bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic illnesses in Canadian children: what is the effect of illness on academic achievement, and anxiety and emotional disorders?
Authors: Martinez Y. J. , Ercikan K. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground  Survival rates of children with a chronic illness is at an all‐time high. Up to 98% of children suffering from a chronic illness, which may have been considered fatal in the past, now reach early adulthood. It is estimated that as many as 30% of school‐aged children are affected by a chronic illness. For this population of children, the prevalence of educational and psychological problems is nearly double in comparison with the general population.Methods  This study investigated the educational and psychological effects of childhood chronic illness among 1512 Canadian children (ages 10–15 years). This was a retrospective analysis using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, taking a cross‐sectional look at the relationships between childhood chronic illnesses, performance on a Mathematics Computation Exercise (MCE) and ratings on an Anxiety and Emotional Disorder (AED) scale.Results  When AED ratings and educational handicaps were controlled for, children identified with chronic illnesses still had weaker performance on the MCE. Chronic illness did not appear to have a relationship with children's AED ratings. The regression analysis indicated that community type and illness were the strongest predictors of MCE scores.Conclusions  The core research implications of this study concern measurement issues that need to be addressed in future large‐scale studies. Clinical implications of this research concern the need for co‐ordinated services between the home, hospital and school settings so that services and programmes focus on the ecology of the child who is ill.
Protective factors relating to decreased risks of adolescent suicidal behaviour
Authors: Cheng Y. , Tao M. , Riley L. , Kann L. , Ye L. , Tian X. , Tian B. , Hu J. , Chen D. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground  Suicide has been identified as one of the three leading causes of death in adolescents and young adults. No previous study in China has tested the association between protective factors and urban adolescents' suicidal behaviours. In this study we tested the hypothesis that suicidal behaviours would be associated with multiple protective factors.Methods  A stratified random of 9015 students from 100 junior middle schools in Beijing, Hangzhou, Wuhan and Urumqi completed the Chinese version of Global School‐Based Student Health Survey.Results  Overall, 17.4% of students had seriously considered attempting suicide, and 8.1% had made a specific plan to attempt suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. The students in Wuhan (18.7%) and Urumqi (20.8%) cities were significantly more likely than students in Beijing (14.4%) and Hangzhou (14.4%) to have suicidal ideation (χ2 = 45.9, P < 0.001). Female students were significantly more likely than male students to have suicidal ideation and have made suicide attempts [odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, P < 0.001]. Results indicated that the rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts increased with age (OR = 1.44, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression models showed that suicide risk tended to decrease significantly when ‘days of missed classes or school without permission were less than one’, and when students thought students in their school were kind and helpful most of the time or always', ‘parents or guardians checked to see if homework was done most of the time or always’, ‘parents or guardians understood their problems and worries most of the time or always’ and ‘parents or guardians really know what they are doing with their free time most of the time or always’.Conclusions  Adolescent suicide behaviour should be a serious problem. Measures can be taken to prevent suicide by observing the factors significantly linked to suicidal behaviour. Steps can then be taken to identify adolescents who have serious suicidal ideation so that intervention can be taken to reduce the suicidal rate.
Targeting health visitor care: lessons from Starting Well
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: April 2009

.

Wright C. M.,
Jeffrey S. K.,
Ross M. K.,
Wallis L. &
Wood R.
(
2009
)

,
94
,
23
–
27
.
Background  UK child health promotion guidelines expect health visitors to assess family needs before new babies are aged 4 months and offer targeted care on that basis thereafter. Data from an intensive family support programme were used to assess how accurately family needs can be predicted at this stage.Design  A population‐based cohort of 1202 families with new babies receiving an intensive health visiting programme. Analysis of routinely recorded data.Setting  Starting Well project, Glasgow, UK.Predictors  Health visitor rating of family needs.Main outcome measures  Families receiving high visiting rates or referred to social work services.Results  Of 302 families rated high need, only 143 (47%) were identified by age 4 months. Visiting rates in the first year for those initially rated high need were nearly double those for the remainder, but around two‐thirds of those with high contact rates/referred to social work were not initially rated high need. Six family characteristics (no income, baby born preterm, multiple pregnancy, South Asian, prior social work/criminal justice involvement, either parent in care as a child) were identified as the commonest/strongest predictors of contact rates; 1003 (83%) families had one such characteristic and/or lived in a highly deprived area, including 228 (93%) of those with high contact rates and 157 (96%) of those referred to social work.Conclusions  Most families at risk will not be identified on an individual basis in the early weeks. Most families in deprived areas need continued input if the most vulnerable families are to be reliably identified.
Outcomes of conduct problems in adolescence: 40‐year follow‐up of national cohort
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: April 2009

.

Colman I.,
Murray J.,
Abbott R. A.,
Maughan B.,
Kuh D.,
Croudace T. J. &
Jones P. B.
(
2009
)

,
338
,
a2981
.

DOI: 10.1136/bmj.a2981
.
Objective  To describe long‐term outcomes associated with externalizing behaviour in adolescence, defined in this study as conduct problems reported by a teacher, in a population‐based sample.Design  Longitudinal study from ages 13–53.Setting  The Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development (the British 1946 birth cohort).Participants  A total of 3652 survey members assessed by their teachers for symptoms of externalizing behaviour at age 13 and 15.Main outcome measures  Mental disorder, alcohol abuse, relationship difficulties, highest level of education, social class, unemployment and financial difficulties at ages 36–53.Results  A total of 348 adolescents were identified with severe externalizing behaviour, 1051 with mild externalizing behaviour and 2253 with no externalizing behaviour. All negative outcomes measured in adulthood were more common in those with severe or mild externalizing behaviour in adolescence, as rated by teachers, compared with those with no externalizing behaviour. Adolescents with severe externalizing behaviour were more likely to leave school without any qualifications (65.2%; adjusted odds ratio 4.0, 95% confidence interval 2.9 to 5.5), as were those with mild externalizing behaviour (52.2%; 2.3, 1.9 to 2.8), compared with those with no externalizing behaviour (30.8%). On a composite measure of global adversity throughout adulthood that included mental health, family life and relationships, and educational and economic problems, those with severe externalizing behaviour scored significantly higher (40.1% in top quarter), as did those with mild externalizing behaviour (28.3%), compared with those with no externalizing behaviour (17.0%).Conclusions  Adolescents who exhibit externalizing behaviour experience multiple social and health impairments that adversely affect them, their families and society throughout adult life.
The relationship between maternal depression, in‐home violence and use of physical punishment: what is the role of child behaviour?
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: April 2009

Silverstein M.,
Augustyn M.,
Young R. &
Zuckerman B.
(
2009
)

,
94
,
138
–
143
.

DOI: 10.1136/adc.2007.128595
.
Background  The combined impact of maternal depression and in‐home violence, and how their relationship with physical punishment varies with child behaviour are unknown.Objectives  To determine the combined impact of maternal depression and violence exposure on smacking and explore the role of child behaviours in this relationship.Methods  Multivariable regression analysis of a sample of kindergarten children. Maternal depressive symptoms, violence exposure and smacking were measured by parent interview. Child behaviours were reported by teachers.Results  A total of 12 764 mother–child dyads were examined. The adjusted odds ratio for smacking among depressed mothers was 1.59 (95% CI 1.40 to 1.80), mothers exposed to in‐home violence 1.48 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.85) and dually exposed mothers 2.51 (95% CI 1.87 to 3.37). Adjusting for child self‐control or externalizing behaviour did not change these associations, and no effect modification by child behaviour was detected. Among mothers smacking children, depression was associated with increased smacking frequency [adjusted incident rate ratio (aIRR) 1.12; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.24], but became borderline significant after adjusting for child self‐control or externalizing behaviour (aIRRs 1.10; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.21). Depressed mothers exposed to violence demonstrated higher rates of smacking (aIRR 1.29; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.53); this remained stable when adjusting for child behaviours.Conclusion  Maternal depression and violence exposure are associated with smacking, particularly when depression and violence coexist, when they are also associated with smacking frequency. Child self‐control and externalizing behaviour do not substantially impact the association between maternal depressive symptoms, violence exposure and smacking.
Investigating the effects of organic and conventional management on soil aggregate stability using X‐ray computed tomography
Authors: Papadopoulos A. , Bird N. R. A. , Whitmore A. P. , Mooney S. J. 
Published: April 2009

SummarySoil aggregate stability is an important measure for assessing soil structural quality. Here we compare stable and unstable soil aggregates from organically and conventionally managed soils that have similar organic matter contents to determine the role of management in aggregate stability. Aggregate stability was determined by slaking, which proved to be an accurate estimator of the rate of aggregate turnover. The results indicate that, in soil aggregates released by slaking, the organic matter is held in aggregates > 0.3 mm diameter. A relatively short aggregate turnover rate will prohibit the production of stable micro‐aggregates within macro‐aggregates and thus gradually reduce aggregate stability, as was observed in soils under conventional management. Data obtained by X‐ray μCT suggested that intra‐aggregate porosity did not significantly affect stability. We observed cracks and elongated pores connected to the surface of stable soil aggregates that can provide an escape route for entrapped air, thus reducing pressure build‐up and potentially reducing slaking. Our results show that organic management has the potential to develop more stable aggregates compared with conventionally managed soils for the soil type studied. Thus, conventional soils require particular attention to management practices that increase the rate of aggregate turnover in order to reduce the production of unstable aggregates that can contribute to crusting, erosion and runoff.
Abnormal B‐cell activation associated with TALL‐1 over‐expression and SOCS‐1 suppression during chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Moorman Jonathan , Dong Zhi P. , Ni Lei , Zhang Chunlan , Borthwick Thomas , Yao Zhi Q. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with cirrhosis, autoimmunity and lymphoproliferative disorders. We have previously reported a differential regulation of T and B lymphocytes by HCV core protein in vitro. In this report, we employed a translational approach to characterize the activation status of peripheral B cells from individuals with chronic HCV infection and to explore potential mechanisms for B‐cell dysregulation in the setting of HCV infection. In contrast to the T‐cell suppression observed in HCV‐infected individuals, B cells exhibit a non‐specific polyclonal activation phenotype, characterized by significantly higher levels of (1) the early activation marker, CD69, (2) the costimulatory molecule, CD86, and (3) the CCR5 chemokine receptor, CD195, when compared with B cells from healthy donors in response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. Importantly, tumour necrosis factor‐ and Apo‐L‐related leucocyte‐expressed ligand‐1 (TALL‐1), also known as B‐lymphocyte stimulator (BLYS), was found to be up‐regulated on the surface of B cells from HCV patients in response to PHA as well as HCV core antigen stimulation. This up‐regulation of TALL‐1 was associated with vigorous memory B‐cell responses to viral antigenic stimulation. Additionally, suppressor of cytokine signalling‐1 (SOCS‐1), a negative feedback immunoregulator that is inhibited in B lymphocytes by HCV core in vitro, was also inhibited in B cells from HCV patients when compared with healthy donors. These findings suggest that TALL‐1 over‐expression and SOCS‐1 suppression are associated with aberrant B‐cell activation, providing a plausible basis for the B‐cell clonal expansion underlying the lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmune phenomena observed during chronic HCV infection.
Production of interferon‐γ by activated T‐cell receptor‐αβ CD8αβ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes is required and sufficient for disruption of the intestinal barrier integrity
Authors: Zufferey Christel , Erhart Dominik , Saurer Leslie , Mueller Christoph 
Published: April 2009

SummaryMaintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier function is of vital importance in preventing uncontrolled influx of antigens and the potentially ensuing inflammatory disorders. Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are in intimate contact with epithelial cells and may critically regulate the epithelial barrier integrity. While a preserving impact has been ascribed to the T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐γδ subset of IEL, IEL have also been shown to attenuate the barrier function. The present study sought to clarify the effects of IEL by specifically investigating the influence of the TCR‐αβ CD8αβ and TCR‐αβ CD8αα subsets of IEL on the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. To this end, an in vitro coculture system of the murine intestinal crypt‐derived cell‐line mICcl2 and syngeneic ex vivo isolated IEL was employed. Epithelial integrity was assessed by analysis of transepithelial resistance (TER) and paracellular flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated (FITC‐) dextran. The TCR‐αβ CD8αα IEL and resting TCR‐αβ CD8αβ IEL did not affect TER of mICcl2 or flux of FITC‐dextran. In contrast, activated TCR‐αβ CD8αβ IEL clearly disrupted the integrity of the mICcl2 monolayer. No disrupting effect was seen with activated TCR‐αβ CD8αβ IEL from interferon‐γ knockout mice. These findings demonstrate that secretion of interferon‐γ by activated TCR‐αβ CD8αβ IEL is strictly required and also sufficient for disrupting the intestinal epithelial barrier function.
Cell cycle arrest induced by engagement of B7‐H4 on Epstein–Barr virus‐positive B‐cell lymphoma cell lines
Authors: Park Ga Bin , Song Hyunkeun , Kim Yeong‐Seok , Sung Minjung , Ryu Jeoung W. , Lee Hyun‐Kyung , Cho Dae‐Ho , Kim Daejin , Lee Wang J. , Hur Dae Y. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryB7‐H4 is a recently discovered B7 family member that has inhibitory effects on T‐cell immunity. However, the reverse signalling mechanism of the B7‐H4‐expressing cells remains unclear. Previous work has shown that B7‐H4 expression was enhanced on B cells following Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, and engagement of cell‐surface‐expressed B7‐H4 induces cell death of EBV‐transformed B cells. Here we found that B7‐H4 was constitutively expressed on EBV‐positive lymphoma cells, Raji and IM‐9 cells, but was not expressed on EBV‐negative lymphoma cells (Ramos). Engagement of B7‐H4 significantly reduced cell growth of Raji and IM‐9 cells and resulted in cell cycle arrest at G0–G1 phase in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. To clarify the mechanism of cell cycle arrest via activation of B7‐H4, cell cycle regulatory factors were examined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. We found that B7‐H4 triggered down‐regulation of CDK4/6 and up‐regulation of p21 expression at both protein and RNA levels. Furthermore, CDK2 and cyclin E/D expression was down‐regulated by B7‐H4 triggering. Additionally, the down‐regulation of phospho‐AKT and phospho‐cyclin E were clearly detected in B7‐H4‐activated Raji cells, but the phosphorylation of p53 was constitutively maintained. These results indicate that B7‐H4‐mediated signalling on EBV‐positive B‐cell lymphoma cells modulates the cell cycle through down‐regulation of the AKT pathway. Consequently, B7‐H4 may be a new potential target for use in EBV‐positive lymphoma therapy.
Clinical manifestations and management of patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I
Authors: Husebye E. S. , Perheentupa J. , Rautemaa R. , Kämpe O. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract.Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I (APS‐I) is a monogenic model disease of autoimmunity. Its hallmarks are chronic mucocutaneous candidosis, hypoparathyroidism and adrenal insufficiency, but many other autoimmune disease components occur less frequently. The first components usually appear in childhood, but may be delayed to adolescence or early adult life. There is enormous variation in presentation and phenotype, which makes the diagnosis difficult. Antibodies against interferon‐ω and ‐α have recently been shown to be sensitive and relatively specific markers for APS‐I, and mutational analysis of the autoimmune regulator gene gives the diagnosis in >95% of cases. The treatment and follow‐up of patients is demanding and requires the collaboration of specialists of several fields. However, the literature is especially sparse regarding information on treatment and follow‐up; hence, we present here a comprehensive overview on clinical characteristics, treatment and follow‐up based on personal experience and published studies.
Learning to be tolerant: how T cells keep out of trouble
Authors: Holländer G. A. , Peterson P. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract.A pool of immature T cells with a seemingly unrestricted repertoire of antigen specificities is generated life‐long in the thymus. Amongst these cells are, however, thymocytes that express a strongly self‐reactive antigen receptor and hence hold the potential to trigger autoimmunity. To prevent such an outcome, the thymus employs several independent but functionally related strategies that act in parallel to enforce self‐tolerance. The deletion of strongly self‐reactive thymocytes and the generation of regulatory T cells constitute the two most efficient mechanisms to induce and maintain immunological tolerance. Thymic epithelial cells of the medulla express for this purpose tissue‐restricted self‐antigens. This review will focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms operative in the thymus to shape a repertoire of mature T cells tolerant to self‐antigens.
Allergen content of grass pollen preparations for skin prick testing and sublingual immunotherapy
Authors: Sander I. , Fleischer C. , Meurer U. , Brüning T. , Raulf‐Heimsoth M. 
Published: April 2009

Background:  The allergen content of diagnostics and immunotherapeutics is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the allergen content of different grass pollen preparations for skin prick testing and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).Methods:  Five skin prick test (SPT) solutions and 10 sublingual immunotherapeutics were analysed for protein and allergen concentration by Bradford assay, inhibition of IgE‐binding to Phleum pratense ImmunoCAPs and content of the main allergen Phl p 5 by two‐site enzyme immunoassay. In addition, the grass pollen preparations were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and immunoblotting analyses.Results:  Protein concentrations of SPT solutions ranged from 15 to 427 μg/ml, and Phl p 5 concentrations ranged from 0.15 to 18.3 μg/ml. The ranking of SPT solutions concerning Phl p 5 content and IgE inhibition capacity was the same, and the ranking of protein and allergen content was closely correlated (r = 0.9). Protein content of the maintenance doses of the immunotheurapeutics ranged from 5 to 153 μg, Phl p 5 content ranged from 0.2 to 21.6 μg. IgE inhibition capacity of the maintenance doses was closely correlated to their Phl p 5 and protein content. SDS‐PAGE and immunoblots confirmed the differences in protein and allergen content.Conclusions:  Grass pollen preparations for SPT and SLIT varied greatly concerning protein and allergen content. Whereas this result corresponds to previous analyses results of SPT solutions, it was the first comparison of grass pollen immunotherapeutics. For diagnosis and therapy, these differences should be taken into account.
Vacuum‐assisted delivery is associated with late‐onset asthma
Authors: Keski‐Nisula L. , Harju M. , Järvelin M.‐R. , Pekkanen J. 
Published: April 2009

Background:  Perinatal factors during delivery might modulate fetal immunological development and thereby be associated with the development of allergic diseases and asthma later.Methods:  Perinatal data was recorded during pregnancy and at the time of delivery in regard to 5823 children who were born in Northern Finland in 1985–1986. Data from self‐administered questionnaires were available at the ages of 7 and 15–16 years and skin prick tests for four main allergens were carried out at the age of 15–16 years. Only singletons delivered by the vaginal route were analyzed.Results:  There was a higher prevalence of doctor‐diagnosed asthma at any time of life among children who were delivered by vacuum extraction (RR 1.80, 95% CI 1.27–2.56; P < 0.001) in comparison with spontaneously delivered children. In particular, this risk was increased as regards late‐onset asthma (RR 2.41, 95% CI 1.52–3.81; P < 0.001). Perinatal effects had less impact on the development of other asthma, atopy or hay fever.Conclusions:  The delivery by vacuum extraction had significant impact on the development of late‐onset asthma compared with spontaneously delivered children.