bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction in renal ACE2 expression in subtotal nephrectomy in rats is ameliorated with ACE inhibition
Authors: Velkoska Elena , Dean Rachael G. , Burchill Luke , Levidiotis Vicki , Burrell Louise M. 
Published: August 2009

Alterations within the RAS (renin–angiotensin system) are pivotal for the development of renal disease. ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) is expressed in the kidney and converts the vasoconstrictor AngII (angiotensin II) into Ang-(1–7), a peptide with vasodilatory and anti-fibrotic actions. Although the expression of ACE2 in the diabetic kidney has been well studied, little is known about its expression in non-diabetic renal disease. In the present study, we assessed ACE2 in rats with acute kidney injury induced by STNx (subtotal nephrectomy). STNx and Control rats received vehicle or ramipril (1 mg·kg−1 of body weight·day−1), and renal ACE, ACE2 and mas receptor gene and protein expression were measured 10 days later. STNx rats were characterized by polyuria, proteinuria, hypertension and elevated plasma ACE2 activity (all P&lt;0.01) and plasma Ang-(1–7) (P&lt;0.05) compared with Control rats. There was increased cortical ACE binding and medullary mas receptor expression (P&lt;0.05), but reduced cortical and medullary ACE2 activity in the remnant kidney (P&lt;0.05 and P&lt;0.001 respectively) compared with Control rats. In STNx rats, ramipril reduced blood pressure (P&lt;0.01), polyuria (P&lt;0.05) and plasma ACE2 (P&lt;0.01), increased plasma Ang-(1–7) (P&lt;0.001), and inhibited renal ACE (P&lt;0.001). Ramipril increased both cortical and medullary ACE2 activity (P&lt;0.01), but reduced medullary mas receptor expression (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, our results show that ACE2 activity is reduced in kidney injury and that ACE inhibition produced beneficial effects in association with increased renal ACE2 activity. As ACE2 both degrades AngII and generates the vasodilator Ang-(1–7), a decrease in renal ACE2 activity, as observed in the present study, has the potential to contribute to the progression of kidney disease.
Measurement of Speech Effort During Fluency-Inducing Conditions in Adults Who Do and Do Not Stutter
Authors: Ingham Roger J. , Bothe Anne K. , Jang Erin , Yates Lauren , Cotton John , Seybold Irene 
Published: August 2009

PurposeTo investigate the effects of 4 fluency-inducing (FI) conditions on self-rated speech effort and other variables in adults who stutter and in normally fluent controls.MethodTwelve adults with persistent stuttering and 12 adults who had never stuttered each completed 4 ABA-format experiments. During A phases, participants read aloud normally. During each B phase, they read aloud in 1 of 4 FI conditions: auditory masking, chorus reading, whispering, and rhythmic speech. Dependent variables included self-judged speech effort and observer-judged stuttering frequency, speech rate, and speech naturalness.ResultsFor the persons who stuttered, FI conditions reduced stuttering and speech effort, but only for chorus reading were these improvements obtained without diminishing speech naturalness or speaking rate. By contrast, speech effort increased during all FI conditions for adults who did not stutter.ConclusionsSelf-rated speech effort differentiated the effects of 4 FI conditions on speech performance for adults who stuttered, with chorus reading best approximating normally fluent speech. More generally, self-ratings of speech effort appeared to constitute an independent, reliable, and validly interpretable dimension of fluency that may be useful in the measurement and treatment of stuttering.
A Preliminary Evaluation of Fast ForWord-Language as an Adjuvant Treatment in Language Intervention
Authors: Fey Marc E. , Finestack Lizbeth H. , Gajewski Byron J. , Popescu Mihai , Lewine Jeffrey D. 
Published: August 2009

Purpose
Fast ForWord-Language (FFW-L) is designed to enhance children’s processing of auditory–verbal signals and, thus, their ability to learn language. As a preliminary evaluation of this claim, we examined the effects of a 5-week course of FFW-L as an adjuvant treatment with a subsequent 5-week conventional narrative-based language intervention (NBLI) that targeted narrative comprehension and production and grammatical output.

Method
Twenty-three children 6–8 years of age with language impairments were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 intervention sequences: (a) FFW-L/NBLI, (b) NBLI/FFW-L, or (c) wait/NBLI. We predicted that after both treatment periods, the FFW-L/NBLI group would show greater gains on measures of narrative ability, conversational grammar, and nonword repetition than the other groups.

Results
After the first 5-week study period, the intervention groups, taken together (i.e., FFW-L/NBLI and NBLI/FFW-L), significantly outperformed the no-treatment wait/NBLI group on 2 narrative measures. At the final test period, all 3 groups displayed significant time-related effects on measures of narrative ability, but there were no statistically significant between-groups effects of intervention sequence.

Conclusions
This preliminary study provides no evidence to support the claim that FFW-L enhances children’s response to a conventional language intervention.
Evidence for Adverse Phonatory Change Following an Inhaled Combination Treatment
Authors: Erickson Elizabeth , Sivasankar Mahalakshmi 
Published: August 2009

PurposeVoice problems are reported as a frequent side effect of inhaled combination (IC) treatments. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate whether IC treatments are detrimental to phonation. We hypothesized that IC treatment would significantly increase phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and perceived phonatory effort (PPE), whereas sham treatment would not.MethodFourteen healthy adults participated in a repeated-measures design in which they received IC and sham treatments in counterbalanced order. PTP and PPE were measured prior to treatments, immediately following treatments, and at 1 and 2 hr following treatments.ResultsIC treatment increased PTP, but sham treatment did not. The increase in PTP was maintained for a 2 hr period following administration. PPE ratings were not significantly correlated with PTP.ConclusionsIC treatments can have acute, adverse effects on phonation. Detrimental phonatory effects were elicited in participants with no self-reported voice problems. IC treatments are being increasingly prescribed across the lifespan. The current data increase our understanding of the nature of phonatory deterioration associated with IC treatment and lay the groundwork for increased research effort to develop IC treatments that effectively control respiratory disease while minimizing an adverse effect on phonation.
Cold Storage of Human Milk: Effect on Its Bacterial Composition
Authors: Marín María L , Arroyo Rebeca , Jiménez Esther , Gómez Adolfo , Fernández Leonides , Rodríguez Juan M 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives:In the last few years, it has been proved that human milk contains bacteria that constitute an important factor in the initiation and development of the neonatal gut microbiota. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cold storage on the natural bacterial composition of breast milk.Materials and Methods:Breast milk samples provided by 34 healthy women and collected either by manual expression (n = 27) or breast pump (n = 7), were plated onto several culture media immediately after arrival at the laboratory (day 0) and after storage at −20°C for 6 weeks. A high number of isolates from 8 of the women were identified at the species level.Results:No statistically significant differences were observed between the counts obtained at both sampling times in those media in which growth was detected. In all of the culture media, bacterial counts in pump‐collected samples were higher than in those obtained by manual expression. Staphylococci and streptococci were the predominant bacteria in both fresh and frozen samples, Staphylococcus epidermidis being the most abundant species at both sampling times. Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria were also present in fresh and frozen breast milk samples, but among them, only 1 species (Lactobacillus gasseri) could be isolated at both sampling times.Conclusions:The results of this study suggest that cold storage of milk at −20°C for 6 weeks does not significantly affect either the quantitative or the qualitative bacterial composition of breast milk.
Diagnosing Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain in Children (4–15 Years Old) According to the Rome III Criteria: Results From a Norwegian Prospective Study
Authors: Helgeland Helene , Flagstad Gro , Grøtta Jon , Vandvik Per Olav , Kristensen Hanne , Markestad Trond 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives:To determine the proportion of referred children with nonorganic abdominal pain who meet the criteria for 1 or more diagnoses of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), explore the distribution of diagnoses according to the revised pediatric Rome III criteria (PRC‐III), and to investigate reasons for failure to meet these criteria.Materials and Methods:We recruited children (4–15 years) consecutively referred by general practitioners to 4 general pediatric outpatient clinics for the evaluation of recurrent abdominal pain. FGID diagnoses were based on the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms–Rome III version, completed by parents. To exclude organic disease, all patients underwent medical investigations and were reevaluated at follow‐up after 6 to 9 months.Results:Of the 152 patients included, 142 (93%) had functional abdominal pain. Of these, 124 (87%) met the criteria for 1 or more diagnoses according to the PRC‐III: 66% met the criteria for 1, 29% for 2, and 5% for 3 diagnoses. Irritable bowel syndrome was the most common diagnosis (43%) and overlapped with aerophagia in 16 children (38% of the children with overlapping diagnoses) and with abdominal migraine in 14 (33%). In the 18 patients (13%) not fulfilling the PRC‐III for any FGID diagnosis, the main reason was insufficient pain frequency (83%).Conclusions:Of the referred children with functional abdominal pain, 87% met the PRC‐III for specific diagnoses. This supports the use of these criteria as a diagnostic tool. The significant overlap between different FGIDs, however, makes it unclear whether some of the diagnoses represent distinct disorders or artificial categories.
Prevalence and Clinical Relevance of cagA, vacA, and iceA Genotypes of Helicobacter pylori Isolated From Slovenian Children
Authors: Homan Matjaž , Luzar Boštjan , Kocjan Boštjan J , Orel Rok , Močilnik Tina , Shrestha Maja , Kveder Maja , Poljak Mario 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTBackground:Although infection with Helicobacter pylori in children mostly induces asymptomatic chronic gastritis, the clinical outcome of H pylori infection is generally unpredictable. To identify the risk subgroup of infected children who can progress toward serious gastrointestinal disease, we assessed the prevalence of H pylori virulence genes cagA, vacA, and iceA in children from southeastern Europe and correlated their presence with the severity of histological changes in the stomach.Materials and Methods:A total of 165 children (age range 4–18 years, mean 13 years) with H pylori infection were studied for a 6‐year period. Virulence genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction from biopsy samples.Results:The cagA gene was present in 61.2% of patients. The predominant vacA genotype was s1m1 (42%), followed by s1m2 (28%), and s2m2 (24%). IceA genotypes iceA1 and iceA2 were detected in 62% and 31% of the samples, respectively. Multiple genotypes were found in 11.5% of isolates. The H pylori density score, the degree of chronic and acute inflammation, correlated with a cagA‐positive status (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.01, respectively). Higher bacterial infiltration (P < 0.01) and degree of chronic inflammation (P = 0.03) were detected in vacA s1–positive samples.Conclusion:CagA, vacA s1m1, and iceA1 genotypes are the predominant genotypes of H pylori isolated from the southeastern European pediatric population. CagA and vacA s1 are important virulence determinants of H pylori in children, but were not found associated with an increased incidence of precancerous gastric lesions.
Italian Paediatricians' Approach to Coeliac Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Auricchio Renata , Granata Viviana , Borrelli Melissa , Troncone Riccardo ,   Italian Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP)
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the current implementation of the 1990 ESPGHAN criteria for the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) in Italy to form a foundation for their revision.From September 2006 to March 2007 a nationwide questionnaire concerning current diagnostic methods was sent by mail to 54 Italian centres for the diagnosis of CD, which were distributed across the entire national territory. The questionnaire investigated the tests performed, diagnostic criteria currently used, and the management of some special cases in each centre.Eighty percent of the centres use anti‐tissue transglutaminase to diagnose CD and anti‐endomysium antibodies to confirm the results. Fifty‐five percent still use anti‐gliadin antibodies. A total of 87.5% of centres perform HLA typing, especially in first‐degree relatives and in unclear diagnosis. Regarding histology, 67.5% of centres consider an infiltrative lesion consistent with diagnosis of CD. The majority of centres (85%) use the 1990 ESPGHAN criteria for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, but 80% do not perform a second biopsy in asymptomatic cases or a gluten challenge in children younger than 2 years of age. Furthermore, most centres (72.5%) do not prescribe a gluten‐free diet to asymptomatic patients with positive serology and normal bowel architecture (ie, potential cases), but they do program a careful follow‐up.In conclusion, ESPGHAN criteria are widely followed by Italian CD centres. However, their revision may be useful, but it should be evidence based. Large, multicentre studies are greatly needed.
Quality of Health Care in the United States: Implications for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Boyle Brendan M , Palmer Lena , Kappelman Michael D 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThe Institute of Medicine's publications To Error is Human and Crossing the Quality Chasm publicized the widespread deficits in US health care quality. Emerging studies continue to reveal deficits in the quality of adult and pediatric care, including subspecialty care. In recent years, key stakeholders in the health care system including providers, purchasers, and the public have been applying various quality improvement methods to address these concerns. Lessons learned from these efforts in other pediatric conditions, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, neonatal intensive care, and liver transplantation may be applicable to the care of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).This review is intended to be a primer on the quality of care movement in the United States, with a focus on pediatric IBD. In this article, we review the history, rationale, and methods of quality measurement and improvement, and we discuss the unique challenges in adapting these general strategies to pediatric IBD care.
Clinicopathological study of Fox–Fordyce disease
Authors: KAO Pei‐Han , HSU Chao‐Kai , LEE Julia Yu‐Yun 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFox–Fordyce disease (FFD) is a rare skin disease manifesting as multiple pruritic follicular papules involving the skin‐bearing apocrine glands. Reports of FFD in Asian people are scant. In this retrospective study, we describe the clinicopathological findings of five cases of FFD affecting Taiwanese subjects. Clinically, all patients presented with numerous uniform, 2–3‐mm, skin‐colored to light brown, dome‐shaped papules with smooth surface, which were distributed in the apocrine gland‐containing areas. Pruritus varied from mild to severe. The histopathology is characterized by focal spongiosis in the upper infundibulum with perifollicular fibrosis and lymphohistiocytic infiltrate. FFD needs to be differentiated from lichen amyloidosis, Darier’s disease, syringoma, lichen simplex chronicus and spongiotic dermatitis clinically or pathologically. The findings of focal spongiosis in upper infundibulum associated with a perifollicular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate can facilitate the diagnosis of FFD.
Intraspecies transmission of L‐type‐like bovine spongiform encephalopathy detected in Japan
Authors: Fukuda Shigeo , Iwamaru Yoshifumi , Imamura Morikazu , Masujin Kentarou , Shimizu Yoshihisa , Matsuura Yuichi , Shu Yujing , Kurachi Megumi , Kasai Kazuo , Murayama Yuichi , Onoe Sadao , Hagiwara Ken’ichi , Sata Tetsutaro , Mohri Shirou , Yokoyama Takashi , Okada Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTIt has been assumed that the agent causing BSE in cattle is a uniform strain (classical BSE); however, different neuropathological and molecular phenotypes of BSE (atypical BSE) have been recently reported. We demonstrated the successful transmission of L‐type‐like atypical BSE detected in Japan (BSE/JP24 isolate) to cattle. Based on the incubation period, neuropathological hallmarks, and molecular properties of the abnormal host prion protein, the characteristics of BSE/JP24 prion were apparently distinguishable from the classical BSE prion and closely resemble those of bovine amyloidotic spongiform encephalopathy prion detected in Italy.
TP53 deletion is not an adverse feature in multiple myeloma treated with total therapy 3
Authors: Shaughnessy John D. , Zhou Yiming , Haessler Jeff , Van Rhee Frits , Anaissie Elias , Nair Bijay , Waheed Sarah , Alsayed Yazan , Epstein Joshua , Crowley John , Barlogie Bart 
Published: August 2009

SummaryContrary to Total Therapy (TT) 2 for multiple myeloma patients, FGFR3− translocation bore no adverse effects on outcome in TT3 with added bortezomib. Del TP53, another poor‐risk feature in TT2 and present in 10% of 441 patients treated, was examined for its prognostic consequences in TT3. Not affecting rate or duration of complete response, TP53 haplo‐insufficiency also did not compromise, in the 83% with genomically defined low‐risk myeloma, survival or event‐free survival. FGFR3+ and FGFR3− molecular subgroups fared worse in the presence of del TP53 when applying TT2 but not TT3. Thus, the prognostic implications of del TP53 were protocol‐, genome‐defined risk‐ and molecular subgroup‐dependent.
The impact of caring for a child with cerebral palsy: quality of life for mothers and fathers
Authors: Davis E. , Shelly A. , Waters E. , Boyd R. , Cook K. , Davern M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  Although it is expected that caring for a child with cerebral palsy (CP) can impact on the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers, the QOL of carers' has yet to be adequately examined. The aims of this study are to: (1) explore the QOL of mothers and fathers of children with CP aged 3–18 years; and (2) examine whether the impact of caring for a child with CP changes from childhood to adolescence.Method  A qualitative study was conducted utilizing a grounded theory framework. Twenty‐four mothers and 13 fathers of children and adolescents with CP aged 3–7 years (n = 15), 8–12 years (n = 10) and 13–18 years (n = 12) and with varying levels of impairment (GMFCS Level I = 1, II = 4, II = 3, IV = 5, V = 12) participated in semi‐structured interviews about their QOL. The transcripts were analysed to identify issues affecting parental QOL.Results  There were no differences in parental QOL among subgroups (i.e. mothers and fathers, age groups, GMFCS levels). Parental QOL ranged across a wide spectrum. Caring for a child with CP affects a parent's physical well‐being, social well‐being, freedom and independence, family well‐being and financial stability. Parents indicated that they often feel unsupported by the services they access.Conclusions  Caring for a child with CP can both positively and negatively impact on a parent's life. There is value for both parents and children if parental concerns and determinants of QOL are considered in overall programme planning and service delivery for children and their families.
A comparison of Rasch item‐fit and Cronbach's alpha item reduction analysis for the development of a Quality of Life scale for children and adolescents
Authors: Erhart M. , Hagquist C. , Auquier P. , Rajmil L. , Power M. , Ravens‐Sieberer U. ,   the European KIDSCREEN Group
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjective  This study compares item reduction analysis based on classical test theory (maximizing Cronbach's alpha – approach A), with analysis based on the Rasch Partial Credit Model item‐fit (approach B), as applied to children and adolescents' health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) items. The reliability and structural, cross‐cultural and known‐group validity of the measures were examined.Methods  Within the European KIDSCREEN project, 3019 children and adolescents (8–18 years) from seven European countries answered 19 HRQoL items of the Physical Well‐being dimension of a preliminary KIDSCREEN instrument. The Cronbach's alpha and corrected item total correlation (approach A) were compared with infit mean squares and the Q‐index item‐fit derived according to a partial credit model (approach B). Cross‐cultural differential item functioning (DIF ordinal logistic regression approach), structural validity (confirmatory factor analysis and residual correlation) and relative validity (RV) for socio‐demographic and health‐related factors were calculated for approaches (A) and (B).Results  Approach (A) led to the retention of 13 items, compared with 11 items with approach (B). The item overlap was 69% for (A) and 78% for (B). The correlation coefficient of the summated ratings was 0.93. The Cronbach's alpha was similar for both versions [0.86 (A); 0.85 (B)]. Both approaches selected some items that are not strictly unidimensional and items displaying DIF. RV ratios favoured (A) with regard to socio‐demographic aspects. Approach (B) was superior in RV with regard to health‐related aspects.Conclusion  Both types of item reduction analysis should be accompanied by additional analyses. Neither of the two approaches was universally superior with regard to cultural, structural and known‐group validity. However, the results support the usability of the Rasch method for developing new HRQoL measures for children and adolescents.