bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Versatile Vapochromic Behavior Accompanied by a Phase Change between Charge-Polarization State and Charge-Density-Wave State in a Quasi-One-Dimensional Iodo-Bridged Dinuclear Platinum Mixed-Valence Compound, [{NH3(CH2)5NH3}2][Pt2(pop)4I]·4H2O
Authors: Yamashita Masahiro , Takizawa Kouichi , Matsunaga Satoshi , Kawakami Daisuke , Iguchi Hiroaki , Takaishi Shinya , Kajiwara Takashi , Iwahori Fumiyasu , Ishii Tomohiko , Miyasaka Hitoshi , Sugiura Ken-ichi , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki , Kishida Hideo , Okamoto Hiroshi 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
This communication describes versatile vapochromic behavior that is accompanied by a phase change between charge-polarization (CP) and charge-density-wave (CDW) states with increasing and decreasing temperature in [{NH3(CH2)5NH3}2][Pt2(pop)4I]·4H2O (pop = P2H2O52−) (1).
Benign and Efficient Synthesis of 2-Substituted 4(3H)-Quinazolinones Mediated by Iron(III) Chloride Hexahydrate in Refluxing Water
Authors: Wang Guan-Wu , Miao Chun-Bao , Kang Hui 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Condensation of aldehydes with anthranilamide in refluxing water using iron(III) chloride hexahydrate as an oxidiant afforded 2-substituted 4(3H)-quinazolinones in good yields (77–93%). This method provides several advantages such as being environmentally friendly, having a simple work-up procedure, and affording high yields.
Stabilization of Polystyrene Thin Films against Dewetting by Silsesquioxane-terminated Polystyrene Additives
Authors: Miyamoto Kyota , Hosaka Nao , Otsuka Hideyuki , Takahara Atsushi 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
A polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-containing initiator for nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization was synthesized to prepare organic–inorganic hybrid polymers (PS-POSS), which are polystyrene (PS) with a POSS end group. PS-POSS were well dispersed in PS thin films and provided thermal stability to films against dewetting.
Comparison of Optical Properties and Doping Behavior of –[(p-C6H4)mNH]n– (m = 1–4) Type Polymers
Authors: Horie Masaki , Yamaguchi Isao , Yamamoto Takakazu 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Poly(p-oligophenylene amine)s, –[(p-C6H4)mNH]n– (m = 2–4), receive electrochemical and chemical oxidation similar to polyaniline (m = 1). In the electrochemical oxidation (or p-doping) in aqueous media and acetonitrile, the oxidation of the polymer with m = 3 occurs at higher potentials by about 1.0 and 0.6 V, respectively, compared with that of polyaniline.
A Novel Method for Fabricating Chemically Defined Patterns as Standard Samples for Surface Chemical Imaging
Authors: Akiyama Miki , Fujita Mitsuhiro , Fujihira Masamichi 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
To produce micrometer scale chemical patterns, a new method is developed. In this method, silica beads are used as a mask of an underneath substrate. We produced the patterns with CH3- and COOH-terminated regions and compared them with similar patterns prepared by the microcontact printing (μCP) method. The advantage of this technique over μCP is that monolayers with higher chemical purity can be patterned: thus it provides ideal and well-defined standard samples for surface chemical imaging such as chemical force microscopy.
Fabrication of Magnetic Luminescent Nanocomposites via Adsorption–Precipitation of Metal Ions on Sulfonated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Mak Sou-Yee , Chen Dong-Hwang 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
A novel magnetic luminescent nanocomposite has been fabricated by the adsorption of CdII ions on the sulfonated Fe3O4 nanoparticles and the subsequent precipitation with sodium sulfide. The adsorption isotherm of CdII ions on the sulfonated Fe3O4 nanoparticles was investigated, and the product was characterized by TEM, HRTEM, EDX, XRD, UV–vis, and PL.
Use of Exhaled Nitric Oxide Measurements to Guide Treatment in Chronic Asthma
Authors: Chipps Bradley E. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose of the Study.
To determine if measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) adds to guideline-driven asthma management for patients with chronic asthma.

Study Population.
A total of 110 patients (aged 12–75 years) with chronic asthma on inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) for at least 6 months using stable doses for 6 weeks were initially evaluated. Exclusion criteria included ≥4 courses of oral prednisone in the previous 12 months, admission to the hospital because of asthma in the previous 6 months, ICU admission at any time in the past, or &gt;10 pack-years (an average of 1 pack of cigarettes smoked per day for &gt;10 years) of cigarette smoking.

Methods.
This was a single-blind, placebo-controlled study. In phase 1 the ICS dose was adjusted on the basis of FeNO or guidelines-based algorithms. When the optimal dose was determined, patients were managed for 12 months.

Results.
There were 46 patients in the FeNO group and 48 patients in the guideline group who completed the study. The final ICS dose for fluticasone was 370 μg/day (95% confidence interval [CI]: 263–477 μg) in the FeNO group and 641 μg/day (95% CI: 526–756 μg; P = .003) in the guideline group. The rate of exacerbations per patient per year was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31–1.49) in the FeNO group, compared with 0.9 (95% CI: 0.31–1.49; P = .27) in the guideline group. There was no difference in the number, frequency, or time of first exacerbation between groups. There was no significant difference in nighttime awakenings, bronchodilator use, percent symptom-free days, or number of oral corticosteroid courses. There also was no difference in percent sputum eosinophils or pulmonary-function tests.

Conclusions.
With the use of FeNO, control of asthma can be obtained with a lower ICS dose.

Reviewer Comments.
The values for FeNO differ from other studies because a flow rate of 250 mL/second was used instead of 50 mL/second. The control group had downward titration of dose on the basis of symptoms, which was achieved only in a minority of patients. This may have magnified the observed difference in the ICS dose. This and subsequent studies suggest that markers of airway inflammation are becoming accepted as important surrogate markers of asthma control.
The Association of Prolonged Breastfeeding and Allergic Disease in Poor Urban Children
Authors: Phipatanakul Wanda 
Published: September 2006

Purpose of the Study.
To determine the association between allergic disease in children and prolonged breastfeeding.

Study Population.
A random sample (n = 861) of 15% of households from 2 poor suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa.

Methods.
Parents completed a validated International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire on allergic diseases for children aged 6 to 14 years. Other questions included breastfeeding duration, maternal smoking, and parental allergy. Results were adjusted for possible confounders and possible clustering within the household.

Results.
Of the 861 children included in the study, allergic disease in general and hay fever in particular were significantly less frequent in those with prolonged (&gt;6 months) breastfeeding. There was a significant linear inverse association between breastfeeding duration and allergic disease in children without allergic parents but not in children with an allergic predisposition.

Conclusions.
These results from a developing country suggest a protective effect of prolonged breastfeeding on the development of allergic disease, particularly hay fever, in children born to nonallergic parents. This protective effect was not found in children with an allergic predisposition.

Reviewer Comments.
The results of this study found a significant protective effect of prolonged breastfeeding on the prevalence of allergic disease, which was most pronounced for hay fever. An interesting observation in this study was the inverse association of breastfeeding duration and risk of allergic disease in children without an allergic predisposition. The history of allergy in either parent seemed to neutralize the protective effect of prolonged breastfeeding. This has not been observed in studies regarding the prevention effect of breastfeeding in Westernized countries, where protection was stronger when the family risk was higher. This study suggests that although breastfeeding seems to be protective in the development of allergies, family history and genetics may provide an overriding factor, at least in this study population.
Asthma as a Risk Factor for Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
Authors: Chipps Bradley E. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose of the Study.
To determine if asthma is a risk factor for invasive pneumococcal disease.

Study Population.
Patients 2 to 49 years of age in a Tennessee Medicaid program (TennCare) with &gt;1 year of continuous enrollment during the study period (1995–2002). For each patient with invasive pneumococcal disease, 10 age-matched controls were chosen. A total of 11 counties in Tennessee with a population of 2.8 million participated in the study. Asthma was defined as ≥1 inpatient diagnoses (admission or emergency department visit), ≥2 outpatient diagnoses, or use of asthma-related medications. High-risk asthma was defined as an admission for asthma, an emergency department visit, long-term use of oral steroid, or use of ≥3 short-acting β agonists per year.

Methods.
Invasive pneumococcal disease was defined as isolation of strep pneumonia from a normally sterile site (eg, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, surgical aspirate, joint fluid, and/or bone). The organisms were serotyped.

Results.
A total of 635 patients with invasive pneumococcal disease and 6350 controls were identified. A total of 18% (114 patients) with asthma had an invasive infection compared with 8.1% (516 patients) in the control group. Patients with asthma had increased risk of invasive disease (odds ratio: 2.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.9–3.1). In patients with high-risk asthma, the annual risk for invasive disease was 4.2 of 10 000 compared with 2.3 of 10 000 in the low-risk asthma group and 1.2 of 10 000 in the control group.

Conclusions.
Asthma is an independent risk factor for invasive pneumococcal disease.

Reviewer Comments.
The risk of invasive disease did not depend on comorbid conditions or advancing age. This is the first study to show the association and, if upheld with further data, will significantly affect our recommended immunization strategy for patients with asthma.
Infantile Eczema at One Month of Age Is Associated With Cord Blood Eosinophilia and Subsequent Development of Atopic Dermatitis and Wheezing Illness Until Two Years of Age
Authors: Maloney Jennifer M. , Sicherer Scott H. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose of the Study.
To determine if a correlation exists between the prevalence of neonatal skin eruptions at 1 month of age and the later development of atopic dermatitis. In addition, the authors sought to determine if the presence of cord blood eosinophils correlated with the development of later skin disease.

Study Population.
One hundred five newborn infants born by normal vaginal delivery in Mitoyo General Hospital (Kagawa, Japan) from May 1987 to March 1989.

Methods.
The cord blood eosinophil count was measured at the time of delivery. The neonates were examined at 1 (all subjects) and 24 (98 subjects) months of age by a doctor who was unaware of the cord blood eosinophil count. The subjects’ histories of allergic symptoms or physician-diagnosed wheezing bronchitis or asthma during the first 8 years of life were also determined by direct examination or interviews with the guardians (67 subjects). The age of each subject at the onset of the allergic symptoms was determined. Skin eruptions at 1 month of age were classified into 4 categories: (1) infantile eczema; (2) seborrheic dermatitis; (3) intertrigo; or (4) diaper dermatitis. The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was made according to the criteria by Hanifin and Rajka (Hanifin JM, Rajka G. Diagnostic features of atopic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol Venereol. 1980;92:44–47), and each rash was defined carefully by appearance.

Results.
At 1 month of age, infantile eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, intertrigo, and diaper dermatitis were diagnosed in a total of 29, 7, 14, and 24 neonates, respectively. No associations (such as family history of allergic disease or mode of feeding) were found for the prevalence of these eruptions. Neonates with infantile eczema had a significantly higher number of eosinophils in the cord blood (P &lt; .0001). In contrast, no such tendency was found for any other skin eruption. In neonates with infantile eczema at 1 month of age, the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis had been made significantly earlier, and the prevalence of wheezing illness was significantly higher compared with infants who did not have infantile eczema.

Conclusions.
Infantile eczema, but not other skin eruptions, precedes the development of atopic dermatitis and wheezing illness during early infancy. This may be secondary to the activation of eosinophils before birth.

Reviewer Comments.
Patients with infantile eczema are at increased risk for atopic disease. The measurement of cord blood eosinophils may aid in predicting which infants will develop infantile eczema and, in addition, may have diagnostic utility in predicting which patients are at risk for the development of further allergic disease.
Immediate Allergic Reactions to Cephalosporins and Penicillins and Their Cross-Reactivity in Children
Authors: Wang Julie 
Published: September 2006

Purpose of the Study.
To evaluate the frequency of anaphylactic reactions to cephalosporins and penicillins and their cross-reactivity in a pediatric population.

Study Population.
A prospective survey was conducted in a group of 1170 children with suspected immediate allergic reactions to cephalosporins and/or penicillins, which were examined during a period of 8 years.

Methods.
In vivo (skin tests and challenges) and in vitro tests (for specific immunoglobulin E) were performed with a standard concentration of penicillins and cephalosporins.

Results.
When 1170 children with a clinical history of allergy to penicillins and/or cephalosporins were tested in vivo for immediate hypersensitivity to β-lactams, 58.3% of cases overall were found to be skin- or challenge-test–positive. Among them, 94.4% of patients were positive to penicillins and 35.3% to cephalosporins. The frequency of positive reactions in the in vivo testing was in the range of 36.4% to 88.1% for penicillins and from 0.3% to 29.2% for cephalosporins. However, 31.5% of the penicillin-allergic children cross-reacted to some cephalosporin. If a child was allergic to a cephalosporin, the frequency of positive reactions to penicillin was 84.2%. The cross-reactivity between cephalosporins and penicillins varied between 0.3% and 23.9%. The cross-reactivity among different generations of cephalosporins varied between 0% and 68.8%, being the highest for first- and second-generation cephalosporins and 0% for third-generation cephalosporins.

Conclusions.
The frequency of immediate allergic reactions to cephalosporins is considerably lower compared with penicillins, and the degree of cross-reactivity between cephalosporins and penicillins depends on the generation of cephalosporins, being higher with earlier-generation cephalosporins. The cross-reactivity among cephalosporins is lower compared with cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins.

Reviewer Comments.
Penicillins and cephalosporins are common antibiotics inducing immunoglobulin E–mediated reactions in children. This large pediatric prospective study revealed that more than half of the children with a history of drug reaction to penicillin and/or cephalosporins were skin- or challenge-test–positive, unlike adults in whom the majority of those with a history of penicillin allergy are found to be skin test–negative. Almost one third of penicillin-allergic children are sensitized to cephalosporins. However, this sensitization was only to first- and second-generation cephalosporins; there was no cross-reactivity seen with third-generation cephalosporins. Interestingly, there was less cross-reactivity among the different cephalosporins. The results of this study can help guide antibiotic choices for penicillin-allergic children.
Identification of a Universal Group B Streptococcus Vaccine by Multiple Genome Screen
Authors: Shreffler Wayne G. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose of the Study.
To apply comparative genomic techniques for the development of a universally protective group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccine.

Methods.
The genome sequences of 8 GBS strains were compared to identify shared and strain-restricted genes. Computer algorithms were used to identify putative surface or secreted proteins. Candidates were cloned and expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli. Purified proteins initially alone and then in combination were used to immunize groups of female mice. Immunized animals were then mated, and resulting offspring were challenged at &lt;48 hours of age with virulent GBS. Protection was also correlated with specific antibody binding.

Results.
Genomic analysis identified 1811 shared genes representing ∼80% of the genome of each strain. Of these, 589 proteins were predicted to be surface or secreted proteins (396 shared, 193 variable), and 312 of them were successfully expressed as soluble fusion proteins from E coli. Systemic screening of all 312 of these proteins revealed that 4 were capable of significant protection of GBS-challenged offspring of immunized mothers. One of these 4, Sip, was a previously described shared gene, whereas 3 were variably present in the genomes from different strains. As expected, in experiments with single-antigen vaccination, there was no protection when challenged with strains that lack the gene encoding the vaccine protein. However, protection was also variable and even absent in some strains when the gene was known to be present. However, using all 4 antigens in combination, the authors demonstrated protection against a panel of 12 challenge strains representing all 9 major pathogenic GBS serotypes ranging from 59% to 100%.

Conclusions.
Multistrain genome analysis and screening represents an effective new approach for the identification of vaccine candidates that single-strain analysis would miss.

Reviewer Comments.
Vaccine strategies taking into account the enormous variability at the genomic and proteomic levels that many pathogens have evolved are the best hedge against a mere “arms race” in which temporary vaccine efficacy gives way to the emergence of antigenic variants. This is a novel application of such a rational strategy. However, the extent of the challenge is underscored by the identification of only 4 targets despite a comprehensive approach. Furthermore, 3 of 4 are not part of the “core” conserved genome and are, therefore, likely to be nonessential. It remains unproven whether targeting of so few surface proteins of an encapsulated organism would prove to be a good long-term strategy. Nevertheless, this approach seems likely to be at least complementary to efforts directed to polysaccharides for encapsulated organisms.
A Randomized Trial of Primary Care Provider Prompting to Enhance Preventive Asthma Therapy
Authors: Smart Brian A. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose of the Study.
To determine if systematic school-based asthma screening, coupled with primary care provider notification of asthma severity, would prompt providers to prescribe a new preventive medication or change a current dose.

Study Population.
The study included 151 children (aged 3–7 years) with mild persistent to severe asthma living in an urban setting.

Methods.
A routine school health-and-development form was sent to parents of schoolchildren. When asthma was indicated on this form, the parents were contacted by telephone. To be eligible for the trial, the child’s parent needed to report that a physician had diagnosed their child as having asthma, and the child’s symptoms needed to be consistent with mild persistent asthma or worse according to National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines. The intervention arm of the study involved notification of the primary care providers via fax of the child’s symptoms and recommendations for action on the basis of national criteria. Confirmation of receipt was received from 90% of providers. In the control arm of the study, primary care providers were not contacted. Interviewers then contacted the parents 3 to 6 months later to determine if preventive actions were taken.

Results.
Children in the provider-notification group were not more likely to receive a preventive medication action than children in the control group (21.9% vs 26%). Additional preventive measures such as encouraging compliance with medications, recommending environmental modifications, and referrals to specialty care also did not differ between the 2 groups. The only factors that significantly predicted the occurrence of a preventive action were acute visits for asthma and baseline use of preventive medications. At the end of the study, 52.4% of children in both groups with no medications change were still experiencing symptoms.

Conclusions.
School-based asthma screening identified many symptomatic children in need of medication modification, but notification of their primary care providers did not improve preventive care.

Reviewer Comments.
Asthma is a complex disease, and there are many barriers to effective care. These barriers include steroid phobia, cost of medication, denial of the presence or severity of the disease, access to health care, exposure to asthma triggers, and poor adherence to treatment. It is concerning that another barrier to effective care of asthma, as illustrated by this study, is a poor response of health care providers to supportive education, such as treatment guidelines. In an effort to better understand this deficit, the authors queried the providers: “Was the information in the original notification helpful?” Only 27 of 73 providers responded: 10 said the information was helpful (7 changed medications); 9 replied that their patients had mild, intermittent asthma and did not need changes; 4 replied that their patients already were on preventive medications; and 4 replied that they were unable to contact their patients for follow-up.