bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination in Children Population of Nepal During the year 2005, 2006 and 2008
Authors: Joshi Durga Datt 
Published: July 2009

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is caused by a Flavivirus that, in a proportion of human cases, causes severe encephalitis leading to death or sometimes permanent disablement. It is a zoonotic disease, transferred from animals (commonly pigs or wild birds) by a mosquito vector to humans. In Southeast Asia it is thought to cause up to 50000 clinical cases and 10000 deaths per year. JE vaccination programme was carried out in high risk districts of Nepal. Japanese encephalitis vaccination was carried out during the years 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009. The data collected from primary and secondary sources from the District Health Offices and other concerned central offices of the Department of Health Services, was tabulated and analysed. Thirty-five lakh of JE vaccine doses was procured by the Ministry of Health during the year 2006/2007. This vaccine was used in children under 15 years of age of 12 districts of JE risk and high-risk areas of Nepal. It was found that during the year 2005; 85% children in Banke and 81% in Kailali were vaccinated against JE. In Kailali and Banke districts it was found to be about 103% coverage in children population targeted, in Dang district it was 100% coverage, and in Bardiya district it was 73% coverege but in Rupandehi and Kanchanpur districts it was only about 40% and 41% respectively. JE vaccine coverage was very low in two Rupandehi and Kanchanpur districts during 2005 and 2006 and very high coverage during the year 2008. JE vaccination coverage results for the year 2009 have not been made available yet due to unavailability of data. This type of mass vaccination campaign needs regularlity, mass awareness and health education programme should be carried out before JE vaccination campaign in the children in the future. Key words: Japanese Encephalitis, flavivirus, zoonotic, vector borne, lyophilized vaccine. doi: 10.3126/jnps.v29i2.2045 J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol 29, No. 2, pp.85-91
Disappearing Bone Disease with Disappearing Spleen!
Authors: John BM , Singh Daljit 
Published: July 2009

A 6-year-old girl who reported for pain abdomen was incidentally detected to have multiple osteolytic lesions on X-ray. She was diagnosed as a case of Gorham's disease following confirmation with histopathology and kept on close follow-up. She was admitted again after 2 years for fever and investigations revealed an absent spleen apart from multicentric osteolytic lesions. This is the first case reported of a child with Gorham's disease who has had an auto-splenectomy on follow-up. Key words: Gorham's disease (disappearing bone disease), osteolytic lesions, spleen. doi: 10.3126/jnps.v29i2.2047 J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol 29, No. 2, pp.94-97
Parietal Epidural Dermoid Mimicking a Scalp Abscess in an Infant: Case Report
Authors: Roka Yam B , Bajracharya A , Shrestha K , Khaniya S 
Published: July 2009

Scalp masses that involve the scalp or the cranium especially over the parietal bone are uncommon presentation in infants. We report a case of an 8-week old female child who presented with a left parietal scalp mass which had been progressively increasing since birth. CT scan revealed the mass extending into the cranium with underlying bone defect over the parietal area, with medial extension till the sagittal suture. Intraoperatively there was presence of thick white infected flaky material with small tufts of hair which was removed completely till the bone edges and from the epidural space. There was no recurrence postoperatively and the baby was discharged after a week of antibiotics. This case provides an example that simple looking scalp masses in infants and children should be managed with caution to prevent further morbidity. Key words: Dermoid, Scalp abscess doi: 10.3126/jnps.v29i2.2048 J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol 29, No. 2, pp.98-100
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Relation to Growth and Disease Activity
Authors: BJØRNHART BIRGITTE , JUUL ANDERS , NIELSEN SUSAN , ZAK MAREK , SVENNINGSEN PERNILLE , MÜLLER KLAUS 
Published: July 2009

Objective.Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) has been identified as a prognostic marker of progressive joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. In this population based study we evaluated associations between plasma concentrations of COMP, disease activity, and growth velocity in patients with recent-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). COMP levels in JIA and healthy children were compared with those in healthy adults. Plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), which has been associated with COMP expression and growth velocity, were studied in parallel.Methods.87 patients with JIA entered the study, including oligoarticular JIA (n = 34), enthesitis-related arthritis (n = 8), polyarticular rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive JIA (n = 2), polyarticular RF-negative JIA (n = 27), systemic JIA (n = 6), and undifferentiated JIA (n = 10). Plasma levels of COMP were measured by ELISA and IGF-1 by a radioimmunoassay.Results.Significantly higher COMP levels [mean 18.9 U/l (95% CI 17.3–20.5)] were found in healthy children compared with healthy adults [mean 10.7 U/l (95% CI 9.4–12.1)] (p < 0.0001). COMP levels in the JIA patients [mean 13.5 U/l (95% CI 12.4–14.7)] were significantly reduced compared to healthy children (p < 0.0001), and correlated negatively with C-reactive protein (CRP; r = −0.29, p = 0.01) and thrombocyte count (r = −0.28, p = 0.02). COMP levels in the JIA patients correlated positively with growth velocity (cm/yr) (r = 0.38, p = 0.0003) and growth velocity (SDS) (r = 0.29, p = 0.007).Conclusion.We found reduced COMP levels in children with JIA compared with healthy children. COMP levels in JIA correlated negatively with inflammatory activity as evaluated by CRP and the thrombocyte counts, and were associated with reduced growth rate.
The Association with the −159C/T Polymorphism in the Promoter Region of the CD14 Gene and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: ZENG HUA SONG , CHEN XIANG YUAN , LUO XIAO PING 
Published: July 2009

Objective.Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is generally considered to be caused by interaction of genetic and environmental factors. We investigated the association of a C-to-T transition in the promoter region of the CD14 gene on chromosome 5q31.1 and JIA in a Chinese Han population.Methods.One hundred sixty-three children with JIA and 281 healthy children (age- and sex-matched to JIA group) were studied. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for analysis of the genotypes. (Trial registration number ChiCTR-CCC-00000312.)Results.CD14 promoter-159 genotype frequencies of CC, CT, and TT were 11.48%, 49.18%, and 39.34%, respectively, in the systemic onset JIA group; 21.62%, 43.24%, and 35.14%, in the polyarticular JIA group; 16.67%, 50%, and 33.33%, in the oligoarticular JIA group; 6.9%, 75.86%, and 17.24%, in the group with other types of JIA; and 37.01%, 46.98%, and 16.01%, in the control group. Genotype frequency and allele frequency distribution were in accord with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There were statistically significant differences in frequencies of genotype and allele in CD14 C-159T polymorphism between JIA group and control group (genotype: chi-squared = 33.168, p < 0.05, CT vs CC, OR 2.946, 95% CI 1.739–4.990; TT vs CC, OR 5.426, 95% CI 2.977–9.891. Allele: chi-squared = 33.168, p < 0.05, T vs C, OR 2.251, 95% CI 1.704–2.973). The T allele frequencies of boys and girls were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001 of both).Conclusion.CD14 gene promoter C-159T polymorphism is significantly correlated with JIA in the Chinese Han population. The T allele of the C-159T polymorphism of CD14 gene may be a genetic risk factor for JIA.
The Prevalence of Nephrolithiasis in Patients with Primary Gout: A Cross-sectional Study Using Helical Computed Tomography
Authors: SHIMIZU TORU , HORI HIROSHI 
Published: July 2009

Objective.To investigate the prevalence of nephrolithiasis in gouty patients by computed tomography (CT) imaging and to compare it with the “prevalence” of urolithiasis calculated from histories of urinary tract calculus.Methods.The kidneys of 383 male patients with primary gout were examined using an unenhanced 2-row helical CT detector, imaging at 2 mm collimation and a helical pitch of 3. The urolithiasis history of the 383 patients was investigated by inquiry. Patients’ ages, body mass index, and laboratory data from a 1-hour clearance test were determined.Results.CT scans confirmed nephrolithiasis in 103 (26.9%, 95% confidence interval 22.5%–31.6%) of the 383 gouty patients, and history of urinary calculus was positive in 65 (17.0%, 95% confidence interval 13.4%–21.1%) of the 383. However, 64 (62%) of the 103 stone-formers identified by CT had no history of urolithiasis. There was a significant difference between the ages of the 103 stone-formers identified by CT and the 65 stone-formers identified from the history.Conclusion.The prevalence of nephrolithiasis obtained using CT was 26.9% in the 383 patients with primary gout. Our results imply that we cannot determine an accurate prevalence of urolithiasis from a patient’s history. Most of the “prevalence” reported in the past may not correspond to a statistically justifiable one, but instead to the “cumulative incidence” during the contraction period of gout. Thus, the prevalence of nephrolithiasis confirmed by a cross-sectional method and the “prevalence” of urolithiasis calculated from patients’ calculus histories should be clearly distinguished.
Increased Spontaneous But Decreased Mitogen-stimulated Expression and Excretion of Interleukin 18 by Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: LEE HUI-TING , CHEN WEI-SHENG , SUN KUANG-HUI , CHOU CHUNG-TEI , TSAI CHANG-YOUH 
Published: July 2009

Objective.To measure serum concentration and analyze the expression of interleukin 18 (IL-18) mRNA in mononuclear cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods.IL-18 concentrations in sera and culture supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy controls and patients with active SLE were measured by ELISA. PBMC and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) purified from patients with active SLE were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Expression of IL-18 mRNA in cells was analyzed by RT-PCR.Results.Serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls, and correlated with disease activity in SLE patients (r2= 0.602). Two patients receiving intravenous methylprednisolone therapy (1.0 g/day for 3 days) showed profound decreases in serum IL-18 levels after therapy. The quiescent PBMC from SLE patients (30/30) expressed IL-18 transcript more frequently than control PBMC (20/30). PBMC from SLE patients produced more IL-18 than control PBMC after 72 hours of incubation, by RT-PCR. PHA and PWM inhibited the production of IL-18 in PBMC from both SLE patients and controls. Inhibition by PWM was more pronounced than that by PHA, especially in SLE-PBMC. Control and SLE-PMN with or without LPS stimulation produced negligible IL-18.Conclusion.IL-18 is involved in the autoimmune derangement of leukocyte function in patients with active SLE.
African Americans and Whites Are Equally Appropriate to be Considered for Total Joint Arthroplasty
Authors: ANG DENNIS C. , TAHIR NIGHAT , HANIF HUFZA , TONG YAN , IBRAHIM SAID A. 
Published: July 2009

Objective.Ethnic disparities in the use of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) may be attributed to differences in the clinical appropriateness to undergo TJA. We sought to determine if racial differences in clinical appropriateness for surgery existed among a sample of primary care clinic patients with moderately to severely symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA).Methods.We used the cross-sectional data of 684 patients who are potential candidates for TJA. Using a validated TJA appropriateness algorithm, an appropriateness factor was derived using the following variables: age (50–70 or > 70 yrs), Charlson comorbidity (≤ 1 or > 1), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC) pain and physical function, and adequacy of previous medical management. We used logistic regression to estimate the association of race with the dichotomous outcome of clinical appropriateness for TJA consideration.Results.Sample consisted of 425 (62%) whites and 260 (38%) African Americans; 532 (78%) had knee OA and 153 (22%) had hip OA. The mean age was 64 ± 9 years and the mean body mass index was 33.6 ± 8 kg/m2. The mean overall WOMAC score was 56 ± 14 (range 30–96), suggesting moderately severe OA. There were no significant racial group differences (p = 0.3) in the proportions of those deemed clinically appropriate for TJA. After controlling for potential confounders, race was not a predictor of clinical appropriateness for TJA (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.8–1.8, p = 0.3).Conclusion.African Americans and whites were equally appropriate to be considered for TJA.
Improvement of Severe Systemic Sclerosis-associated Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia Following Immunosuppressive Treatment with Intravenous Cyclophosphamide
Authors: SCHULZ STEFFAN W. , O’BRIEN MARIE , MAQSOOD MUHAMMAD , SANDORFI NORA , GALDO FRANCESCO DEL , JIMENEZ SERGIO A. 
Published: July 2009

Objective.We describe 3 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with severe, transfusion-dependent gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) refractory to laser ablation who showed remarkable clinical and endoscopic improvement following intravenous (IV) pulse cyclophosphamide (CYC) treatment.Methods.Review of clinical records and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy images from 3 patients with SSc and severe GAVE before and after treatment with IV pulse CYC.Results.IV CYC was followed by improvement and stabilization of hemoglobin levels, and marked reduction in blood transfusion requirements and the number and frequency of endoscopic laser treatments.Conclusion.IV pulse CYC immunosuppression was followed by remarkable clinical and endoscopic improvement of SSc-associated GAVE.
Increased Prevalence of Antibodies to Thyroid Peroxidase in Dry Eyes and Mouth Syndrome or Sicca Asthenia Polyalgia Syndrome
Authors: MAVRAGANI CLIO P. , SKOPOULI FOTINI N. , MOUTSOPOULOS HARALAMPOS M. 
Published: July 2009

Objective.A subset of patients presenting with sicca features suggestive of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) do not fulfill diagnostic or histopathological criteria. This presentation was previously designated as dry eyes and mouth syndrome (DEMS) or sicca asthenia polyalgia syndrome (SAPS). We sought to define the underlying clinical, laboratory, and histological features of these patients.Methods.The study population consisted of 27 consecutive patients with DEMS/SAPS; 54 patients with pSS served as controls. Medical charts were retrospectively evaluated for clinical and serological data and frozen sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against HIV, hepatitis C virus, and thyroid antigens. Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin embedded tissues was also performed.Results.Sicca symptoms and nonspecific musculoskeletal pain were the commonest clinical features of patients with DEMS/SAPS; positive titers of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase was the main underlying abnormality found in 16 out of 27 (59.2%) of patients with DEMS/SAPS compared to 11 out of 54 (20.4%) of pSS controls (p = 0.0009). Histological analysis of the minor salivary gland (MSG) biopsies of patients with DEMS/SAPS disclosed a mild inflammatory infiltration of the interstitial tissue with a predominantly perivascular distribution.Conclusion.Patients with DEMS/SAPS present with sicca features and nonspecific musculoskeletal complaints, have high prevalence of antithyroid antibodies, and their MSG biopsies demonstrate a mild interstitial lymphocytic infiltration with a predominantly perivascular distribution. In the setting of clinical practice, we propose that in the presence of DEMS/SAPS testing for antithyroid antibody should be performed.
High Prevalence of Asymptomatic Vertebral Fractures in Chinese Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: LI EDMUND K. , TAM LAI SHAN , GRIFFITH JAMES F. , ZHU TRACY Y. , LI TENA K. , LI MARTIN , WONG KONG CHIU , CHAN MICHAEL , LAM CHRISTOPHER W. , CHU FERDINAND S. , WONG KA KIN , LEUNG PING CHUNG , KWOK ANTHONY 
Published: July 2009

Objective.To investigate the prevalence of vertebral fractures and to identify risk factors associated with vertebral fractures in Chinese women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods.One hundred fifty-two consecutive patients with SLE were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of the hip and spine were performed using the same dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Lateral radiographs of the spine (T5–L4) were assessed for vertebral fractures using a method described by Genant. Inflammatory and biochemical markers included C-reactive protein, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, serum ß-CrossLaps assay for C-terminal telopeptides of type 1 collagen, and osteoprotegerin (OPG).Results.Asymptomatic vertebral fractures occurred in 20.4% of patients with SLE. Univariate analyses of variables associated with fractures were older age, higher body mass index (BMI), lower BMD spine, lower BMD hips, higher serum C3 and C4, longer estrogen exposure, higher levels of OPG, and the use of sunscreen. Multivariate analysis showed older age (p = 0.017), higher BMI (p < 0.036), and lower BMD of the spine were significantly associated with vertebral fractures in the thoracic and/or lumbar spine (odds ratio 1.068, 1.166, 0.005; p = 0.018, p = 0.025, p = 0.003, respectively).Conclusion.Asymptomatic vertebral fractures occur in 20.4% of patients with SLE and 30% of these patients have normal BMD. The current method using DEXA to predict the presence of vertebral fracture has limited value and there is a need for assessment of bone quality. Vertebral morphometry in patients with SLE is recommended and early therapeutic intervention is necessary to prevent vertebral fractures in patients with SLE.
Some observations on the pre-nursery system for raising coconut seedlings
Authors: Peries RRA 
Published: July 2009

A pre-nursery system fur raising coconut seedlings was compared with the conventional nursery. The two major refinements introduced in the pre-nursery system are the slicing of seed nuts and transplanting of sprouted seed nuts from pre-nursery beds to nurserv beds, soon after sprouting. The rate of sprouting in the Pre-nursery system was significantly superior. At the end of 20 weeks 76% of the seednuts in the pre-nursery had sprouted as compared to 67% in the conventional nursery. However, the number of plantable seedlings produced was not signififantly different. The cost of production of seedlings in the pre-nursery system was over 50% more than that of the conventional nursery. It appears that slicing the seednut facilitates sprouting but transplanting sprouted seednuts from the pre-nursery caused a setback to the development of the seedlings. COCOS, (1984) 2 10-17 doi: 10.4038/cocos.v2i0.811
Importance of energy management in desiccated coconut industry
Authors: Fernando WJM , Thangavel T 
Published: July 2009

Energy flow rates across commonly used desiccators and associated heat transfer equipment are quantified. It is seen that approximately 726 percent excess heat energy over the actual requirement is presently used for drying in desiccators. Approximately 49 percent of heat energy is exhausted to the atmosphere through the chimney and approximately 23 percent along with the desiccator exhaust gases. Approximately 40 percent of energy could be saved by introducing recirculation techniques of heat recovery. This saving represents about 83.2 million kwh of energy for 1981 alone, which is an equivalent of 4.5 percent of the total electrical energy generated in Sri Lanka in 1981. COCOS, (1984) 2 18-28 doi: 10.4038/cocos.v2i0.812
Evaluation of the phosphorus status of some coconut growing soils of Sri Lanka
Authors: Loganathan P , Dayaratne PMN , Shanmuganathan RT 
Published: July 2009

The phosphorus status of 58 soil samples representing 15 soil series and four soil Orders (Ultisol, Entisol, Alfisol and Oxisol) in the major coconut-growing regions of Sri Lanka was evaluated by determining the available P extracted by the methods of Olsen, Bray and Kurtz No. 1, Bray & Kurtz No. 2 and NH4 OAc (pH 4.81 and the various P forms. Total P in the soils ranged from 37 to 338 mg/kg with organic P and active P constituting only about 20 and 50% of the total P respectively. In general the sandy soils of the Entisols and Oxisols had lower tota| and organic P but higher active and available P than the rest. The relative abundance of the various inorganic P forms was generally in the decreasing order of inactive P. Fe-P, Al-P and Ca-P. Al-P and Ca-P were positively correlated with percentage sand and negatively correlated with percentage silt and percentage clay whereas total P and organic P had the opposite trend. Available P extracted by the four methods was very low in almost all soils except some of the sandy soils (Entisols) which had marginal to moderate P concents. They are positively correlated with Al-P, Ca-P, percentage sand and negatively correlated with percentages of silt, clay and organic carbon. Phosphorus concentrations (0.074-0.116%) In the 14th leaf of coconut at the soil sites were all lower than the critical leaf-P concentration (0.120%). Leaf -P correlations with Bray & Kurtz No. 2-P and NH4 OAc-P were significant (P < 0.05) and with Al-P and Ca-P were close to significant. The study revealed that the coconut-growing soils of Sri Lanka were deficient in total as well as the active and available forms of P except perhaps some of the sandy soils of the Entisol. This was confirmed by coconut leaf P analysis. COCOS, (1984) 2 29-43 doi: 10.4038/cocos.v2i0.813
Effect of extraction of inflorescence sap and the removal of immature fruit bunches on the production of female flowers in coconut
Authors: Mathes ST 
Published: July 2009

Inflorescence sap is extracted from unopened spathes. This sap is commonly referred to as toddy and the process of stimulating the spathe to yield sap is referred to as tapping. Spathes, 6 to 8 weeks after emergence, are selected for tapping. Generally a palm is tapped for a period of 8 to 9 months continuously. All the inflorescences produced during this period are' tapped. It is generally believed that after a spell of tapping, palms show a marked improvement in their nut production. This relationship has not been investigated. Hence this preliminary study was made to quantify the effect of tapping on female flower production. . Bunches of unripe coconuts are often harvested, as the nut water of these tender fruits is consumed as a beverage. Fruits at this stage of development, about 6 to 8 months after pollination, are referred to as Kurumba. The effect of removal immature bunches on the production of female flowers was also studied. COCOS, (1984) 2 44-47 doi: 10.4038/cocos.v2i0.814