bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A coupling function for solar wind effect on geomagnetic activity
Authors: Lyatsky W. , Lyatskaya Sonya , Tan Arjun
Published: January 2007

From a simple theoretical consideration, we obtained two coupling functions linking upstream solar wind parameters to geomagnetic activity. We took into account (1) a scaling factor related to polar cap expansion while increasing the reconnected magnetic flux in the dayside magnetosphere, and (2) a modified Akasofu function for the reconnected flux for combined IMF Bz and By components. One of these coupling functions may be written as Fα = aVswByz1/2 sinα (θ/2), where Vsw is the solar wind speed, Byz is the magnitude of the IMF vector in the Y‐Z plane, θ is the clock angle between the Z axis and IMF vector in the Y‐Z plane, a is a coefficient, and the exponent, α, is derived from the experimental data and equals approximately to 2. The Fα function is proportional to the square root of Byz, which makes it significantly different from the coupling functions proposed earlier. Nevertheless, the statistical data analysis supports this dependence. For testing the found coupling function, we used the solar wind and IMF data for four years. We computed 2‐D diagrams showing the correlation coefficients for the dependence of the polar cap PC geomagnetic activity index on different combinations of solar wind/IMF parameters. The obtained diagrams showed very good agreement with the theoretical coupling function. The correlation coefficient for the dependence of the PC index on the coupling function is about 0.8–0.85, which is significantly higher that that for other commonly used coupling functions for the same time intervals.
Comparison between 1997 and 2002 El Niño events: Role of initial state versus forcing
Authors: Hackert Eric , Ballabrera‐Poy Joaquim , Busalacchi Antonio J. , Zhang Rong‐Hua , Murtugudde Ragu
Published: January 2007

Long time series of high quality ocean surface topography, sea surface temperature, subsurface temperature and salinity information allow a thorough comparison between two distinct El Niño events. The 1997 El Niño showed a strong ocean‐atmosphere coupling which propagated from west to east. The weaker 2002 event developed later in the calendar year and showed strongest anomalies near the dateline. In this study, observational data of sea level and sea surface temperature from satellite, and subsurface temperature and salinity (from all available sources including Argo) are used along with data assimilation to improve the initial state estimation of the ocean. Ocean model experiments are used to isolate differences between initial states of the system and forcing in the development of the two events. A statistical atmospheric model is utilized to highlight the atmospheric response to surface temperature anomalies. Different initial conditions for the month of November (climatology, 1996 and 2001) are used to initiate model experiments forced by climatological European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts wind stress for the two El Niño periods (Nov 96–Dec 97, Nov 01–Dec 02). By differencing two experiments with the same forcing, but different initial conditions, the role of the ocean state at the start of the two events (Nov 96 versus Nov 01) can be examined. These results show that both initial conditions are predisposed to induce a subsequent El Niño. However, for the first half of the 1997 event (Nov 96–Jun 97) the initial state of the ocean induces an eastward propagating wind field. For the 2002 event, the initial state served to limit the eastward propagation of the wind field by inducing destructive interference near the dateline. For the second half of the event (Jul 97–Dec 97) the initial state contributed little. However, the role of initial conditions contributed nearly half the total signal for the peak of the 2002 event. Similarly, the role of the different forcing can be identified. These results show that for both events forcing played a very weak role over the first half of the year. (In fact the statistical wind anomalies for these periods showed anomalous easterlies.) However, for the second half of the 1997 event the air/sea coupled forcing accounts for nearly all the temperature and wind anomalies. For the 2002 event, initial conditions and forcing contribute approximately equally to the temperature and resulting wind anomaly fields.
IFNγ: Issuing macrophages a license to kill
Authors: Bashyam Hema
Published: January 2007

T cells tell macrophages when to start making the toxic soup of lysosomal enzymes, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide that destroys intracellular pathogens. In 1983, Carl Nathan proved that this start signal comes in the form of the secreted cytokine IFNγ.
Participation of the Fas and Fas ligand systems in apoptosis during atrophy of the rat submandibular glands
Authors: Takahashi Shigeru , Gobe Glenda C. , Yoshimura Yoshitaka , Kohgo Takao , Yamamoto Tsuneyuki , Wakita Minoru
Published: January 2007

Most acinar cells and some duct cells undergo apoptosis during atrophy of the submandibular gland. The present study was designed to elucidate whether Fas and its receptor ligand (FasL) are involved during apoptotic atrophy of the gland. The excretory duct of the right submandibular gland of rats was doubly ligated with metal clips from 1 to 14 days for induction of gland atrophy. Control rats were untreated. Fas and FasL expression in the atrophied submandibular gland was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western immunoblot. Expression of activated caspase 8 and activated caspase 3 was also detected with IHC. Fas‐positive acinar and duct cells and FasL‐positive duct cells increased in the atrophic glands at 3 and 5 days after duct ligation when apoptotic cells were commonly observed. Thereafter, Fas‐ and FasL‐positive cells declined in number. Patterns of expression of Fas and FasL using Western immunoblots concurred with the IHC results. Activated caspase 8‐positive cells were present at every time interval but peaked at 3 and 5 days following duct ligation. The cells showing immunoreaction for activated caspase 3 first appeared on day 3, with the peak in apoptosis, after which they decreased. The results indicate that the Fas/FasL systems likely play an important role in apoptotic pathways during atrophy of the submandibular gland.
Experimental cutaneous Bacillus anthracis infections in hairless HRS/J mice
Authors: Bischof Timothy S. , Hahn Beth L. , Sohnle Peter G.
Published: January 2007

Previous studies of experimental Bacillus anthracis cutaneous infections in mice have implicated hair follicles as a likely entry site. Hairless HRS/J mice were used to investigate this possibility because of their non‐functional hair follicles that lack penetrating hair shafts. These mice also have diminished macrophage function, increased susceptibility to Listeria, and enhanced neutrophil responses. HRS/J and Balb/c mice were found to be resistant to epicutaneous inoculation with Bacillus anthracis (Sterne) spores onto abraded skin when compared with DBA/2 mice or leucopenic C57BL/6 mice. The HRS/J mice also resisted spore injections that bypassed hair follicles. Haired HRS/J heterozygote mice demonstrated similar reduced susceptibility to B. anthracis spores. Hairless HRS/J mice that were made leucopenic did become susceptible to the epicutaneous spore inoculations. Histologically, the hairless and haired HRS/J mice showed markedly reduced numbers of organisms in hair follicles and the interfollicular dermis when compared even with the resistant Balb/c mice; inflammatory cell infiltrates in the superficial dermis were increased in the HRS/J mice compared with more sensitive strains. Therefore, resistance in the HRS/J mice was apparent at the initial site of epicutaneous inoculation and seemed related to an accumulation of dermal neutrophils rather than to a lack of functional hair follicles.
Determinants of parasitoid abundance and diversity in woodland habitats
Authors: FRASER SALLY E. M. , DYTHAM CALVIN , MAYHEW PETER J.
Published: January 2007

Insect parasitoids comprise a large fraction of terrestrial biodiversity. Because of this diversity, species‐level conservation of most parasitoid species is impractical and habitat conservation must substitute. However, habitat indicators of parasitoid abundance and diversity are poorly known.

To identify such habitat indicators, parasitoid wasps in four ichneumonid subfamilies were sampled in the field herb layer of 15 woodlands in the Vale of York, UK, using Malaise traps. The catch was related to vegetation characteristics.

A total of 1543 individuals in 60 species was recorded, representing 36% of UK species in the taxa sampled. Parasitoids tended to be more abundant and species rich in woodlands with a high broadleaf content and tree species richness. This pattern was observed in the ichneumonid subfamilies Pimplinae, Poemeniinae and Diacritinae.

However, the ichneumonid subfamily Diplazontinae was found to vary in abundance and richness within rather than between woodlands and showed no association with measured habitat variables.

Reserve selection analyses indicated that coniferous woodlands, and woodlands with a low abundance and richness of parasitoids, none the less can contribute to maximizing parasitoid diversity at the landscape scale.

Synthesis and applications. At the individual woodland scale, broadleaved woodlands with high tree species richness appear best for conserving parasitoid abundance and diversity. At a landscape scale however, a variety of woodland habitat types can maximize diversity of all parasitoid taxa. We hypothesize that the degree of association between parasitoid abundance and diversity, and characteristics of the vegetation within habitats will decrease with an increase in the number of trophic links that separate them.
Activities of mitochondrial complexes correlate with nNOS amount in muscle from ALS patients
Authors: Sorarù G. , Vergani L. , Fedrizzi L. , D’Ascenzo C. , Polo A. , Bernazzi B. , Angelini C.
Published: January 2007

The pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is poorly understood. Increased levels of free radicals derived from nitric oxide (NO), the product of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), may damage mitochondrial function leading to motor neurone death. Previous studies demonstrated a specific impairment of mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle of ALS patients. In order to verify a pathogenetic relationship between neuronal NOS (nNOS) and mitochondrial function, we studied nNOS expression by Western blot and mitochondrial enzyme activity by spectrophotometric assays in muscle biopsies of 16 sporadic ALS patients and 16 controls subjects. We observed a reduced activity of respiratory chain complexes with mitochondrial encoded subunits and a lower nNOS amount in ALS muscles. There was a direct correlation between levels of nNOS and values of mitochondrial enzymes function. In ALS muscles we found normal levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) that is assumed as related to mitochondrial DNA abnormalities. Our data suggest a beneficial role for NO to mitochondrial function and lead to the hypothesis of a common oxidative damage in motor neurones and skeletal muscle in sporadic ALS patients.
A double three‐step theory of brain metastasis in mice: the role of the pia mater and matrix metalloproteinases
Authors: Saito N. , Hatori T. , Murata N. , Zhang Z.‐A. , Ishikawa F. , Nonaka H. , Iwabuchi S. , Samejima H.
Published: January 2007

The brain is frequently affected by the spread of lung cancer, and haematogenous metastasis is a common route to brain metastasis. We therefore developed an isogenic brain metastasis model of lung cancer to use the Lewis lung carcinoma cell line and analysed dynamics of neoplastic cells after extravasation. Histological analysis revealed two characteristic patterns: metastatic foci exhibiting an angiocentric pattern were designated ‘perivascular proliferations’; neoplastic cells infiltrating the brain parenchyma were designated ‘invasive proliferations’. Electron microscopic observation of perivascular proliferations showed that neoplastic cells were confined to the perivascular space. In invasive proliferations, however, fragments of collagen fibre were observed in the gaps between neoplastic cells, indicating that the neoplastic cells had disintegrated the pia‐glial membrane. We analysed the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9 by using both immunohistochemical analysis and real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. MMP‐2 expression was significantly higher in invasive proliferations. MMP‐9 expression was significantly higher in day 7, but there was no significant difference in day 11. The pia‐glial membrane and perivascular space are the barriers that neoplastic cells must overcome to infiltrate the brain. In conclusion, our findings suggest that brain metastasis requires two distinct processes.
Differential anti‐chemokine activity of Amblyomma variegatum adult ticks during blood‐feeding
Authors: VANČOVÁ I. , SLOVÁK M. , HAJNICKÁ V. , LABUDA M. , ŠIMO L. , PETERKOVÁ K. , HAILS R. S. , NUTTALL P. A.
Published: January 2007

Ticks secrete a cocktail of immunomodulatory molecules in their saliva during blood‐feeding, including chemokine‐binding factors that help control the activity of host immunocompetent cells. Here we demonstrate differential dynamics of anti IL‐8 (CXCL8), MCP‐1 (CCL2), MIP‐1 (CCL3), RANTES (CCL5) and eotaxin (CCL11) activities in salivary gland extracts of adult Amblyomma variegatum. Unfed male and female ticks showed activity against all the chemokines except CCL5; anti‐CCL11 activity was particularly high. However, during feeding the dynamics of anti‐chemokine activity differed significantly between males and females, and varied between chemokines. In males, anti‐chemokine activities increased, whereas in females they declined or increased slightly as feeding progressed. The exception was anti‐CCL11 activity, which declined and then increased in both males and females. Comparison of salivary gland equivalents of individual ticks prepared at various feeding intervals revealed some differences that were most pronounced between individual females fed for 8 days. These observations reflect the feeding behaviour of male and female A. variegatum. They support the concept of ‘mate guarding’, in which males help their mates to engorge by controlling their host's immune response, and the possibility that ticks benefit from feeding together by exploiting molecular individuality.
The virulence of phytopathogenic fungi associated with the bark beetles Tomicus piniperda and Orthotomicus erosus in Tunisia
Authors: Ben Jamaa M. L. , Lieutier F. , Yart A. , Jerraya A. , Khouja M. L.
Published: January 2007

Phytopathogenic fungi associated with the bark beetles Tomicus piniperda and Orthotomicus erosus were isolated in various pine forests of Tunisia. Tomicus piniperda and its galleries yielded Leptographium wingfieldii, Ophiostoma minus, and Ophiostoma ips. Ophiostoma minus was the most frequent species associated with T. piniperda, in both the attacking and the emerging beetles. It was collected from most investigated forests, whereas O. ips and L. wingfieldii were obtained only from forests located in Central and Northern Tunisia. Frequencies of association with T. piniperda were always low, reaching 11.1% only once, for O. ips. Ophiostoma ips was the only blue stain fungus associated with O. erosus and its galleries. It was found in all the localities, but at a low and variable frequency, exceeding 15% very rarely. The virulence of 16 fungal isolates was tested by single inoculations into Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) at two localities. Differences were detected among species; L. wingfieldii was the most virulent and O. minus the least virulent species in terms of phloem reaction zone formation and fungal growth in the phloem. In a separate experiment, mass inoculations (400 and 800 inoculations per m2 of bole on 1‐m high belts) were performed with two isolates of L. wingfieldii on Aleppo pine and on Pinus brutia (Brutia pine). Three months later, measurements of sapwood status (% of conductive transversal section) and of its specific hydraulic conductivity, as well as of the phloem reaction zone lengths, did not show any isolate or density effect. At these experimental sites, Brutia pines appeared significantly more susceptible than Aleppo pines.
Double‐bundle reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament
Authors: Nau Thomas , Spotswood Matthew
Published: January 2007

Injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament often present in rural practices and rural regional hospitals. Surgical reconstruction is the treatment of choice in the young and active patient. Better biomechanical understanding has led to a further improvement of the surgical technique. The double‐bundle reconstruction, which aims to address both functional bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament, represents the latest development in this field. In this review article the basic biomechanical principles as well as a new surgical technique are presented for practitioners in rural practice and rural regional hospitals.
Use of clinical placements as a means of recruiting health care students to underserviced areas in Southeastern Ontario: Part 1 – Student perspectives
Authors: MacRae Michelle , Van Diepen Kelly , Paterson Margo
Published: January 2007

Objective:  This two‐part study examines the present gap between financial and educational incentives required and the recruitment strategies used to draw health science students to underserviced areas in Southeastern Ontario. Part 1 explores the impact of offering travel stipends, rent‐free accommodation and interprofessional educational opportunities to health science students on their willingness to participate in clinical placements in underserviced areas.

Design:  Mixed‐method two‐part study using a self‐administered questionnaire.

Setting:  Canadian university campus.

Participants:  Four hundred and sixty‐eight senior level medical, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy and X‐ray technology students from a Canadian university and affiliated professional school.

Main outcome measures:  The influence of currently established incentives on student willingness to complete a clinical placement in designated underserviced communities in Southeastern Ontario.

Results:  Based on a 75% response rate, the results demonstrate that, in general, students agree that they are more willing to complete a clinical placement in an underserviced community if provided travel stipends (75%), rent‐free housing (92%) and interprofessional educational opportunities (65%). Students also identified 15 additional factors influencing willingness.

Conclusions:  Students are more willing to complete clinical placements in underserviced communities if provided incentives. The findings of this study support an interprofessional clinical education and recruitment enhancement program in Southeastern Ontario.
Use of clinical placements as a means of recruiting health care professionals to underserviced areas in Southeastern Ontario: Part 2 – Community perspectives
Authors: Van Diepen Kelly , MacRae Michelle , Paterson Margo
Published: January 2007

Objective:  Part 2 of this two‐part study identifies current recruitment strategies and existing incentives used by underserviced communities to recruit health science students during the clinical placement stage. Discussion surrounding current gaps in recruitment strategies and potential funding sources are explored.

Design:  Mixed‐method two‐part study using a self‐administered questionnaire.

Settings:  Six community hospitals and one private practice.

Participants:  Community resource contact from seven underserviced communities in Southeastern Ontario.

Main outcome measures:  Level of community agreement that current recruitment strategies include travel stipends, rent‐free accommodation and interprofessional education opportunities.

Results:  A 100% response rate established that one sample community provides travel stipends, three provide rent‐free accommodation, and four offer interprofessional education opportunities. These incentives were frequently offered exclusively to medical students.

Conclusions:  When considering the results from part 1 of the study, there is a substantial gap between financial incentives students deem important in the creation of an appealing clinical placement opportunity and the provisions offered to them by the sample communities. The findings of this study support the need for a recruitment enhancement program in Southeastern Ontario.
Medical clinic facilities and doctor characteristics: What older rural men value
Authors: Newton Fiona J. , Ewing Michael T. , Burney Sue , Vella‐Brodrick Dianne
Published: January 2007

Objective:  To identify the medical clinic facilities and doctor characteristics deemed important to older men living in a rural area of Australia.

Design:  Cross‐sectional study using a self‐report questionnaire.

Setting:  Mildura Rural City Council, located in north‐west Victoria.

Participants:  Eighty‐two men aged 55
+ years living in the precincts of the Mildura Rural City Council with the capability to read and write in English.

Main outcome measures:  Factors perceived as important characteristics of medical facilities and GPs.

Results:  Between high‐ and lower‐income‐status participants, the provision of bulk‐billing services was a significant predictor of clinic features deemed essential. Approximately 70% of participants wanted a GP who conveys information in an understandable manner and allows them time to ask questions and to discuss their problems. Participants perceived GP qualifications as more important than gender or nationality.

Conclusions:  The findings highlight the need for medical training institutions to ensure that medical graduates have well‐developed communication skills. Older men on low incomes are particularly concerned about the provision of bulk‐billing services. Any further reduction to the number of these services has the potential to further limit patient choice of GP and might have significant implications for general well‐being.
Health professional partnerships and their impact on Aboriginal health: An occupational therapist's and Aboriginal health worker's perspective
Authors: Hooper Kerry , Thomas Yvonne , Clarke Michelle
Published: January 2007

Objective:  To describe the extent and nature of demonstrated professional partnerships between occupational therapists and Aboriginal health workers in rural and remote communities of North Queensland. The study identifies ways in which professional partnerships improve client services and enhance occupational therapy outcomes through exploring the aspects of communication, collaboration and bridging cultural boundaries.

Design:  Data collected via in‐depth, semistructured telephone interviews.

Setting:  Aboriginal and mainstream health and human service organisations in rural and remote North Queensland. Rural and remote areas were identified using the Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia codes.

Participants:  Seven participants working in rural and remote areas of North Queensland, comprising four occupational therapists and three Aboriginal health workers. All participants were female.

Results:  Participants identified five core themes when describing the extent and nature of professional partnerships between occupational therapists and Aboriginal health workers. Themes include: professional interaction; perception of professional roles; benefits to the client; professional interdependence; and significance of Aboriginal culture. According to participants, when partnerships between occupational therapists and Aboriginal health workers were formed, clients received a more culturally appropriate service, were more comfortable in the presence of the occupational therapist, obtained a greater understanding of occupational therapy assessment and intervention, and felt valued in the health care process.

Conclusions:  This study substantiates the necessity for the formation of professional partnerships between occupational therapists and Aboriginal health workers. The findings suggest that participation in professional partnerships has positive implications for occupational therapists working with Aboriginal clients and Aboriginal health workers in rural and remote regions of North Queensland.
Informing rural and remote students about careers in health: The effect of Health Careers Workshops on course selection
Authors: Eley Robert M. , Hindmarsh Natalie , Buikstra Elizabeth
Published: January 2007

Objective:  Since 1994, as part of the Health Careers in the Bush program, Queensland Health has run residential workshops to provide secondary school students from rural and remote areas with information about health careers. This study reports on the influence of the program on tertiary course selection.

Design:  Self‐administered mail survey and telephone interviews.

Setting:  Secondary schools.

Participants:  Past students who had in year 10 attended residential career workshops run by Queensland Health.

Main outcome measures:  Tertiary courses; self‐reported influence of the workshop program on raising awareness and course selection.

Results:  Over 90% of participants reported that the workshops had a major impact on their course and career selection. The workshops provided exposure to a wide variety of health‐related disciplines, enabling students to be better informed about their course and career plans within the industry. Half of the students changed their course as a result of attending a workshop, and 83% enrolled in a health‐related course. The 17% who did not enrol in a health‐related course also recognised the value of the workshop program.

Conclusion:  The workshop program raised awareness of health professions and offered valuable information to rural students about a wide range of health careers. Results suggest that provision of such information in a residential‐workshop format contributed significantly to tertiary course selection of rural and remote students. The benefit to the health industry from these workshops has been substantial in relation to the small amount of funds invested.
Health‐promoting education needs of middle‐aged persons in a rural community in Taiwan
Authors: Su Chen‐Ying , Annells Merilyn , Wood Beverley
Published: January 2007

The purpose of this study was to identify the health‐promoting education needs of middle‐aged people in a rural community of Taiwan. A randomized sample of 1100 potential respondents was mailed a survey questionnaire with a response rate of 29.7%. The questionnaire was a unique ‘needs analysis’ tool developed by the researchers. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that many respondents were already experiencing at least one chronic disease with physical and mental health moderate in status overall, though varying between men and women. The five highest ranked education needs from an extensive list were: healthy diet, family communication, relating to adult children, fitness and exercise, and cancer prevention. The findings, supplemented by the results from other needs analysis methods that also applied, have provided important insights for the design of a relevant health‐promoting education programme for middle‐aged people in that community.
Establishing an action research group to explore family‐focused nursing in the intensive care unit
Authors: Coyer Fiona , Courtney Mary , O'Sullivan Judy
Published: January 2007

This paper presents the first phase of a four‐phase collaborative action research study which aimed to facilitate family‐focused nursing in the intensive care environment. The purpose of phase one was to determine intensive care nurses' perceptions of family‐focused critical care nursing and the appropriateness of family‐focused nursing in the intensive care unit. A collaborative action research group was established with six registered nurses working in the intensive care unit of a metropolitan tertiary referral hospital. Data were collected through group discussions and analysed using open coding. Findings revealed two categories related to perceptions of family‐focused intensive care nursing: partnership in care and maintaining a balance. The group unanimously agreed that family‐focused nursing was appropriate in the intensive care environment. The three subsequent action research phases of this study are reported elsewhere.
Assessment of health, well‐being and social connections: A survey of women living in Western Sydney
Authors: Griffiths Rhonda , Horsfall Jan , Moore Margo , Lane Di , Kroon Veronica , Langdon Rachel
Published: January 2007

Strengthening the physical and social environment has been shown to support health and strengthen community action for health. In an attempt to improve the social factors that influence the health of individuals and the community, community interventions increasingly include strategies to build networks and social capital and develop resilience. This study was undertaken to identify the most appropriate strategies to strengthen friendships and the social support networks for women aged 18–39 years living in Villawood, an area of high disadvantage in South Western Sydney, Australia. Although the majority reported positively on their health, one‐third reported feeling isolated, experienced low energy levels and felt unhappy and anxious over the past month. Women who described themselves as unemployed felt more isolated than women in home duties. Women who were employed or engaged in home duties had more contact with neighbours, and had more in common with their neighbours. Those who reported more contact with their neighbours perceived their mental healthlevel as being higher. These results indicate that community development initiatives should include consultation with the community and consider the needs of socially isolated groups and those with the poorest health status.
Medico‐legal child deaths in Istanbul: data from the Morgue Department
Authors: CANTURK NERGIS , ES¸IYOK BURCU , OZKARA ERDEM , CANTURK GUROL , BULENT OZATA A. , FATIH YAVUZ M.
Published: January 2007

Background: Before determining health policies, finding solutions to problems and taking precautions, one should define the problems and their regional and national dimensions. Data about causes of death vary from country to country and, therefore, it is clear that precautions should be based on regional data and needs, which will be more effective.

Method: The authors reviewed deaths among children aged 1 month to 18 years, whose autopsies were performed in the Morgue Department, State Institute of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey, between 2000 and 2002.

Results: The authors evaluated autopsy reports about 736 child deaths. The mean age of the children was 8.77 ± 6.25 years and 62.8% of the children were male. As to causes of death, the most frequent was asphyxia. Almost half of them were caused by mechanical asphyxia due to drowning. A total of 48.5% of the deaths were accidental. There was a significant difference in causes of death between children aged 11 years or younger and those aged over 11 years. Death due to nontraumatic conditions and poisoning was predominant among children aged 11 years and younger, while death due to gunshot wounds and stab wounds was predominant among children aged more than 11 years. There was a significant difference in causes of death between females and males.

Conclusion: Asphyxia, poisoning and blunt traumatic injuries were found to be the leading causes of death, which can be prevented or decreased by certain precautions. As a result, new regulations should be enacted to protect children against accidents, injuries and hazards and a child protection program is needed in Turkey.
Cerebral hemiatrophy (Dyke–Davidoff–Masson syndrome) in childhood: Clinicoradiological analysis of 19 cases
Authors: ATALAR MEHMET H. , ICAGASIOGLU DILARA , TAS FIKRET
Published: January 2007

Background: The purpose of this study was to emphasize the clinical and imaging findings of 19 child cases of cerebral hemiatrophy.

Methods: A total of 11 male and eight female patients underwent assessment with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The patients ranged from 1 to 17 years in age. The evaluated parameters were: location of the lesions, midline structural shift effect, ipsilateral calvarial and parenchymal changes.

Results: Left cerebral hemiatrophy was seen in 14 of the cases while right cerebral hemiatrophy was observed in five cases. Unilateral calvarial thickening was seen in 11 cases, hyperpneumatization of paranasal sinuses in five, and hypoplasia of the middle frontal cranial fossa in three patients. Cerebral peduncle atrophy was noted in seven cases. In total, 11 patients had thalamic atrophy and lentiform nucleus hypoplasia. In one case, cerebral hemiatrophy was associated with ipsilateral large schizencephalic cleft and absence of the septum pellucidum, whereas in another case, there was diffuse cerebellar atrophy associated with cerebral hemiatrophy.

Conclusion: Computed tomography and, in particular, magnetic resonance imaging are the procedures of choice with respect to assessment of the etiology and extent of cerebral parenchymal involvement in cerebral hemiatrophy.
Efficacy of pollen immunotherapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: CAN DEMET , TANAÇ REMZIYE , DEMİR ESEN , GÜLEN FIGEN , VERAL ALI
Published: January 2007

Background: The efficacy of subcutaneous pollen immunotherapy has been documented in published double‐blind, placebo‐controlled studies related to treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. In the present study, subjective (symptom scores) and objective (nasal peak inspiratory flow, nasal smear, nasal biopsy) parameters were used to study the efficacy of pollen immunotherapy.

Methods: Forty‐eight patients (32 male), mean ± SE age 13.6 ± 2.8 years allergic to grass‐pollen participated in the present study. Patients were divided into three groups: group I, 24 patients who did not receive pollen immunotherapy; group II, 12 patients who received the build‐up phase of pollen immunotherapy; and group III, 12 patients who had just finished pollen immunotherapy. With regard to objective and subjective parameters these three groups were compared.

Results: When group I was compared to groups II and III, the patients who had not received any immunotherapy were found to have a high daytime nasal symptoms score (P < 0.01), high daytime eye symptoms score(P < 0.01) and high night‐time symptoms score (P < 0.01). In objective parameters, it was found that group I had low nasal peak inspiratory flow (P < 0.05), and a high eosinophil count in nasal smears (P < 0.05) and peripheral blood (P < 0.05). It was also demonstrated that there was an increased eosinophil infiltration (P < 0.01) and mast cell infiltration (P < 0.05) in nasal biopsy in group I. There was no significant difference between group II and group III according to these results (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Immunotherapy leads to a better clinical and histopathological prognosis in children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Intussusception in children of school age
Authors: IKEDA TARO , KOSHINAGA TSUGUMICHI , INOUE MIKIYA , GOTO HIROSHI , SUGITOU KIMINOBU , HAGIWARA NORITSUGU
Published: January 2007

Background: There are only a few reports discussing the characteristics of intussusception developing in school‐age children. The characteristics of these cases are discussed, with reference to previous literature.

Methods: The present study included eight cases of intussusception in school‐age children among 143 intussusception patients treated on an inpatient basis at Nihon University Itabashi Hospital, during the 11 year period from 1993 to 2003. The remaining 135 patients were assigned to the infant group as controls. The clinical characteristics of intussusception in school‐age children were compared with those of the condition developing in infants.

Results: The eight children of school age with intussusception ranged in age from 8 to 15 years (mean, 11.6 years), and consisted of five boys and three girls. The major symptom was abdominal pain, occurring in 100% (8/8). Bloody stools and vomiting were reported in two patients each (25%) from this group. The triad of abdominal pain, bloody stools and vomiting was recognized in only one child (12.5%) of this group. Two children (25.0%) had a palpable abdominal mass, and one child (12.5%) complained of diarrhea. None of the school‐age children with intussusception had any antecedent infection; five, two and one patients had the ileo‐colic type, ileo‐ileo‐colic type and ileo‐ileal type of intussusception, respectively. Four underwent enema reduction and four underwent surgical reduction. One of the eight children (12.5%) had underlying organic abnormality; in the remaining children the condition was labeled idiopathic. One child developed recurrences.

Conclusions: In school‐age children intussusception is generally believed to be commonly secondary to underlying organic abnormality, but in the present study only one of eight school‐age children had underlying organic abnormality; in the remaining children, the condition was labeled idiopathic. The major symptom in school‐age intussusception was abdominal pain. Therefore this may need to be differentiated from appendicitis in children of school age. It is considered that abdominal ultrasonography (USG) is a simple and useful method for making the diagnosis of intussusception, and that diagnostic USG should be conducted in all school‐age children presenting with acute abdominal pain.
Presence of herpesviruses in middle ear fluid of children with otitis media with effusion
Authors: BULUT YASEMIN , KARLIDAG TURGUT , SEYREK ADNAN , KELES EROL , TORAMAN ZULAL ASCI
Published: January 2007

Background: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a disease that frequently occurs in children. Etiopathogenesis of the diseases has not been completely elucidated. There are limited numbers of studies on the presence of herpesviruses in otitis media cases with OME. The present study was undertaken to determine the rate of some herpesviruses in OME cases of children.

Methods: A total of 92‐middle ear fluids were collected from 51 children. The samples were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of herpesviruses including Herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV).

Results: PCR analysis of the 92 samples showed that genomes of EBV in 12 (13.04%), HSV in seven (7.60%), CMV in five (5.43%), and VZV in three (3.26%) were present. Two of these samples were positive for both HSV and EBV genomes. Therefore, 25 (27.17%) of the samples were determined to be infected with any of the herpesviruses tested.

Conclusions: In the present study, herpesviruses were determined at a high rate in middle ear fluids of children with OME. However, the present study is a preliminary study and more extensive studies, especially experimental studies, are required to elucidate the role of herpesviruses in pathogenesis of OME and whether there is a relation between rate of herpesviruses in OME cases, and the reactivation of latent infections.
Duration of fever and markers of serious bacterial infection inyoung febrile children
Authors: PRATT AMANDA , ATTIA MAGDY W.
Published: January 2007

Background: Despite the drastic change in the evaluation of the febrile young child due to the decreased incidence of serious bacterial infections (SBI) effected by Haemophilus influenza type B and pneumococcal vaccine, there remains a small role for blood work in the evaluation of these patients. Bacterial markers including white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) have been studied and are widely used as predictors of SBI in febrile children. It has been suggested that CRP values should be interpreted cautiously when fever has been present <12 h based on the kinetics of this biological marker. This limitation has not been previously addressed with CRP, nor was it described with other markers, specifically WBC and ANC, therefore the purpose of the present paper was to assess WBC, ANC and CRP values as predictors of SBI in relation to duration of fever.

Methods: Patients who presented to a pediatric emergency department between the ages of 1 and 36 months, with fever ≥39°C and no source of infection had a complete blood count (CBC) blood culture, and CRP level drawn. A urinalysis and/or urine culture was obtained when age and gender appropriate. A chest X‐ray was performed at the discretion of the treating physician. The study subjects were enrolled prospectively and then divided into two groups based on duration of fever of ≤ or >12 h, and compared.

Results: One hundred and twenty‐eight patients were originally enrolled. Nine patients were excluded. Seventeen patients (14%) had SBI. One patient (<1%) had bacteremia, three (3%) had pneumonia, and 13 (10%) had urinary tract infections. Forty‐five patients presented with fever ≤12 h and 74 patients presented with fever >12 h. Area under the curve (AUC) for WBC, ANC and CRP was significantly larger in patients with SBI presenting with fever >12 h (0.85, 0.83, 0.92 respectively) compared to patients with SBI who presented with fever for <12 h (0.37, 0.42, 0.68 respectively).

Conclusions: Bacterial markers studied were more predictive of SBI if the duration of fever was >12 h as shown by the AUC. CRP performed better than WBC and ANC in both scenarios.
Health‐care utilization and costs in Taiwanese pediatric patients with asthma
Authors: SUN HAI‐LUN , KAO YEA‐HUEI , LU TSUNG‐HSUEH , CHOU MING‐CHIEH , LUE KO‐HUANG
Published: January 2007

Background: In many countries, the burden of asthma is sufficient to warrant recognition as a high‐priority disorder in governmental health strategies. However, the components of the total health‐care costs for pediatric patients with asthma have not been well studied, and an overall understanding of health‐care utilization patterns in this population is lacking in Taiwan.

Methods: A total of 33 461 patients aged 3–17 years who were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Research database from 1 January to 31 December 2002 were evaluated. Health‐care utilization and costs, including those related to office, outpatient hospital, emergency department, and inpatient hospital visits were compared between pediatric patients with and without asthma.

Results: In 2002, the period prevalence of treated asthma was 6.0%. Pediatric patients with asthma used substantially more services than did those without asthma in all categories. Hospital outpatient visits and overall health‐care expenditure for patients with asthma were 2.2‐fold higher than those of patients without asthma. Asthma care represented 20% of all health‐care services that patients with asthma received, while the remaining 80% were for non‐asthma care. Almost three‐fourths of all asthma‐related costs were attributable to office and hospital outpatient visits; one‐fourth was attributable to urgent care and hospitalizations.

Conclusions: These findings may serve as baseline data for future evaluation of changes in health‐care utilization and expenditure among pediatric patients with asthma.
Corticotropin and cortisol response to maximal exercise testing in central diabetes insipidus
Authors: BAS FIRDEVS , DARENDELILER FEYZA , TATLI BURAK , UNAL MEHMET , KAYSERILIOGLU ABIDIN
Published: January 2007

Background: It is known that arginine vasopressin (AVP) has a stimulatory effect on corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone; ACTH) and cortisol secretion especially during stress. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of stress on ACTH and cortisol levels in patients with central diabetes insipidus (DI) with endogenous AVP deficiency receiving AVP therapy, and to determine whether these children need steroid replacement during stress.

Methods: Seven patients with a median age of 12 years (range 7–13 years) with idiopathic central DI on appropriate Desmopressin (DDAVP) therapy (group 1) and seven healthy controls with a median age of 15 years (range 13–20 years; group 2) were included in the study. Acute stress was produced in all children by treadmill exercise, assessed by maximal oxygen consumption and heart rate. ACTH and cortisol levels were determined before and after exercise.

Results: In group 1, median ACTH level after exercise (28.3 pg/mL) was not different from the median value (24.0 pg/mL) before exercise. However, median cortisol level (10.5 μg/dL) was significantly increased (14.9 μg/dL; P < 0.05) with exercise. In group 2, cortisol (median 9.3 μg/dL) and ACTH levels (median 6.3 pg/mL) were significantly increased after exercise (15 μg/dL and 13.6 pg/mL, respectively; P <  0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to cortisol levels before and after exercise, but the stimulated ACTH levels after exercise were higher in patients with DI than in the controls (P <  0.05). A positive correlation was observed between total daily DDAVP dose and cortisol level after exercise (rs=  0.786, P <  0.05).

Conclusions: Cortisol response during acute stress is normal in children with DI and these patients do not need extra steroid treatment during stress. In contrast, the normal cortisol response obtained by increased ACTH levels in these patients indicates an increased sensitivity of corticotroph cells.
Putative ammonia‐oxidizing Crenarchaeota in suboxic waters of the Black Sea: a basin‐wide ecological study using 16S ribosomal and functional genes and membrane lipids
Authors: Coolen Marco J. L. , Abbas Ben , Van Bleijswijk Judith , Hopmans Ellen C. , Kuypers Marcel M. M. , Wakeham Stuart G. , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S.
Published: January 2007

Within the upper 400 m at western, central and eastern stations in the world's largest stratified basin, the Black Sea, we studied the qualitative and quantitative distribution of putative nitrifying Archaea based on their genetic markers (16S rDNA, amoA encoding for the alpha‐subunit of archaeal ammonia monooxygenase), and crenarchaeol, the specific glycerol diphytanyl glycerol tetraether of pelagic Crenarchaeota within the Group I.1a. Marine Crenarchaeota were the most abundant Archaea (up to 98% of the total archaeal 16S rDNA copies) in the suboxic layers with oxygen levels as low as 1 μM including layers where previously anammox bacteria were described. Different marine crenarchaeotal phylotypes (both 16S rDNA and amoA) were found at the upper part of the suboxic zone as compared with the base of the suboxic zone and the upper 15–30 m of the anoxic waters with prevailing sulfide concentrations of up to 30 μM. Crenarchaeol concentrations were higher in the sulfidic chemocline as compared with the suboxic zone. These results indicate an abundance of putative nitrifying Archaea at very low oxygen levels within the Black Sea and might form an important source of nitrite for the anammox reaction.
Phylogeny of the ovenbird genus Upucerthia: a case of independent adaptations for terrestrial life
Authors: Fjeldså Jon , Irestedt Martin , Jønsson Knud A. , Ohlson Jan I. , Ericson Per G. P.
Published: January 2007

In view of the amount of adaptive radiation among ovenbirds, Furnariinae, the traditional taxonomy needs scrutiny. We used nuclear DNA data to study relationships of the genus Upucerthia. Five species belong in the Furnariini, as traditionally assumed. The other species represent two independent cases of specialisation for terrestrial life, in response to formation of arid habitats in the southern Andes, within the paraphyletic assemblage of arboreal species referred to as Philydorini.