bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of fluticasone metered‐dose inhaler and dry powder inhaler for pediatric asthma
Authors: Miyahara Hiroaki , Korematsu Seigo , Nagakura Tomokazu , Izumi Tatsuro 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: For the treatment of bronchial asthma, two types of fluticasone inhaler devices are available, namely, metered‐dose inhaler with spacer (MDI‐S) and the dry powder inhaler (DPI). The former is recommended for young children with a low peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and the latter for adolescents and adults. But the difference in the therapeutic efficacy between them has been studied only rarely in adolescent patients.Methods: In the present study, 21 post‐elementary school‐age patients with moderate persistent bronchial asthma (age 8–15 years, 10.3 ± 2.1 years), who all had a sufficient PIF of 114 ± 29 L/min, were examined in order to compare the two types of fluticasone inhalers. Eleven of 21 patients inhaled 200 μg/day Flutide using the MDI‐S twice daily for 1 month in the first month, and the same dose using the DPI for the next month. The other 10 patients inhaled the opposite regimens. At the end of the each treatment, spirometry was examined.Results: Measurements done before therapy and then at the end of MDI‐S and DPI therapy, respectively, were as follows: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0), 72.4 ± 18.2%, 91.5 ± 18.2% and 84.1 ± 16.3% (MDI‐S vs DPI, P > 0.040); maximal mid‐expiratory flow (MMEF), 62.0 ± 23.6%, 88.7 ± 26.5%, 79.3 ± 33.4% (P > 0.044) and the peak expiratory flow (PEF) was 73.9 ± 25.0%, 95.6 ± 32.8%, and 90.5 ± 29.5%, respectively (n.s.). MDI‐S was thus found to be more effective in terms of %FEV1.0 and in %MMEF.Conclusions: High therapeutic efficacy was obtained with the use of the MDI‐S in fluticasone inhalation for post‐elementary school‐age patients with sufficient inspiration ability.
Molecular epidemiology of norovirus gastroenteritis in Soma, Japan, 2001–2003
Authors: Onishi Noriko , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Matsumoto Ayumi , Imamura Takashi , Katayose Masahiko , Kawasaki Yukihiko , Hashimoto Osamu , Hayashi Akio , Ishiko Hiroaki , Suzuki Hitoshi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present paper was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of norovirus gastroenteritis in Japan using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent phylogenetic analysis.Methods: From September 2001 to August 2003, 515 stool samples or rectal swabs were collected from almost all children visiting the Department of Pediatrics, Public Soma General Hospital with gastroenteritis. Samples were examined on reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR to detect norovirus genome. The nucleotide sequences of the PCR products were determined and phylogenetic analysis performed.Results: The norovirus genome was detected in 66 samples. The peak season of norovirus gastroenteritis was from November 2001 to February 2002 and from September 2002 to December 2002. Norovirus gastroenteritis occurred most frequently in 1‐year‐old children. Norovirus strains produced four distinct clusters on phylogenetic analysis. Some strains detected in Soma were closely related to the strains detected in other regions in the world. The Mexico type and Lordsdale type were predominant in the 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons, respectively, and the outbreaks continued for several months.Conclusions: Genetically different noroviruses might cause repeated gastroenteritis outbreaks every year in the Soma area. The long duration of the outbreak by a predominant strain in an epidemic season and the prevalence of infection mainly in the young age group suggested that norovirus epidemics were caused by person‐to‐person transmission rather than foodborne transmission. Based on molecular epidemiology, it is suggested that the annual prevalence of norovirus gastroenteritis in the Soma area might be caused by person‐to‐person transmission of genetically different norovirus strains, which might be transmitted from other region in the world.
Extrauterine growth restriction in preterm infants of gestational age ≤32 weeks
Authors: Sakurai Motoichiro , Itabashi Kazuo , Sato Yuko , Hibino Satoshi , Mizuno Katsumi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in low‐birthweight (LBW) infants affects their growth and developmental prognoses as well as their incidence of adult diseases. The aim of the present paper was to determine the frequency and contributing factors of EUGR in infants ≥32 weeks of gestational age.Methods: The subjects consisted of 416 infants from 22 facilities born between February and October 2002, whose gestational age was ≥32 weeks. For EUGR assessment, subjects whose body measurements in the 37–42 week postmenstrual age (PMA) period were below the 10th percentile of the standard normal distribution, were selected.Results: EUGR incidence rates for weight, length, and head circumference were 57%, 49%, and 6%. In appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age infants, a negative correlation was found between number of gestational weeks and EUGR incidence rates for weight, length, and head circumference, but in small‐for‐gestational‐age infants this was true only for head circumference. Lower gestational age and age in days to achieve complete feeding were among the shared factors contributing to EUGR incidence for weight, length, and head circumference. The significant factors for EUGR incidence for weight and length included whether the infant was small for gestational age, whether oxygen was administered at 36 weeks PMA, age in days at which breast‐feeding was initiated, and age in days when the infant regained birthweight.Conclusions: The growth retardation of preterm LBW infants in the neonatal intensive care unit continues to pose challenges. Relevant factors other than gestational age include intrauterine growth restriction, severe chronic lung disease, and poor nutrition.
Transient receptor potential A1 mediates an osmotically activated ion channel
Authors: Zhang Xu‐Feng , Chen Jun , Faltynek Connie R. , Moreland Robert B. , Neelands Torben R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractTransient receptor potential (TRP)A1 channel has been implicated in various physiological processes, including thermosensation and pain. A recent study of TRPA1 knockout mice demonstrated deficits in sensing mechanical stimuli, suggesting a role for TRPA1 also in somatic mechanosensation. However, direct evidence of TRPA1 activation by mechanical forces has thus far been lacking. Here we show, using an intracellular calcium assay, that hypertonic solution (HTS) activates TRPA1 channels in human embryonic kidney 293 cells transiently expressing rat TRPA1. In contrast, hypotonic solution has no effect. Single‐channel recordings reveal that HTS opens an ion channel that displays similar single‐channel conductance to that evoked by the TRPA1 agonist allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) in both recombinant rat TRPA1 cell lines and rat dorsal root ganglia neurons. Ruthenium red reduces the open probability of the single‐channel currents and blocks the whole‐cell currents evoked by HTS. Camphor also blocks the whole‐cell currents evoked by HTS. HTS‐activated channel openings are only observed in patches that are also sensitive to AITC. Finally, like AITC, HTS depolarizes the membrane potential of dorsal root ganglia neurons leading to the generation of action potentials. Taken together, these findings indicate that TRPA1 mediates an osmotically‐activated ion channel and support a role for TRPA1 in mechanosensation.
Effects of centrifugal pathways on responses of cochlear nucleus neurons to signals in noise
Authors: Mulders W. H. A. M. , Seluakumaran K. , Robertson D. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe medial olivocochlear (MOC) system, which originates in the brainstem and projects to the outer hair cells in the cochlea, is thought to be involved in improving signal detection in noisy backgrounds. This proposition arises from the observation that the input–output functions of auditory primary afferent fibres to pure tones recorded in a continuous background noise are unmasked by MOC activation, improving the dynamic range, and is supported by both animal and human behavioural experiments. However, it is not known how the unmasking effects observed in the cochlea are translated into higher auditory brain centres, such as the cochlear nucleus, where intrinsic circuitry can potentially modulate any effect. In this study we have investigated the effects of continuous background noise without and with MOC system activation, on responses of different neuron types in the ventral cochlear nucleus of the guinea pig. Results show that the unmasking effects of MOC system activation on tone responses in continuous background noise are present in the cochlear nucleus. These unmasking effects manifest themselves as decompression of input–output functions as well as an improved slope, which results in an improvement in intensity discrimination of the tones. The data show, however, that the strength of the unmasking effects of MOC system activation varies between the different neuronal types. Unmasking was not detected in onset chopper neurons despite its demonstrable presence in other neuronal types in the same animals. These observations may reflect the level of involvement of different neuronal types in intensity discrimination.
The impact of spontaneous tumour perforation on outcome following colon cancer surgery
Authors: Abdelrazeq A. S. , Scott N. , Thorn C. , Verbeke C. S. , Ambrose N. S. , Botterill I. D. , Jayne D. G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective  The impact of spontaneous tumour perforation on survival following surgery for colon cancer is unclear. This study compares survival outcomes for patients with perforated colonic cancer with stage‐matched nonperforated cancer.Method  A prospective histological database was searched for all patients undergoing resection for adenocarcinoma of the colon between 1996 and 2002. Patients with T4 cancer were selected and classified into those with spontaneous perforation at the tumour site and those with nonperforated tumour. Patients with synchronous colonic and rectal cancers, familial polyposis, inflammatory bowel disease, iatrogenic or remote colonic perforation were excluded. Histological variables were combined with clinical data obtained by case note review. Data were analysed for differences in demographics, histological variables, operative mortality, disease‐free and overall survival. Multivariate analysis of factors predictive of overall survival in both groups was performed.Results  Of 960 patients identified, 52 patients had spontaneous tumour perforation and 82 patients served as the T‐stage matched control group. Overall survival at 2 years was 47% and 54% and at 5 years was 28% and 33% for perforated and nonperforated cancers respectively. Patients with perforated cancers were more likely to present with metastatic disease and undergo emergency surgery with a higher 30‐day mortality. There was a trend towards reduced overall survival in the perforated group (P = 0.06), but no difference in disease‐free survival (P = 0.43). On multivariate testing, ‘emergency surgery’ and ‘age >75 years’ were the only independent predictors of mortality in the perforated and nonperforated group respectively.Conclusion  Both perforated and nonperforated T4 colon cancers have a poor prognosis. Spontaneous perforation of the cancer is associated with reduced overall survival, due to higher 30‐day mortality, but in itself does not appear to significantly impact on disease‐free survival. Rather, it is the advanced oncological stage at which perforated cancers present that determines outcome.
Attention and Vigilance in Children with Down Syndrome
Authors: Trezise Kim L. , Gray Kylie M. , Sheppard Dianne M. 
Published: February 2008

Background  Down syndrome (DS) has been the focus of much cognitive and developmental research; however, there is a gap in knowledge regarding sustained attention, particularly across different sensory domains. This research examined the hypothesis that children with DS would demonstrate superior visual rather than auditory performance on a sustained attention task and that this modality difference would not be seen in children with non‐specific intellectual disability (NSID).Materials and Methods  Eleven children with DS and 16 children with NSID were compared on two versions of the sustained attention to response test (SART), varying only in presentation modality (visual or auditory). Errors of commission (failure to withhold response to target) and errors of omission (failure to respond to non‐target distractors) were recorded.Results  Significant group differences were found in the visual modality and mental age was also found to effect error rates in the visual condition. No effect of group or mental age was observed in the auditory SART.Conclusions  Results suggest that, for individuals with DS, presentation of education material in a visual medium may facilitate sustained attention and thus learning. Further research using tools such as the SART to explore modality differences in sustained attention and additional cognitive domains is recommended.
Female‐biased sex ratios in subarctic common frogs
Authors: Alho J. S. , Herczeg G. , Merilä J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn vertebrates with genetic sex determination, large deviations from the 1:1 sex ratio at the population level are rare and demand an explanation. We investigated adult sex‐ratio variation of common frogs Rana temporaria in two subarctic breeding ponds over a 6‐year (1999–2004) period using capture–mark–recapture (CMR) methods. Using the same data, we also tested for the occurrence of the biannual breeding cycle in female common frogs and sought evidence for population size decline. Sex ratios were highly female biased in both populations: on average, only about 30% of breeding individuals were males. CMR analyses further suggested that the female‐biased sex ratio was not explainable by higher adult mortality among males as the survival probabilities over years were similar (c. 70%) for both sexes. Alternative explanations for these highly female‐biased sex ratios include sex‐specific mortality at earlier life stages and environmental influences on the sex determination system. While further studies are required to differentiate between the alternatives, the observed sex‐ratio bias is among the strongest reported in any amphibian population so far, and also in the direction opposite to that usually observed (males>females). Our analyses found no support for the contention that female common frogs in northern populations may reproduce only in every second year. However, both study populations were declining during the study period.
Neural correlates of cue retrieval, task set reconfiguration, and rule mapping in the explicit cue task switching paradigm
Authors: Travers Stephanie , West Robert 
Published: February 2008

AbstractEvent‐related brain potentials (ERPs) were used in two experiments to examine the neural correlates of processes underlying task switching in the information‐reduction task switching paradigm. Each experiment included 22 participants. The paradigm included two cues for each task. This element of the design allowed us to differentiate the ERP correlates of cue retrieval, task set reconfiguration, and rule mapping. The ERP data revealed a parietal slow wave that was sensitive to processes associated with cue retrieval and task set reconfiguration and a frontal‐polar slow wave that was sensitive to processes associated with rule mapping. These findings further the proposal that an endogenous act of control supporting processes related to task set reconfiguration and rule mapping may facilitate performance of the explicit cue task switching paradigm.
Role of ATP‐binding cassette transporters in brain lipid transport and neurological disease
Authors: Kim Woojin Scott , Weickert Cynthia Shannon , Garner Brett 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe brain is lipid‐rich compared to other organs and although previous studies have highlighted the importance of ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the regulation of lipid transport across membranes in peripheral tissues, very little is known regarding ABC transporter function in the CNS. In this study, we bring together recent literature focusing on potential roles for ABC transporters in brain lipid transport and, where appropriate, identify possible links between ABC transporters, lipid transport and neurological disease. Of the 48 transcriptionally active ABC transporters in the human genome, we have focused on 13 transporters (ABCA1, ABCA2, ABCA3, ABCA4, ABCA7 and ABCA8; ABCB1 and ABCB4; ABCD1 and ABCD2; ABCG1, ABCG2, and ABCG4) for which there is evidence suggesting they may contribute in some way to brain lipid transport or homeostasis. The transporters are discussed in terms of their location within brain regions and brain cell types and, where possible, in terms of their known functions and established or proposed association with human neurological diseases. Specific examples of novel treatment strategies for diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy that are based on modulation of ABC transporter function are discussed and we also examine possible functions for specific ABC transporters in human brain development.
Age‐related changes of germline stem cell activity, niche signaling activity and egg production in Drosophila
Authors: Zhao Rui , Xuan Yang , Li Xinghua , Xi Rongwen 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAdult stem cells are important in replenishing aged cells to maintain tissue homeostasis. Aging in turn may exert profound effects on stem cell's regenerative potential, but to date the mechanisms of such stem cell aging are poorly understood, and it is not clear to what extent stem cell aging contributes to tissue or organ aging. Here we show in female Drosophila that germline stem cell (GSC) division rate progressively declines with age, which is accompanied by reduced decapentaplegic (dpp) niche signaling pathway activation within GSCs. Egg production also rapidly declines with age, which is accompanied by both decreased stem cell division and increased incidence of cell death of developing eggs, especially in the oldest females. Genetically increasing dpp expression delays GSC activity decline and transiently increases egg production. We conclude that age‐related decline of reproduction is caused by both decreased GSC activity and increased incidence of cell death during oogenesis, while decreased GSC activity is attributed to declined signaling from the regulatory niche. We suggest that niche functional decay may be an important mechanism for stem cell aging and system failure.
Obstetrical Factors in the Aetiology of Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Mathew Alexander G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe literature concerning the aetiology of cerebral palsy has been reviewed. The histories of a series of 50 cases of cerebral palsy and associated conditions have been analysed with special reference to the occurrence of abnormalities during pregnancy, labour and the neonatal period. The most significant abnormalities appear to be prematurity and neonatal jaundice; a prolonged second stage of labour and postmaturity were probably
Care of the Infant with Haemolytic Disease Due to Rh Incompatibility*
Authors: Campbell Kate 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe routine care of infants suffering from haemolytic disease of the newborn has been outlined, with particular reference to exchange transfusion.The management of complications which have been observed in these infants has also been discussed.A series of 293 Rh‐positive infants from iso‐immunized mothers has been briefly reviewed in relation to neonatal mortality. The corrected mortality rate was 6.2%.
Traumatic Perforation of the Uterus
Authors: Smith G. O. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe clinical features and management of 40 cases of traumatic perforation of the uterus have been reviewed. Of these 40 cases, 20 were emergency admissions.Perforation of the uterus is more common in the diagnostic group than in the incomplete abortion group. However, the incidence is greater in missed and therapeutic abortions than in either of the above groups, although the numbers are much smaller.The curette was more frequently implicated in perforation of the incomplete abortion cases, whereas it was the dilator or the sound that held the major responsibility in the diagnostic group.In 10 of the 20 patients referred to the hospital, the perforation was associated with removal or insertion of a Gräfenberg ring.In this study it has not been possible to follow‐up those patients who have subsequently become pregnant. Although there are reports of patients who have had an uneventful pregnancy after perforation of the uterus (Heineck, 1908, and Rosenfeld, 1954), much will depend on the extent of the initial injury and the nature of its repair.The importance of having an accurate knowledge of the position and size of the uterus prior to instrumentation should be evident from this report. Such information can usually be ascertained clinically, particularly in the anaesthetized patient; additional useful information can be obtained by careful use of the uterine sound.In general, providing that the patient's condition is good and there has been no obvious trauma to intra‐abdominal structures, cases can be observed in a suitable institution where special facilities are available. However, should there be deterioration, or an inadequate response to treatment, immediate laparotomy must be performed, because the risks of treating such a patient conservatively far outweigh those entailed in the performance of laparotomy.
Major Malformations and Multiple Births
Authors: Pitt David B. 
Published: February 2008

Summary:Twenty‐one multiple births have been studied in a series of 338 infants with major congenital malformations. The incidence of twin births in this group was about four times the normal expectation. It was not possible in this series to indicate whether monozygotic or dizygotic twinning was related to congenital malformation.Comments and data are given about the diagnosis of zygosity. It is apparent from this study that membrane diagnosis is still being used loosely in obstetrical records to indicate types of twins.
Experimental Foetal Bradycardia during Postmaturity in the Rabbit
Authors: Martin J. D. , Young Maureen 
Published: February 2008

Summary:

Relatively large doses of adrenaline given intravenously to the maternal rabbit from the 25th day to the 30th day (term) of pregnancy, produced a transient bradycardia in the foetus. There was no increased sensitivity of the utero‐placental circulation to vasoconstrictors with advancing gestational age.
The injection of progesterone and chorionic gonadotrophin to the mother tended to increase the sensitivity of the uteroplacental vessels to adrenaline during four days of postmaturity but care is needed in the interpretation of these results.
The response of the foetal heart to low oxygen tensions was unaltered from the 25th‐34th days of gestation.
The Effect of Treatment of Abortion‐Prone Women with Secrosteron and Provera
Authors: Krieger Vera I. 
Published: February 2008

Summary:

Pregnanediol excretion curves for abortion‐prone women treated with ethisterone, secrosteron and provera are discussed.
Secrosteron and provera treatment of abortion‐prone women resulted in only a slight increase in the number of mature pregnancies with living babies in comparison with similar patients treated with ethisterone.
Secrosteron‐ and provera‐treated women with low pregnanediol excretion curves produced 4 times as many living mature babies as similar women treated with ethisterone.