bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tissue Doppler echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function in children with bronchial asthma
Authors: ZEYBEK CENAP , YALCIN YALIM , ERDEM ABDULLAH , POLAT TUGCIN BORA , CIGDEM AKTUGLU‐ZEYBEK A , BAYOGLU VEYSEL , AKDENIZ CELAL , CELEBI AHMET 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of tissue Doppler echocardiography in assessment of ventricular function in pediatric patients with bronchial asthma (BA).Patients and methods: Fifty‐one pediatric patients with BA and 30 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects were studied. BA patients were divided into two groups: mild BA (n = 33) and moderate to severe BA (n = 18). All subjects were examined on conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography, and 44 patients had pulmonary function tests on spirometry within 1 week of echocardiographic examination.Results: Conventional echocardiographic parameters were all similar in mild asthmatic patients and control subjects. Tricuspid E velocity, E/A ratio and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) in moderate and severe cases differed significantly from mild cases and control subjects. E′, A′, E′/A′ ratio and IVRT of the lateral tricuspid annulus, and IVRT of the medial and lateral mitral annuli were different between mild cases and control subjects. E′ velocity and IVRT of the lateral tricuspid annulus and IVRT of the medial and lateral mitral annuli were also different between mild cases and moderate to severe cases. Pulmonary function tests correlated well with E′, E′/A′ and IVRT of lateral tricuspid annulus.Conclusion: Patients with BA have subclinical right ventricular diastolic dysfunction even in the early stages. The severity of the functional impairment is parallel with the severity of the disease. Tissue Doppler echocardiography has a greater predictive value than conventional imaging, and is useful for evaluating ventricular function in patients with BA.
Menstrual pattern and common menstrual disorders among university students in Turkey
Authors: CAKIR MURAT , MUNGAN ILKE , KARAKAS TANER , GIRISKEN İLKNUR , OKTEN AYSENUR 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: Menstrual disorders may affect the life of adolescents and young adult women, and may sometimes cause serious problems. The patterns of menstrual cycles were analyzed for association with age of menarche, prevalence of menstrual irregularity, dysmenorrhea, prolonged menstrual bleeding, and effect of menstrual disorders, especially dysmenorrhea, on social activities and school attendance among the female students.Methods: A total of 480 students were randomly selected and asked to complete an the anonymous questionnaire of 25 items.Results: The mean age of the subjects at menarche was 12.8 ± 1.3 years with a range of 9–17 years. The duration between two periods and the menstrual flow were 27.7 ± 2.5 days and 5.8 ± 1.4 days, respectively. The prevalence of menstrual irregularity, prolonged menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea were 31.2%, 5.3% and 89.5%, respectively. Approximately 10% of dysmenorrheic subjects had severe dysmenorrhea; and school absenteeism and need to consult a physician were more common in those subjects. The first source of their knowledge about menarche and menstruation was their mothers in 211 subjects (54%); only 18 subjects (4.6%) were given a lecture about menstruation and menarche at school.Conclusion: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularity was high, and most adolescents have inappropriate and insufficient information about menstrual problems. Hence, an education program is needed at the end of primary school about menarche and menstrual problems.
Randomized controlled trial of short‐term withdrawal of i.v. immunoglobulin therapy for selected children with human immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: GRISARU‐SOEN GALIA , LAU WENDY , ARNESON CHERYL , LOUCH DEBORAH , BITNUN ARI , STEPHENS DEREK , READ STANLEY E. , KING SUSAN M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present paper was to determine whether monthly i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG) could be safely discontinued in antiretroviral‐treated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected children.Methods: In a double‐blind cross‐over trial, children ≤18  years with HIV infection, well controlled on antiretroviral therapy, were randomized to alternating courses of 3  consecutive months of IVIG (400  mg/kg once a month) and 3  consecutive months of placebo for 1  year. The primary outcome was days of fever per month. Secondary outcomes were frequency of serious infections, changes in HIV viral load (VL), CD4+ counts and IgG levels.Results: Fifteen children were enrolled. Using the revised pediatric HIV clinical classification system of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight were severely symptomatic (C), four were moderately symptomatic (B) and three were mildly symptomatic (A). There were no statistically significant outcome measures. The mean number of days of fever per month with IVIG versus placebo was 0.55  days versus 1.48  days (P =  0.11). The difference was 0.9  days (95% confidence interval: +2.05 to −0.25). There were no serious infections in either period. For the IVIG versus placebo periods, mean CD4 counts were 970  cells/μL versus 906  cells/μL (P =  0.12), VL 2.90  log10 copies/mL versus 2.82  log10 copies/mL (P =  0.70) and IgG levels were 17.41  g/L versus 16.6  g/L (P =  0.13).Conclusion: In antiretroviral‐treated HIV‐infected children short‐term withdrawal of monthly IVIG was not associated with a significant increase in incidence of infections or a decline in immunologic function (CD4 count, viral load and IgG levels). These results suggest that monthly IVIG can be safely discontinued in HIV‐infected children who are clinically stable and receiving combination antiretroviral therapy.
Risk factors for small for gestational age
Authors: TSUKAMOTO HIROKO , FUKUOKA HIDEOKI , KOYASU MIEKO , NAGAI YASUSHI , TAKIMOTO HIDEMI 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the paper was to determine the risk factors for small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants at full term, in Japan.Methods: The study was conducted at four hospitals and clinics in the Tokyo metropolitan area. A retrospective review of 2972 mothers and their infants born from singleton pregnancies at any time during the years 2002 and 2003 was conducted.Results: Of these women, 8.4% gave birth to SGA infants. The proportion of SGA infants was significantly higher among heavy smokers (>10 cigarettes/day; 13.7%, P < 0.01). The odds ratio (OR) for SGA decreased significantly in proportion to the pregnancy body mass index (OR, 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84–0.94, P < 0.001). The OR of SGA for stratified maternal weight gain was 1.79 (95%CI: 1.24–2.58, P ≤ 0.01) for weight gain < 8.0 kg; 1.16 (95%CI: 0.79–1.71, P = 0.45) for weight gain 8.0–10.0 kg; and 0.49 (95%CI: 0.3–0.78, P < 0.01) for weight gain >12 kg.Conclusion: The present study clearly confirms the detrimental effect of a low prepregnancy body mass index, low maternal weight gain and maternal smoking during pregnancy on the incidence of SGA infants.
Suppression of plasma matrix metalloproteinase‐9 following montelukast treatment in childhood asthma
Authors: CHUANG SHIH‐SUNG , HUNG CHIH‐HSING , HUA YI‐MING , TIEN CHIUNG‐HSI , YANG KUENDER D , JONG YUH‐JYH , HSU SHIH‐HSIEN , LIN CHANG‐SHEN 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground:Montelukast and ketotifen are commonly prescribed anti‐inflammatory medications used in the treatment of childhood asthma.Methods:To investigate the modulation effect of montelukast and ketotifen, the levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and plasma matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) were analyzed in a group of 30 children with mild persistent asthma.Results:Patients on montelukast therapy for 8 weeks had significantly decreased levels of eNO and plasma MMP‐9, which were associated with improved symptoms and enhanced peak expiratory flow but not significantly associated with increased level of tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1). In contrast, treatment with ketotifen produced no significant changes in these parameters until 4–6 weeks into the therapy and no effect on plasma MMP‐9.Conclusion:Leukotriene antagonists, such as montelukast, may be better non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for preventing airway inflammation in mild childhood asthma.
Preliminary early intervention study using Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale in Japan
Authors: HIROSE TAIKO , TERAMOTO TAEKO , SAITOH SAKAE , TAKAHASHI IZUMI , HIRAMATSU MAYUMI , OKAMITSU MOTOKO , SONOBE MAMI , MIKUNI KUMI , OMORI TAKAHIDE , SHIRAKAWA SONOKO 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: Mother–infant interactions have been acknowledged as one of the most important elements in measuring outcomes of parent support and infant mental health interventions. The present study was conducted to measure early intervention outcomes using the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (NCATS), and to identify factors that affected Japanese mother–infant interactions.Methods: Healthy Japanese mother–infant dyads who had lower scores on the NCATS, indicating potential problems, were assigned to an intervention group, and compared with a control group who had higher scores on NCATS. Health‐care professionals visited the intervention group dyads in their homes, and gave them positive feedback on their interactions, consultations on parenting, and health advice. The control group dyads had home visitation once every 6 months for assessment only.Results: The home visitations started at 3 months of age and continued until 18 months. NCATS scores in both groups were significantly different at baseline but differences faded by the end, which suggests that the intervention promoted improved interactions in the intervention group. Two of five factors were identified as influencing mother–infant interactions: maternal age; and personal networks, and together they significantly explained 27–30% of NCATS variance.Conclusion: The results appear to support the validity of measuring Japanese mother–infant interactions with NCATS. This study is the first to measure the outcomes of early intervention on Japanese dyads’ interactions using NCATS. Additional replication studies should be conducted elsewhere in Japan, and clinical practices for promoting mother–infant interactions should begin to assess their effectiveness with NCATS as an outcome measure.
Roles of specific cytokines in bone remodeling and hematopoiesis in Gaucher disease
Authors: YOSHINO MAKOTO , WATANABE YORIKO , TOKUNAGA YASUYUKI , HARADA EIMIEI , FUJII CHIEKO , NUMATA SANAE , HARADA MASARU , TAJIMA ASAKO , IDA HIROYUKI 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: Gaucher disease type 1 and type 3 are characterized by bone disease and hematological symptoms. It is known that monocyte/macrophage lineage is activated in Gaucher disease, and accordingly certain cytokines are elevated in blood. The aim of the present study was to explore the possible relationships between cytokines and bone remodeling and hematological abnormalities in this disease.Methods: The concentrations of seven cytokines and two related proteins were measured in patients with Gaucher disease type 1 and type 3 (n= 8; age range, 2–50 years) who had received enzyme replacement therapy.Results: Concentrations of interleukin‐18 and transforming growth factor‐β1 were elevated in patients of all clinical types. Elevation of these cytokines in Gaucher disease has not been previously reported. Analysis of correlation among cytokines and bone‐turnover markers showed that interleukin‐18 concentration was correlated with each of two bone formation markers of bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin concentration, whereas macrophage colony‐stimulating factor concentration correlated with the bone absorption marker of N‐telopeptide to helix in urine. Concentrations of macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor‐α were inversely correlated with hemoglobin concentration.Conclusions: Interleukin‐18 and monocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor are cytokines mainly involved in the mechanism of bone disease, while macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor‐α may play a role in the development of hematological abnormalities in Gaucher disease.
Suppression of excitatory cholinergic synaptic transmission by Drosophila dopamine D1‐like receptors
Authors: Yuan Ning , Lee Daewoo 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe physiological function of dopamine is mediated through its G‐protein‐coupled receptor family. In Drosophila, four dopamine receptors have been molecularly characterized so far. However, due largely to the absence of a suitable preparation, the role of Drosophila dopamine receptors in modulating central synaptic transmission has not been examined. The present study investigated mechanisms by which dopamine modulates excitatory cholinergic synaptic transmission in Drosophila using primary neuronal cultures. Whole‐cell recordings demonstrated that cholinergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were down‐regulated by focally applied dopamine (10–500 µm). The vertebrate D1 specific agonists SKF38393 and 6‐chloro‐APB (10 µm) mimicked dopamine‐mediated suppression of cholinergic synaptic transmission with higher potency. In contrast, the D2 agonists quinpirole and bromocriptine did not alter cholinergic EPSCs, demonstrating that dopamine‐mediated suppression of cholinergic synaptic transmission is specifically through activation of Drosophila D1‐like receptors. Biophysical analysis of miniature EPSCs indicated that cholinergic suppression by activation of D1‐like receptors is presynaptic in origin. Dopamine modulation of cholinergic transmission is not mediated through the cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway as cholinergic suppression by dopamine occurred in the presence of the protein kinase A inhibitor H‐89. In addition, an adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, led to an increase, not a decrease, of cholinergic EPSC frequency. Finally, we showed that activation of D1‐like receptors decreased the frequency of action potentials in cultured Drosophila neurons by inhibiting excitatory cholinergic transmission. All our data demonstrated that activation of D1‐like receptors in Drosophila neurons negatively modulates excitatory cholinergic synaptic transmission and thus inhibits neuronal excitability.
Rectus sheath block: successful use in the chronic pain management of pediatric abdominal wall pain
Authors: SKINNER ADAM V. , LAUDER GILLIAN R. 
Published: November 2007

SummarySeven pediatric patients (aged 11–16 years) with chronic abdominal wall pain are presented who gained significant relief from a rectus sheath block (RSB). We describe the case histories and review the relevant literature for this technique. The etiology of the abdominal wall pain was considered to be abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment, iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury, myofascial pain syndrome or was unknown. All patients showed significant initial improvement in pain and quality of life. Three patients required only the RSB to enable them to be pain‐free and return to normal schooling and physical activities. Two children received complete relief for more than 1 year. In the majority of cases, the procedure was carried out under general anesthesia as a daycase procedure. Local anesthetic and steroids were used. This is the first report of the successful use of this technique in the chronic pain management setting in children.
A historical review of research on the weaver ant Oecophylla in biological control
Authors: Van Mele Paul 
Published: November 2007

Abstract1 Although the weaver ant Oecophylla is the first written record of biological control, dating from 304 ad, there have been fewer than 70 scientific publications on this predator as a biological control agent in Asia, from the early 1970s onwards, and fewer than 25 in Africa.2 Apart from crop‐specific ecological and perceptual factors, a historical review shows that political and market forces have also determined the extent to which Oecophylla was incorporated into research and development programmes.3 In Africa, research on weaver ants in biological control concentrated on export crops, such as coconut and cocoa, whereas, in Asia and Australia, research focused on fruit and nut crops, primarily destined for domestic markets.4 Increased evidence of pesticide inefficiency under tropical smallholder conditions, changing paradigm shifts in participatory research and a growing scientific interest in local knowledge in the early 1990s opened up new avenues for research on conservation biological control.5 Lobbying and advocacy have been needed to ensure that Oecophylla was recognized as an effective biological control agent.6 With an increased market demand for organic produce, holistic approaches such as conservation biological control, particularly the use of Oecophylla, are increasing in importance.7 Multi‐stakeholder strategies for collaborative learning are proposed for a better control of major fruit, nut and timber tree pests in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Glycaemic responsiveness to long‐term insulin plus sulphonylurea therapy as assessed by sulphonylurea withdrawal
Authors: Nybäck‐Nakell Å. , Adamson U. , Lins P. E. , Landstedt‐Hallin L. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAims  To assess the effect of sulphonylurea (SU) in patients with Type 2 diabetes undergoing long‐term combination therapy with insulin, by withdrawal of SU, and to identify clinically useful markers of long‐term response.Methods  We studied 25 patients, aged 59–83 years, mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 7.0 ± 0.6%, who had been treated with SU for 16 years (7–24 years) in combination with insulin for 10 years (6–15 years). After basal measurements, SU was withdrawn. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and C‐peptide were then monitored every 2–3 days during the following 2 weeks. If FPG increased > 40% or P‐glucose exceeded 20 mmol/l, SU was restarted. If neither criterion was met, a clinical follow‐up visit with measurement of HbA1c was scheduled within 8 weeks.Results  Twenty patients were restarted on SU because of worsening glycaemic control, eight within the first 4 weeks and the remaining 12 at the follow‐up visit as their HbA1c had increased by 1.1% (range 0.4–2.0%). All these patients were defined as ‘SU responders’. The increase in FPG during the initial 2 weeks correlated positively with duration of diabetes (P < 0.01) and duration of SU treatment (P < 0.001). The ‘SU responders’ had higher levels of basal fasting C‐peptide (0.84 ± 0.44 vs. 0.41 ± 0.15 nmol/l, P < 0.05), but the variation was wide and none of the measured variables identified ‘SU responders’.Conclusions  In 80% of this group of patients, glycaemic control deteriorated after SU withdrawal despite long duration of SU treatment.
Risk factors for coronary disease and stroke in previously hospitalized African‐Americans with Type 1 diabetes: a 6‐year follow‐up
Authors: Roy M. S. , Peng B. , Roy A. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAims  To report the 6‐year incidence of, and risk factors for, cardiovascular disease (CVD), either coronary disease or stroke, in previously hospitalized African‐Americans with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods  African‐Americans (n = 483) with Type 1 diabetes were re‐examined as part of a 6‐year follow‐up. At both visits, patients underwent a structured clinical interview, which included history of either coronary disease or stroke, ocular examination and masked grading of seven stereoscopic fundus photographs, blood pressure measurements, and administration of the Beck Depression Inventory. Biological measurements included blood and urine assays.Results  Of the 483 patients who had a 6‐year follow‐up, 449 had no evidence of CVD at the baseline examination. Of these 449 patients, 51 (11.4%) developed any CVD—42 (9.3%) coronary disease and 14 (3.1%) a stroke. Six‐year incidence of any CVD was significantly associated with older age (P < 0.0001) and longer duration of diabetes (P < 0.0001) at baseline. Multiple logistic regression showed that baseline older age, higher body mass index, higher diastolic blood pressure, proteinuria, retinopathy severity and being depressed were significant and independent risk factors for incidence of any CVD.Conclusion  Six‐year incidence of CVD is high in previously hospitalized African‐Americans with Type 1 diabetes. Risk factors appear to include older age, higher body mass index, higher diastolic blood pressure, proteinuria, retinopathy severity and depression.
Serum uric acid, mortality and glucose control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a PreCIS database study
Authors: Ioachimescu A. G. , Brennan D. M. , Hoar B. M. , Kashyap S. R. , Hoogwerf B. J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAims  To determine the association of serum uric acid with all‐cause mortality and hyperglycaemia in patients with Type 2 diabetes.Methods  Retrospective cohort analysis of 535 consecutive patients who had uric acid determinations between 1998 and 2004 and whose subsequent vital status was determined at a median of 4.5 years. The association with mortality was analysed with Cox proportional hazards models. The incremental predictive value of uric acid was examined with concordance indexes. The proportional risk of mortality was represented with the Kaplan–Meier survival curves by uric acid quartiles.Results  We studied 370 men and 165 women aged 59.3 ± 11.5 years. Mean uric acid was 371.7 ± 106.2 µmol/l. Patients with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 9% had lower uric acid vs. the rest (342.2 ± 112.1 vs. 383.5 ± 106.2, P = 0.002). Overall mortality was 10.8%. For each 59 µmol/l increase in uric acid there was a 41% increase in risk of death (unadjusted analysis). The association of uric acid with mortality remained after adjustment for covariates (hazard ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.45) and after gender subanalyses. Uric acid increased the accuracy of prediction when added to a model including Framingham risk factors, components of metabolic syndrome and fibrinogen (P = 0.03). Mortality was higher in patients taking diuretics vs. the rest (15.9 vs. 7.3%), but uric acid predicted mortality in both subgroups.Conclusions  Serum uric acid predicts mortality in Type 2 diabetic patients regardless of gender, HbA1c, renal function and diuretic use. Intervention studies should determine whether uric acid is a potential therapeutic target or only a marker of mortality risk.
Oestradiol replacement treatment and glucose homeostasis in two men with congenital aromatase deficiency: evidence for a role of oestradiol and sex steroids imbalance on insulin sensitivity in men
Authors: Rochira V. , Madeo B. , Zirilli L. , Caffagni G. , Maffei L. , Carani C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAims  The role of sex steroids in glucose and insulin metabolism in men remains unclear. To investigate the effects of sex steroids and oestrogen on insulin sensitivity in men, we studied two male adults with aromatase deficiency (subject 1 and subject 2).Methods  The effects of transdermal oestradiol (tE2) treatment at different dosages on insulin sensitivity were studied before tE2 treatment (phase 1), and after 6 months (phase 2) and 12 months of tE2 treatment (phase 3) by means of homeostasis model assessment—insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI), insulin tolerance test (ITT), and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The latter was performed only in subject 1, as subject 2 suffered from Type 2 diabetes.Results  The restoration of normal serum oestradiol led to improved insulin sensitivity, as shown by changes in HOMA‐IR and QUICKI. The ITT provided evidence of improved insulin sensitivity during tE2 treatment. Insulin secretion after OGTT was reduced during tE2 treatment in subject 1. After 12 months of tE2 treatment, insulin sensitivity was improved compared with in phases 1 and 2.Conclusions  The study suggests a direct involvement of oestrogens in insulin sensitivity, and supports a possible role of oestradiol : testosterone ratio, which may be as influencial as the separate actions of each sex steroid on glucose homeostasis.