bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective effects of edaravone-administration on 6-OHDA-treated dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Ji Yuan Wen , Yasuhara Takao , Shingo Tetsuro , Muraoka Kenichiro , Agari Takashi , Kameda Masahiro , Uozumi Takashi , Tajiri Naoki , Morimoto Takamasa , Jing Meng , Baba Tanefumi , Wang Feifei , Leung Hanbai , Matsui Toshihiro , Miyoshi Yasuyuki , Date Isao
Published: August 2008

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder characterized by the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic systems. Free radicals induced by oxidative stress are involved in the mechanisms of cell death in PD. This study clarifies the neuroprotective effects of edaravone (MCI-186, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one), which has already been used for the treatment of cerebral ischemia in Japan, on TH-positive dopaminergic neurons using PD model bothin vitroandin vivo. 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a neurotoxin for dopaminergic neurons, was added to cultured dopaminergic neurons derived from murine embryonal ventral mesencephalon with subsequet administration of edaravone or saline. The number of surviving TH-positive neurons and the degree of cell damage induced by free radicals were analyzed. In parallel, edaravone or saline was intravenously administered for PD model of rats receiving intrastriatal 6-OHDA lesion with subsequent behavioral and histological analyses.

Results

In vitrostudy showed that edaravone significantly ameliorated the survival of TH-positive neurons in a dose-responsive manner. The number of apoptotic cells and HEt-positive cells significantly decreased, thus indicating that the neuroprotective effects of edaravone might be mediated by anti-apoptotic effects through the suppression of free radicals by edaravone.In vivostudy demonstrated that edaravone-administration at 30 minutes after 6-OHDA lesion reduced the number of amphetamine-induced rotations significantly than edaravone-administration at 24 hours. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining of the striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta revealed that edaravone might exert neuroprotective effects on nigrostriatal dopaminergic systems. The neuroprotective effects were prominent when edaravone was administered early and in high concentration. TUNEL, HEt and Iba-1 stainingin vivomight demonstrate the involvement of anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of edaravone-administration.

Conclusion

Edaravone exerts neuroprotective effects on PD model bothin vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanisms might be involved in the anti-apoptotic effects, anti-oxidative effects, and/or anti-inflammatory effects of edaravone. Edaravone might be a hopeful therapeutic option for PD, although the high therapeutic dosage remains to be solved for the clinical application.
Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the performance of a risk score among Hindustani Surinamese, African Surinamese and ethnic Dutch: a cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Bindraban Navin R , van Valkengoed Irene GM , Mairuhu Gideon , Holleman Frits , Hoekstra Joost BL , Michels Bob PJ , Koopmans Richard P , Stronks Karien
Published: August 2008

Background

While the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is high, tailored risk scores for screening among South Asian and African origin populations are lacking. The aim of this study was, first, to compare the prevalence of (known and newly detected) DM among Hindustani Surinamese, African Surinamese and ethnic Dutch (Dutch). Second, to develop a new risk score for DM. Third, to evaluate the performance of the risk score and to compare it to criteria derived from current guidelines.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional population based study among 336 Hindustani Surinamese, 593 African Surinamese and 486 Dutch, aged 35–60 years, in Amsterdam. Logistic regressing analyses were used to derive a risk score based on non-invasively determined characteristics. The diagnostic accuracy was assessed by the area under the Receiver-Operator Characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Hindustani Surinamese had the highest prevalence of DM, followed by African Surinamese and Dutch: 16.7, 8.1, 4.2% (age 35–44) and 35.0, 19.0, 8.2% (age 45–60), respectively. The risk score included ethnicity, body mass index, waist circumference, resting heart rate, first-degree relative with DM, hypertension and history of cardiovascular disease. Selection based on age alone showed the lowest AUC: between 0.57–0.62. The AUC of our score (0.74–0.80) was higher than that of criteria from guidelines based solely on age and BMI and as high as criteria that required invasive specimen collection.

Conclusion

In Hindustani Surinamese and African Surinamese populations, screening for DM should not be limited to those over 45 years, as is advocated in several guidelines. If selective screening is indicated, our ethnicity based risk score performs well as a screening test for DM among these groups, particularly compared to the criteria based on age and/or body mass index derived from current guidelines.
Does Choose & Book fail to deliver the expected choice to patients? A survey of patients' experience of outpatient appointment booking
Authors: Green Judith , McDowall Zoe , Potts Henry WW
Published: August 2008

Background

Choose and Book is a central part of the UK Government patient choice agenda that seeks to provide patients with a choice over the time, date and place of their first outpatient appointment. This is done through the use of a computerised booking system. After a 2004 pilot study, Choose and Book was formally launched in January 2006. This is the first study of patient experience of Choose and Book since then.

Methods

A questionnaire survey of reported experience of choice over the time, data and place of appointment, carried out in a National Health Service hospital in London. 104 patients at their first outpatient appointment completed the questionnaire, consisting of a consecutive series of patients referred through Choose and Book and a sample referred through the conventional booking system.

Results

Among the Choose and Book patients, 66% (31/47; 95% CI 52 to 78%) reported not being given a choice of appointment date, 66% (31/47; 95% CI 52 to 78%) reported not being given a choice of appointment time, 86% (37/43; 95% CI 74 to 94%) reported being given a choice of fewer than four hospitals in total and 32% (15/47; 95% CI 20 to 46%) reported not being given any choice of hospital.

Conclusion

In this study, patients did not experience the degree of choice that Choose and Book was designed to deliver.
Prevalence of sleep disturbances and long-term reduced health-related quality of life after critical care: a prospective multicenter cohort study
Authors: Orwelius Lotti , Nordlund Anders , Nordlund Peter , Edéll-Gustafsson Ulla , Sjöberg Folke
Published: August 2008

Introduction

The aim of the present prospective multicenter cohort study was to examine the prevalence of sleep disturbance and its relation to the patient's reported health-related quality of life after intensive care. We also assessed the possible underlying causes of sleep disturbance, including factors related to the critical illness.

Methods

Between August 2000 and November 2003 we included 1,625 consecutive patients older than 17 years of age admitted for more than 24 hours to combined medical and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) at three hospitals in Sweden. Conventional intensive care variables were prospectively recorded in the unit database. Six months and 12 months after discharge from hospital, sleep disturbances and the health-related quality of life were evaluated using the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-form Health Survey, respectively. As a nonvalidated single-item assessment, the quality of sleep prior to the ICU period was measured. As a reference group, a random sample (n = 10,000) of the main intake area of the hospitals was used.

Results

The prevalence of self-reported quality of sleep did not change from the pre-ICU period to the post-ICU period. Intensive care patients reported significantly more sleep disturbances than the reference group (P < 0.01). At both 6 and 12 months, the main factor that affected sleep in the former hospitalised patients with an ICU stay was concurrent disease. No effects were related to the ICU period, such as the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, the length of stay or the treatment diagnosis. There were minor correlations between the rate and extent of sleep disturbance and the health-related quality of life.

Conclusion

There is little change in the long-term quality of sleep patterns among hospitalised patients with an ICU stay. This applies both to the comparison before and after critical care as well as between 6 and 12 months after the ICU stay. Furthermore, sleep disturbances for this group are common. Concurrent disease was found to be most important as an underlying cause, which emphasises that it is essential to include assessment of concurrent disease in sleep-related research in this group of patients.
Gender-Specific Expression and Mechanism of Regulation of Estrogen Sulfotransferase in Adipose Tissues of the Mouse
Authors: Khor Victor K. , Tong Ming Han , Qian Yueming , Song Wen-Chao
Published: August 2008

Although primarily regarded as a sex steroid, estrogen plays an important role in many other physiological processes including adipose development and disposition. Estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) regulates estrogen activity by catalyzing the sulfoconjugation and inactivation of estrogens. In the present study, we report the gender-specific expression of EST in adipose tissues of the mouse and describe contrasting mechanisms of EST regulation in the fat and liver. EST is expressed in the white adipose tissues of the male but not female mouse. Within the various fat depots of male mice, it is most abundantly expressed in the epididymal fat pad, with variable levels in other white fats and no expression in the brown fat. Fractionation of epididymal fat cells showed EST to be predominantly associated with stromal vascular cells (preadipocyte). EST expression in male mouse adipose tissues is dependent on testosterone as castration ablated, and administration of exogenous testosterone restored, EST expression. Furthermore, testosterone treatment induced abnormal EST expression in the parametrial fat of female mice. EST induction by testosterone in female mice is tissue specific because testosterone treatment had no effect on liver EST expression. Conversely, the liver X receptor agonist TO-901317 induced EST expression in female mouse liver but not in their adipose tissues. Finally, we demonstrate that male EST knockout mice developed increased epididymal fat accumulation with enlarged adipocyte size. We conclude that EST is expressed in adipose tissues in a sexually dimorphic manner, is regulated by testosterone, and plays a physiological role in regulating adipose tissue accumulation in male mice.
The Environmental Light Influences the Circulatory Levels of Retinoic Acid and Associates with Hepatic Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Pang Wenqiang , Li Chunying , Zhao Yue , Wang Shiming , Dong Wei , Jiang Pengjiu , Zhang Jianfa
Published: August 2008

Environmental light is involved in the regulation of photochemical reaction in mouse retina. It remains unclear whether light-mediated increase in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) synthesis in retina will result in altering the circulatory levels of ATRA and regulating downstream gene expression and physiological function. Here we showed circulatory levels of ATRA decreased in mice under constant darkness and elevated by light exposure. Fat gene pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 (mPlrp2) and its partner procolipase (mClps), but not hepatic lipase (mHl), activated in livers for responding to lack of light illuminating. Light-triggered alterations in circulatory ATRA levels regulated ecto-5′-nucleotidase gene expression by retinoic acid receptor retinoic acid receptor-α and modulated 5′-AMP levels in blood and were associated with mPlrp2 and mClps expression in the livers. Mice deficient in adenosine receptors displayed mPlrp2 and mClps expression in livers under 12-h light, 12-h dark cycles. Caffeine blocked adenosine receptors and induced hepatic mPlrp2 and mClps expression in wild-type mice. Mice activated in hepatic mPlrp2 and mClps expression lowered hepatic and serum lipid levels and markedly elevated circulatory levels of all-trans retinol. Our results suggest environmental light influence hepatic lipid homeostasis by light-modulated retinoic acid signaling associated with mPlrp2 and mClps gene expression in livers.
A Low-Molecular-Weight Antagonist for the Human Thyrotropin Receptor with Therapeutic Potential for Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Neumann Susanne , Kleinau Gunnar , Costanzi Stefano , Moore Susanna , Jiang Jian-kang , Raaka Bruce M. , Thomas Craig J. , Krause Gerd , Gershengorn Marvin C.
Published: August 2008

Low-molecular-weight (LMW) antagonists for TSH receptor (TSHR) may have therapeutic potential as orally active drugs to block stimulating antibodies (TsAbs) in Graves’ hyperthyroidism. We describe an approach to identify LMW ligands for TSHR based on Org41841, a LMW partial agonist for the LH/choriogonadotropin receptor and TSHR. We used molecular modeling and functional experiments to guide the chemical modification of Org41841. We identified an antagonist (NIDDK/CEB-52) that selectively inhibits activation of TSHR by both TSH and TsAbs. Whereas initially characterized in cultured cells overexpressing TSHRs, the antagonist was also active under more physiologically relevant conditions in primary cultures of human thyrocytes expressing endogenous TSHRs in which it inhibited TSH- and TsAb-induced up-regulation of mRNA transcripts for thyroperoxidase. Our results establish this LMW compound as a lead for the development of higher potency antagonists and serve as proof of principle that LMW ligands that target TSHR could serve as drugs in patients with Graves’ disease.
Research Resource: Nuclear Hormone Receptor Expression in the Endocrine Pancreas
Authors: Chuang Jen-Chieh , Cha Ji-Young , Garmey James C. , Mirmira Raghavendra G. , Joyce J. Joyce J.
Published: August 2008

The endocrine pancreas comprises the islets of Langerhans, tiny clusters of cells that contribute only about 2% to the total pancreas mass. However, this little endocrine organ plays a critical role in maintaining glucose homeostasis by the regulated secretion of insulin (by β-cells) and glucagon (by α-cells). The rapid increase in the incidence of diabetes worldwide has spurred renewed interest in islet cell biology. Some of the most widely prescribed oral drugs for treating type 2 diabetes include agents that bind and activate the nuclear hormone receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. As a first step in addressing potential roles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and other nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) in the biology of the endocrine pancreas, we have used quantitative real-time PCR to profile the expression of all 49 members of the mouse NHR superfamily in primary islets, and cell lines that represent α-cells (αTC1) and β-cells (βTC6 and MIN6). In summary, 19 NHR members were highly expressed in both α- and β-cell lines, 13 receptors showed predominant expression (at least an 8-fold difference) in α- vs. β-cell lines, and 10 NHRs were not expressed in the endocrine pancreas. In addition we evaluated the relative expression of these transcription factors during hyperglycemia and found that 16 NHRs showed significantly altered mRNA levels in mouse islets. A similar survey was conducted in primary human islets to reveal several significant differences in NHR expression between mouse and man. These data identify potential therapeutic targets in the endocrine pancreas for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Shape Control of Fullerene Microparticles by Using Ethylenediamine
Authors: Matsuoka Ken-ichi , Matsumura Satoshi , Akiyama Tsuyoshi , Yamada Sunao
Published: August 2008

[60,70]-Fullerene–ethylenediamine microparticles with sub-μm size were obtained by simply mixing fullerene and ethylenediamine in organic solvents under ambient condition. Amazingly, well-defined rhombic dodecahedral particles were obtained for C70–ethylenediamine adducts only in the mixing ratio of C70:ethylenediamine = 1:1000.
Effective Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glucose at Platinum Nanoparticle-based Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Aoun Sami Ben , Taniguchi Isao
Published: August 2008

The effective direct electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose in alkaline solution at electrochemically deposited Pt nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode is reported, for the first time. Catalytic oxidation of glucose was observed and comparison to a previously reported system based on gold nanoparticles showed a significant positive catalytic effect of the prepared electrodes in the current study: a considerable shift of the oxidation peak potential by ca. 280 mV was found. I–t measurements revealed that only a very minute Pt loading as small as ca. 9.2×10−3 mg cm−2 is required to obtain comparable current densities with those at Au nanoparticles.
Going Where the Ad Leads You: On High Advertised Prices and Searching Where to Buy
Authors: Janssen Maarten C. W. , Non Marielle C.
Published: August 2008

An important role of informative advertising is to inform consumers of the simple fact that the shop that advertises sells a particular product. This information may help consumers to save on their search activities: instead of wandering around, a consumer can simply visit the shop that has advertised, knowing that there he can find the commodity he is looking for. The implications of this simple fact have not been studied before. Using game theoretic reasoning in a model that combines consumer search and firms' advertising we show that firms may find it optimal to advertise prices that are higher than nonadvertised prices. The important mechanism underlying this result is that advertising lowers the expected search cost for consumers. Through this analysis we provide a new insight into the role of informative advertising.
Findings—Innovations' Origins: When, By Whom, and How Are Radical Innovations Developed?
Authors: Golder Peter N. , Shacham Rachel , Mitra Debanjan
Published: August 2008

Innovation research tends to consider only the post-commercialization period or examine a few innovations through case studies. In this study, we examine 29 radical innovations from initial concept to mass-market commercialization. We find that these innovations were developed over an average of at least 50 years and divide this long development period into four distinct stages—conceptualization, gestation, early incubation, and late incubation. We find that the duration of a stage is longer when different firms lead product development at the beginning and end of the stage. These changes in product development leaders happen frequently, e.g., 76% of firms that were first to commercialize an innovation failed to launch it in the broader market. We also find that the time-to-takeoff for a product category is significantly related to the duration of the preceding late incubation stage. In addition, we find four different ways in which radical innovations borrow from prior seemingly unrelated innovations. We report many other findings on when (duration times), by whom (product development leaders), and how (technology borrowing) radical innovations are developed.
Chinese Law System of Intellectual Property Right Protection in Biotechnology
Authors: Junli Chang , Xuezhong Zhu , Guangyuan He
Published: August 2008

This paper deals with the Chinese law system on protecting the biotechnology intellectual property right. This law system includes the copyright law and the patent law, etc. as well as the regulations being issued by the Chinese State Council and the Chinese Council Ministries and the authorized local governments, such as the Protection of New Varieties of Plants issued by the Chinese State Council. The establishment and application of this law system in the area of biotechnology have resulted in a rapid development of biotechnology and life sciences in China. In the meantime, optimized law system to protect the intellectual property right has been demanded, in order to fit the further exploitation, application and commercialization of the techniques and productions in the area of the biotechnology and the life sciences. The history, current situation and several special topics for Chinese laws to protect intellectual property right in biotechnology shall be presented and related suggestion raised.
Challenges of Giant Omphalocele
Authors: Davis Alexis S. , Blumenfeld Yair , Rubesova Erika , Abrajano Claire , El-Sayed Yasser Y. , Dutta Sanjeev , Barth Richard A. , Hintz Susan R.
Published: August 2008

Advances in the diagnosis of congenital defects have led to the development of a multidisciplinary approach to prenatal counseling and postnatal management. New techniques in fetal imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provide clinicians with better anatomic detail of such anomalies. This added information facilitates frank prenatal discussions with families, anticipating challenges in delivery room resuscitation and planning of postnatal care. In this report, we review three cases of giant omphalocele (GO) at our institution, highlighting the changes in practice management for prenatal diagnosis and consultation. We discuss controversies regarding mode of delivery and describe the evolution toward an initial nonsurgical approach to GO.
Recurrent Postnatal Infections Are Associated With Progressive White Matter Injury in Premature Infants
Authors: Glass Hannah C. , Bonifacio Sonia L. , Chau Vann , Glidden David , Poskitt Kenneth , Barkovich A. James , Ferriero Donna M. , Miller Steven P.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE. Our objective was to identify clinical predictors of progressive white matter injury.

METHODS. We evaluated 133 infants of <34 weeks of gestation at birth from 2 university hospitals. Infants underwent MRI twice, initially when in stable condition for transport and again at term-equivalent age or before transfer or discharge. Two neuroradiologists who were blinded to the clinical course graded MRI white matter injury severity by using a validated scale. Potential risk factors were extracted from medical charts.

RESULTS. Twelve neonates (9.0%) had progressive white matter injury. In the unadjusted analysis of 10 newborns without Candida meningoencephalitis, recurrent culture-positive postnatal infection and chronic lung disease were associated with progressive white matter injury. Exposure to multiple episodes of culture-positive infection significantly increased the risk of progressive white matter injury. Of the 11 neonates with >1 infection, 36.4% (4 infants) had progressive injury, compared with 5.0% (6 infants) of those with ≤1 infection. Of the 35 infants with chronic lung disease, 17.1% (6 infants) had progressive injury, compared with 4.3% (4 infants) of those without chronic lung disease. After adjustment for gestational age at birth, the association between infection and white matter injury persisted, whereas chronic lung disease was no longer a statistically significant risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS. Recurrent postnatal infection is an important risk factor for progressive white matter injury in premature infants. This is consistent with emerging evidence that white matter injury is attributable to oligodendrocyte precursor susceptibility to inflammation, hypoxia, and ischemia.
Safety and Tolerability of North American Ginseng Extract in the Treatment of Pediatric Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: A Phase II Randomized, Controlled Trial of 2 Dosing Schedules
Authors: Vohra Sunita , Johnston Bradley C. , Laycock Keri L. , Midodzi William K. , Dhunnoo Indra , Harris Evan , Baydala Lola
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND. Upper respiratory tract infections are the most common childhood illness. Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng root extract) standardized to contain 80% poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides is purported to be effective in adult upper respiratory tract infection but has not been evaluated yet in a pediatric population.

OBJECTIVES. Our primary objective was to document the safety and tolerability of 2 weight-based dosing schedules (standard dose versus low dose versus placebo) in children. We also used the Canadian Acute Respiratory Infection Flu Scale, a quantitative scoring sheet for measuring the severity and duration of upper respiratory symptoms, to establish the SD of the treatment effect to allow sample-size calculations for future clinical trials.

METHODS. We conducted a randomized, double-blind dose-finding 3-arm trial (2 dosing schedules of American ginseng extract with 1 placebo control) during the winter months (November 2005 to March 2006) in children 3 to 12 years of age.

RESULTS. Seventy-five subjects were prerecruited from the general population in Edmonton. Of these, 46 subjects developed an upper respiratory tract infection and were randomly assigned (15 standard dose, 16 low dose, and 15 placebo), with 1 subject withdrawing from the low-dose arm before beginning the intervention. No serious adverse events were reported. The frequency, severity, and degree of association between the intervention and reported adverse events were not significantly different among each of the 3 treatment arms.

CONCLUSIONS. Standard doses of ginseng were well tolerated and merit additional evaluation with regard to treatment of pediatric upper respiratory tract infection.
A Phase I/II Trial of High-Dose Erythropoietin in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants: Pharmacokinetics and Safety
Authors: Juul Sandra E. , McPherson Ronald J. , Bauer Larry A. , Ledbetter Kelly J. , Gleason Christine A. , Mayock Dennis E.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVES. High-dose recombinant erythropoietin is neuroprotective in animal models of neonatal brain injury. Extremely low birth weight infants are at high risk for brain injury and neurodevelopmental problems and might benefit from recombinant erythropoietin. We designed a phase I/II trial to test the safety and determine the pharmacokinetics of high-dose recombinant erythropoietin in extremely low birth weight infants.

METHODS. In a prospective, dose-escalation, open-label trial, we compared 30 infants who were treated with high-dose recombinant erythropoietin with 30 concurrent control subjects. Eligible infants were <24 hours old, ≤1000 g birth weight, and ≤28 weeks of gestation and had an umbilical artery catheter in place. Each infant received 3 intravenous doses of 500, 1000, or 2500 U/kg at 24-hour intervals beginning on day 1 of age. Blood samples were collected at scheduled intervals to determine recombinant erythropoietin pharmacokinetics. Safety parameters were also evaluated. In the concurrent control group, only clinical data were collected.

RESULTS. Mean erythropoietin concentrations 30 minutes after recombinant erythropoietin infusion were 5973 ± 266, 12291 ± 403, and 34197 ± 1641 mU/mL after 500, 1000, or 2500 U/kg, respectively. High-dose recombinant erythropoietin followed nonlinear pharmacokinetics as a result of decreasing clearance from the lowest dosage (17.3 mL/hour per kg for 500 U/kg) to the highest dosage (8.2 mL/hour per kg for 2500 U/kg). Steady state was achieved within 24 to 48 hours. Both 1000 and 2500 U/kg recombinant erythropoietin produced peak serum erythropoietin concentrations that were comparable to neuroprotective concentrations that previously were seen in experimental animals. No excess adverse events occurred in the recombinant erythropoietin–treated infants compared with control infants.

CONCLUSIONS. Early high-dose recombinant erythropoietin is well tolerated by extremely low birth weight infants, causing no excess morbidity or mortality. Recombinant erythropoietin dosages of 1000 and 2500 U/kg achieved neuroprotective serum levels.
Morbidity of Overweight (≥85th Percentile) in the First 2 Years of Life
Authors: Shibli Rana , Rubin Lisa , Akons Hannah , Shaoul Ron
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVES. Our hypothesis was that morbidity related to overweight/obesity is already evident in infants and young toddlers. The major objectives of this study were (1) to assess the prevalence of overweight in a sample of hospitalized infants and (2) to assess the prevalence of morbidity in overweight infants in a community-based sample.

METHODS. The hospital admission study population included 2139 infants, ≤24 months of age, who were admitted for any reason to the pediatric department at the Bnai Zion Medical Center in 2004–2005. For the community-based sample, we identified overweight infants (≥85th weight-for-height percentile in ≥2 measurements, ≥3 months apart), ≤24 months of age, in 8 mother and child health care facilities in the Haifa subdistrict of Israel. Parents of infants were interviewed by using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS. We found that overweight infants (85th to 94th percentiles) had fewer admissions and fewer repeated admissions than expected. Infants of ≥95th percentile had more admissions than expected, as well as a larger number of repeated admissions. In the second part of the study, we found that rates of developmental delays (mainly delayed gross motor skills) and snoring were significantly higher in infants of ≥85th percentile. In addition, although the results were not statistically significant, infants with overweight suffered more frequently from breathing problems, such as asthma and stridor. When the mothers were asked to assess whether their child was overweight, only 31.6% of mothers of overweight children thought that the child was overweight.

CONCLUSIONS. The high admission rates for infants of ≥95th percentile and the high incidence rates of respiratory morbidity, snoring, and delayed gross motor skills in overweight infants support our hypothesis regarding early morbidity associated with overweight.
Access to and Use of Paid Sick Leave Among Low-Income Families With Children
Authors: Clemans-Cope Lisa , Perry Cynthia D. , Kenney Genevieve M. , Pelletier Jennifer E. , Pantell Matthew S.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE. The ability of employed parents to meet the health needs of their children may depend on their access to sick leave, especially for low-income workers, who may be afforded less flexibility in their work schedules to accommodate these needs yet also more likely to have children in poor health. Our goal was to provide rates of access to paid sick leave and paid vacation leave among low-income families with children and to assess whether access to these benefits is associated with parents’ leave taking to care for themselves or others.

METHODS. We used a sample of low-income families (<200% of the federal poverty level) with children aged 0 to 17 years in the 2003 and 2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to examine bivariate relationships between access to and use of paid leave and characteristics of children, families, and parents’ employer.

RESULTS. Access to paid leave was lower among children in low-income families than among those in families with higher income. Within low-income families, children without ≥1 full-time worker in the household were especially likely to lack access to this benefit, as were children whose parents work for small employers. Among children whose parents had access to paid sick leave, parents were more likely to take time away from work to care for themselves or others. This relationship is even more pronounced among families with the highest need, such as children in fair or poor health and children with all parents in full-time employment.

CONCLUSIONS. Legislation mandating paid sick leave could dramatically increase access to this benefit among low-income families. It would likely diminish gaps in parents’ leave taking to care for others between families with and without the benefit. However, until the health-related consequences are better understood, the full impact of such legislation remains unknown.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Earlier Age of Drinking Onset: Results From a Representative US Sample of Current or Former Drinkers
Authors: Rothman Emily F. , Edwards Erika M. , Heeren Timothy , Hingson Ralph W.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to determine whether adverse childhood experiences predicted the age at which drinking was initiated and drinking motives in a representative sample of current or former drinkers in the United States.

METHODS. In 2006, a probability sample of 3592 US current or former drinkers aged 18 to 39 were surveyed. Multinomial logistic regression examined whether each of 10 adverse childhood experiences was associated with earlier ages of drinking onset, controlling for demographics, parental alcohol use, parental attitudes toward drinking, and peers' drinking in adolescence. We also examined whether there was a graded relationship between the number of adverse childhood experiences and age of drinking onset and whether adverse childhood experiences were related to self-reported motives for drinking during the first year that respondents drank.

RESULTS. Sixty-six percent of respondents reported ≥1 adverse childhood experiences, and 19% reported experiencing ≥4. The most commonly reported adverse childhood experiences were parental separation/divorce (41.3%), living with a household member who was a problem drinker (28.7%), mental illness of a household member (24.8%), and sexual abuse (19.1%). Of the 10 specific adverse childhood experiences assessed, 5 were significantly associated with initiating drinking at ≤14 years of age (compared with at ≥21 years of age) after adjustment for confounders, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, having a mentally ill household member, substance abuse in the home, and parental discord or divorce. Compared with those without adverse childhood experiences, respondents with adverse childhood experiences were substantially more likely to report that they drank to cope during the first year that they used alcohol.

CONCLUSIONS. Results suggest that children with particular adverse childhood experiences may initiate drinking earlier than their peers and that they may be more likely to drink to cope with problems (rather than for pleasure or to be social).
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Grigorenko Elena L. , Han Summer S. , Yrigollen Carolyn M. , Leng Lin , Mizue Yuka , Anderson George M. , Mulder Erik J. , de Bildt Annelies , Minderaa Ruud B. , Volkmar Fred R. , Chang Joseph T. , Bucala Richard
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE. Autistic spectrum disorders are childhood neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social and communicative impairment and repetitive and stereotypical behavior. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an upstream regulator of innate immunity that promotes monocyte/macrophage-activation responses by increasing the expression of Toll-like receptors and inhibiting activation-induced apoptosis. On the basis of results of previous genetic linkage studies and reported altered innate immune response in autism spectrum disorder, we hypothesized that MIF could represent a candidate gene for autism spectrum disorder or its diagnostic components.

METHODS. Genetic association between autism spectrum disorder and MIF was investigated in 2 independent sets of families of probands with autism spectrum disorder, from the United States (527 participants from 152 families) and Holland (532 participants from 183 families). Probands and their siblings, when available, were evaluated with clinical instruments used for autism spectrum disorder diagnoses. Genotyping was performed for 2 polymorphisms in the promoter region of the MIF gene in both samples sequentially. In addition, MIF plasma analyses were conducted in a subset of Dutch patients from whom plasma was available.

RESULTS. There were genetic associations between known functional polymorphisms in the promoter for MIF and autism spectrum disorder–related behaviors. Also, probands with autism spectrum disorder exhibited higher circulating MIF levels than did their unaffected siblings, and plasma MIF concentrations correlated with the severity of multiple autism spectrum disorder symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS. These results identify MIF as a possible susceptibility gene for autism spectrum disorder. Additional research is warranted on the precise relationship between MIF and the behavioral components of autism spectrum disorder, the mechanism by which MIF contributes to autism spectrum disorder pathogenesis, and the clinical use of MIF genotyping.
Assessing Attitudes About Emergency Contraception Among Urban, Minority Adolescent Girls: An In-depth Interview Study
Authors: Mollen Cynthia J. , Barg Frances K. , Hayes Katie L. , Gotcsik Marah , Blades Nakeisha M. , Schwarz Donald F.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of urban, minority adolescent girls about intention to use emergency contraception pills and to identify barriers to emergency contraception pill use.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. We conducted an in-depth, semistructured interview study of healthy, urban-dwelling, English-speaking 15- to 19-year-old black adolescents seeking care in a children's hospital emergency department. Purposive sampling was used to recruit sexually active and nonsexually active adolescents and those with and without a history of pregnancy. Enrollment continued until saturation of key themes was achieved. Participants returned after their emergency department visit for a 1-hour interview. The interview consisted of semistructured questions based on the theory of planned behavior constructs: attitudes (including knowledge), subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, as well as demographic data collection. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded by 2 members of the study team by using a modified grounded-theory method.

RESULTS. Thirty interviews were required for saturation. Mean participant age was 16.4 years; 53% reported being sexually active, and 17% reported a history of pregnancy. Specific knowledge gaps exist about emergency contraception pills, including misconceptions about the recommended time frame for taking the medication. Several major themes were noted for each of the constructs. Intention to use emergency contraception pills is affected by the conflicting attitudes that the emergency contraception pill works faster than birth control pills and that those who use emergency contraception pills are irresponsible; family and friends are important influences and have uninformed but generally supportive opinions; and adolescents have a perception of limited behavioral control because of their young age and concerns about confidentiality.

CONCLUSIONS. Urban, minority adolescent girls have misconceptions about emergency contraception pills, are affected by the opinions of those close to them, and express concern about specific barriers. These findings can inform specific interventions aimed at addressing the barriers to emergency contraception pill use that are of most importance to this population of young women.
Care of Children Isolated for Infection Control: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Cohen Eyal , Austin Janice , Weinstein Michael , Matlow Anne , Redelmeier Donald A.
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND. Patients with community-acquired or nosocomial infections are often managed in a hospital with isolation precautions. Given the high prevalence and substantial inconvenience associated with implementation of isolation precautions in pediatric settings, we explored the impact of this intervention on the care provided to children and their families.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to compare the quantity and quality of care received by isolated patients relative to nonisolated patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. Sixty-five consecutive newly admitted inpatients in private rooms (24 isolated, 41 nonisolated) were recruited from the general pediatric service at the Hospital for Sick Children. Interactions between a medical team with patients and their families were observed. All of the participants were blinded to the study objectives. The medical team was observed during its morning rounds, and data were collected on the quantity and quality of care. Quantity of care was determined by the amount of time that the medical team spent interacting with the patient and parents and the number of organ systems examined by the attending physician during morning rounds. Quality of care was determined by using parental completion of the Pediatric Family Satisfaction Questionnaire.

RESULTS. We found no significant difference in the average amount of time spent interacting with isolated compared with nonisolated patients (516 vs 480 seconds) or the number of organ systems examined in isolated compared with nonisolated patients (3 vs 4). Isolated and nonisolated groups gave high ratings to all of the items pertaining to the facility, doctors, and nurses.

CONCLUSIONS. No large differences in quality or quantity of care were observed between isolated and nonisolated patients in the first 2 days of admission to a pediatric ward.
Cough and Cold Medication Use by US Children, 1999–2006: Results From the Slone Survey
Authors: Vernacchio Louis , Kelly Judith P. , Kaufman David W. , Mitchell Allen A.
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE. Pediatric cough and cold medications are widely marketed in the United States, but the precise patterns of use among children are not known. Such information is especially important given recent reports suggesting that these medications are responsible for previously underappreciated serious adverse events and deaths among children. We sought to describe the prevalence and patterns of pediatric use of cough and cold medications, with particular attention to use among young children.

METHODS. We analyzed data on the use of cough and cold medications, defined as any oral medication that contains ≥1 antitussive, decongestant, expectorant, and/or first-generation antihistamine active ingredients, among 4267 US children who were younger than 18 years and enrolled during 1999–2006 in the Slone Survey, a national random-digit-dial telephone survey of medication use by the US population.

RESULTS. In a given week, a cough and cold medication was used by 10.1% of US children. Exposure was highest to decongestants (6.3%; mostly pseudoephedrine) and first-generation antihistamines (6.3%; most common were chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, and brompheniramine), followed by antitussives (4.1%; mostly dextromethorphan) and expectorants (1.5%; almost exclusively guaifenesin). Multiple-ingredient products accounted for 64.2% of all cough and cold medications used. Exposure to antitussives, decongestants, and first-generation antihistamines was highest among 2- to 5-year-olds (7.0%, 9.9%, and 10.1%, respectively) followed by children who were younger than 2 years (5.9%, 9.4%, and 7.6%, respectively); expectorant use was low in all age groups. The use of cough and cold medications declined from 1999 through 2006.

CONCLUSIONS. Approximately 1 in 10 US children uses a cough and cold medication in a given week. The especially high prevalence of use among children of young age is noteworthy, given concerns about potential adverse effects and the lack of data on the efficacy of cough and cold medications in this age group.
Tissue Doppler imaging in the assessment of right ventricular function in congenital heart disease. Echo-MRI correlation
Authors: Kádár Krisztina
Published: August 2008

A jobbkamra-funkció vizsgálata veleszületett szívfejlődési rendellenességekben különösen nehéz, főleg a posztoperatív időszakban, a jobb kamra sajátos geometriai alakzata miatt, ugyanakkor kiemelkedő a jelentősége a komplex szívfejlődési rendellenességek nyomon követésében. A posztoperatív jobbkamra-diszfunkció fontos tényező a mortalitásban és morbiditásban és a reoperáció szükségességének meghatározásában. Ez idáig gyermekekben 133 szívszöveti Doppler-vizsgálat történt, a betegek életkora 14 nap – 20 év, az átlagéletkor 12,4 év volt. A jelen közleményben a szerző a jobb kamrára vonatkozó vizsgálatokat ismerteti. A szisztémás jobbkamra-funkció értékelésére nagyér-transpositiós betegek Senning-műtétje utáni (1. betegcsoport, 17 beteg 21 vizsgálata), illetve Fallot-tetralógia-műtét utáni (2. betegcsoport, 21 beteg) vizsgálatok történtek.
Módszer:
A szöveti sebességek közül a jobb kamrai (tricuspidalis anulus) szisztolés sebességet és kora diasztolés sebességet E’ és a tricuspidalis beáramlási flow E-hullám-sebességet, illetve az E/E’ arányát mérte. E sebességek egészségestől való eltérését, illetve a szív mágnesesrezonancia-vizsgálattal mért jobb kamrai ejekciós frakció közötti összefüggését vizsgálta.
Eredmények:
Az 1. betegcsoportban a szisztolés sebesség szignifikánsan eltért az egészségeseknél mért értéktől: 9,3–3,7 cm/s sv vs. 14,2 ± 2,3 cm/s (
p
> 0,001), E’: 12,8 ± 4,7 cm/s vs. 16,7 ± 2,8 cm/s, E/E’ 7,2 ± 4,6 vs. 3,7 ± 1,4. A szisztolés szöveti Doppler-sebesség és E/E’ arány szoros összefüggést mutatott a szív mágneses rezonanciával mért ejekciós frakciójával (
p
> 0,001). A 2. betegcsoport szisztolés értéke kevésbé, de szintén, szignifikánsan csökkent volt. 11,1 ± 4,3 cm/s és a jobb kamrai szív mágneses rezonanciával mért ejekciósfrakció-értékkel szintén szignifikáns összefüggést mutatott (
p
> 0,001).
Konklúzió:
Az eredmények szerint a szöveti Doppler-technika a jobbkamra-funkció vizsgálatára alkalmas veleszületett szívbetegségekben és a jobb kamrai funkció noninvazív módszerei közé ajánlatos beiktatni. Kellő gyakorlattal – a szív mágnesesrezonancia-vizsgálatával együtt alkalmazva – fontos, megbízható adatok nyerhetők a betegek nyomon követésében, ami komoly segítség lehet a posztoperatív döntéshozatalban, például az esetleges reoperáció szükségességének megítélésében és a késői posztoperatív prognózis meghatározásában.
Mechanical alloying and electrochemical hydrogen storage of Mg-based systems
Authors: Kalisvaart W.P. , Notten P.H.L.
Published: August 2008

Results on mechanical alloying of binary and ternary Mg–Ti-based mixtures are reported. Using fine-powdered reactants and a process-control-agent, a mixture of two face-centered cubic compounds is obtained. Using a coarse Mg precursor without addition of a milling agent results in a hexagonal-solid solution of Ti in Mg due to a lower oxygen content in the Mg starting material. Upon introduction of Ni or Al as a third element, the amount of dissolved Ti decreases to form a nanocrystalline secondary phase. The electrochemical charging capacity of the hexagonal compounds is far superior to that of the cubic ones, whereas the discharge capacity is significantly increased only upon addition of Ni. The secondary TiNi phase acts as a rapid diffusion path for hydrogen, greatly improving the rate capability of the alloys. The reversible hydrogen storage capacity reaches values of up to 3.2 wt% at room temperature for (Mg0.75Ti0.25)0.90Ni0.10.
Initial interfacial reaction layers formed in Sn–3.5Ag solder/electroless Ni–P plated Cu substrate system
Authors: Kang Han-Byul , Lee Jae-Wook , Bae Jee-Hwan , Park Min-Ho , Yoon Jeong-Won , Jung Seung-Boo , Ju Jae-Seon , Yang Cheol-Woong
Published: August 2008

Analytical electron microscopy (AEM) was used to examine the initial interfacial reaction layers between a eutectic Sn–3.5Ag solder and an electroless nickel-immersion gold-plated (ENIG) Cu substrate during reflow at 255 °C for 1 s. AEM confirmed that a thick upper (Au,Ni)Sn2 layer and a thin Ni3Sn4 layer had formed through the reaction between the solder and ENIG. The amorphous electroless Ni(P) plated layer transformed into two P-rich Ni layers. One is a crystallized P-rich Ni layer, and the other is an intermediate state P-rich Ni layer before the crystallization. The crystallized P-rich layer consisted of Ni2P and Ni12P5. A thin Ni2P layer had formed underneath the Ni3Sn4 layer and is believed to be a predecessor of the Ni2SnP ternary phase. A Ni12P5 phase was observed beneath the Ni2P thin layer. In addition, nanocrystalline Ni was found to coexist with the amorphous Ni(P) phase in the intermediate state P-rich Ni layer.