bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequence variation in the 5′ untranslated region of the human A4GALT gene is associated with, but does not define, the P1 blood‐group polymorphism
Authors: Tilley L. , Green C. , Daniels G. 
Published: February 2006

Background and Objective  The gene responsible for the P1 polymorphism of the P blood‐group system remains unidentified, although the A4GALT gene, whose product is responsible for the production of Pk, has been implicated. No coding differences in A4GALT account for the P1 polymorphism, but homozygosity for two polymorphisms (−551_−550insC and −160A>G) in the 5′ untranslated region of the gene has been reported to be unique to Japanese P1– individuals. This study aimed to confirm this correlation in a larger number of British individuals.Materials and Methods  Serologically confirmed P1+ (n = 35) and P1– (n = 15) individuals were genotyped for polymorphisms in the 5′ untranslated region of A4GALT.Results  In addition to those previously reported, a further polymorphism, −164C>T, was identified. All P1– individuals were homozygous for −551_−550insC and −160G as compared with 10 of 35 (29%) P1+ individuals (P = 0·000003, two‐tailed Fisher's exact test). Allele frequencies for all polymorphisms and estimated haplotype frequencies across the region differed significantly between P1+ and P1– groups.Conclusions  Homozygosity for the A4GALT−551_−550insC and −160G allele is significantly associated with, but not restricted to, the P1– phenotype. No single A4GALT genotype or haplotype was unique to P1– individuals. Thus, A4GALT cannot be unequivocally confirmed as the gene responsible for the P1 phenotype.
Ex vivo expansion of umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells in a closed system: a multicentric study
Authors: Astori G. , Larghero J. , Bonfini T. , Giancola R. , Di Riti M. , Rodriguez L. , Rodriguez M. , Mambrini G. , Bigi L. , Iacone A. , Marolleau J. P. , Panzani I. , Garcia J. , Querol S. 
Published: February 2006

Background and Objectives  The Dideco ‘Pluricell System’ is a CE‐marked medical device allowing haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion. It comprises a kit of cGMP cytokines and reagents, a closed‐cell expansion chamber and a cell‐washing set. We tested the system in a multicentric study by expanding CD34+ cells from eight fresh umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples.Materials and Methods  During culture, the mean nucleated cell (NC) count, the mean CD34+ cell count, fold expansion, viability and apoptosis were measured. Clonogenic assays and immunophenotypical characterization were performed on days 0, 7 and 12. On the expanded cellular product, in three cases cell genotyping, endotoxin level and mycoplasma detection (by polymerase chain reaction) were performed.Results  The mean CD34+ cell expansion on days 7 and 12 was sevenfold and 12‐fold respectively and the mean NC expansion was 69‐fold and 180‐fold. The mean NC viability on day 12 was 96·9% (94·4–99·1). After 12 days, granulocyte–macrophage colony‐forming units (GM‐CFU) showed a 20‐fold increase: a slight increase in CD34+ cell apoptosis was observed during culture. In all of three cases neither chromosomal alterations nor mycoplasma contamination was detected. No significant endotoxin levels were detected after expansion.Conclusions  The device allows the ex vivo expansion of NC and CD34+ cells in a closed system. The expanded cellular product is a mixture of progenitors (CD34+ cells) and differentiated (mainly myeloid and megakaryocytic) cells. To reduce cell apoptosis, more frequent cell feeding during culture should be tested.
No evidence of West Nile virus infection in Dutch blood donors
Authors: Koppelman M. H. G. M. , Sjerps M. S. , de Waal M. , Reesink H. W. , Cuypers H. T. M. 
Published: February 2006

Background and Objectives  West Nile virus (WNV) can be transmitted by transfusion through infected blood components. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of WNV infection among Dutch blood donors to assess whether WNV is a possible threat for the Dutch blood supply.Materials and Methods  Plasma samples from 61 992 blood donations were pooled in 7749 test pools of eight donations using a Tecan robot. These samples were collected between April and October 2004. The pools were tested for the presence of WNV RNA by using the Procleix WNV assay.Results  No WNV RNA‐positive pools were detected. Based on Poisson distribution statistics, extrapolation of our data to all the Dutch donations in 2004 revealed that between 0 and 55 cases of WNV infection could be expected.Conclusions  No evidence of the presence of WNV RNA in Dutch blood donor samples from 2004 was found. However, surveillance of this emerging infection is of importance to safeguard the blood supply in the future because the transmission cycle of WNV is complex and hard to predict.
Balancing infection control practices and family‐centred care in a cohort of paediatric suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome patients in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Sophia SC , Leung Daisy YK , Wong Emmy MY , Tiwari Agnes FY , Wong David CN , Lo SL , Lau YL 
Published: February 2006

Objective: To identify key nursing issues for paediatric patients suspected of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in relation to the family‐centred model of nursing care and to develop a data‐based model of paediatric nursing care to be better applied in situations of suspected SARS or where outbreaks of other infectious diseases occur. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive case series, which analysed the medical and nursing records of all highly‐suspected/suspected SARS patients admitted to a major acute hospital in Hong Kong. Key nursing personnel were also interviewed. Results: The study included a total of 17 highly‐suspected and 49 suspected SARS paediatric patients (age: 1–16). None of the paediatric patients was eventually diagnosed of SARS. Most cases presented fever (highly‐suspected: 76.5%/ suspected: 100%), cough (64.7%/71.4%), nausea and vomiting (35.3%/28.6%). Nursing care was provided to the patients as necessary. Both the children and parents experienced fear of SARS, as well as separation anxiety arisen from hospitalization in a strict isolation setting. Conclusions: Infection control overshadowed the family‐centred nursing practices in the management of SARS paediatric patients. A major nursing care issue for SARS paediatric patients was to achieve a careful balance between attending to patients' physical and psychological needs and adhering to the infection control guidelines, while at the same time offering psychological support to family members. The current philosophy and practice of family‐centred nursing model neglect the special needs of children with infectious diseases and predominantly apply to children with non‐infectious diseases that family visits are allowed and nursing care by parents are encouraged.
Pain assessment and procedural pain management practices in neonatal units in Australia
Authors: Harrison Denise , Loughnan Peter , Johnston Linda 
Published: February 2006

Objective: To identify current pain assessment and procedural pain management practices in neonatal units in Australia. Methods: Postal survey conducted during December 2003 and January 2004. The survey comprised questions relating to pain assessment scores, pain reduction strategies for minor painful procedures and the use of articulated policies relating to procedural pain management. Participants were the Nurse Unit Managers or their nominees of neonatal intensive care units, special care units and newborn emergency transport services in Australia. Results: Surveys were sent to 181 eligible organizations, and 105 of these were returned (58%). Six units (6%) used pain assessment scores on a regular basis, and 16 units (15%) had an articulated policy directing pain management practices during painful procedures. Non‐nutritive sucking and various nursing comfort measures were the pain reduction strategies most frequently used during minor painful procedures. Twenty‐four units (23%) used sucrose or other sweet‐tasting solutions during procedures; however, the reported frequency of their usage was low. Breast‐feeding during venepuncture, heel lance and intramuscular or subcutaneous injection was infrequently practised and topical anaesthetic agents were rarely used. Conclusion: This survey demonstrates that the majority of Australian neonatal units have no articulated policy to guide pain management during painful procedures and do not regularly undertake pain assessments. Current evidence‐based strategies to reduce procedural pain in hospitalized infants are used infrequently.
Pain relief for neonates in Australian hospitals: A need to improve evidence‐based practice
Authors: Gray Peter H , Trotter Jane A , Langbridge Peter , Doherty Claire V 
Published: February 2006

Objective: To ascertain the extent to which neonatal analgesia was used in Australia for minor invasive procedures as an indicator of evidence‐based practice in neonatology. Methods: A cross‐sectional telephone survey of hospitals in all Australian states and territories with more than 200 deliveries per year was carried out. Questions were asked regarding awareness of the benefits and the use of analgesia for minor invasive procedures in term and near term neonates. Analysis was undertaken according to state and territory, annual birth numbers and the level of neonatal nursery care available. Results: Data were available from 212 of 214 eligible hospitals. Of the total respondents, 51% and 70% respectively were aware of the benefits of sucrose and breast‐feeding for neonatal analgesia. Eleven per cent of units administered sucrose before venepuncture and 25% of units used breast‐feeding. Ten per cent of units used sucrose before heel prick with 49% utilizing breast‐feeding. Expressed breast milk was used in 10% of units. Analgesia was given less frequently before intravenous cannulation compared to venepuncture and heel prick. Awareness and implementation of neonatal analgesia varied widely in the states and territories. There was a trend for hospitals providing a higher level of neonatal care to have a greater awareness of sucrose as an analgesic (P < 0.0001) and the use of sucrose for venepuncture (P = 0.029), heel prick (P = 0.025) and intravenous catheter insertion (P = 0.013). Similar trends were found on analysis according to birth number of the maternity units. Smaller units had a greater usage of breast‐feeding as an analgesic for heel prick (P = 0.017). Conclusion: Despite good evidence for the administration of sucrose and breast milk in providing effective analgesia for newborn infants, it is not widely used in Australia. It is imperative that the gap between research findings and clinical practice with regard to neonatal analgesia be addressed.
Neonatal resuscitation educational experience of staff in New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory hospitals
Authors: Foster Kirsty , Craven Paul , Reid Shelley 
Published: February 2006

Objective: There is international recognition that health personnel involved in deliveries should be adequately trained in neonatal resuscitation. A survey was carried out in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to ascertain the type, frequency and availability of training in neonatal resuscitation to staff who may need to resuscitate an infant at birth. The survey included a self‐perception rating of confidence and competence in neonatal resuscitation. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 117 hospitals carrying out deliveries in NSW and ACT. Questionnaires were distributed to staff members who may be present at a delivery in a designated 24‐h period. Results: In total, 1457 questionnaires from 101 hospitals were returned and analysed. Overall response rate was 86.3% with 96.1% able to be assigned to tertiary, urban non‐tertiary or rural areas. Eighty‐five per cent of tertiary respondents had a training programme available to them compared with 59% of urban non‐tertiary staff and 31% of rural practitioners. Approximately one‐third of respondents in rural and urban non‐tertiary units had either never been trained or had training more than 2 years before the survey. In rural areas more than 25% staff were not confident in their resuscitation skills and only 9% felt very competent. Conclusion: Three‐quarters of all births in NSW and ACT take place in rural or urban non‐tertiary hospitals where one‐third of health personnel are inadequately trained in neonatal resuscitation and many do not feel confident in their skills. Effective neonatal resuscitation training for these areas is urgently required.
Survey of childhood malnutrition at Dili National Hospital, East Timor
Authors: Bucens Ingrid K , Maclennan Carolyn 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To describe the characteristics and short‐term outcomes of children with malnutrition admitted to Dili National Hospital (DNH), East Timor. Methods: A prospective observational survey using caretaker interviews and medical record review was conducted on the paediatric ward at DNH for 12 months from March 2002. Patients were children aged 2 months to 12 years, admitted with moderate to severe malnutrition as either a primary or secondary diagnosis. Results: Malnutrition was present in 31.8% (280/880) of paediatric admissions during the study period. Sixty‐one per cent of the malnutrition cases were severe malnutrition (weight‐for‐height below −3 Z‐scores and/or oedema) and 53.7% were both wasted and stunted. The hospital case‐fatality rate was 12.9% (36/280). Immunization coverage was low, with 39% of cases never immunized and 29% incompletely immunized according to the national immunization schedule. Conclusions: There is a high rate of malnutrition among paediatric inpatients at DNH, consistent with results of anthropometric surveys in the newly independent East Timor. Despite the introduction of a standardized protocol following WHO guidelines and associated training on the management of severe malnutrition, the hospital case‐fatality rate for severe malnutrition was still high (12.9%).
Awake upper airway obstruction in children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy
Authors: Wilkinson Dominic J , Baikie Gordon , Berkowitz Robert G , Reddihough Dinah S 
Published: February 2006

Objective: Some children with severe cerebral palsy develop symptoms of upper airway obstruction (UAO) while awake. The aetiology, natural history and treatment of this complication have not previously been systematically described. This study documents a case series of children with severe cerebral palsy admitted to hospital because of severe awake UAO and reviews the relevant literature. Methods: The case records of children admitted to hospital with UAO while awake over an 8‐month period were reviewed. Details of antecedent illness, comorbidities, acute management and follow up were collated. One case is presented in detail. Results: Eight children were admitted with UAO. Seven children required intensive care admission. One child died, and two underwent tracheostomy. Nasendoscopy showed pharyngeal collapse without anatomical obstruction in the majority. One child was discovered to have a brainstem malignancy. Conclusions: Upper airway obstruction is a potentially severe and life‐threatening complication of cerebral palsy. In this series, a majority of children had obstruction related to pharyngeal hypotonia and collapse. This can lead to prolonged hospitalization and intensive care admission. It may raise difficult management issues.
Granulocyte functions and changes in ability with age in newborns; Report no. 2: Activation of granulocyte functions by cytokines
Authors: MORIGUCHI NAOHIKO , YAMAMOTO SEIICHIROU , ISOKAWA SADAYUKI , ANDOU ATUSHI , MIYATA HIROSHI 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present study was to examine the function of granulocytes in newborns from the perspective of granulocyte activation by cytokines.Methods: Granulocytes were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor‐α, granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) or granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and the reactivity of granulocytes to these substances was then compared between newborns (umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood obtained at age 5 days and at age 1 month) and peripheral blood obtained from adults. In addition, the expression of cytokine receptors on the surface of granulocytes was measured for each age group.Results: The amplification of CD11b expression on the surface of granulocytes and suppression of l‐selectin expression were weaker for cord blood regardless of which cytokine was added. In addition, the increases in the activity of intracellular elastase when stimulated with tumor necrosis factor‐α or GM‐CSF were significantly lower for cord blood. Moreover, the expression of GM‐CSF receptors and granulocyte colony stimulating factor receptors on the surface of granulocytes was lower for cord blood, and this expression approached the level found in adults as age increased.Conclusion: Granulocytes during early infancy exhibit low reactivity to inflammatory cytokines, and this was considered to be one of the factors contributing to the higher incidence of serious bacterial infections in infants.
Pediatric visceral Leishmaniasis in Turkey
Authors: TANIR GÖNÜL , TAYLAN ÖZKAN AYSEGÜL , DAĞLAR EDA 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) type in Turkey is consistent with the Mediterranean type of VL, a fatal debilitating disease, which is mostly seen in infants.Methods: Hospital records of 19 children with VL were retrospectively reviewed. The period of the study was from January 2000 to December 2003.Results: The median age of the patients was 36 months. None was coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus or known to be immunocompromised. Fever, pallor, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia and elevated C‐reactive protein were observed in all cases, anemia in 18 (95%), leucopenia in 17 (89.4%) and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 14 (77.7%) of the cases. A bone marrow aspirate was obtained in all cases and Leishmania amastigotes were detected in 15 (78.9%). Fifteen patients (78.9%) were treated initially with meglumine antimonate and four (21%) with sodium stibogluconate. The four patients who received sodium stibogluconate suffered from adverse side‐effects during treatment and were subsequently treated with lipid formulations of amphotericin B.Conclusions: Presentation of VL in the pediatric age group in Turkey is characterized by pallor, fever, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Hematological and biochemical indices are typical with cytopenias, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperproteinemia. In most of the cases, microscopic examination provided a positive diagnosis and the remaining patients were diagnosed by serology. Lipid formulations of amphotericin B may be useful in cases of treatment failure with antimonials or significant adverse effects of the drug.
Morbidity and mortality of infants born at the threshold of viability: Ten years’ experience in a single neonatal intensive care unit, 1991–2000
Authors: HOSONO SHIGEHARU , OHNO TSUTOMU , KIMOTO HIROFUMI , SHIMIZU MASAKI , HARADA KENSUKE 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the mortality and morbidity of infants born at 22–24 weeks gestation.Methods: A total of 78 infants born at 22–24 weeks gestation, who were admitted between January 1991 through December 2000, were retrospectively studied.Results: Seventy‐one of 78 infants were enrolled in the present study. One year survival rates at 22, 23 and 24 weeks were 40.0% (2/5), 61.1% (11/18), and 50.0% (24/48), respectively. Failure of response to surfactant and air leak were associated with death in infants born at 23 weeks gestation. Low Apgar score, intraventricular hemorrhage (≥III), and sepsis were correlated with death in infants born at 24 weeks gestation. The handicap rates of survivors born at 22, 23, and 24 weeks gestation were 100, 36.4, and 26.1%, respectively.Conclusions: The present study indicates that infants born at 22 weeks gestation, in whom pulmonary structure is established, that is, a viable lung that can exchange gas with exogenous surfactant, have a chance to survive, but neurological outcome is still poor. Every possible effort should be made to extend gestation beyond 22 weeks.
Urinary oxidative stress markers in young patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: HATA IKUE , KAJI MASAYUKI , HIRANO SATOKO , SHIGEMATSU YOSUKE , TSUKAHARA HIROKAZU , MAYUMI MITSUFUMI 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: Involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications has been proposed. However, there are few methods to determine the status of oxidative stress both directly and quantitatively in young patients with type 1 diabetes.Methods: A total of 27 young patients with type 1 diabetes (mean age ± SD, 12.6 ± 4.2 years) with normal renal function and 38 healthy control subjects (13.0 ± 4.6 years) were investigated. Early morning voiding urine samples were collected. The concentrations of acrolein‐lysine adducts, 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) were determined using competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and nitric oxide metabolites were measured using the colorimetric, non‐enzymatic assay.Results: Urinary concentrations of 8‐OHdG, but not acrolein‐lysine adducts and nitric oxide metabolites, were significantly increased in the diabetic group. For diabetic patients, microalbuminuria was significantly correlated with higher concentrations of all three markers. Hemoglobin A1c values were significantly correlated with 8‐OHdG values.Conclusions: These findings indicate that increased oxidative stress and the risk of vascular complications may be present at early stages of type 1 diabetes.
Microchip, reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and culture methods to detect enterovirus infection in pediatric patients
Authors: TSAO LON‐YEN , LIN CHI‐YUNG , YU YA‐YAN , WANG BAO‐TYAN 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground: Enterovirus infection usually presents with mild and self‐limited illness in children. However, Enterovirus type 71 can be characterized by neurotropism and may cause severe illness or even sudden death. Early detection of the virus will allow a physician to provide intensive or aggressive intervention. The purpose of the present study was to compare sensitivity of two innovative laboratory methods, that is, the DR.EV microchip method (DR. Chip Biotechnology, Shin‐Tsu, Taiwan) and the reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) method following conventional virus culture in detecting enterovirus infection in pediatric patients with herpangina or hand–foot–mouth disease.Methods: A total of 87 children (age range: 1–8 years) were enrolled because of typical clinical findings of herpangina and hand–foot–mouth disease. Two hundred children selected after a careful clinical history review and physical examinations, were included as controls. All of these children had at least throat swab and rectal swab specimens taken and tested for evidence of enterovirus infection by microchip, RT‐PCR and virus culture methods. In addition, 21 patients also had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens taken to test for possible central nervous system involvement.Result: The test results obtained from the 200 healthy kindergarten children were all negative for enteroviral infection by these three methods. Among the 87 test patients, the positive rates for throat swab, rectal swab and CSF by DR.EV chip, RT‐PCR and virus culture were 71%, 68%, and 45% (throat swab); 66%, 61%, and 33% (rectal swab); and 52%, 29%, and 5% (CSF), respectively. There was no significant difference in the positive rates between the DR.EV chip and the RT‐PCR methods (P > 0.1) on all types of specimens. However, statistically significant differences in positive rates were noted between the DR.EV chip and the conventional virus culture methods on all types of specimens (P < 0.001). Sensitivity of the microchip, RT‐PCR and virus culture methods, was 82%, 72%, and 53%, respectively.Conclusion: The DR.EV chip method yielded a statistically higher positive rate and faster test results than the conventional viral culture method.