are compared with those by the finite element code FEFLOW and the finite difference code SEAWAT. Both FEFLOW and SEAWAT are designed to simulate heat flow. For each comparison, the computed results are examined based on residual errors. MT3DMS and the analytical solutions compare satisfactorily. MT3DMS and SEAWAT results show very good agreement for all cases. MT3DMS and FEFLOW two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) results show good to very good agreement, except that in 3D there is somewhat deteriorated agreement close to the heat source where the difference in numerical methods is thought to influence the solution. The results suggest that MT3DMS can be successfully applied to simulate GSHP systems, and likely other systems with similar temperature ranges and gradients in saturated porous media.