bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in Doctor Consultations, Antibiotic Prescription, and Specialist Referrals for Otitis Media in Children: 1995–2003
Authors: Plasschaert Astrid I.O. , Rovers Maroeska M. , Schilder Anne G. M. , Verheij Theo J. M. , Hak Eelko 
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND. Reported trends regarding the incidence of otitis media and antibiotic prescription rates are inconsistent.
OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to assess changes in incidence of consultation rates, antibiotic prescription, and referral rates for otitis media in children over the years 1995–2003.
METHODS. A cohort study including all children aged 0 to 13 years within the research database of the Netherlands University Medical Center Utrecht Primary Care Network covering the period 1995–2003. Otitis media diagnoses were recorded according to the International Classification of Primary Care codes and antibiotic prescription according to the Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical Classification System codes. Otitis media incidence rates were calculated as episodes per 1000 person-years. Antibiotic prescription and referral rates were calculated per 100 otitis media episodes.
RESULTS. From 1995 to 2003, the overall general practitioner consultation rates for acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion declined by 9% and 34%, respectively. In children aged 2 to 6 years and those aged 6 to 13 years, the incidence rates of acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion declined by 15% and 41% and 40% and 48%, respectively. In children &lt;2 years of age, the incidence rates of acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion increased by 46% and 66%, respectively. Antibiotic prescription rates for acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion increased by 45% and 25%, respectively. The referral rate for acute otitis media did not change, whereas the referral rate for otitis media with effusion increased by 45%.
CONCLUSIONS. Consultation rates for otitis media have changed considerably over the last decade, and so have antibiotic prescriptions and specialist referrals. The rising antibiotic prescription rate for otitis media causes concern, because this may induce increasing medical costs and antibiotic resistance.
Emotional, Developmental, and Behavioral Health of American Children and Their Families: A Report From the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health
Authors: Blanchard Laura T. , Gurka Matthew J. , Blackman James A. 
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND. Recent children's health surveys have documented a high prevalence of emotional, developmental, and behavioral problems among children. Data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health provide new insights into these problems and their association with family function and community participation. These issues have become a current focus of the World Health Organization.METHODS. Answers to questions of interest from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health were reported using estimates and SEs of rates. Statistical comparisons of rates with χ2 tests at the 0.05 level were made when relevant.RESULTS. The most commonly diagnosed problems among children 6–17 years of age were learning disabilities (11.5%), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (8.8%), and behavioral problems (6.3%); among preschoolers, speech problems (5.8%) and developmental delay (3.2%) were most common. One in 200 children was diagnosed with autism. In contrast, rates of parental concerns about emotional, developmental, or behavioral problems were much higher; for example, 41% of parents had concerns about learning difficulties and 36% about depression or anxiety. Children with developmental problems had lower self-esteem, more depression and anxiety, more problems with learning, missed more school, and were less involved in sports and other community activities. Their families experienced more difficulty in the areas of childcare, employment, parent-child relationships, and caregiver burden.CONCLUSIONS. The most recent National Survey of Children's Health mirrored results of previous surveys regarding rates of diagnosed emotional, developmental, and behavioral problems, including an escalating diagnosis of autism among children. Reported rates of parental concerns about these problems were much higher, suggesting possible underdiagnosis of children's problems. Children with chronic problems had diminished family functioning, more school absences, and less participation in community activities compared with other children. Their parents experienced more difficulty with childcare, employment, and parenting skills. A change in treatment emphasis is needed, away from an exclusive focus on a child's developmental and behavioral problems to one that addresses the impacts of these problems on the family and community participation. A new approach to the way these issues are addressed and managed has the potential to enhance the quality of life for a child, as well as the parents, and to produce more meaningful and tangible solutions to these complex and increasingly evident problems.
Empiric First-line Antibiotic Treatment of Acute Otitis in the Era of the Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Garbutt Jane , Rosenbloom Isabel , Wu Jenny , Storch Gregory A. 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES. Our goal was to estimate the local prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae nonsusceptible to penicillin and amoxicillin after widespread use of the heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine and to revise community-specific recommendations for first-line antibiotic treatment of acute otitis media.
METHODS. We conducted serial prevalence surveys between 2000 and 2004 in the offices of community pediatricians in St Louis, Missouri. Study participants were children &lt;7 years of age with acute upper respiratory infections. Children treated with an antibiotic in the past 4 weeks were excluded. S pneumoniae was isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs using standard techniques. Isolates with a penicillin minimum inhibitory concentration &gt;2 μg/mL were considered to be S pneumoniae nonsusceptible to amoxicillin.
RESULTS. There were 327 patients enrolled in the study. Between 2000 and 2004, vaccine coverage with ≥3 doses of heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine increased from 0% to 54%, but nasopharyngeal carriage of S pneumoniae was stable at 39%. The prevalence of S pneumoniae nonsusceptible to penicillin fell from 25% to 12% among patients, did not vary if &lt;2 years of age, was reduced in children with ≥3 doses of heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine, and increased in child care attendees but reduced in attendees who had ≥3 doses of heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine. The prevalence of S pneumoniae nonsusceptible to amoxicillin in patients remained &lt;5%.
CONCLUSIONS. In our community, widespread use of heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine has reduced the prevalence of S pneumoniae nonsusceptible to penicillin, and the prevalence of S pneumoniae nonsusceptible to amoxicillin remains low (&lt;5%). If antibiotic treatment is elected for children with uncomplicated acute otitis media, we recommend treatment with standard-dose amoxicillin (40–45 mg/kg per day) for children with ≥3 doses of heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine, regardless of age and child care status. High-dose amoxicillin should be used for children with &lt;3 doses of heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine and those treated recently with an antibiotic.
Update of Newborn Screening and Therapy for Congenital Hypothyroidism
Authors:   American Academy of Pediatrics, Rose Susan R. ,   and the Section on Endocrinology and Committee on Genetics,   American Thyroid Association, Brown Rosalind S. ,   and the Public Health Committee,   Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society
Published: June 2006

This Clinical Report was revised. See https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-060419.
Unrecognized congenital hypothyroidism leads to mental retardation. Newborn screening and thyroid therapy started within 2 weeks of age can normalize cognitive development. The primary thyroid-stimulating hormone screening has become standard in many parts of the world. However, newborn thyroid screening is not yet universal in some countries. Initial dosage of 10 to 15 μg/kg levothyroxine is recommended. The goals of thyroid hormone therapy should be to maintain frequent evaluations of total thyroxine or free thyroxine in the upper half of the reference range during the first 3 years of life and to normalize the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration to ensure optimal thyroid hormone dosage and compliance.
Improvements in screening and therapy have led to improved developmental outcomes in adults with congenital hypothyroidism who are now in their 20s and 30s. Thyroid hormone regimens used today are more aggressive in targeting early correction of thyroid-stimulating hormone than were those used 20 or even 10 years ago. Thus, newborn infants with congenital hypothyroidism today may have an even better intellectual and neurologic prognosis. Efforts are ongoing to establish the optimal therapy that leads to maximum potential for normal development for infants with congenital hypothyroidism.
Remaining controversy centers on infants whose abnormality in neonatal thyroid function is transient or mild and on optimal care of very low birth weight or preterm infants. Of note, thyroid-stimulating hormone is not elevated in central hypothyroidism. An algorithm is proposed for diagnosis and management.
Physicians must not relinquish their clinical judgment and experience in the face of normal newborn thyroid test results. Hypothyroidism can be acquired after the newborn screening. When clinical symptoms and signs suggest hypothyroidism, regardless of newborn screening results, serum free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone determinations should be performed.
Clinical Genetic Evaluation of the Child With Mental Retardation or Developmental Delays
Authors: Moeschler John B. , Shevell Michael ,   and the Committee on Genetics
Published: June 2006

This Clinical Report was revised. See https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-1839.
This clinical report describes the clinical genetic evaluation of the child with developmental delays or mental retardation. The purpose of this report is to describe the optimal clinical genetics diagnostic evaluation to assist pediatricians in providing a medical home for children with developmental delays or mental retardation and their families. The literature supports the benefit of expert clinical judgment by a consulting clinical geneticist in the diagnostic evaluation. However, it is recognized that local factors may preclude this particular option. No single approach to the diagnostic process is supported by the literature. This report addresses the diagnostic importance of clinical history, 3-generation family history, dysmorphologic examination, neurologic examination, chromosome analysis (≥650 bands), fragile X molecular genetic testing, fluorescence in situ hybridization studies for subtelomere chromosome rearrangements, molecular genetic testing for typical and atypical presentations of known syndromes, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance brain imaging, and targeted studies for metabolic disorders.
Estimating Yields of Salt‐ and Water‐Stressed Forages with Remote Sensing in the Visible and Near Infrared
Authors: Poss J. A. , Russell W. B. , Grieve C. M. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTIn arid irrigated regions, the proportion of crop production under deficit irrigation with poorer quality water is increasing as demand for fresh water soars and efforts to prevent saline water table development occur. Remote sensing technology to quantify salinity and water stress effects on forage yield can be an important tool to address yield loss potential when deficit irrigating with poor water quality. Two important forages, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and tall wheatgrass (Agropyron elongatum L.), were grown in a volumetric lysimeter facility where rootzone salinity and water content were varied and monitored. Ground‐based hyperspectral canopy reflectance in the visible and near infrared (NIR) were related to forage yields from a broad range of salinity and water stress conditions. Canopy reflectance spectra were obtained in the 350‐ to 1000‐nm region from two viewing angles (nadir view, 45° from nadir). Nadir view vegetation indices (VI) were not as strongly correlated with leaf area index changes attributed to water and salinity stress treatments for both alfalfa and wheatgrass. From a list of 71 VIs, two were selected for a multiple linear‐regression model that estimated yield under varying salinity and water stress conditions. With data obtained during the second harvest of a three‐harvest 100‐d growing period, regression coefficients for each crop were developed and then used with the model to estimate fresh weights for preceding and succeeding harvests during the same 100‐d interval. The model accounted for 72% of the variation in yields in wheatgrass and 94% in yields of alfalfa within the same salinity and water stress treatment period. The model successfully predicted yield in three out of four cases when applied to the first and third harvest yields. Correlations between indices and yield increased as canopy development progressed. Growth reductions attributed to simultaneous salinity and water stress were well characterized, but the corrections for effects of varying tissue nitrogen (N) and very low leaf area index (LAI) are necessary.
Utilization of Biosolids during the Phytoremediation of Hydrocarbon‐Contaminated Soil
Authors: Dickinson S. J. , Rutherford P. M. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTAddition of anaerobically digested sewage sludge (biosolids) to soil may improve conditions for phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) through improved soil chemical, biological, and physical properties. A 32‐wk greenhouse study investigated three rates of biosolids addition (0, 13.34, and 26.68 g oven‐dry biosolids kg−1 oven‐dry soil) and the presence or absence of smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss. cv. Carlton) plants on the removal of diesel (3.5 g kg−1 oven‐dry soil) in an industrial, sandy loam soil. Diesel PHCs were divided into two fractions based on equivalent normal straight‐chain boiling point ranges (F2: nC10‐nC16; F3: nC16‐nC34). The addition of biosolids did not increase the extent of PHC degradation but did result in significantly greater first‐order decay constants compared to unamended controls. Overall, the presence of plants did not increase the rate or extent of PHC degradation, relative to that observed in unamended, non‐vegetated soils. Vegetation was, however, an important factor within the biosolids‐amended soils as was observed by a greater extent of PHC degradation. Some of this decrease was attributed to plant‐induced removal of biosolids components that were contributing to the F3 fraction. Overall, the low‐amendment rate (13.34 g oven‐dry biosolids kg−1 oven‐dry soil) was considered to be the most effective treatment because it produced the greatest overall PHC degradation rate (0.226 wk−1 for total PHCs) and resulted in the greatest recovery of biosolids‐derived N by smooth brome (26.6%).
Soil Amendments, Plant Age, and Intercropping Impact p,p′‐DDE Bioavailability to Cucurbita pepo
Authors: White Jason C. , Parrish Zakia D. , Gent Martin P. N. , Iannucci‐Berger William , Eitzer Brian D. , Isleyen Mehmet , Incorvia Mattina MaryJane 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTField experiments were conducted to optimize the phytoextraction of weathered p,p′‐DDE (p,p′‐dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) by Cucurbita subspecies. The effects of two soil amendments, mycorrhizae or a biosurfactant, on p,p′‐DDE accumulation was determined. Also, p,p′‐DDE uptake was assessed during plant growth (12, 26, 38, and 62 d), and cultivars that accumulate weathered p,p′‐DDE were intercropped with cultivars known not to have that ability. Cucurbita pepo L. ssp. pepo accumulated large amounts of the contaminant, having stem bioconcentration factors, amounts of p,p′‐DDE translocated, and contaminant phytoextraction that were 14, 9.9, and 5.0 times greater than C. pepo L. ssp. ovifera (L.) D.S. Decker, respectively. During 62 d, the stem BCF (bioconcentration factor) for p,p′‐DDE in subspecies pepo remained constant and the total amount of contaminant accumulated was correlated with plant biomass (r2 = 0.86). For subspecies ovifera, the stem BCF was highest at 12 d (1.5) but decreased to 0.39 by 62 d, and p,p′‐DDE removal was not correlated with plant biomass. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased p,p′‐DDE accumulation by both subspecies by an average 4.4 times. For subspecies pepo, mycorrhizae increased the percentage of contaminant extracted from 0.72 to 2.1%. Biosurfactant amendment also enhanced contaminant accumulation by both subspecies, although treatment reduced subspecies ovifera biomass by 60%. The biosurfactant had no effect on the biomass of subspecies pepo, increased the average contaminant concentration by 3.6‐fold, and doubled the overall amount of p,p′‐DDE removed from the soil. Soil amendments that enhance the mobility of weathered persistent organic pollutants will significantly increase the amount of contaminant phytoextraction by Cucurbita pepo
Sorption Kinetics of Chlortetracyline and Tylosin on Sandy Loam and Heavy Clay Soils
Authors: Allaire S. E. , Del Castillo J. , Juneau V. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTAntibiotics may appear in the environment when manure, sewage sludge, and other organic amendments are added to soils. There is concern that the presence of antibiotics in soils may lead to the development of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria which may spread to the rest of the environment. This paper aims at evaluating the sorption kinetics of two antibiotics frequently used in pig production. The results indicate that sorption of chlortetracycline (CTC) and tylosin (TYL) in sandy loam and clay occurs very fast. More than 95% of the CTC adsorption is completed within 10 min on both soils and of TYL within 3 h. These results suggest that 24‐h soil and antibiotic solution mixtures is enough for sorption studies. Also, there is less likelihood that these antibiotics will leach through soil and appear in the ground water since their sorption on soils is very high unless they are carried by soil particles through preferential flow. There was also no effect of soil sterilization on sorption kinetics of these antibiotics thus suggesting that there is minimal probability of the antibiotics degrading by microorganisms during 24‐ to 48‐h adsorption studies.
Nonlinear and Competitive Sorption of Apolar Compounds in Black Carbon‐Free Natural Organic Materials
Authors: Pignatello Joseph J. , Lu Yuefeng , LeBoeuf Eugene J. , Huang Weilin , Song Jianzhong , Xing Baoshan 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTNumerous studies have reported a spectrum of sorption phenomena in soils, sediments, and organic matter isolates of those materials that are inconsistent with a partition model proposed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a model predicated on a hypothesis that sorption is linear and noncompetitive. To explain these nonideal phenomena, prior studies have proposed a hard‐soft (glassy‐rubbery) model for SOM (soil and sediment organic matter), while others have attributed them singularly to BC (black carbon: soot and charcoal) particles present in topsoils and sediments. In this study, we demonstrated nonideal sorption behavior (isotherm nonlinearity, competitive effects) for a group of apolar compounds in a large set of natural and model organic materials, including a commercial lignin and humic acids from different sources. Complete oxidation of samples by an acidic dichromate method was taken to signify the absence of BC. (However, polymethylene units are stable even if functionalized on both ends, making the technique unreliable for quantifying BC.) Other samples were inferred free of BC by their source and method of preparation. Characterization by thermalanalytical methods indicated the glassy character of the organic materials. The origin of the nonideal behaviors appears to be the glassy character of these materials. Sorption nonlinearity increased or decreased by changing temperature, cosolvent content, or degree of cross‐linking by metal ions as predicted for organic solids in a glassy state. We conclude that macromolecular humic substances in the environment may exhibit nonideal sorption behavior in soils and sediments, quite apart from any such behaviors attributable to BC.
Mesocosm‐Scale Evaluation of Faunal and Microbial Communities of Aerated and Unaerated Leachfield Soil
Authors: Amador José A. , Potts David A. , Savin Mary C. , Tomlinson Peter , Görres Josef H. , Nicosia Erika L. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTAeration improves the capacity of leachfields to decontaminate and reduce the nutrient load of wastewater. To gain a better understanding of the effects of aeration, we examined the faunal and microbial communities of septic system leachfield soil (0‐4 and 4‐13 cm) using replicated (n= 3) mesocosms that were actively aerated (AIR) or unaerated (LEACH). Protozoa were 40 to 140 times more abundant in AIR than in LEACH soil. No nematodes were found in LEACH soil, whereas AIR soil contained 5 to 14 × 103nematodes (all bacteriovores) kg−1Active microbial biomass was four to five times higher in AIR than LEACH soil. Proteobacteria and actinomycetes/sulfate‐reducing bacteria constituted a higher proportion of the community in AIR soil, whereas anaerobic Gram‐negative bacteria/firmicutes were more prominent in LEACH soil. Ratios of prokaryotic to eukaryotic phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were higher in LEACH soil, as were membrane stress index values, whereas the starvation index was higher in AIR soil. Community‐level physiological profiles showed that 29 and 30 different substrates were used for growth by LEACH and AIR soil microorganisms, respectively. The AIR soil had more microorganisms capable of growing on 10 substrates, whereas growth on two substrates was higher in LEACH soil. Polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments revealed greater diversity of dominant phylotypes in AIR than LEACH soil, with communities separated by treatment. Aerated leachfield soil had a larger and more diverse faunal and microbial community than unaerated soil, possibly due to differences in the type and availability of electron acceptors.
Relationships among Nutrients, Chlorophyll‐a, and Dissolved Oxygen in Agricultural Streams in Illinois
Authors: Morgan Allyson M. , Royer Todd V. , David Mark B. , Gentry Lowell E. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTA better understanding of the controls on algae and dissolved O2 in agricultural streams of Illinois is needed to aid in development of nutrient standards. We investigated the relationships between dissolved nutrients, algal abundance, and dissolved O2 in five streams in east‐central Illinois from March through November 2004. The streams drained watersheds from 25 to 777 km2 that were dominated by row crop agriculture. Three sites had open canopies and two were bordered by a narrow forest of deciduous trees. Algal abundance was measured as chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) concentration in the water column (sestonic) and on the streambed (periphytic). Mean NO3‐N concentrations ranged from 5.5 to 8.8 mg N L−1 and did not relate to algal abundance. Sestonic chl‐a values ranged from nearly zero to >15 mg m−3 with no differences between open and shaded streams and only a weak correlation with dissolved reactive P (mean concentrations were 44‐479 μg L−1). The results suggest that sestonic chl‐a is a poor criterion for assessing nutrient‐related problems in these streams. Greatest periphytic chl‐a occurred during low flow from August through October, but periphyton occurred consistently in only two of the five streams. The abundance of filamentous algae explained 64% of the variation in diel O2 saturation, but was not correlated with nutrients. Currently it appears that hydrology and light, rather than nutrients, control algal abundance in these streams, and in the agricultural landscape of east‐central Illinois, it may not be possible to reduce nutrient concentrations sufficiently to limit filamentous algal blooms.