bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different patterns of cytokines, ECP and immunoglobulin profiles at two adverse drug reactions in a patient
Authors: Aihara Yukoh , Ito Shuichi , Aihara Michiko , Kobayashi Yoshinori , Yokota Shumpei 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Objectives
: Drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome (HS) is a rare but life‐threatening disease. We experienced carbamazepine‐induced HS in a 14‐year‐old boy, who had cefaclor‐induced cutaneous eruptions 15 months later. To clarify the mechanisms of HS and the differences between two diseases we studied this case in detail.
Methods
: We investigated the associated viral agents by polymerase chain reaction and the specific antibodies. We also studied the mechanism of diseases by measuring chemical mediators including cytokines, ECP and immunoglobulins.
Results
: The patient was diagnosed as having carbamazepine‐induced HS associated with reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 based on the clinical course and laboratory data including drug‐induced lymphocyte stimulation tests. Similarly, the diagnosis of cefaclor‐induced eruption without any viral reactivation was made. Serum levels of IFN‐γ, IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐5 and ECP were increased significantly at HS but mildly at cefaclor‐induced eruptions. Furthermore, we detected transient hypogammaglobulinemia only at HS.
Conclusions
: This is the first report of anticonvulsant‐induced HS followed by antibiotic‐induced eruptions in a patient. In addition, we demonstrated difference in serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulins, activated eosinophils and viral reactivation between these diseases. This case would contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of adverse drug reactions including HS.
Diurnal variation of height in children
Authors: Siklar Zeynep , Sanli Efgan , Dallar Yildiz , Tanyer Gülten 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Background
: Diurnal variation of height is largely ignored in the assessment of growth in children. Diurnal decrease in stature may effect the reliability of height measurement. In this study, the degree of differences in daily height measurement were evaluated.
Methods
: A total of 478 children, aged 3–15 years (mean age 9.9 ± 2.3 years) were enrolled in the study. The height of children were measured twice in a day. The first measurements were taken between 09:00 and 10:00 h and the second measurements between 15:00 and 16:00 h.
Results
: Children's height measurements differences were +1.8 to –2.7 cm, and a mean of 0.47 ± 0.05 cm decrease was determined.
Conclusions
: Little differences of height measurement could be very important in evaluating the short child. When the result of height measurement is recorded, recording the time of day is offered.
Primary malignant skin tumors in children: Etiology, treatment and prognosis
Authors: Varan Alİ , Gököz Aytaç , Akyüz Canan , Kutluk Tezer , YalçIn Bİlgehan , Köksal Yavuz , Büyükpamukçu Münevver 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Objective
: The aim of the study was to evaluate the etiology, treatment and prognosis of the malignant skin tumors in children.
Methods
: Twenty‐one patients who had been diagnosed with malignant skin tumors between 1972 and 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Age range was 0.5–20 years (median 9), and the male/female ratio was 12/9. We had nine (42.9%) patients with malignant melanoma, five (23.8%) with primary skin non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, three (14.3%) with Kaposi sarcoma (KS), two (9.5%) with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and two (9.5%) with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Results
: We could define the etiologic factors in only nine (42.9%) patients. Two KS cases were associated with renal transplantation, two cases of malignant melanoma occurred within the area of giant hairy cell nevus, one melanoma patient previously had bone marrow transplantation due to Gricelli syndrome, one patient with BCC had xeroderma pigmentosum and the other BCC had got radiotherapy due to previous diagnosis of medulloblastoma. One SCC patient also had xeroderma pigmentosum and the other had previous skin burn. Overall survival rate was 77%. Melanoma patients were treated successfully with high‐dose interferon.
Conclusion
: Although malignant skin tumors are rare in childhood, the prognosis is relatively better than it is for adults. Malignant melanoma was the most frequent tumor. Forty‐three per cent of our patients had an underlying defect in their immune barriers which is thought to be responsible for the development of their malignancies.
Sodium cromoglycate therapy in wheezing infants: preliminary evidence of beneficial outcome at early school age
Authors: Kotaniemi‐Syrjänen Anne , Reijonen Tiina M. , Korhonen Kaj , Korppi Matti 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Background
: In order to affect the natural course of childhood wheezing and asthma, anti‐inflammatory therapy is often prescribed for young wheezing children, but there is lack of long‐term follow‐up data.
Methods
: Eighty‐two of the original 100 children, hospitalized for wheezing under the age of 2 years in 1992–1993, were re‐examined at school age in 1999. The children had participated in an open, randomized, parallel‐group trial including a 4‐month intervention with inhaled sodium cromoglycate (SCG) or budesonide (BUD). The baseline data, including data on atopy, eosinophilia and viral etiology, were prospectively collected on admission.
Results
: At early school age (median 7.2 years), asthma was present in 33 (40%) children. There was less asthma in the original SCG (21%) than in the control group (54%) (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.07–0.77). The figure was 46% in the BUD group. When the analyses were performed separately for atopic and non‐atopic infants, the difference was significant only among atopics. The lowered risk for asthma in the SCG group remained significant in the multivariate logistic regression analysis when adjusted for age, sex and atopy, and further when adjusted for earlier episodes of wheezing and respiratory syncytial virus identification. However, after adjustment for blood eosinophilia, the significance was lost, albeit the risk for asthma remained low (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.04–1.12). A sensitivity analysis, which was done by including the six drop‐outs of the SCG group as unfavorable and the 12 drop‐outs of other groups as favorable outcomes in the model, did not change the direction of the result (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.26–1.89).
Conclusions
: An early SCG intervention in infants hospitalized for wheezing was associated with a lowered risk for early school‐age asthma, especially in infants with evidence of atopy.
Pharmacological profile of a novel, non‐TZD PPARγ agonist
Authors: Chen X. , Osborne M. C. , Rybczynski P. J. , Zeck R. , Yang M. , Xu J. , Zhou L. , Cryan E. , Tang Y. , Demarest K. T. 
Published: November 2005

Aim: The purpose of this study was to characterize a novel, non‐thiazolidinedione (TZD) peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)γ agonist, RWJ‐348260, via bothin vitroandin vivoapproaches.Methods: Thein vitroPPARγ activities of RWJ‐348260 were assessed in PPARγ‐GAL4 co‐transfection assay, PPARγ receptor binding assay, aP2 gene induction assay and preadipocyte differentiation assay. Thein vivoefficacy of the compound was determined in rodent genetic diabetes models [ob/obmouse,db/dbmouse and Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat] following multiple days of oral administration.Results: RWJ‐348260 selectively activated PPARγin vitro.In vivo, RWJ‐348260 produced significant decreases in plasma glucose, HbA1c, insulin and triglyceride levels. RWJ‐348260 also dose‐dependently improved oral glucose tolerance. Indb/dbmice, the compound up‐regulated PPARγ target genes in white adipose tissues. RWJ‐348260 produced a lower extent of hepatocyte lipid deposition and a smaller increase in liver weight compared to rosiglitazone indb/dbmice. While RWJ‐348260 effectively normalized hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia, it did not change haematocrit, transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin levels or liver weights in ZDF rats.Conclusions: RWJ‐348260 is a potent PPARγ agonist with efficacious antidiabetic activity in diabetic animal models. The compound has an improved side‐effect profile compared to rosiglitazone.
Diabetes mellitus as a contributory factor in oral candidosis
Authors: Soysa N. S. , Samaranayake L. P. , Ellepola A. N. B. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractIt has been reported that poor glycaemic control predisposes to oral candidal infection in diabetic patients. For instance, the carriage of Candida species and the density of candidal growth in the oral cavity is frequently claimed to be increased in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, the validity of these observations remains controversial. Hence, we review and discuss here the clinical data in the literature on the relationship between diabetes and oral candidal carriage and infection, and possible mechanisms associated with its pathogenicity.
Association analysis of genes in the renin‐angiotensin system with subclinical cardiovascular disease in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Diabetes Heart Study
Authors: Burdon K. P. , Langefeld C. D. , Wagenknecht L. E. , Carr J. J. , Freedman B. I. , Herrington D. , Bowden D. W. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAims  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) and nitric oxide production are both important regulators of vascular function and blood pressure. Genes encoding proteins involved in these pathways are candidates for a contribution to CVD in diabetic patients. We have investigated variants of the angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) genes for association with subclinical measures of CVD in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods  Atherosclerosis was measured by carotid intima‐media thickness and calcification of the carotid and coronary arteries in 620 European Americans and 117 African Americans in the Diabetes Heart Study. Because of the role of these systems in blood pressure regulation, blood pressure was also investigated.Results  Compelling evidence of association was not detected with any of the SNPs with any outcome measures after adjustments for covariates despite sufficient power to detect relatively small differences in traits for specific genotype combinations.Conclusions  Genetic variation of the RAS and NOS3 genes do not appear to strongly influence subclinical cardiovascular disease or blood pressure in this diabetic population.
Measuring beliefs about taking hypoglycaemic medication among people with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Farmer A. , Kinmonth A.‐L. , Sutton S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAims  Identifying patients’ beliefs about taking medication can inform interventions to support medication taking, and their evaluation. We set out to establish the range of these beliefs, and measure the frequency of commonly held beliefs and their correlation with intention to take medication and self‐reported medication adherence.Methods  An exploratory survey among Type 2 diabetic patients aged 40 years or older, registered in general practice, used a questionnaire measuring a range of plausible beliefs about taking and intention to take medication developed from interviews where belief elicitation was guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The Medication Adherence Report Schedule was used as a self‐report adherence measure.Results  Questionnaires were returned by 121 (61.7%) people. The majority strongly agreed with statements about the benefits of taking medication. Negative beliefs that taking medication would ‘cause unpleasant side effects’ and ‘lead to weight gain’ were held by 24.1 and 13.9% of people, respectively. Beliefs about benefit were strongly associated with intention to take medication regularly. Two beliefs were associated with reduced medication adherence: ‘changes to my daily routine would make it more difficult to take my diabetes medicines regularly’ (P < 0.001), and ‘if I were to take my diabetes medicines regularly this would lead to my gaining weight’ (P < 0.05).Conclusions  Use of a theoretical model to elicit and identify common beliefs about taking medication regularly underscores the importance of exploring weight‐gain concerns and how to keep taking tablets when routines change. Beliefs associated with intention and taking medication will inform intervention development, implementation and evaluation in randomized controlled studies.
Diabetes—prevalence and cost of illness in Germany: a study evaluating data from the statutory health insurance in Germany
Authors: Stock S. A. K. , Redaelli M. , Wendland G. , Civello D. , Lauterbach K. W. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjective  This population‐based study assesses the prevalence and cost of illness as a result of diabetes mellitus in Germany by retrospectively analysing routine health insurance data. Prevalence and costs were analysed from statutory health insurance (GKV) and societal perspectives.Research design and methods  The analysis comprises data of all insured persons of six large sickness funds. The insured with diabetes were identified via ICD‐9 diagnosis and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC) code for regular medication prescriptions. Costs for inpatient stay, medication and sickness benefits were taken from claims data. Costs for rehabilitation, premature death and early retirement were calculated using the human capital approach and data from national statistics.Results  Overall diabetes prevalence in this age and sex standardized census of six large sickness funds was 6.45%. The cost of illness for sickness funds including hospital cost, medication and sickness benefits, and excluding ambulatory doctor care, were €3.69bn. The total cost of diabetes from a societal perspective was calculated at €5.71bn for the year 1999.Conclusion  In accordance with the results of recent studies using routinely collected health insurance data, our study suggests that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus has increased steadily in the past years. The prevalence in our population of 14.7 million insured was 6.45%. Total costs of diabetes mellitus amounted to €5.71bn.
What do we mean by adherence to treatment and advice for living with diabetes? A review of the literature on definitions and measurements
Authors: Hearnshaw H. , Lindenmeyer A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAims  In order to measure the effectiveness of interventions claiming to improve adherence in diabetes, valid measurement of adherence is necessary. Any measurement must first be based on a definition. This study aimed to identify and categorize definitions and measurements of adherence in living with diabetes, from a review of the literature.Methods  Publications were identified from the medline database. Adherence, compliance and concordance were used as terms in the search algorithm, along with diabetes, diabetes mellitus and treatment. Two hundred and ninety‐three papers were identified. Abstracts of these papers were read by two researchers independently. Two hundred and thirty‐nine papers did not contain definitions or measures of adherence and were discarded. Of the remaining 54 papers, 26 included definitions and 46 described measurements of adherence.Results  Definitions and measurements fell into five categories: coincidence of behaviour with professional advice, relationship as part of the process of care, outcome and process targets, taking the medication as prescribed and others. No single definition of adherence emerged. Many authors did not provide definitions of adherence. Glycated haemoglobin was the most common measurement of adherence, although this can raise problems.Conclusion  Research which claims to show an intervention has, or has not, improved adherence must be interpreted cautiously. Interventions which appear to fail may actually succeed in aspects of adherence which were not defined or measured in the study. Clinicians and researchers could use clear definitions and measurements, such as the ones presented in this review.
Incorporating partial credit in computer‐aided assessment of Mathematics in secondary education
Authors: Ashton Helen S. , Beevers Cliff E. , Korabinski Athol A. , Youngson Martin A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractIn a mathematical examination on paper, partial credit is normally awarded for an answer that is not correct, but, nevertheless, contains some of the correct working. Assessment on computer normally marks an incorrect answer wrong and awards no marks. This can lead to discrepancies between marks awarded for the same examination given in the two different media. The current paper presents possible solutions to this problem and the results of experiments designed to test how successful these solutions are in practice. In light of the findings, developments to the assessment engine have been made and some questions redesigned for use in real automated examinations. The results were obtained as part of the Project for Assessments in Scotland using Information Technology (PASS‐IT): a major collaborative programme involving the leading educational agencies in Scotland (see http://www.pass‐it.org.uk for more details).PASS‐IT has demonstrated that the computer can help measure lower order student skill profiles provided the computer assessment package is sophisticated enough. Optional steps are required to mimic partial credit; randomisation of parameters is needed for practice and the avoidance of copying; the ability to capture and mark automatically mathematical expressions and short free text responses; and the delivery in a number of feedback modes are all vital ingredients of an automatic assessment system. PASS‐IT has shown how to ensure that education drives technology and not vice versa. Finally, collaboration has been paramount within PASS‐IT and should continue. No single group has all the keys to unlock the future of computer‐aided assessment. Scotland is well placed to move forward and e‐assess where its students e‐learn in a large range of subjects such as those delivered via the SCHOLAR Programme (see http://scholar.hw.ac.uk). It should be done too by ensuring that teachers remain central to the learning cycle by supporting the demanding work they do through the supply of suitably filtered data on student performance. Special educational needs can also be addressed more effectively by the use of technology.
Evaluation parameters for computer‐adaptive testing
Authors: Georgiadou Elisabeth , Triantafillou Evangelos , Economides Anastasios A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWith the proliferation of computers in test delivery today, adaptive testing has become quite popular, especially when examinees must be classified into two categories (pass/fail, master/nonmaster). Several well‐established organisations have provided standards and guidelines for the design and evaluation of educational and psychological testing. The purpose of this paper was not to repeat the guidelines and standards that exist in the literature but to identify and discuss the main evaluation parameters for a computer‐adaptive test (CAT). A number of parameters should be taken into account when evaluating CAT. Key parameters include utility, validity, reliability, satisfaction, usability, reporting, administration, security, and thoseassociated with adaptivity, item pool, and psychometric theory. These parameters are presented and discussed below and form a proposed evaluation model, Evaluation Model of Computer‐Adaptive Testing.
A recent increase in AIDS at Lyon University Hospitals: patient characteristics and comparisons with previous years
Authors: Baratin D , Marceillac E , Trepo C , Cotte L , Peyramond D , Chidiac C , Touraine JL , Livrozet JM , Fabry J , Vanhems P 
Published: November 2005

BackgroundA 36% increase in the incidence of AIDS was observed in 2002/2003 compared with 2000/2001 at Lyon University Hospitals.ObjectivesWe compared the characteristics of these patients with the characteristics of those diagnosed previously with AIDS.MethodsData for all patients with AIDS diagnosed at Lyon University Hospitals were analyzed. The data were collected prospectively. Multiple logistic regression was used for analysis.ResultsThe variables independently associated with an AIDS diagnosis in 2002/2003 compared with the 1985–1989 period were: homosexual exposure [odds ratio (OR) 0.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2–0.8]; heterosexual exposure in an endemic area (OR 22.5; 95% CI 6.8–74.8), compared with other exposure to HIV; lymphoma as initial AIDS event (OR 10.3; 95% CI 2.7–39.1) compared with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia; and age at first AIDS event aged 34–38 years (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.0–6.4), aged 39–46 years (OR 5.1; 95% CI 2.2–11.8), and aged 47–84 years (OR 10.6; 95% CI 4.5–25.1) compared with aged <30 years. The variables independently associated with an AIDS diagnosis in 2002/2003 compared with the 1997/2001 period were age at first AIDS event aged 34–38 years (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) compared with aged <30 years.ConclusionRecently diagnosed AIDS patients differed from those diagnosed previously, showing an epidemic switch in different populations. The characteristics of the AIDS population in 2002/2003 might reflect public health messages disseminated around 10 years ago or more for the prevention of HIV transmission. Anticipation of populations affected by the AIDS epidemic is difficult.
Effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy on paediatric metabolite levels
Authors: Rhoads MP , Smith CJ , Tudor‐Williams G , Kyd P , Walters S , Sabin CA , Lyall EGH 
Published: November 2005

ObjectivesHighly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has extended survival of HIV‐infected children into adulthood, raising concerns about long‐term metabolic changes in childhood.MethodsA longitudinal study of metabolite levels in paediatric HIV‐infected patients before and after starting HAART (January 2000 to June 2003). The effects of HAART on nonfasting blood levels of total (TC), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, cholesterol ratio and lactate were analysed using mixed‐effects regression.ResultsA total of 146 children attended 1208 appointments (median 6.7/child). Of these, 99 (68%) were African. At baseline, 75 (51%) were on HAART and had higher TC (4.19 vs 3.49 mmol/L, P<0.0001), HDL (1.03 vs 0.82 mmol/L, P<0.0001), and LDL (2.54 vs 2.11 mmol/L, P=0.0003) than those not on HAART. Metabolites increased with time on HAART exposure and then stabilized. At 2 years, TC had increased by 0.93 mmol/L (P<0.0001), with 29 children (20%) having repeated TC levels above the 95th centile. LDL and HDL had increased by 0.69 and 0.31 mmol/L at 2 years, respectively (both P<0.0001). Lactates declined with increasing age (−0.06 mmol/L/year, P=0.0001).ConclusionsThis is the first cohort study to demonstrate significant elevations of HDL as well as LDL in children on HAART. This rise in cardio‐protective HDL may represent a positive effect of treatment.