bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influences on participation rate in a national Norwegian child development screening questionnaire study
Authors: Janson H 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To describe the influence of demographic variables on participation rate in a child development screening questionnaire study, and to discuss the implications for data analysis and for the design of future similar studies. Methods: Appropriate Ages and Stages Questionnaires were mailed to 2392 mothers of children aged 4–60 mo. The bivariate and multivariate influence of demographic variables on responding was investigated. Results: The response rate decreased roughly linearly with the age of the child (ranging from 76% at 8 mo to 32% at 60 mo). Mother's educational level, civil status and (marginally) child's gender also contributed independently to the prediction of response. Conclusion: Participation rate may be interpreted in terms of interest/saliency and time demands, if a mother's interest in her baby's normative development is assumed to be great, though decreasing as the child grows. Weighting for demographic variables seems to be a viable procedure in the present project; future studies may consider measures to increase the immediacy of questionnaire completion for mothers of children aged 3 y and older.
Benefits and risks of calcium resonium therapy in hyperkalaemic preterm infants
Authors: Grammatikopoulos T , Greenough A , Pallidis C , Davenport M 
Published: August 2010

The occurrence of an intestinal perforation in a prematurely born infant following rectal administration of a calcium resonium resin prompted a literature review to determine whether use of resins in neonates was evidence based. This revealed that the results of anecdotal series suggested that resins were useful, but the only randomized trial including prematurely born infants demonstrated that resins were less efficacious than glucose and insulin infusions. Important side effects were reported including colonic necrosis and impaction with perforation. Conclusion: The risks and benefits of exchange resins in prematurely born infants should be assessed in an appropriately sized randomized trial.
Conversion reaction presenting as a polyradiculonevritis
Authors: Rigante D , Torrioli MG , Ferrara P , Buonuomo PS , Pulitanò S , Stabile A 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To show that conversion reactions should be suspected when symptomatology or instrumental checking does not conform to a precise pathological pattern in its anatomical and physiological keys.Methods: We report the case of a 14‐y‐old girl who presented with signs and symptoms of Guillain‐Barré polyradiculonevritis. Negative instrumental and laboratory tests led us to consider a possible diagnosis of conversion reaction.Results: After a more detailed history emphasizing the close bond between the patient and her father, a poor peer‐relation exchange and psychological stress, we were able to identify conversion reactions through the patient's motor signs.Conclusion: Conversion symptoms must be suspected and searched for when the neurologic outline is difficult to clarify, and also in the case of Guillain‐Barré syndrome that does not respond to plasmapheresis.
Industrial and agricultural pollution: a threat to the health of children living in the Arctic region
Authors: Zetterström R 
Published: August 2010

Various environmental pollutants of industrial or agricultural origin such as persistent organic pollutants (POCs) are causing great concern owing to their toxicity to humans and animals. At the Stockholm Convention on POCs in 2001, 12 of these pollutants, i.e. dioxins, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and DDT were referred to as “the dirty dozen”. Conclusion: Collaborative studies by scientists from Canada, Russia, Scandinavia and other countries representing different fields such as environmental chemistry, ecology and medical sciences may increase our knowledge about the present threat of toxic chemicals to ecology and human health in the Arctic region. It is hoped that improved understanding will promote preventive political decisions.
Why women don't breastfeed: a national survey
Authors: Hofvander Y 
Published: August 2010

Breastfeeding is a behaviour that is influenced by many complex factors and confounders. Various social and psychological factors may thus be missed in studies of the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding. The prevalence of breastfeeding is extremely high in the rich Scandinavian countries where the mothers are given paid maternity leave for at least one year. Conclusion: National and international women's organizations could improve the conditions for breastfeeding by pressing for a prolongation of the period of maternity leave worldwide.
Association between serum oncofetal antigens CA 19–9 and CA 125 and clinical status in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Gronowitz E , Pitkänen S , Kjellmer I , Heikinheimo M , Strandvik B 
Published: August 2010

In cystic fibrosis (CF), mucus plugging in the airways and in the gastrointestinal tract leads to severe morbidity and mortality. The mucin‐associated antigens CA 19–9 and CA 125 are markers of gastrointestinal malignancy, and CA 19–9 has also been reported in association with pulmonary function in CF. Aim: To test whether these antigens might serve as markers for the severity of pulmonary and gastrointestinal disease in CF. Methods: In 99 patients, aged 1 to 48 y, serum levels of CA 19–9 and CA 125 were measured by RIA and ELISA and related to clinical data. Results: Patients with severe mutations had significantly increased serum levels of CA 125, indicating an association with a more severe CF phenotype. This was further supported by the association with lung function, chronic pulmonary colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and pancreatic insufficiency. CA 19–9 was also shown to be associated with lung function and Ps. aeruginosa colonization. No gastrointestinal malignancy was found in our patients despite very high values of CA 19–9 in some patients. During a 5‐y follow‐up, the very high serum levels of CA 19–9 decreased along with improved general condition of the patients. Conclusion: Increased serum levels of CA 125 in CF patients were associated with severe cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutations and a severe phenotype. Both antigens were associated with pseudomonas colonization and lung function and CA 125 also with pancreatic insufficiency. The estimates of CA 19–9 are hampered by the influence of the Lewis histo‐blood group system on the synthesis of CA 19–9.
Adhesion molecules, endogenous granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor levels and replating capacity of progenitors in autoimmune neutropenia of childhood
Authors: Perdikogianni Ch , Dimitriou H , Stiakaki E , Markaki E‐A , Kalmanti M 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To investigate the role of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and adhesion molecules and the response of bone marrow to peripheral cytopenia in autoimmune neutropenia of childhood (AIN). Methods: Thirty‐five children with AIN, 25 with acute leukaemia in remission, 10 of whom developed chemotherapy‐associated neutropenia, and 28 non‐neutropenic age‐matched children were studied. The methods included haemopoietic progenitor cells’colony growth, replating of colony‐forming unit‐granulocyte macrophage (CFU‐GM) of the 7th day and ELISA for the detection of serum levels of cytokines and adhesion molecules. Results: In cases of severe autoimmune neutropenia, haemopoietic progenitors showed increased proliferative capacity compared to the control group (p= 0.03). Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), E‐selectin, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1 β) levels inversely correlated with neutrophil counts (r= ‐0.8, p < 0.001 for ICAM‐1, r= ‐0.5, p= 0.04 for E‐selectin, r=‐0.58, p= 0.01 for TNF‐α, r= ‐0.62, p= 0.04 for IL‐1 β). Serum ICAM‐1, TNF‐α and IL‐1 β levels correlated positively with G‐CSF levels (r= 0.47, p= 0.03 for ICAM‐1, r= 0.65, p= 0.01 for TNF‐α, r= 0.67, p= 0.04 for IL‐1 β). Serum G‐CSF levels were widely distributed and did not correlate with neutrophil counts (r= ‐0.44, p= 0.09). In secondary neutropenias the respective levels were lower than those in autoimmune neutropenia. Conclusions: Haemopoietic progenitors show increased proliferative capacity in cases of severe autoimmune neutropenia. G‐CSF seems to act as an inducer of endothelium activation. The degree of neutropenia correlates with serum ICAM‐1, E‐selectin, TNF‐α and IL‐1 β levels, indicating the existence of an activated endothelium and presumably of a latent, low‐grade, inflammatory process in severe autoimmune neutropenia.
Laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscle activities after central nervous system lesions in cats
Authors: Hutchison AA , Speck DF 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To examine the central control and coordination of respiratory pump muscles and laryngeal valve muscles by systematic decerebration (DECER), cerebellectomy (CBELL), pontine respiratory group lesioning (PRG) and pontomedullary section (PMED). Methods: Activities of posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA), thyroarytenoid (TA) and diaphragm (D) muscles and their responses to inspiratory (I) and expiratory (E) total occlusions were determined in 10 adult cats. Results: INTACT anesthetized cats (n= 6) exhibited inspiratory PCA (PCAI) and D activities. Expiratory PCA (PCAE) was present but TA activity was absent. It was found that successive DECER, CBELL and PRG lesions attenuated PCAE, the intact pattern being noted in 7/10, 4/10 and 0/6 cats, respectively. After PMED, variable PCA, TA and continuous D activities occurred only with blood gas abnormalities. Augmented PCA and D responses to I‐ and E‐loads occurred after PRG lesions: the I‐load PCAI and D responses resembled apneusis and the E‐load PCAE and D responses resembled central apnea. Conclusion: The decreasing PCAE activity observed with successive DECER, CBELL and PRG lesions suggests that these areas influence laryngeal abductor control of glottic size. The synchronous activities after PMED transection suggest a role for more rostral structures in coordinating laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscle activities.
Why primiparous mothers do not breastfeed in the United States: a national survey
Authors: Taylor JS , Risica PM , Cabral HJ 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To investigate primiparous women's primary reason for not breastfeeding. Methods: We used the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth to analyze the breastfeeding behaviors of a national probability sample of 6733 first‐time US mothers, aged 15 to 44 y. Main outcome measures in this cross‐sectional study were the reasons for never breastfeeding and reasons for stopping breastfeeding using closed‐ended, multiple choice questions. Results: Most commonly, women did not breastfeed because they “preferred to bottle feed” (66.3%). The most common reason for stopping breastfeeding was that the child was “old enough to wean” (35.7%), although 15%, 34%, 54%, and 78% of those women had stopped breastfeeding by 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo, respectively. “Physical or medical problem” was reported by 14.9% of women who did not breastfeed and 26.9% of women who had stopped breastfeeding, making it the second most common reason for not breastfeeding in each group. There were significant differences across racial and ethnic groups. Conclusion: Additional studies are needed to better understand why women “prefer to bottle feed”, especially black women. Increasingly effective programs and policies to promote breastfeeding will logically follow. Since physical and medical problems are such common reasons both for never breastfeeding and for stopping breastfeeding, individual healthcare providers can have a significant impact on breastfeeding rates and duration.
Syncope in a child owing to intramural course of the left coronary artery
Authors: Daehnert I , Rotzsch C , Krause S , Dorszewski A , Kostelka M 
Published: August 2010

Coronary abnormalities are a rare cause of syncope or sudden death in childhood or adolescence. We report on a 14‐y‐old girl who had suffered for many years from repeated syncope after or during exertion. She had to be resuscitated twice. The left coronary artery arose from the right coronary aortic sinus and took a proximal intramural course. After successful reimplantation, the patient has now been free of symptoms for 12 mo. The pitfalls of differential diagnosis of this rare anomaly are discussed. Conclusion: Investigation of the coronary anatomy is indicated in otherwise unexplained chest pain, syncope or life‐threatening events.
Adolescent homosexuality: we need to learn more about causes and consequences
Authors: Berg‐Kelly K 
Published: August 2010

In this issue a descriptive study of various aspects of homosexual orientation among adolescents is presented. In agreement with previous American studies, the authors identify three separate domains of homosexuality: attraction, fantasy and self‐identification. This knowledge is important in understanding an adolescent struggling with homosexual thoughts. Conclusion: The development of an homosexual identity is a process connected with serious health hazards related to both physical and mental health. Most adolescents are not given adequate support because heterosexuality is considered the norm in most cultures.
Growth under privileged conditions of healthy Swedish infants exclusively breastfed from birth to 4–6 months: a longitudinal prospective study based on daily records of feeding
Authors: Aarts C , Kylberg E , Hofvander Y , Gebre‐Medhin M 
Published: August 2010

Aim: In most studies the methodology used to study growth in relation to breastfeeding patterns cannot ensure that exclusive breastfeeding has in fact occurred since birth. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth of healthy infants in Sweden in whom exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4–6 mo was ascertained through daily feeding records and to compare the results with the World Health Organization (WHO) “12‐month breastfed pooled data set” and the Euro‐Growth references for exclusively breastfed infants, as well as with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)/WHO reference. Methods: 147 exclusively breastfed infants and 325 non‐exclusively breastfed Swedish infants, with a birthweight of ≥3 kg, were included. The mothers had previous breastfed at least one infant for at least 4 mo. Weight was recorded fortnightly and length monthly. Results: Infants exclusively breastfed since birth showed similar growth in weight and height to that of the non‐exclusively breastfed infants. During the first 6 mo of life the growth of exclusively breastfed infants was also similar to that of the infants regularly receiving formula at 12–16 wk of age, mostly in addition to breast milk. The monthly growth increments were fairly similar to those of the “WHO pooled breastfed data set” and the Euro‐Growth references for exclusively breastfed infants. Conclusion: In an affluent society truly exclusively breastfed infants seem to have the same growth during the first half year of life as non‐exclusively breastfed infants with a high breastfeeding rate.
Vitamin A and sudden infant death syndrome in Scandinavia 1992–1995
Authors: Alm B , Wennergren G , Norvenius SG , Skjærven R , Lagercrantz H , Helweg‐Larsen K , Irgens LM 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To assess the effect of vitamin supplementation on the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Methods: The analyses are based on data from the Nordic Epidemiological SIDS Study, a case‐control study in which parents of SIDS victims in the Scandinavian countries were invited to participate together with parents of four matched controls between 1 September 1992 and 31 August 1995. The odds ratios presented are computed by conditional logistic regression analysis. Results: The crude odds ratio in Scandinavia for not giving vitamin substitution was 2.8 (95% CI (1.9,4.3)). This effect was statistically significant in Norway and Sweden, which use A and D vitamin supplementation, but not in Denmark, where only vitamin D supplementation is given. The odds ratios remained significant in Sweden when an adjustment was made for confounding factors (OR 28.4, 95% CI (4.7,171.3)). Conclusion: We found an association between increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome and infants not being given vitamin supplementation during their first year of life. This was highly significant in Sweden, and the effect is possibly connected with vitamin A deficiency. This effect persisted when an adjustment was made for potential confounders, including socio‐economic factors.
Epidemiological changes in diagnosed coeliac disease in a population of Spanish children
Authors: López‐Rodríguez MJ , Macías ML Canal , García JM Lavado , Belda M Sánchez , Andrés P Robledo , Zamorano JD Pedrera 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To investigate the incidence rate of diagnosed coeliac disease among the paediatric population in the province of Cáceres and the changes over the years. Methods: The incidence rate of diagnosed coeliac disease between the years 1981 and 1999, age at diagnosis and clinical presentation form were investigated. The study was carried out over two periods: A (1981 to 1990) and B (1991 to 1999). Results: The incidence rate for period A was 6.87/100000 (CI 95%: 5.26–8.83) and for period B 16.04/100000 (CI 95%: 12.99–19.59) (p < 0.0001). The relative risk of receiving a diagnosis of coeliac disease during the first four years of life was 2.31% (CI 95%: 1.61–3.31) greater in period B than in period A. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.4 ± 47.4 mo and 43.9 ± 43.7 mo in A and B, respectively (p= 0.0058). The typical clinical pattern was the most frequent (83.6% in A and 58.3% in B). The mean age of introduction of gluten to the diet was 4.6 ± 2.0 mo and 6.9 ± 1.7 mo, for period A and B, respectively (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The incidence rate of coeliac disease has increased during the two periods studied. In recent years, the relative risk of receiving a diagnosis of coeliac disease during the first four years of life has increased. The atypical clinical presentation has also increased, although the typical clinical form is still the most frequent in younger children.
Impact of nutritional status on antibody responses to different vaccines in undernourished Gambian children
Authors: Moore SE , Goldblatt D , Bates CJ , Prentice AM 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To test the efficacy of T‐cell‐dependent and T‐cell‐independent vaccines in rural Gambian children suffering from a range of energy/protein and micronutrient deficiencies. Methods: Nutritional status (anthropometry, haemoglobin, plasma leptin and micronutrient status) and response to two vaccinations (23 valent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine, Pneumo‐vax® and the Human Diploid‐Cell Rabies Vaccine) were assessed in 472 children aged 6½ to 9½ y. Results: Anthropometry and micronutrient status (as z‐scores against European reference values) indicated a range from moderate to severe levels of undernutrition [mean (interquartile range): weight‐for‐age z‐score –1.58 (–2.18 to –0.95); height‐for‐age z‐score –0.94 (–1.51 to –0.35); body‐mass‐index‐for‐age z‐score –1.43 (–2.05 to –0.84); mid‐upper arm circumference ‐1.41 (–1.72 to –1.13); leptin –1.06 (–1.10 to –1.03); haemoglobin (Hb) –0.30 (–1.18 to 0.79); zinc ‐1.29 (–2.42 to –0.55); vitamin C –0.01 (–1.18 to 1.15); retinol –1.33 (–1.97 to –0.77)]. A seasonal effect was observed in haemoglobin levels and in all micronutrients (with the exception of zinc and retinol) and in the response to vaccination. After adjusting for seasonality, age and gender, no consistent associations were found between any of the measures of nutritional status and the effectiveness of seroconversion to either of the vaccines. Conclusion: The successful short‐term seroconversion to whole inactivated viral and bacterial polysaccharide vaccines indicates that the processes leading to antibody secretion remain intact over a wide range of single and combined nutrient deficiencies.
Lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme in cerebrospinal fluid of children with febrile convulsions
Authors: Nussinovitch M , Avitzur Y , Finkelstein Y , Amir J , Harel D , Volovitz B 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To study the lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme values in children with simple and complex febrile convulsions. Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from 115 children, 57 with simple febrile convulsions, 27 with complex febrile convulsions and 31 with no neurological or intracranial pathology (controls). Lactic dehydrogenase activity and isoenzyme levels were measured on a Hitachi analyser. Results: Mean total lactic dehydrogenase activity was similar in the three groups. In the control group, lactic dehydrogenase‐1 was the main fraction, followed by lactic dehydrogenase‐2 and lactic dehydrogenase‐3; only small percentages of lactic dehydrogen‐ase‐4 and lactic dehydrogenase‐5 were detected. In the febrile convulsion group, the lactic dehydrogenase‐1 fraction percentage was lower and lactic dehydrogenase‐2, lactic dehydrogenase‐3 percentages were higher than those in the control group; and the differences were statistically significant between the control and study groups (p < 0.01). Values of lactic dehydrogenase‐4 and lactic dehydrogenase‐5 were similar in all three groups. Conclusion: This is the first report on the lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with simple and complex febrile convulsions. The important finding that focal and general febrile convulsions are not associated with cell damage and changes in aerobic and anaerobic metabolism as lactic dehydrogenase remained unchanged. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme levels can assist clinicians in differentiating febrile convulsions from clinical situations that might mimic them.
Perinatal bile acid metabolism: analysis of urinary unsaturated ketonic bile acids in preterm and full‐term infants
Authors: Maeda K , Kimura A , Yamato Y , Matsuishi T 
Published: August 2010

Aim: To compare urinary concentrations of unsaturated ketonic bile acids in preterm and full‐term infants. Methods: Urinary unsaturated ketonic bile acids were determined using gas chromatographymass spectrometry. Results: Urinary concentrations of total bile acids in early preterm infants (of less than 29 wk gestational age) exceeded concentrations in late preterm (between 30 and 37 wk) and full‐term infants (between 38 and 41 wk; p < 0.01). The percentage of ketonic bile acids (7a, 12a‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxo‐4‐cholenoic acid and 7a‐hydroxy‐3‐oxo‐4‐cholenoic acid) among total urinary bile acids in full‐term infants (20.2 ± 14.1%) was higher than that in early preterm infants (8.9 ± 8.1%; p < 0.05). The percentage of unsaturated bile acids (3β‐hydroxy‐Δ5‐bile acids) among total bile acids in urine did not differ greatly between groups. Conclusion: The percentage of 3‐oxo‐Δ4 bile acids among total bile acids in urine gradually increased from early to late preterm infants, while healthy full‐term infants excreted large amounts of 3‐oxo‐Δ4 bile acids in urine at delivery.