bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum interleukin‐6 level is reflected in elevated high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein level in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: OHTSUKA Tsutomu 
Published: June 2010

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic connective tissue disease of unknown etiology which presents immunological, vascular and connective tissue abnormalities. Serum interleukin (IL)‐6 has been reported to be elevated in patients with SSc. Clinical and laboratory findings affecting the elevated level of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) were studied in patients with SSc. Clinical and laboratory findings also included serum IL‐6 level. Thirty‐nine SSc patients (male : female = 7:32, age 19–84 years, mean 62.6 years) were studied. hs‐CRP was measured with a nephelometric assay. Serum IL‐6 level was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The distributions of hs‐CRP showed that 18 cases (46.2%) were not elevated (<0.07 mg/dL), but 21 cases (53.8%) were (≥0.07 mg/dL). Alkaline phosphatase and IL‐6 in SSc patients with elevated hs‐CRP (291 ± 95 U/L, 3.23 ± 2.74 pg/mL) were significantly more elevated than those in not elevated patients (221 ± 75 U/L, 1.53 ± 1.12 pg/mL) (P < 0.02, P < 0.01). The correlation between hs‐CRP level and IL‐6 level in SSc patients was 0.687 (P < 0.001). In conclusion, elevated serum IL‐6 levels are reflected in elevated hs‐CRP levels in SSc patients.
Analysis of clinical, radiological and laboratory variables in psoriatic arthritis with 25 Japanese patients
Authors: MAEJIMA Hideki , TANIGUCHI Tomonori , WATARAI Akira , AKI Ryouichi , KATSUOKA Kensei 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) has many clinical and radiological manifestations but lacks a specific laboratory marker. The aim of the present study was to identify noteworthy features in PsA patients on routine clinical examinations. The subjects were 25 PsA patients who were classified based on the Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria. The clinical and radiological findings and laboratory parameters were analyzed by retrospective chart review. On clinical examination, dactylitis was present in 13 (52%) of 25 patients, swollen and/or tender Achilles tendons were present in nine (36%), and sacroiliitis was present in eight (32%). Of the radiological features, juxta‐articular new bone formation (JANF) was seen in 12 (48%), extra‐articular new bone formation was seen in nine (36%) and sacroiliitis was seen in six (24%). Dactylitis and JANF had the highest prevalence rates. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, swollen and/or tender joint count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‐reactive protein, and matrix metalloproteinase‐3 were higher in patients with sacroiliitis than in those without sacroiliitis (P < 0.05). Dactylitis, JANF and sacroiliitis may be noteworthy manifestations in Japanese patients with PsA.
Interpleural analgesia for attenuation of postoperative pain after hepatic resection*
Authors: Weinberg L. , Scurrah N. , Parker F. , Story D. , McNicol L. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryWe performed a prospective randomised trial to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of interpleural analgesia in patients undergoing hepatic resection. The control group (n = 25) received multimodal analgesia with intravenous morphine patient‐controlled analgesia; in addition, the interventional group (n = 25) received interpleural analgesia with a 20‐ml loading dose of levo bupivacaine 0.5% followed by a continuous infusion of levobupivacaine 0.125%. Outcome measures included pain intensity on movement using a visual analogue scale over 24 h, cumulative morphine and rescue analgesia requirements, patient satisfaction, hospital stay and all adverse events. Patients in the interpleural group were less sedated and none required treatment for respiratory depression compared to 6 (24%) in the control group (p< 0.01). Patients in the interpleural group also had lower pain scores during movement in the first 24 h. Patients’ satisfaction, opioid requirements and duration of hospital stay were similar. We conclude that continuous interpleural analgesia augments intravenous morphine analgesia, decreases postoperative sedation and reduces respiratory depression after hepatic resection.
A comparison of the Glidescope® and Karl Storz DCI® videolaryngoscopes in a paediatric manikin*
Authors: Hurford D. M. , White M. C. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryA new paediatric Glidescope® (Cobalt GVL® Stat) has recently become available. This varies in design from the Karl Storz DCI® videolaryngoscope, as it possesses a short curved disposable blade compared with the narrower straighter blade of the Storz®. We compared the time taken for tracheal intubation under normal and difficult intubation conditions in a paediatric manikin. A total of 32 anaesthetists completed four intubations in a random order, with each participant blinded to the airway condition. We hypothesised there would be no difference between the devices. The results showed no difference in tracheal intubation time between the Glidescope and the Storz videolaryngoscope. The mean (SD) times under normal conditions were 18.8 (5.2) s vs 19.9 (6.1) s, (p = 0.16), respectively. Under difficult conditions the times were 22.6 (10.5) vs 27.0 (14.2) s, (p = 0.13), respectively. There were no differences in the visual analogue scores for field of view, ease of use, willingness to use in an emergency, and overall satisfaction.
Deep pore pressures and seafloor venting in the Auger Basin, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Reilly Matthew J. , Flemings Peter B. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTPore fluid overpressures in four reservoir sandstones in the Auger Basin, deepwater Gulf of Mexico, are similar across the basin, suggesting that these sandstones are hydraulically connected over distances >20 km. Small overpressure gradients within them suggest upward flow rates between 1 and 20 mm year−1. At the crest of these sandstones, pore pressure equals or exceeds the least principal stress, and we interpret that high fluid pressure is fracturing the caprock and driving flow vertically. A well drilled into the crest of the Auger sandstones confirmed the presence of extreme overpressures that converge on both the least principal stress and the overburden stress. Above these zones, spectacular mud volcanoes are venting fluids today. Overpressured aquifers with significant structural relief may drive fluid vents and mud volcanoes around the world.
Impaired irinotecan biotransformation in hepatic microsomal fractions from patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: D'Esposito Fabrizio , Nebot Noelia , Edwards Robert J. , Murray Michael 
Published: June 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• The anticancer agent irinotecan is a prodrug that is hydrolyzed by hepatic carboxylesterase to its active and toxic metabolite SN‐38 and oxidized by CYP3A4 to its inactive metabolite APC.• Irinotecan therapy is complicated by co‐administered drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 and decrease APC formation and that indirectly increase SN‐38 formation.• Dose adjustment in cancer patients with liver disease has been recommended.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• In microsomal fractions from patients with severe hepatic dysfunction both APC and SN‐38 formation were decreased due to down‐regulation of CYP3A4 and carboxylesterase enzymes. Thus relative SN‐38 : APC formation was preserved.• In some fractions the SN‐38 : APC ratio was increased, thus providing a possible explanation for clinical reports of increased SN‐38 exposure in some patients with liver dysfunction.• Close monitoring of SN‐38 formation in patients with severe liver disease is warranted.AIMSDose modification with the anticancer agent irinotecan is recommended in patients with severe liver dysfunction. This study evaluated the impact of liver disease on the relative formation of phase I products of irinotecan biotransformation in human microsomesin vitro.METHODSMicrosomes from subjects with normal liver function and liver dysfunction (n = 20) were assessed for irinotecan biotransformation and the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and carboxylesterase (CES) enzymes.RESULTSLiver disease down‐regulated CYP3A4 expression (median 33% of control, range 0–126%,P < 0.05) and impaired CYP3A4‐dependent oxidation of irinotecan to the inactive 7‐ethyl‐10‐[4‐N‐(5‐aminopentanoic acid)‐1‐piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecin (APC) (median 0.2, range 0–1.21 pmol mg protein−1 min−1compared with median 0.66, range 0–2.35 in control,P < 0.01). CES‐mediated hydrolysis of irinotecan to 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin (SN‐38) was also impaired in liver disease (median 8.38, range 0–20.7 pmol mg protein−1 min−1compared with median 13.3, range 0–28.9 in control,P < 0.05). In seven of 20 liver disease microsomes neither metabolite was detected but in three the SN‐38 : APC ratio was high (41–68) compared with the remaining 10 samples (ratio 11–36).CONCLUSIONSDown‐regulation of CYP3A4 in liver disease decreased APC formation from irinotecan. SN‐38 production was decreased and CES1 and 2 were down‐regulated in most samples. However, in a subset of disease samples SN‐38 production was relatively high because CYP3A4 activity was markedly impaired. This may account for clinical reports of increased SN‐38 exposure in some patients with liver disease. Dose adjustments in cancer patients with liver disease who receive irinotecan are important and circulating SN‐38 concentrations should be monitored closely.
Predictors of parents seeking help or advice about children's communication development in the early years
Authors: Skeat J. , Eadie P. , Ukoumunne O. , Reilly S. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  Children's access to services for communication disorders is often determined by parental decisions to seek help or advice. The factors that predict whether parents seek help/advice about their child's communication development were explored in this study.Methods  Parents of children in a large, community cohort of children (the Early Language in Victoria Study) were asked whether they had sought help or advice about speech and language development at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. Child, family and environmental variables, as well as parental concern and children's communication status, were used to predict help/advice seeking. The communication abilities of those in the help‐seeking group were also evaluated.Results  Gender, age, children's communication status and parental concern were consistent predictors of help/advice seeking. Significant over and under‐identification was evident, and there was preliminary evidence that children with overt communication difficulties (such as unintelligible speech) were more likely to receive help.Conclusions  Parental support and education, as well as education of professionals who regularly have contact with young children, is necessary to support appropriate early identification of communication problems. Further research into service level factors such as availability and accessibility which may support or inhibit help/advice seeking is also indicated.
Children's participation in health research: from objects to agents?
Authors: Clavering E. K. , McLaughlin J. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  In the UK, there is a growing recognition of the need to include children's accounts in research on paediatric health care. This paper seeks to examine ways in which children have been included in health‐related studies to identify strengths and weaknesses.Methods  Key empirical based studies were identified via comprehensive searches of academic literature databases to exemplify research practices related to three ways of engaging with children in health‐related research. These three approaches are summarized as research on children, with children and by children.Results  Research on children engages with adult ‘authorities’, such as parents and medical professionals. This approach allows some access to children including those understood as hard‐to‐reach: for example, pre‐speech infants, or children with complex developmental disabilities. Research with children includes children as respondents to engage directly with their own understandings. This may be achieved alongside adult representatives, or by focusing only on the children themselves. Research by children encourages children to participate in the research process itself. This may occur across any, or indeed, every stage from design to dissemination to enable children to set the agenda themselves. Each of the three approaches has strengths and weaknesses, and involves some form of adult‐mediation.Conclusion  Inclusion of children's perspectives can be achieved, at varying levels, in each approach (on, with and by) examined here. Although claims to authority around including children's perspectives may appear to hold more credence when children have directly participated in the research, there may be times when this is neither possible nor appropriate. Researchers are challenged to be open and reflexive about ways in which children are engaged with, incorporated in and represented across the many stages of research. Whichever approach is taken, ethical issues and notions of equity remain problematic. This point holds particular resonance for ways in which ethics around children may be considered in National Health Service ethics governance processes.
Communicative actions, women's degree of social connectedness and child mortality in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Gayen K. , Raeside R. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  Child deaths are decreasing throughout South East Asia, yet the rate remains high and is a cause of considerable anguish. In Bangladesh, there is also a great deal of variation in child mortality between different regions.Method  Reported in this paper is the analysis of a survey of 613 Bangladeshi women who live in six rural villages and have reported on their experience of child death. Factors obtained from an interview based questionnaire were investigated to ascertain their association with child death. Multilevel Poison regression models were developed to relate these factors to the number and proportion of child deaths to children ever born while allowing for variation between the villages.Results  It was found that communicative action, especially women's power as the degree of social connectedness, is important in reducing child mortality. Also important in reducing child mortality is the level of women's education. No evidence could be found of sex preference when comparing male and female child deaths.
Child and parent perceptions of monitoring in chronic illness management: a qualitative study
Authors: Hafetz J. , Miller V. A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  The management of a childhood chronic illness can be challenging because it can involve frequent and complex treatment tasks that must be carried out on a daily basis. Parental monitoring of the treatment regimen and child disclosure of health‐related information may impact effective illness management but are not well understood.Methods  The present study utilized qualitative methods to examine parental monitoring‐related behaviours, youth disclosure of health‐related information, and both perceptions about, and reactions to, these behaviours in a sample of youth diagnosed with a chronic illness (e.g. asthma, diabetes and cystic fibrosis) and parents of youth with one of these illnesses.Results  Parents solicited information from youth verbally, observed symptoms, reminded youth about treatments and tracked indicators of treatment adherence (e.g. dose counters; glucose meters). Youth reactions varied from acceptance to irritation. Youth behaviours included withholding information and freely disclosing spontaneously and in response to requests.Conclusions  Findings derived from this qualitative methodology demonstrate convergence with findings from quantitative studies on this topic, add to the literature related to parental monitoring of chronic illness management and suggest several avenues for future research.
Evaluation of the processes of family‐centred care for young children with intellectual disability in Western Australia
Authors: Wilkins A. , Leonard H. , Jacoby P. , MacKinnon E. , Clohessy P. , Forouhgi S. , Slack‐Smith L. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIntroduction  Government early intervention services for children with intellectual disability (ID) in Western Australia have adopted the model of family‐centred care. The aim of this study was to evaluate how well it was being practised, to describe the pattern of service utilization and to identify factors influencing parental perceptions of family‐centred care.Methods  The study included children aged 0–6 years with ID, who were registered clients of Disability Services Commission, Western Australia. Parents completed a postal survey questionnaire about the frequency and type of services received and their perceptions of services using the Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC‐56) questionnaire. Mean scores for the five MPOC domains were compared using anova against the independent variables of child age group, child diagnostic group, service type and frequency, place of residence, family and demographic variables. Significant variables in each domain were then entered into multivariate analyses.Results  Of 292 eligible families, 165 (59%) returned a completed questionnaire. While over 50% of children had contact with occupational, speech and physical therapists at least once per month, less than 20% of children had at least annual contact with either psychology or dental services. Families rated their satisfaction highest for ‘respectful and supportive care’ and lowest for ‘providing general information’. Individual item analyses indicated less satisfaction with ‘co‐ordinated and comprehensive care’. Higher means were associated with more frequent contact with occupational therapy.Conclusion  Overall respondents reported early intervention services for young children with ID in Western Australia provided satisfactory family‐centred care by means of the 56‐item MPOC. The frequency of contact with allied health professionals was positively associated with parental ratings of family‐centred care. The study indicates under‐servicing in dental care and psychology services.
Changes in species interactions across a 2.5 km elevation gradient: effects on plant migration in response to climate change
Authors: HILLYER RACHEL , SILMAN MILES R. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPredicted climate change in the Andes will require plant species to migrate upslope to avoid extinction. Central to predictions of species responses to climate change is an understanding of species distributions along environmental gradients. Environmental gradients are frequently modelled as abiotic, but biotic interactions can play important roles in setting species distributions, abundances, and life history traits. Biotic interactions also have the potential to influence species responses to climate change, yet they remain mostly unquantified. An important interaction long studied in tropical forests is postdispersal seed predation which has been shown to affect the population dynamics, community structure, and diversity of plant species in time and space. This paper presents a comparative seed predation study of 24 species of tropical trees across a 2.5 km elevation gradient in the Peruvian Andes and quantifies seed predation variation across the elevational gradient. We then use demographic modelling to assess effects of the observed variation in seed predation on population growth rates in response to observed increasing temperatures in the area. We found marked variation among species in total seed predation depending on the major seed predator of the species and consistent changes in seed predation across the gradient. There was a significant increase in seed survival with increasing elevation, a trend that appears to be driven by regulation of seed predators via top–down forces in the lowlands giving way to bottom–up (productivity) regulation at mid‐ to high elevations, resulting in a ninefold increase in effective fecundity for trees at high elevations. This potential increase in seed crop size strongly affects modelled plant population growth and seed dispersal distances, increasing population migration potential in the face of climate change. These results also indicate that species interactions can have effects on par with climate in species responses to global change.
Molecular characterization of a gene encoding juvenile hormone esterase in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Tsubota T. , Minakuchi C. , Nakakura T. , Shinoda T. , Shiotsuki T. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractJuvenile hormone esterases (JHEs) are required for the degradation of juvenile hormones (JHs) in insects. Here, we report the cloning and analysis of the jhe gene in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, a model insect of Coleoptera. The Tcjhe gene was strongly expressed at the final instar larva, as would be expected if it functioned to decrease the JH titer at this stage. A recombinant TcJHE protein efficiently degraded JH III, suggesting that the enzyme functions in vivo as a JH‐specific degradation enzyme. This is the first report describing the developmental expression profile of the jhe gene whose enzymatic activity was shown in Coleoptera, and the new data reported here will aid elucidation of the mechanism of JH titer regulation in insects.
UK National Clinical Guidelines in Paediatric Dentistry
Authors: Smallridge Jacqueline 
Published: June 2010

SummaryThe process of guideline production began in 1994, resulting in first publication in 1997. Each guideline has been circulated to all Consultants in Paediatric Dentistry in the UK, to the Council of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD), and to people of related specialties recognised to have expertise in the subject. The final version of the guideline is produced from a combination of this input and thorough review of the published literature. The intention is to encourage improvement in clinical practice and to stimulate research and clinical audit in areas where scientific evidence is inadequate. Evidence underlying recommendations is scored according to the SIGN classification and guidelines should be read in this context. For those wishing further detail, the process of guideline production in the UK is described in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 1997; 7: 267–268. This guideline is an update on the previously published BSPD policy document on fissure sealants. (Nunn et al., Int J Paed Dent 2000; 10: 174–177).
A comparison of the sialochemistry, oral pH, and oral health status of down syndrome children to healthy children
Authors: DAVIDOVICH ESTI , AFRAMIAN DORON JAACOB , SHAPIRA JOSEF , PERETZ BENJAMIN 
Published: June 2010

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 235–241 Background:  The aetiology of low caries incidence in Down syndrome (DS) children is not entirely clear.Aim.  To compare sialochemistry and oral mucosal pH between Down syndrome children with caries (DS‐Ca) and caries free (DS‐CaF), and healthy children with caries (C‐Ca) and caries free (C‐CaF).Design.  The study group comprised 70 children with DS (mean age 4.41 ± 1.9 years); 32 healthy children (mean age 9.22 ± 2.7 years) served as control. Groups were further subdivided according to caries status: DS‐Ca, DS‐CaF, C‐Ca and C‐CaF. Sialochemistry analysis included calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and chloride (Cl). Mucosal pH, plaque and gingival indices (PI and GI), and caries status were recorded.Results.  DMFT/dmft were significantly lower in the DS group. Cl and Ca levels were significantly higher in the DS‐Ca compared to the C‐Ca and the C‐CaF children. Na and K were significantly higher in DS‐Ca group compared to DS‐CaF group. PI and GI were significantly higher in DS‐C children compared to DS‐CaF children.Conclusions.  DS may manifest itself in the salivary glands. Consequently, different electrolyte salivary environment may form, leading to lower caries rates among DS children.