bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in Aboriginal Children With Acute Diarrhoeal Disease: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Ritchie Brett K , Brewster David R , Tran Cuong D , Davidson Geoffrey P , McNeil Yvette , Butler Ross N 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTObjective:The effectiveness of probiotic therapy for acute rotavirus infectious diarrhoea in an indigenous setting with bacterial/parasitic diarrhoea is unclear. In the present study, we assessed the efficacy of probiotics in Australian Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory admitted to hospital with diarrhoeal disease.Patients and Methods:A randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled study was conducted in Aboriginal children (ages 4 months–2 years), admitted to hospital with acute diarrhoeal disease (>3 loose stools per day). Children received either oral Lactobacillus GG (5 × 109 colony‐forming units 3 times per day for 3 days; n = 33) or placebo (n = 31). Small intestinal functional capacity was assessed by the noninvasive 13C‐sucrose breath test on days 1 and 4.Results:Both groups showed mean improvement in the sucrose breath test after 4 days; however, there was no difference (mean, 95% confidence interval) between probiotic (2.9 [cumulative percentage of dose recovered at 90 minutes]; 1.7–4.2) and placebo (3.7; 2.3–5.2) groups. Probiotics did not change the duration of diarrhoea, total diarrhoea stools, or diarrhoea score compared with placebo. There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference in diarrhoea frequency on day 2 between probiotics (3.3 [loose stools]; 2.5–4.3) and placebo (4.7; 3.8–5.7) groups.Conclusions:Lactobacillus GG did not appear to enhance short‐term recovery following acute diarrhoeal illness in this setting.
Esophageal Motility in Children With Suspected Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Hoffman Ilse , De Greef Toon , Haesendonck Nancy , Tack Jan 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and Objectives:Motility abnormalities in adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include nontransmitted contractions, reduced distal esophageal contraction amplitude, and simultaneous contractions. Information on esophageal body motility in children with GERD is scarce. Our aim was to study esophageal motility patterns in children with GERD, taking into account the presence of anatomical abnormalities and neurological impairment, the effect of age on esophageal motility in GERD, and the relation between esophageal manometry and GERD severity parameters (acid exposure and presence of esophagitis).Patients and Methods:Consecutive children referred for severe GER(D) symptoms underwent a barium swallow, upper endoscopy, pH monitoring, and stationary water‐perfused esophageal manometry.Results:Mean lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and velocity of propagation in the proximal and distal esophagus decreased with age in this group of children with GERD (all P < 0.01). Severely disturbed esophageal motility was found in children with previous esophageal atresia. Patients with psychomotor retardation had significantly lower occurrence of peristaltic waves (94% ± 21% vs 79% ± 38%; P = 0.001), distal propagation velocity (0.8 ± 0.4 vs 0.6 ± 0.5 cm/s; P = 0.05), and distal contraction duration (3.1 ± 0.8 vs 3.4 ± 1 seconds; P = 0.05). None of the manometric characteristics differed between patients with normal or abnormal esophageal pH monitoring or with or without erosive esophagitis.Conclusions:LES pressure and esophageal velocity decreased with increasing age. Esophageal manometry is severely impaired in children with esophageal atresia and psychomotor retardation. No specific esophageal motor abnormalities related to the presence of endoscopic esophagitis or abnormal pH monitoring were found.
Efficacy and Safety of Pantoprazole Delayed‐release Granules for Oral Suspension in a Placebo‐controlled Treatment‐withdrawal Study in Infants 1–11 Months Old With Symptomatic GERD
Authors: Winter Harland , Kum‐Nji Philip , Mahomedy Suleman H , Kierkus Jaroslaw , Hinz Michelle , Li Huihua , Maguire Mary K , Comer Gail M 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTObjective:The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of pantoprazole in infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Materials and Methods:Infants ages 1 through 11 months with GERD symptoms after 2 weeks of conservative treatment received open‐label (OL) pantoprazole 1.2 mg · kg−1 · day−1 for 4 weeks followed by a 4‐week randomized, double‐blind (DB), placebo‐controlled, withdrawal phase. The primary endpoint was withdrawal due to lack of efficacy in the DB phase. Mean weekly GERD symptom scores (WGSSs) were calculated from daily assessments of 5 GERD symptoms. Safety was assessed.Results:One hundred twenty‐eight patients entered OL treatment, and 106 made up the DB modified intent‐to‐treat population. Mean age was 5.1 months (82% full‐term, 64% male). One third of patients had a GERD diagnostic test before OL study entry. WGSSs at week 4 were similar between groups. WGSSs decreased significantly from baseline during OL therapy (P < 0.001), when all patients received pantoprazole. The decrease in WGSSs was maintained during the DB phase in both treatment groups. There was no difference in withdrawal rates due to lack of efficacy (pantoprazole 6/52; placebo 6/54) or time to withdrawal during the DB phase. The greatest between‐group difference in WGSS was slightly worse with placebo at week 5 (P = 0.09), mainly due to episodes of arching back (P = 0.028). No between‐group differences in adverse event frequency were noted. Serious adverse events in 8 patients were considered unrelated to treatment.Conclusions:Pantoprazole significantly improved GERD symptom scores and was well tolerated. However, during the DB treatment phase, there were no significant differences noted between pantoprazole and placebo in withdrawal rates due to lack of efficacy.
Renin‐angiotensin System Activation in Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis in the PCK Rat Model of Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Goto Miwa , Hoxha Nita , Osman Rania , Wen Jessica , Wells Rebecca G , Dell Katherine MacRae 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). The pathogenesis of CHF remains undefined. Several recent studies suggest that the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) is an important mediator of progressive hepatic fibrosis through activation of profibrotic mediators, such as transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). RAS activation has not previously been studied in patients with CHF or in animal models. The aim of the present study was to characterize RAS expression during the course of CHF in the PCK rat.Materials and Methods:Studies were conducted in the PCK rat, an orthologous ARPKD/CHF model, and age‐matched normal control Sprague‐Dawley rats. Expression of the RAS components, renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), as well as the profibrotic mediator TGF‐β, was examined in cystic PCK and control rat livers at 2, 4, and 6 months of age by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain rection (qRT‐PCR). Angiotensin II (ANG II) was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Fibrosis was assessed by IHC using reticulin staining and Masson trichrome. Collagen content was determined by hydroxyproline analysis.Results:Progressive fibrosis and increased hepatic collagen content occurred in PCK rats with age. In 4‐ and 6‐month‐old PCK rat livers, ACE gene expression was markedly increased, 8‐ and 17‐fold, respectively, compared with age‐matched control livers. Expression of the other RAS components, renin, angiotensinogen, and AT1R were not significantly different. IHC demonstrated prominent ANG II protein expression in periportal regions in PCK rats. In contrast, no expression was noted in control livers. TGF‐β expression was also increased in PCK rat livers with progressive disease.Conclusions:The present study demonstrates, for the first time, RAS upregulation in an orthologous rat ARPKD/CHF model. Increases in ACE and ANG II, as well as the downstream target, the profibrotic mediator TGF‐β, suggest that RAS activation may be an important mediator of CHF disease progression. The findings also suggest that treatment with RAS inhibitors, specifically ACE inhibitors or AT1R blockers, could be therapeutic in slowing disease progression in CHF.
Bilirubin, a Physiological Antioxidant, Can Improve Cryopreservation of Human Hepatocytes
Authors: Galbiati G , Muraca M , Mitry RR , Hughes RD , Lehec SC , Puppi J , Sagias FG , Caruso M , Mieli‐Vergani G , Dhawan A 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTThe availability of cryopreserved hepatocytes is required for a more widespread use of hepatocyte transplantation, but human hepatocytes are easily damaged during freezing‐thawing. Here, preincubation with unconjugated bilirubin, a physiological antioxidant, resulted in increased viability and function of hepatocytes (as determined by trypan blue exclusion, mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenases activity, urea synthesis, and cytochrome P450 1A/2) compared with cells incubated without the pigment. These findings suggest that unconjugated bilirubin may be used as cryoprotectant in clinical hepatocyte transplantation.
Status of forests in Uganda
Authors: Obua Joseph , Agea Jacob G. , Ogwal Joseph Jones 
Published: April 2010

AbstractTrees, forests and woodlands cover about 14% of Uganda’s land surface. Over the last 30–40 years, growth in human population and corresponding increase in demand for forest products for domestic and industrial use, expansion of agricultural land, illegal settlements and weak forest management capacity have adversely affected the status of natural forests in Uganda, particularly the biodiversity. Until recently, little attention had been paid to development of commercial forests which should have provided alternative forest products and services to relieve the pressure on natural forests and conserve biodiversity. As a result, Uganda’s forests have been degraded, and in some cases, the biodiversity has been eroded. There is a need for regular data collection and monitoring of the status of the forests in terms of areal extent, distribution, plantation species introductions and biodiversity.
The relationship between Developmental Co‐ordination Disorders, child's perceived self‐efficacy and preference to participate in daily activities
Authors: Engel‐Yeger B. , Hanna Kasis A. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground  Developmental Co‐ordination Disorder (DCD) may negatively impact children's self‐efficacy and limit their performance and participation in school as well as in leisure activities performed after school hours. However, a lack of information exists regarding the relationships between DCD, child's self‐efficacy and participation. Moreover, the literature about the way children with DCD experience these limitations and report about them is scarce. This study aimed to compare the perceived self‐efficacy and the preference to participate in leisure activities of children with DCD and typical peers and to illuminate the relationship between self‐efficacy, activity preference and DCD severity.Methods  Participants were 37 children with DCD and 37 typical peers, aged 5.08–9.83 years. All children performed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System and the Preference for Activities of Children.Results  The scores of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children confirmed the motor gaps between the two groups. Children with DCD scored significantly lower in self‐efficacy on all the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System subscales and demonstrated a lower preference to participate in leisure activities according to all scales of the Preference for Activities of Children. The lower their self‐efficacy, the lower their motor performance and their preference to participate in activities.Conclusions  Children's preference to participate in activities may be limited by motor difficulties, but further hindered by low self‐efficacy. Early identification of DCD and associated negative outcomes, also based on child's self‐reports, should receive special attention in intervention programmes in order to enhance children's self‐confidence, feelings of belonging, optimal development and participation in daily activities.
Out‐of‐school time activity participation profiles of children with physical disabilities: a cluster analysis
Authors: King G. , Petrenchik T. , DeWit D. , McDougall J. , Hurley P. , Law M. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjective To determine out‐of‐school activity participation profiles of school‐aged children with physical disabilities.Methods Activity participation profiles were determined by cluster analysing 427 children's responses on multiple dimensions of participation (intensity, location, companionship, enjoyment, preference) in five activity types (recreational, active physical, social, skill‐based, self‐improvement). Socio‐demographic, child, parent, family and environmental predictors of group membership were determined, along with child functioning, socio‐demographic, self‐concept and social support variables significantly associated with group membership.Results The cluster analysis revealed four groups, labelled Social Participators (a highly social and neighbourhood‐focused group), Broad Participators (a group of high participators who enjoy participation), Low Participators (a group with low enjoyment and weak preferences) and Recreational Participators (a group of younger children who participate in recreational activities with family members). The groups showed meaningful differences across a range of socio‐demographic, child, parent, family and environmental variables.Conclusions The findings support an affective and contextual view of participation, indicating the importance of motivational theory and a person–environment approach in understanding the complexity of children's out‐of‐school activity participation.
Pre‐operative platelet‐bound CD40 ligand is probably associated with peri‐operative cardiac events in hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Ray Michael J. , Calabro Lorenzo J. , Sirisena Tilak , Crawford Scott A. , Crawford Ross W. , Walters Darren L. 
Published: April 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (6): 497–503AbstractBackground  Peri‐operative cardiac events are common and associated with significant morbidity. A predictive biomarker would assist in pre‐operative risk stratification of surgical patients. This study explored the utility of pre‐operative measurements of platelet‐bound CD40 ligand and other biomarkers for predicting peri‐operative cardiac events in total hip or knee arthroplasty.Methods  Blood samples were collected from 62 patients prior to surgery and tested for the biomarkers platelet CD40 ligand, platelet factor V/Va, platelet P‐selectin, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, B‐type natriuretic peptide and soluble CD40 ligand. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index was also calculated. Patients were then followed up prospectively and screened for peri‐operative cardiac events by means of ECG, serial troponin I, a cardiologist’s review and an interview at 6 weeks post operation.Results  Six of 62 (9·7%) patients had a cardiac event. Patients who experienced a cardiac event had higher pre‐operative platelet CD40 ligand levels as measured by flow cytometry [median 0·55% vs. 0·29% (P = 0·02)]. In this sized sample, platelet CD40L was the only biomarker independently associated with cardiac events (P = 0·02), the area under the receiver–operator characteristic curve being 0·79.Conclusion  In a study of this number of patients, of the six biomarkers tested, only platelet CD40 ligand was found to have a probable association with peri‐operative cardiac events in hip and knee arthroplasty.
Distribution of small intestinal mucosal injuries as a result of NSAID administration
Authors: Fujimori Shunji , Gudis Katya , Takahashi Yoko , Seo Tsuguhiko , Yamada Yukie , Ehara Akihito , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Mitsui Keigo , Yonezawa Masaoki , Tanaka Shu , Tatsuguchi Atsushi , Sakamoto Choitsu 
Published: April 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (6): 504–510AbstractBackground  Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce small intestinal mucosal injuries. The concentrations of NSAIDs, bile acids and intestinal flora may differ in the proximal and distal parts of the small intestine. This study aimed to analyse types and distributions of NSAID‐induced small intestinal injuries.Subjects and methods  In total 55 healthy male volunteers were examined using baseline capsule endoscopy (CE). Subjects then undertook a 14‐day regimen of NSAID medication (diclofenac sodium, 75 mg day−1) with proton‐pump inhibitors (omeprazole 20 mg day−1) as gastroprotection. After 14 days, subjects underwent post‐treatment CE and were assessed for three types of small intestinal injuries: denuded areas, erosions and ulcers. The proximal and distal parts of the small intestine were arbitrarily classified according to CE transit time from the duodenal bulb.Results  Baseline CE revealed six mucosal lesions in 6 of 55 subjects (11%), consisting of three denuded areas and three erosions. Post‐treatment CE identified 636 lesions in 32 of 53 subjects (60%); including 115 denuded areas in 16 subjects, 498 erosions in 22 subjects and 23 ulcers in 8 subjects. The distribution of small intestinal injuries differed according to type; denuded areas (90%: 103/115) were predominantly located in the proximal part, erosions throughout the small intestine and all ulcers in the distal part. The location of ulcers and denuded areas differed statistically (P < 0·0001).Conclusions  The impact of short‐term NSAID medication on the small intestine differed according to intestinal site, with most denuded areas identified in the proximal part and all ulcers in the distal part.
Does detritus quality predict the effect of native and non‐native plants on the performance of larval amphibians?
Authors: MAERZ JOHN C. , COHEN JILLIAN S. , BLOSSEY BERND 
Published: April 2010

Summary1. The lack of consistent differences between the traits of native and non‐native plant species makes it difficult to make general predictions about the ecological impact of invasive plants; however, the increasing number of non‐native plants in many habitats makes the assessment of the impact of each individual species impracticable. General knowledge about how specific plant traits are linked to their effects on communities or ecosystems may be more useful for predicting the effect of plant invasions. Specifically, we hypothesised that higher carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio (C:N) and percent lignin in plant detritus would reduce the rate of development and total mass at metamorphosis of tadpoles, resulting in lower metamorph production (total fresh biomass) and amphibian species richness.2. To test these hypotheses, we raised five species of tadpoles in mesocosms containing senescent leaves of three common native and three common non‐native wetland plants that varied in C:N ratio and % lignin.3. Leaf mass loss, total metamorph production and the number of species that metamorphosed declined as a function of increasing C:N ratio of plant leaves. Plant lignin content was not related to the production of metamorphs or the number of species that metamorphosed. The percentage of wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) and American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) tadpoles reaching metamorphosis declined as a function of increasing plant C:N ratio. Mean time to metamorphosis increased and mean mass at metamorphosis declined as a function of increasing plant C:N ratio. Tadpole performance and metamorph diversity and production (biomass) were similar between native and non‐native plant species with similar C:N ratio in leaves. Percent lignin was not a significant predictor of tadpole performance.4. Our results show that the impact of a plant invasion on tadpole performance could depend on differences between the quality of the detritus produced by the invading species and that of the native species it replaces. We suggest that plant community changes that lead to dominance by more recalcitrant plant species (those with higher leaf C:N ratio) may negatively affect amphibian populations.
Low crowding threshold for induction of sexual reproduction and diapause in a Patagonian rotifer
Authors: GILBERT JOHN J. , DIÉGUEZ MARÍA C. 
Published: April 2010

Summary1. This study investigates the basis and ecological significance of the extremely high propensity for mixis (sexual reproduction) observed in laboratory populations ofBrachionus calyciflorusfrom a temporary pond in Patagonia.2. Experiments with stem females hatched from resting eggs showed that these females were exclusively amictic but produced mictic daughters even at very low population densities. In six experiments, newly hatched stem females were cultured individually in different volumes (1.5, 12, 40 and 150 mL). The percentage of mictic daughters (mixis ratio) was high in the smaller volumes (e.g. 44–83% in 1.5 mL) and lower in the largest volume (6–21% in 150 mL). A regression analysis combining the data from these experiments showed a highly significant decrease in mixis ratio with volume and indicated that the lowest population density at which mixis still occurs (mixis threshold) would be 3.4 females L−1(95% CL 2.9–4.0 females L−1). This value is considerably lower than mixis thresholds for other rotifers (25–250 females L−1for many species and 9000–477 000 females L−1for some SpanishBrachionus plicatilis).3. In three additional experiments, stem females and their amictic daughters were cultured individually in 150 mL. The percentage of mictic daughters produced by these two generations of females was not significantly different, showing that the mixis response to crowding is not inhibited in the stem‐female generation.4. Laboratory experiments showed that two common predators of the PatagonianB. calyciflorus(the calanoid copepodParabroteas sarsiand the backswimmerNotonecta vereertbruggheni) each ate 60–70B. calycifloruspredator−1per day and cleared all rotifers fromc.250 mL per day. Thus, a very low mixis threshold and high maximal mixis ratio may ensure production of some resting eggs soon after colonisation of the pond and before complete removal from the plankton.5. Two laboratory experiments showed that resting eggs of the PatagonianB. calyciflorushatched at variable rates (28 and 81%) after a brief diapause when kept in the conditions under which they were produced and oviposited (20–21 °C; L: D 16: 8). Early hatching of resting eggs from pond sediment may allow multiple periods of colonisation and resting egg production in a season. This may offset the fitness cost of limited population growth through female parthenogenesis in the face of unpredictable and abrupt risk of extinction because of predators.