bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using computers to improve the language competence and attending behaviour of deaf aboriginal children
Authors: Bailey Jeff , Weippert Heather
Published: April 2008

Abstract  This case study of two young aboriginal girls being educated in a deaf unit in central Australia explores their change in attitudes to themselves and school and examines their increased language competence expressed as manual signs. A 12‐week computing intervention was conducted using three software packages, PAWS, GARFIELD and PRINTSHOP to improve language, attention, concentration and attitudes. Post‐intervention evaluations were made qualitatively. The girls improved their typing skills, learned to sign all the relevant parts of the computer, reduced their inattentive behaviour, increased their pro‐social interaction and developed more positive attitudes toward teachers and school.
The process of knowledge reification in human‐human interaction
Authors: Boder A.
Published: April 2008

Abstract  The notions explored in this paper have arisen in a project (JITOL) experimenting with IT‐supported open learning applied to the personal development of professionals. In this context, we hypothesize that open learning is optimum for acquisition of knowledge. The method underlying open learning in JITOL is rather unique. First, it is based on the idea that collaborative learning is essential, particularly for the professional development of individuals. Second, it emphasizes knowledge stemming from the debates between professionals and provides methods for capitalizing on it by a recursive process, called the reification of interactions.
Only connect: teaching, technology and telesis
Authors: Shaw S.
Published: April 2008

Abstract This paper describes an approach to the design of interactive multimedia materials being developed in a European Community project. The developmental process is seen as a dialogue between technologists and teachers. This dialogue is often problematic because of the differences in training, experience and culture between them. Conditions needed for fruitful dialogue are described and the generic model for learning design used in the project is explained.
Computer experience and attitudes of 12‐year‐old students: implications for the UK National Curriculum
Authors: Kirkman C.
Published: April 2008

Abstract The computer experience of 12‐year‐old students who had just started their secondary education was investigated. Data was collected on home and school computer use, attitudes towards computers, academic ability, gender and socio‐economic group. The results highlight the widely varying and often inadequate computer experience that students have received in their primary education. The computer experience of the majority of students was a long way from being sufficient to fulfil the requirements of the UK National Curriculum. For most students, home computer use formed the major part of their IT experience. Home computer use was found to have the strongest effect on attitudes towards computers. Several significant differences in attitude were apparent between boys and girls. Analysis of academic ability and socio‐economic group showed that these factors related to boys and girls in very different ways. All these factors need to be considered when implementing the computer content of the UK National Curriculum.
The quality of talk in children's joint activity at the computer
Authors: Mercer N.
Published: April 2008

Abstract  This paper describes some findings of the Spoken Language and New Technology (SLANT) research project which studied the talk of primary school children who were working together at the computer on a range of activities involving various kinds of software. It was observed that computer‐based activities were commonly effective for motivating interaction and stimulating talk, but that this talk varied considerably between activities in terms of its quality and educational value. The analysis of these observations suggests some ways in which the quality of talk and collaboration can be improved. This analysis also supports the view that teachers, software designers and educational researchers need a broader conception of what is involved in designing and running computer‐based activity.
Visual aspects of courseware engineering
Authors: Lanzing J.W.A. , Stanchev I.
Published: April 2008

Abstract  This contribution focuses on visualisation of information in courseware and in courseware engineering. An overview of advantages and disadvantages of visualisation is given, considering psychological and instructional, cross‐cultural, and technical aspects of visualisation. Cross‐cultural aspects are especially significant because of their strong relation with issues of courseware portability. Finally, an exploration of possibilities to improve courseware and courseware engineering tools by applying visualisation is included, with some practical examples of visualisation derived from authoring systems.
Information Technology and new Primary School teachers
Authors: Kay J.J. , Mellar H.G.
Published: April 2008

Abstract  This paper looks at the use of IT by teachers in their first year of teaching. Students on a Primary PGCE course were followed up in their first year of teaching, data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, and an interview with the Primary PGCE IT tutor provided a picture of the training they had received. It was found that the training had provided a limited preparation, enabling a start to be made with subject‐related games and word processing, but had left the teachers reliant on school support, to develop further use of IT. Suggestions for course improvement are made.
IT in teacher education in Scotland
Authors: McDonald S. , Davis R.
Published: April 2008

Abstract This paper outlines the consensual approach to the formulation of curriculum policy in general, and in relation to information technology (IT) in particular, in Scotland. It outlines the approaches to IT that have emerged as a result. These are founded on the premises that all children should develop knowledge and understanding about IT and skills in using IT; that IT should influence both content and delivery of the curriculum; and that IT (computing studies in Scotland) should be an elective for secondary school pupils. Against this background, the paper describes the evolution of policy and practice relating to IT in teacher education. It appraises the strategies which institutes are using for developing the professional skills necessary to deliver IT in the Scottish curriculum. It notes significant progress but highlights the need to develop strategies which integrate IT more deeply with other professional studies so that student teachers develop deeper, more reflective approaches to IT.
Teacher education in IT in Germany
Authors: Gorny P.
Published: April 2008

Abstract In 1988 the eleven West‐German Kultusminister, with responsibility for the school systems in their respective Bundeslaender, reached agreement with the Federal Ministry of Education and Science on the broad concept of ‘Information and Communications Technology’, ITG. After four years of discussion it was agreed that ITG should be introduced into the secondary level of the general schools. In spite of strong disagreements about the ways and speed of implementation, and after several years of experiments, important parts of the concept have become a reality in practically all of the old Bundeslaender. While acknowledging the complexity of the German educational system the paper attempts to outline the development of the concept of Information and Communications Technology and its consequences in teacher education. The development in the eastern part of Germany, the former GDR, has been completely different to that in the western part and this is also commented upon in the paper.
IT in teacher training in France
Authors: Grandbastien M.
Published: April 2008

Abstract To understand what is going on in France at the moment in the domain of computers and related communication technologies in teacher training, there are two major developments that have to be kept in mind. Firstly, the ways of becoming a teacher in France underwent major changes in 1991. It is therefore too early to come to general conclusions about the effects of this reform in the field of new information technologies. Secondly, French IT in schools policy has shifted from a large‐scale centralized equipment operation, which provided microcomputers in each school from 1985 to 1987, to a more regional management of equipment funding, with less national piloting in the field. This paper describes what happened during the previous period and what is taking place now. With matters still evolving the paper represents a snapshot rather than an exhaustive survey; such a survey remains to be done.
Integrating CAL into the organisational context as an instructional design task
Authors: Kerres M.
Published: April 2008

Abstract The development of applications for CAL relate to three levels of instructional design: a micro‐level, the design of mediacomponents; a meso‐level, the choice and formulation of an instructional method and a macro‐level, the integration of CAL into the social context of learning. Whereas the first two levels have gained much attention the third aspect has been neglected in research so far. At this level the compatibility of instructional technology and the content and organisational structure of the learning has to be analysed. One aspect refers to the mostly implicit concepts for implementing CAL in organisations: CAL is viewed as either a substitute, an enrichment or as an organisational innovation. Problems contained in each of these concepts in corporate training are discussed.
Pre‐course IT skills of teacher trainees: a longitudinal study
Authors: Liénard B.
Published: April 2008

Abstract Data descriptive of the prior IT experience of Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students for the academic years 1992/3 and 1993/4 are presented, together with data previously reported for students during academic years 1989/90 and 1991/2. Longitudinal trends over a period of 5 years from a total of over 2500 students are examined. The implications for IT training provision within initial teacher training courses are considered in the light of these findings. A simple numerical measure of prior IT use is developed which has been used to inform tutors of their students' prior experience and pinpoint those in need of differentiated IT training during their course.
An investigation of Year 7 pupils learning CONTROL LOGO
Authors: Sparkes R. A.
Published: April 2008

Abstract Recommendations for the IT component of the National Curriculum suggested that Key Stage 2 pupils use “IT to control models such as level crossing barriers and traffic lights”. This paper describes a 3‐year investigation into the use of CONTROL LOGO (and languages with a similar syntax) for control technology in Year 7. It was found that most pupils were able to program simple control sequences using meaningful labels and procedures and that LOGO did assist the acquisition of good programming habits. However, particular difficulties with the LOGO syntax were noted when inputs were being used, and it was concluded that LOGO is unsuitable for this particular purpose.
Researching professional learning
Authors: Saunders M.
Published: April 2008

Abstract This paper draws on recent research which includes the JITOL project, funded through the EC DELTA programme, and a current ESRC project on teachers' professional culture. It identifies a typology of contexts in which professional learning might take place. This typology was a product of the evaluation of the JITOL project and seeks to identify the learning which grows out of occupational environments. It problemetises the notion of ‘professional’, arguing that the term refers to a set of values which frame occupational practice and thus learning. Finally, it offers an approach which might form the basis of research into professional learning.
New debates on learning support
Authors: Linard M.
Published: April 2008

Abstract In the present debate on knowledge management and multimedia support of human learning, the word ‘mediation’ (of conduct) is often used as a natural correlate and rough equivalent to the word ‘mediatisation’ (of information). It is suggested that the distinction between the two words points to a basic difference between two types of processes which are crucial to a much needed rethinking of the conception and design of humanmachine interaction (HCI).

A redefinition of the ‘appropriateness’ of media support as the quality of the help to people's self‐help rather than of direct control of their behaviour is proposed. Such a redefinition implies a radical shift of paradigm allowing for approaches to human learning as a cognitive activity in its own right. Another view of technological mediation is advocated, in keeping with some recent developments in HCI.
Designing interactive learning environments
Authors: Akpinar Y. , Hartley J.R.
Published: April 2008

Abstract As computers become more prominent in classroom instruction their modes of use are extending, for example as surrogate teachers in tutoring or as curriculum enrichment in simulation applications where students are more investigative in their learning methods. However, within the classroom such programs often have effects and are used in ways that were not always anticipated by their designers. This argues for computer assisted learning (CAL) environments in which the software is interactive but is able to adapt to different styles of learning and teaching. This paper argues for and describes the design principles of such environments, taking as illustration an application in the fraction domain. Following its implementation, initial evaluation data taken from school‐children showed marked performance improvements, and indicated how design features of the system (FRACTIONLAB) contributed to their understanding.
IT culture in medical education
Authors: Fox N.J.
Published: April 2008

Abstract A survey of the Information Technology (IT) skills and attitudes of 180 pre‐clinical students at two UK medical schools are reported. Medical School A had little in the way of an ‘IT culture’, while School B runs a short course in informatics in the first year, and regularly employs IT and CAL applications in teaching and learning. School A students were less likely to consider their skills to be ‘adequate’ for their educational needs. Students at School B rated IT skills as of greater importance for both their current and future needs as undergraduates, but over 87% of both groups considered IT competency as ‘essential’ or ‘important’ for their future in medical practice. These, and other findings, are discussed in relation to the impact of ‘IT culture’, including training in informatics within the undergraduate medical curriculum.
VIIth International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis: Summary
Authors: Sherlock S.
Published: April 2008

This symposium was held in Madrid, 25–27 January 1996, under the Chairmanship of Vicente Carreño (Spain). The meeting fully maintained and even exceeded the scientific and practical standards of its predecessors. The whole alphabet of hepatitis viruses in humans were included. Over 800 scientists and clinicians from more than 40 countries attended. As well as invited speakers, there were over 100 abstracts presented at the meeting.
New therapies for chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Hoofnagle J. H. , Lau D.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Currently, the only therapy of proven benefit in chronic hepatitis B is interferon‐alpha which leads to a long‐term benefit in only one‐third of patients. New therapies for hepatitis B fall into three categories; antiviral chemotherapy, immunomodulation with cell‐based therapies, vaccines or cytokines, and gene therapy such as with antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes or viral mutants. The most promising immediate approach to therapy is with the new nucleoside antivirals ‐ lamivudine and famciclovir. These drugs are well absorbed orally, result in profound inhibition of circulating hepatitis B virus, and, in some cases, loss of hepatitis B e antigen and improvement in serum aminotransferases. Controlled trials of long‐term famciclovir and lamivudine therapy currently underway aim to show whether these drugs are safe and can provide sustained inhibition of viral replication and attentant improvement in liver disease.
Variables that influence response to different interferon schedules in chronic hepatitis C and predictive models
Authors: De Salvo G. L. , Noventa F. , Chemello L. , Pontisso P. , Alberti A.
Published: April 2008

Summary. In chronic hepatitis C (HCV), standard interferon therapy with 3 MU three times weekly for 6 months is associated with sustained response in about 10–20% of patients while another 10–15% respond only when higher dosages or/and longer periods of treatment are used. Different variables have been described that are associated with sustained response and may also identify patients requiring low‐ or high‐dose regimens. We have analysed a large data base of 442 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon‐alpha to define rates of sustained response in different patient subgroups treated with different schedules. The rate of sustained response was increased with higher dose regimens in most patient categories, defined according to age, pre‐treatment liver histology and HCV genotype, while the amount of interferon per one sustained response remained the same or was reduced. The use of higher dose regimen was particularly cost‐effective in patients with cirrhosis. Using the same data base, different models of prediction of sustained response in the individual patient were developed and compared. Inclusion of the HCV genotype in these models was found to increase significantly specificity and sensitivity, confirming that this parameter has a major influence on sustained response to interferon therapy in chronic HCV.
Uncommon side‐effects of interferon
Authors: Bailly F. , Mattei A. , SiAhmed S. N. , Trepo C.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Beside the clinical manifestations usually observed during the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis with interferon, a small number of side‐effects, less frequent and sometimes unexpected, have been described. These neurological, pulmonary, metabolic, cardio‐vascular or psychiatric manifestations are uncommon but potentially severe. We here describe three cases of stroke that occured during treatment with interferon in which the role played by the molecule could be questioned.
Viral induction of autoimmunity: mechanisms and examples in hepatology
Authors: Manns M. P. , Obermayer‐Straub P.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Autoimmunity may be observed in chronic viral hepatitis, in particular hepatitis C and D. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) displays numerous interactions with the immune system. Hepatitis C virus induces a number of diseases of presumed autoimmune background, like mixed cryoglobulinaemia, glomerulonephritis, panarthritis, arthritis, thyroiditis and skin lesions. On the other hand a number of autoantibodies are observed during the course of hepatitis C, Of particular interest are liver/kidney microsomal antibodies (LKM). Their occurrence in viral hepatitis may indicate an increased risk for treatment with interferons. LKM antibodies in chronic hepatitis C recognize several autoepitopes differing from those in autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatitis C‐associated LKM antibodies are more heterogeneous. They recognize either conformational or several distinct linear autoepitopes on cytochrome P450 2D6; they may also react with other microsomal proteins. Apart from their molecular weight at 59 and 70 kDa these microsomal antigens are not yet identified. Another model of virus‐induced autoimmunity in man is chronic hepatitis D which always requires co‐infection with hepatitis B. Hepatitis D is known to be associated with a number of autoantibodies, amongst them LKM‐3. LKM‐3 antibodies have recently been shown to react with proteins of the UDP glucuronosyl‐transferase family (UGT). The main antigen is an autoepitope expressed on exon 2–5 of family 1 UGTs. Some hepatitis D sera recognize a minor second epitope on family 2 UGTs. It is interesting that hepatitis C patients recognize proteins of the cytochrome P450 family while hepatitis D sera react with UGTs. There seems to be little overlap between autoimmunity seen in hepatitis C and D as far as autoepitopes are concerned. LKM‐3 antibodies against UGT 1 are also seen in a minority of patients with autoimmune hepatitis type 2. However, the autoimmune response against UGTs seen in autoimmune hepatitis differs from that observed in viral hepatitis. Autoantibodies in autoimmune liver disease are usually more homogenous and are directed against precise linear epitopes. Autoepitopes in autoimmune hepatitis usually represent conserved regions of these proteins, the antibody usually is inhibitory and antibody litres are very high. In contrast, autoantibodies in viral hepatitis are more heterogenous, recognize several linear and conformational epitopes: antibody titres are much lower. However, the major LKM autoantigen in chronic hepatitis C also is P450 2D6. Autoimmune hepatitis and autoimmmunity in viral hepatitis must be distinguished clinically by all means due to the need for specific therapeutic interventions. These liver diseases may serve as models to study virus induced autoimmunity and autoimmune disease in man.
Childhood neurological morbidity and its association with gestational age, intrauterine growth retardation and perinatal stress
Authors: Berg ANNE T.
Published: April 2008

Summary

Data from 7‐year‐old children (n=5363) enrolled prena‐tally during the 1960s in the Boston sector of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project (NCPP) have been used to study the associations of abnormal neurological findings at 7 years of age with gestational age, intrauterine growth‐retardation (IUGR) and hypoxia‐related perinatal stress. Among infants without perinatal stress, pre‐term infants were at higher risk of abnormal neurological findings at 7 years than were term and post‐term infants. IUGR infants, in the absence of stress, were not at any increased risk relative to non‐IUGR infants. The odds ratio associated with perinatal stress increased with gestational age and was greater in the IUGR than in the non‐IUGR infants.
Diabetes in pregnancy: maternal and infant outcome
Authors: Heckbert SUSAN R. , Stephens CHERYL R. , Daling JANET R.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Previous studies have shown that diabetic women more commonly have complications of pregnancy and adverse infant outcomes than do other women. However, most of the studies have not evaluated women with gestational diabetes separately. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pregnancy complications and infant morbidity and mortality among births to women with gestational diabetes and women with established diabetes. Birth certificate data from 1984 in Washington State linked with death certificate data provided information on complications of pregnancy and infant outcome for 422 gestational diabetics and 144 established diabetics. A comparison group of 856 non‐diabetic women who delivered a child was selected at random. Both established and gestational diabetic women were more likely to be reported to develop pre‐eclampsia (relative risk (RR) = 4.0 and 9.6). Established and gestational diabetic women were also at increased risk of delivery by Caesarean section (RR=2.1 and 5.0). Infants of established diabetics had a higher risk of congenital anomalies (RR = 7.6) than infants of non‐diabetics and were at increased risk of death in the first 4 weeks (RR = 7.9) and the first year of life (RR=5.0). Gestational diabetics were more likely to have high birthweight babies (>4000 g) (RR=2.1) while established diabetics were more likely to have babies at either extreme of birthweight (>4000 g, RR=1.7; (2500 g, RR = 3.2). We conclude that both gestational and established diabetes are associated with important increases in risk of pregnancy complications and adverse infant outcomes.
Patent ductus arteriosus in a cohort of 1338 preterm infants: a collaborative studya
Authors: van de Bor Margot , Verloove‐Vanhorick S. PAULINE , Brand Ronald , Ruys JAN H.
Published: April 2008

Summary. As part of a prospective national survey on morbidity and mortality of all infants born at less than 32 weeks and/or weighing less than 1500 g in the Netherlands we studied the incidence of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in infants surviving at least 24 hours. In 1252 of the 1338 infants the presence or absence of PDA could be established. The incidence of PDA was 10.7%. Logistic regression analyses revealed that idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) was the most predictive factor, followed in order of importance by septicaemia, birthweight, prolonged rupture of membranes and gesta‐tional age. None of the other maternal and perinatal factors showed any association with the occurrence of PDA. Furthermore, bronchopulmo‐nary dysplasia (BPD) and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) were found to be sequelae of PDA. The combination of IRDS, very pre‐term birth and septicaemia should be considered as high risk for the development of PDA.
Seasonality in the sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Osmond C. , Murphy M.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Distinctive epidemiological features of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are its age at death distribution and pronounced winter excess. Whether or not these effects are independent of the month of birth of the infant is uncertain. We used a loglinear model to separate the effects of age at death, month of death and month of birth amongst 6229 infants who died from SIDS in England and Wales during the period 1979–1983. The results suggest that month of birth and month of death independently influence the risk of the infant dying from SIDS, the risk related to month of death being much greater.
Frequency of and risk factors for allergy in primary school children: results of a population survey
Authors: Angioni Anna Maria , Fanciulli Giovanni , Corchia Carlo
Published: April 2008

During May 1986, a survey to assess the frequency of allergic disorders was conducted among primary school children of Alghero, Sardinia, using a structured self‐administered questionnaire. The following problems were investigated: allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, wheezing, allergic rhinitis, urticaria and eczema. Of the original 1823 questionnaires distributed, 1691 (92.8%) were completed by parents and returned. Overall, 238 children (14.1%) were reported to have shown at least one episode of one or more of the above and were regarded as ‘allergic’. Among the potential risk factors investigated, statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between allergic and nonallergic children were only found for history of allergy in at least one parent (odds ratio, OR=2.2) and exposure to passive smoking (OR=1.4).
Comparison of the risk factors for pre‐term delivery and intrauterine growth retardation
Authors: Arbuckle Tye E. , Sherman Gregory J.
Published: April 2008

Summary. In a follow‐up study of the pregnant women interviewed in the Nutrition Canada survey, we investigated predictors of intrauterine growth retardation (≤ 10th percentile of the birthweight‐gestational age distribution for the 1972 Canadian population), and pre‐term delivery (<37 completed weeks of gestation), by classifying these two endpoints as either small‐for‐gestational age and not pre‐term (SGA‐NPT), or not small‐for‐gestational age but pre‐term (NSGA‐PT). Education, age, household income level, number of previous livebirths, number of cigarettes smoked per day while pregnant, alcohol consumption (spirits only), serum Vitamin C and haemoglobin levels, pre‐pregnancy weight, height, and sex of the infant were related to NSGA‐PT deliveries in univariate analyses; serum Vitamin A, smoking history, calorie intake, height and pre‐pregnancy weight were similarly associated with the risk of SGA‐NPT outcomes. When considered jointly in multivariate logistic regression analysis, however, the significant predictors were reduced to: height and pre‐pregnancy weight for SGA‐NPT and mother's education, sex of the infant, and household income level for NSGA‐PT.
To what extent would women prefer chorionic villus sampling to amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis?
Authors: Bryce Robert L. , Bradley Monica T. , McCormick Shelagh M.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Sixty‐six pregnant women and 46 doctors were interviewed about their preferences for chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis in a hypothetical situation where the indication was late maternal age. The standard gamble method was used to calculate each individual's degree of preference for one procedure over the other (utility) expressed in terms of the risk of miscarriage associated with the preferred procedure that would be tolerated in order to have that procedure. Utilities for each group were calculated and compared. Pregnant women nominated a median utility for CVS of a miscarriage rate of 0.9%, while doctors nominated a median utility for CVS of a miscarriage rate of 1.2%. The difference between these utilities was not statistically significant. The method described in this study can enable potential consumers of a new procedure to provide the minimum ‘clinically important difference’ between a new procedure and an existing procedure necessary for calculation of the sample size in a controlled clinical trial.
Postneonatal mortality in south New Zealand: necropsy data review
Authors: Nelson E.A.S. , Williams S.M. , Taylor B.J. , Morris B. , Ford R.P.K.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Three southern New Zealand health districts had a postneonatal mortality rate of 8.1 per 1000 livebirths and a postneonatal sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) mortality rate of 6.3 per 1000 livebirths for the period 1979–1984. This is one of the highest reported rates of SIDS. The 429 postneonatal deaths occurring during the period were assigned to one of four groups: unpreventable (n= 52), possibly preventable non‐SIDS (n= 45), SIDS with minor abnormalities at necropsy or premorbid symptoms (n= 167), and SIDS with no abnormalities at necropsy or documented premorbid symptoms (n= 165). These groups were related to obstetric and perinatal data. For those infants classified as SIDS, the winter peak of deaths was particularly marked if death occurred after 3 months of age. These older SIDS deaths had more minor abnormalities at necropsy, a longer interval between time last seen or heard alive and found dead and more thymic petechiae.
Problems in estimating the prevalence of epilepsy in children: the yield from different sources of information
Authors: Cowan Linda D. , Leviton Alan , Bodensteiner John B. , Doherty Leah
Published: April 2008

Summary. A prevalence study of childhood epilepsy in central Oklahoma allowed a comparison of different sources of case‐finding. The percentage of all epilepsy cases identified was lowest (9%) from physicians' office records. Higher rates were obtained from review of emergency room records (40%), hospital inpatient records (45%), electroencephalography (EEG) requisitions (68%) and outpatient clinic records (62%). Nearly one‐third of the 1159 epilepsy cases were identified from only one source. EEG requisitions provided most of these cases. Although the percentage of all abstracts from one source that identified cases was lowest for EEG requisitions (43%), these abstracts were prepared with much less effort and time than were abstracts from hospital or clinic records, which had higher levels of efficiency (hospital=52%, clinic=73%). Hospital inpatient records identified a disproportionate number of children with newborn seizures, simple partial epilepsy, and partial seizures secondarily generalised, and children with multiple developmental handicaps. Fully 10% of all cases had an episode of status epilepticus and, as might be expected, emergency room and hospital inpatient records preferentially identified them. We conclude that case‐finding for epidemiological studies of epilepsy in children in some communities is best done through review of EEG requisitions, supplemented by information from outpatient records.
A case‐control study of maternal smoking and congenital malformations
Authors: Eeden Stephen K. Van Den , Karagas Margaret R. , Daling Janet R. , Vaughan Thomas L.
Published: April 2008

Summary. We conducted a population‐based case‐control study to assess the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the risk of giving birth to a child with a congenital malformation. Cases were all singleton livebirths with a congenital malformation recorded on the 1984–1986 Washington State Birth Records (n = 3284). The smoking histories of these mothers were compared to a randomly selected group of mothers with a singleton livebirth of a child without a malformation during these same years (n = 4500). When all malformations were taken as a group, there was no association with maternal smoking (relative risk (RR) = l.0, 95% CI 0.9–1.1). However, increased risks were observed for a number of specific malformations, including microcephalus (RR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–4.0), cleft defects (RR=1.4, 95% CI 1.0–2.0), and club foot (RR= 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–2.0). We did not find any association with Down's syndrome (RR=0.8, 95% CI 0.5–1.3) or any other malformation. We conclude that maternal smoking during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk for some malformations.
Maternal supplementation and bone growth in infancy
Authors: Himes JOHN H. , Caulfield LAURA E. , Martorell Reynaldo , Delgado HERNÁN
Published: April 2008

Summary. The effects of maternal supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on bone growth of infants were investigated in 272 mother‐infant pairs who participated in the Guatemalan Longitudinal Study of Nutritional Supplementation, Growth and Development. Mothers received one of two nutritional supplements according to village of residence, and bone growth was determined from dimensions of the second metacarpal measured directly from hand‐wrist radiographs of 3‐month‐old infants. Multiple regression analyses indicated significant supplementation effects on cortical bone dimensions related to the volume of supplement intake. These findings were independent of maternal characteristics and attendance at the supplementation centres, and the infant's gender, size, gestational age and morbidity experience. The nutrient composition of the supplements and the patterns of the supplementation effects eliminate proteins, energy, calcium and phosphorus as the nutrients potentially responsible for the bone‐specific response. Candidate nutrients for the observed effects are vitamin A, ascorbic acid, niacin, thiamin, iron or fluorine. Presumptive evidence suggests the effects may be due to vitamin A supplementation. These findings suggest opportunities for nutritional intervention in pregnancy and the early postpartum period to prevent osteopaenia in infancy.
The prevalence and characteristics of congenital pigmented lesions in newborn babies in Oxford
Authors: Goss B.D. , Forman D. , Ansell P.E. , Bennett V. , Swerdlow A.J. , Burge S. , Ryan T.J.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Melanocytic naevi (MN) are recognised risk factors for malignant melanoma but the epidemiology of MN is poorly understood. Some MN are present at birth and the study of congenital lesions is an important first step toward understanding the development of MN in early life. In this study, the prevalence and characteristics of congenital pigmented lesions were documented in 1012 White Caucasian newborn babies at a maternity hospital in Oxford. Only 12 babies (1.2%) were found to have pigmented skin marks and each of these had only one lesion and no other abnormalities. MN were identified with certainty in only five babies (0.5% of the population; 95% CI, 0.06%−0.93%) thus confirming the relatively low prevalence of this lesion. Four of the MN were noted to be ‘small’ (>15 mm diameter) and all five were ≥20 mm in diameter. In other respects, the MN displayed a diversity of features. Of the other lesions there were two Mongolian blue spots, one melanocytic pustule, one ‘probable’ MN and three unusual skin marks where the diagnosis was uncertain but considered unlikely to be MN. During the course of the study, examinations were also carried out incidentally on 39 non‐White babies. Twentv‐two of these were noted to have Mongolian spots (57%) and three had other pigmented lesions (8%).
The use of health services in the first 2 years of life in a nationwide cohort of very preterm and/or very low birth weight infants in The Netherlands: rehospitalisation and out‐patient care§
Authors: Aa Dorothea M. van Zeben‐van der , Verloove‐Vanhorick S. Pauline , Brand Ronald , Ruys J.H.
Published: April 2008

Summary. In a prospective collaborative survey on very preterm (<32 weeks) and/or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g) in The Netherlands, the use of health services was studied by examining the incidence of and reasons for rehospitalisation and the use of out‐patient care, i.e. visits to medical specialists and physical therapists. Out of 1338 liveborn infants originally enrolled in the survey, 998 survived the initial hospital stay. Their use of health services was studied during four periods: discharge‐3 months, 3–6, 6–12 and 12–24 months corrected for expected date of delivery. A total of 320 infants (34%) was readmitted on 481 occasions. The main reasons for rehospitalisation were surgical procedures, of which inguinal herniorrhaphy was the most prominent, and respiratory tract disorders: 149 admissions (31%) and 147 (31%) admissions respectively. The remaining reasons for rehospitalisation occurred less frequently. In a multivariate analysis, both sex and the length of the initial hospital stay were shown to be significantly associated with an increased risk of rehospitalisation. During the study period, 671 children (67%) attended a medical specialist other than their paediatrician, and 313 children (31%) attended a physical therapist. The use of out‐patient services was higher in the first than in the second year of follow‐up. The use of health services depended very much on the neurodevelopmental status of the child. In the second year of life, a similar rehospitalisation rate and use of out‐patient services was found in the non‐impaired children as in children from the general Dutch population.
Prevalence of febrile seizures in Dutch schoolchildren
Authors: Offringa Martin , Hazebroek‐Kampschreur Alice A.J.M. , Derksen‐Lubsen Gerarda
Published: April 2008

Summary. During a scheduled visit to the school physician, the number of children with a history of febrile seizures was determined in 3570 children attending primary schools in the suburban area of the city of Rotterdam. At the age of 6 years, 140 had experienced at least one febrile seizure (3.9%, 95% confidence interval 3.3% to4.5%). Of these, 19 (14%) had experienced a recurrent seizure during the same febrile illness. Recurrent seizures in subsequent fever episodes occurred in 26%. The median age at onset was 18 months. One‐third of the children had visited the hospital directly after the seizure, and 6% had used anticonvulsant drugs for at least 6 months. Of all the children, 5.4% had a positive first‐degree family history of febrile seizures. Children with a positive family history were at a 4.5‐fold increased risk of experiencing febrile seizures. Since in this study a generally accepted definition of febrile seizures was used, the estimated prevalence in Dutch schoolchildren may well be compared with prevalence rates found in the United States and Great Britain.
The controlling influence of cell‐surface electrical potential on the uptake and toxicity of  selenate (SeO42–)
Authors: Kinraide Thomas B.
Published: April 2008

Root elongation in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Atlas 66) was inhibited by micromolar activities of SeO42–. SeO42– inhibition was enhanced by supplementation of the rooting medium with CaCl2, MgCl2, SrCl2, or the reduction of pH. These solute treatments, as well as the addition of tris (ethylenediamine)cobalt3+, enhanced the uptake of Se by the roots. The results are interpreted to reflect an elevated PM‐surface activity of SeO42– caused by solute‐induced reductions of plasma membrane (PM) surface negativity. (PM‐surface electrical potential is sometimes measured electrophoretically as the zeta potential.) This study complements an extensive literature documenting the suitability of an electrostatic model (Gouy‐Chapman‐Stern), based almost entirely upon experiments with cations rather than anions. The close correspondence among uptake, intoxication, and model‐computed SeO42– activity at the PM surface adds credibility to the model and its evaluated parameters. The model may be useful for the interpretation of other plant‐anion interactions, and phosphate and sulphate nutrition in acidic soils are considered as examples.
Gestational duration and birthweight in White, Black and mixed‐race babies
Authors: Migone Ana , Emanuel Irvin , Mueller Beth , Daling Janet , Little Ruth E.
Published: April 2008

Summary. Using the 1983 United States population of single live births, birthweight and gestational duration were compared for babies of these different parental racial groups: both parents White, mother White‐father Black, mother Black‐father White, both parents Black. The four groups differed significantly with respect to the usual socio‐demographic variables. Mean birthweight and mean gestational duration decreased in that order from the White‐White reference group, and conversely there were increasing trends for low birthweight and preterm delivery. Adjustment for the usual sociodemographic variables did not alter these trends appreciably. Group differences were more strongly related to the mother's race than to the father's, and the trends were related to the mother's race. Because the father's race was significant, genetic factors are probably of some importance. The evidence from this study, together with the often‐demonstrated relationships between low birthweight and preterm delivery with sociodemographic variables, and the short‐term downward secular trends in low birthweight, support the concept that non‐genetic maternal factors are more important for these abnormal outcomes. But because neither the usually utilised sociodemographic variables nor genetic factors seem to explain much of the group differences, new approaches are necessary to understand why, irrespective of ethnic group, some women are at excess risk for suboptimal birth outcome.
Some conceptual problems in multivariable analyses of perinatal mortality
Authors: Kiely John L. , Sergievsky Gertrude H.
Published: April 2008

Summary Biostatisticians, epidemiologists and other researchers in maternal and child health have often used multivariable analysis to investigate associations with perinatal and infant mortality. A review of reports of such multivariable analyses published over the last 35 years revealed four problems that occur repeatedly. (1) Variables that are intermediate in the causal pathway between some study variables and perinatal death (‘intervening variables’) are controlled as though they were confounders. (2) When birthweight is analysed as an intervening variable, it is entered into the analysis in a few large categories, such as above and below 2500 g. This is not an adequate way of controlling for birthweight. (3) Social and demographic variables often interact statistically with birthweight in their effects on perinatal mortality, but these interactions have not been analysed in most multivariable studies. (4) Highly intercorrelated variables that represent similar theoretical constructs are entered simultaneously into one regression analysis. Solutions to these problems are suggested. Analytical approaches in which investigators use knowledge of biological and medical subject matter to make judgements about confounding and causal inference are encouraged.
The association of maternal low birthweight and infant low birthweight in a racially mixed population
Authors: Leff Marilyn , Orleans Miriam , Haverkamp Albert D. , Barónt Anna E. , Alderman Beth W. , Freedman Walter L.
Published: April 2008

Summary. The association between maternal low birthweight (LBW) and infant low birthweight has been explored in previous studies in mainly middle and upper income, Caucasian populations. This study investigated whether the association found in these populations is true in a racially mixed, low socio‐economic group. A case‐control methodology was used and estimates of association were derived by means of logistic regression analyses. Data were gathered for 167 LBW infant‐mother dyads and 338 adequate weight infant‐mother controls matched on race and parity. The odds of a LBW infant having a LBW mother were 80% more likely than for adequate weight infants (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.14–2.84). This association was stronger for Hispanic women and their infants than for Black or non‐Hispanic White women and their infants. Women who were both preterm and LBW had the higher estimate of risk for infant LBW than women who were LBW due to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). As found in previous research, the estimate of association between maternal LBW and infant LBW was greater for those infants who were LBW due to IUGR than those who were LBW due to being premature. The question of whether maternal LBW is also associated with increased risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity is as yet left unanswered.
Febrile seizures and epilepsy: the contributions of epidemiology
Authors: Berg Anne T.
Published: April 2008

Summary. In the past, febrile seizures were considered to be a sign of epilepsy, a disorder characterised by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Currently, febrile seizures are considered to be a benign seizure syndrome that is distinct from epilepsy. This distinction has been possible largely because of the epidemiological evidence which is presented here in the form of a two‐part argument. If febrile seizures are epilepsy one might expect that: (1) following a first febrile seizure, the risk of a second febrile seizure should be similar to the risk of an unprovoked seizure (in fact, the risk of a recurrent febrile seizure is approximately 34%, whereas the risk of an unprovoked seizure after having had a febrile seizure is approximately 2% to 3%); (2) the factors that predict recurrent febrile seizures should also predict subsequent unprovoked seizures. From the available literature, young age at the time of the first febrile seizure and a family history of febrile seizures predict recurrent febrile seizures, but do not predict subsequent unprovoked seizures. By contrast, a family history of epilepsy, complex febrile seizures and neurological abnormality are associated with an increased risk of subsequent epilepsy but are not consistently associated with the risk of a recurrent febrile seizure.