bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transbronchial needle aspiration accurately diagnoses subcentimetre mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes detected by integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography
Authors: HSU Li‐Han , KO Jen‐Sheng , YOU Dong‐Ling , LIU Chia‐Chuan , CHU Nei‐Min 
Published: November 2007

Objective and background:  Integrated PET and CT (PET/CT) is accurate in detecting hilar‐mediastinal metastases. However, it has a moderate positive predictive value, necessitating pathological verification, especially in situations in which the result would make a difference to treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) for hilar‐mediastinal lesions suspicious on PET/CT.Methodology:  A retrospective study was conducted on 19 patients with a total of 25 positive hilar‐mediastinal lymph nodes localized on PET/CT. Standard TBNA technique with rapid on‐site cytopathology was performed.Results:  The mean short‐axis diameter of the positive lymph nodes identified on PET/CT was 9.9 ± 3.0 mm. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT‐guided TBNA were 81.8%, 100% and 84%, respectively. The number of needle passes to successful lymph node aspiration or a diagnosis of cancer was 2.36 ± 0.49. Nine of the 25 positive lymph nodes (36%) on PET/CT were smaller than 1.0 cm. The accuracy and sensitivity of TBNA for these subcentimetre nodes was 88.9% and 87.5%, respectively. TBNA replaced surgical sampling in 15 patients (78.9%) with positive lymph nodes on PET/CT. In seven non‐small cell lung cancer patients, diagnosis and staging were possible in the one procedure. No complications were encountered.Conclusion:  PET/CT can identify small malignant lymph nodes that can then be successfully biopsied by TBNA with on‐site cytopathology.
Better understanding the influence of cigarette smoking and indoor air pollution on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case–control study in Mainland China
Authors: XU Fei , YIN XiaoMei , SHEN HongBing , XU YaoChu , WARE Robert S. , OWEN Neville 
Published: November 2007

Background and objective:  Although the association between COPD and smoking status (non‐smoking, ex‐smoking and current smoking) and indoor air pollution in Chinese populations is well established, the link between COPD and the number of cigarettes smoked has not been examined. This study investigated the relationship between the total amount of cigarettes smoked (TACS) and indoor air pollution, with the risk of COPD among urban and rural Chinese adults.Methods:  A nested case–control study was performed using data collected in a large community survey (N = 29 319) conducted between October 2000 and March 2001 in Nanjing, China. The exposure to indoor respiratory pollutants of cooking and heating materials and to passive cigarette smoke was compared in patients diagnosed with COPD (n = 1743) and controls matched for age, gender and residence (n = 1743).Results:  The smoking rate among COPD patients was significantly higher than that among the controls. After controlling for possible confounders, the adjusted odds ratios for COPD increased across TACS tertiles: from lower (OR = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–1.79), to middle (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.21–1.99), and upper (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.37–2.29). Among smokers, women were significantly more likely to develop COPD than men (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02–1.41). There were no significant associations between COPD and domestic fuels used, kitchen ventilation or passive smoking. Heating in winter with coal was weakly but positively linked with COPD among non‐smokers overall, among women non‐smokers, and specifically for women living in urban as well as rural areas.Conclusions:  A clear dose–response relationship exists between cigarette smoking and COPD; compared with men, women smokers were more susceptible to COPD. Exposure to other respiratory pollutants in the home was not significantly associated with the diagnosis of COPD.
Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with gastroduodenal disease, epidemiologic factors and iron‐deficiency anemia in Turkish children undergoing endoscopy, and impact on growth
Authors: SÜOGLU ÖZLEM DURMAZ , GÖKÇE SELIM , SAGLAM ASLI TOROS , SÖKÜCÜ SEMRA , SANER GÜNAY 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and clinical symptomatology, breast‐feeding and socioeconomic level. The relationship between H. pylori and iron‐deficiency anemia (IDA) and the effect of H. pylori infection on growth were also investigated.Methods: The subjects consisted of 70 patients aged 4–16 years who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for recurrent abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and dyspeptic complaints during a 2 year period. Patients were divided into two groups according to presence of histological evidence of H. pylori infection (group 1, H. pylori positive; group 2, H. pylori negative) and groups were compared with respect to epidemiologic characteristics, gastrointestinal complaints, height and weight SD scores and IDA.Results: Thirty‐five (50%) of the 70 patients participating in the study were H. pylori positive. The mean age of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2. There were similar characteristics and symptomatology between groups. The majority of the patients in group 1 belonged to low socioeconomic class (class I and II; P < 0.05). The number of the patients exclusively breast‐fed for ≥4 months was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. Gastritis was significantly more frequent in group 1. Mean hemoglobin, serum Fe and ferritin levels were 11.6 ± 1.7 g/dL, 45.0 ± 23.2 μg/dL and 11.9 ± 8.4 μg/dL, respectively, for group 1 and 12.2 ± 0.7 g/dL, 79.3 ± 26.4 μg/dL and 42.1 ± 31.8 μg/dL, respectively, for group 2. The mean serum Fe and ferritin levels of group 2 were significantly higher than those of group 1. IDA was observed in 20 (57.1%) and six (17.1%) patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. IDA was significantly more frequent in group 1. Helicobacter pylori infection was found to be the only variable that had significant effect on IDA. Mean SD height and weight for group 1 were lower than those of the group 2. When the patients were evaluated in four groups according to H. pylori and IDA status, mean height SD score of patients with both H. pylori infection and IDA was significantly lower than that of the patients negative for H. pylori and IDA concomitantly.Conclusion: Low socioeconomic status seems to be an important risk factor for H. pylori infection. Exclusive breast‐feeding at least for 4 months can have a protective role against H. pylori infection. Increased frequency of growth retardation and IDA in H. pylori‐infected patients in the present study supports similar findings in the literature, although there is still need for detailed studies to clarify the causative mechanisms.
Factors affecting oral health habits among children with cerebral palsy: Pilot study
Authors: SUBASI FERYAL , MUMCU GONCA , KOKSAL LEYLA , CIMILLI HALE , BITLIS DEMET 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors affecting the oral health habits of children with spastic‐type cerebral palsy (CP).Methods: A total of 35 children with CP and their mothers were randomly selected for this cross‐sectional study. Data regarding their sociodemographic characteristics and their oral health habits were collected during face‐to‐face interviews.Results: Logistic regression analysis indicated that mothers’ irregular brushing habits were a risk factor for their children’s lack of regular brushing habits (odds ratio: 6.4, P = 0.048). Additionally, a significant association was observed between the mother’s length of time between dental visits and the length of time between children’s dental visits (R2= 0.11, P = 0.046).Conclusions: Mothers’ oral health habits, including brushing habits and frequency of dental visits, are important factors in promoting healthy and beneficial oral health habits in children with CP in Turkey.
Therapeutic efficacy of sequential and simultaneous treatments with interferon‐α and lamivudine in children with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: AKMAN SEZIN ASIK , OKCU SABRIYE COKCEKEN , HALICIOĞLU OYA , SUTCUOGLU SUMER , ANIL MURAT , KIZILGUNESLER ASLI , BAKILER ALI RAHMI 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: Interferon (IFN)‐α and lamivudine (LAM), a nucleoside analog, are frequently used drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and their combined therapy has been shown to be effective. The purpose of the present study was to examine the therapeutic efficacy of sequential and simultaneous combination therapies of IFN‐α and LAM in children with CHB.Methods: A total of 45 children with CHB, whose antibody status was positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg), and HBV‐DNA at least for 6 months; who had alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels 1.5‐fold higher than normal and hepatic activity index scores higher than 6, were allocated to two groups. The first group included 24 children who were given standard dose IFN‐α (5 MU/m2 s.c., thrice weekly) for 6 months, followed by LAM (4 mg/kg per day per oral, maximum 100 mg/day) for an additional 6 months (sequential therapy group). The second group included 21 children who were given IFN‐α and LAM therapy simultaneously for 6 months and who continued with LAM alone for another 6 months (simultaneous therapy group). Partial response was defined as normalization of ALT and eradication of HBV‐DNA. Complete response was defined as normalization of ALT, eradication of HBV‐DNA and e seroconversion. Non‐responders were defined as having positive HBV‐DNA and abnormal ALT levels. Sustained response was defined as absence of HBsAg and presence of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti‐HBs).Results: The mean age of the sequential therapy group was 12.7 ± 4.1 years, and 16 (66.7%) of the patients were male. The mean age of the simultaneous therapy group was 14.8 ± 4.6 years, and 15 (71.4%) were male. In the first group, 13 patients (54.2%) were non‐responders; partial response was observed in five patients (20.8%), and complete response was seen in six patients (25%). Despite the occurrence of e seroconversion, normalization of ALT was not achieved in one case. In the second group, which consisted of 21 patients, 11 subjects (52.4%) were non‐responders; partial response was observed in one case (4.8%), and complete response was seen in seven (33.3%). Sustained response was found in two patients (9.5%). There were no significant differences between the groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion: When the therapeutic efficiency of two different treatment regimens applied for 1 year was evaluated in childhood CHB therapy, it was remarkable that there was a sustained response and a higher complete response in group 2, although there was no considerable difference between the therapy results of both groups.
Are laboratory tests necessary in making the diagnosis of limb pains typical for growing pains in children?
Authors: ASADI‐POOYA ALI AKBAR , BORDBAR MOHAMMAD REZA 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The present study was conducted to determine if performing laboratory tests are necessary to exclude other possible diagnoses in a child with limb pains typical for growing pains according to history and physical examination.Methods: A matched case–control study was carried out on children with limb pains who attended the Motahary clinic, Shiraz, Iran, in a 2 year period. The inclusion criteria were limb pains, which were recurrent and lasted for more than 3 months. The exclusion criteria were any abnormal systemic symptoms and signs, localizing signs, joint involvement; and limp or limitation of activity. The controls were clinically normal children matched for age and sex. Laboratory tests including complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and rheumatoid factor were done for all patients and controls.Results: In total, 100 patients and 150 controls were included in the study. There were no significant differences between the patients and controls with regard to all of the measured laboratory tests.Conclusion: Growing pain is a clinical diagnosis and if precise inclusion and exclusion criteria in history and physical examination are considered, there will be no need for laboratory tests in order to make a diagnosis.
Effect of zinc sulfate on common cold in children: Randomized, double blind study
Authors: KURUGÖL ZAFER , BAYRAM NURI , ATIK TAHIR 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was to determine the efficacy of zinc sulfate on the duration and severity of common cold in children.Methods: Children presenting at least two of 10 symptoms of common cold within the 24–48 h of the onset of illness were eligible for the study. Children were randomized to receive either oral zinc containing zinc sulfate or placebo. A diary was completed to record symptoms and adverse effects. Symptoms were scored as absent (0), mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3).Results: One hundred and fifty children participated in the study, and 120 children were included in the final analysis. The median duration of all cold symptoms was 6 days (P = 0.20), and the median duration of nasal symptoms was 5 days in both groups (P = 0.09). However, total symptom severity scores were significantly lower in the zinc group, starting from the second day of the study. The lower scores in the zinc group were largely due to improvement of nasal symptom scores. Adverse effects were similar in both groups.Conclusion: Zinc sulfate had no effect on the duration of cold symptoms. However, it appears to be effective in reducing the severity of the cold symptoms in healthy children.
Epidemiological study of sleep characteristics in Chinese children 1–23 months of age
Authors: JIANG FAN , SHEN XIAOMING , YAN CHONGHUAI , WU SHENGHU , JIN XINGMING , DYKEN MIKE , LIN‐DYKEN DEBORAH 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: Sleep plays a critical role in normal development and the effects of culture upon sleep are especially important in young children. The purpose of the present paper was to determine the sleep times and the prevalence of sleep problems and co‐sleeping in children from Shanghai.Methods: A cross‐sectional design incorporating parental self‐report was used to investigate the sleep‐related habits of 1129 children, 1–23 months of age, randomly selected from the five districts of Shanghai, China.Results: The total sleep time (TST) of Chinese young children was less than that reported in Western populations, and the prevalence of sleep problems (65.97%) was higher than that for Western children. The sleep problems of children were significantly related to perinatal factors and certain behavior problems. The rate of bed sharing did not differ between boys and girls but significantly increased with age from 44.07% in 1‐month‐olds to 71.51% in 23‐month‐olds.Conclusions: Sleep problems that cross cultures result from a variety of behavioral and health problems. Nevertheless, it is speculated that reduced TST in Chinese children may be related to factors unique to China, such as co‐sleeping and child‐rearing practices.
Thyroid function and volume in epileptic children using carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and valproate
Authors: HIRFANOGLU TUGBA , SERDAROGLU AYSE , CAMURDAN ORHUN , CANSU ALI , BIDECI AYSUN , CINAZ PEYAMI , GUCUYENER KIVILCIM 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ), oxcarbazepine (OXC), and valproic acid (VPA) on thyroid function and volume in epileptic children.Methods: Fifty‐three epileptic children (age, 3–17 years) treated with OXC (n = 10), CBZ (n = 12), or VPA (n = 31) at least for 1 year were evaluated in terms of thyroid hormones, thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, response to thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test, and thyroid volumes.Results: The patients in the OXC and CBZ groups had similar total thyroxin (TT4) and free T4 (fT4) median levels that were significantly lower than those of the VPA group (P < 0.016). Total tri‐iodothyrosin median levels were lower in the CBZ group compared to the VPA group (P < 0.016). Basal TSH levels and thyroid volumes were similar in all groups (P > 0.016). One child from the OXC group (10%), one from the CBZ group (%8.3), and six from the VPA group (19.3%) had hypothyroidic status according to the TRH stimulation test. No statistically significant correlations were found between thyroid gland volume and thyroid function variables and between anti‐epileptic drug receiving time and thyroid function or thyroid volume, respectively, in any of the groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Thyroid function should be evaluated periodically in children using CBZ, OXC or VPA. The children taking VPA seems to be at greater risk compared to children onr CBZ or OXC therapy. Except for the basal TSH values in the VPA group, the parameters predictive for the subclinical hypothyroid status remain to be evaluated in further studies.
Stem cell transplantation in primary immunodeficiency disease patients
Authors: SATO TOMONOBU , KOBAYASHI RYOJI , TOITA NARIAKI , KANEDA MAKOTO , HATANO NORIKAZU , IGUCHI AKIHIRO , KAWAMURA NOBUAKI , ARIGA TADASHI 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) are rare but have a high associated risk of death from overwhelming infection in early childhood. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) can be curative for PID, but standardized protocols for each disease have not yet been established.Methods: Between May 1995 and May 2005, nine patients diagnosed with a PID received SCT at the Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital. The median age of the patients (eight boys and one girl) was 1.0 year (range: 6 months–4 years). Five patients had Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS), three had severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), and one had X‐linked hyper‐IgM syndrome (X‐HIGM). Four patients received bone marrow transplantation (BMT), and five received cord blood stem cell transplantation (CBSCT). All patients, including those with SCID, received a conditioning regimen: six (WAS and X‐HIGM) received a myeloablative conditioning regimen, and three (SCID) received a reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen.Results: All the patients are alive and have stable, complete chimerism, based on a median follow‐up period of 4 years. Moreover, all patients have good immune reconstitution, and none required immunoglobulin replacement therapy. Two patients had significant acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), and three patients had chronic GVHD. Four of the nine patients developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after SCT.Conclusion: The transplantation procedures appear to have provided a permanent cure in nine PID patients. Early diagnosis and prompt performance of SCT with an optimal donor and conditioning regimen contributed to the favorable outcomes.
Predictive factors for organic central precocious puberty and utility of simplified gonadotropin‐releasing hormone tests
Authors: CHOI JIN‐HO , SHIN YOUNG‐LIM , YOO HAN‐WOOK 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present study was to determine whether the clinical presentation of patients with central precocious puberty (CPP) permits differentiation between idiopathic and organic forms, and to examine whether luteinizing hormone (LH) determination in single blood sample after gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) administration is sufficient to diagnose CPP.Methods: Potential clinical and laboratory predictors for the presence of central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities were assessed. Sensitivities and specificities of LH and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) levels at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min were compared after GnRH stimulation.Results: In 45 girls with signs of breast development, 26 were diagnosed as having CPP. The age of onset in patients with organic CPP was 4.75 ± 2.01 years (range 1.2–7.1 years, median 5.0 years), whereas the age in patients with idiopathic CPP was 7.09 ± 0.87 years (range 5.0–7.9 years, median 7.0 years). This parameter is the only one showing statistical significance. In addition, the specimen at 30 min after GnRH stimulation yielded highest sensitivity for the diagnosis of CPP.Conclusions: The earlier the onset of disease, the higher the possibility of presence of CNS lesion. According to the mean GnRH‐stimulated LH levels and sensitivity at each time, a single blood sample obtained for LH determined after GnRH administration at 30 min can be used to diagnose CPP.
Elevation of serum stem‐cell factor in postoperative biliary atresia
Authors: HONSAWEK SITTISAK , CHONGSRISAWAT VORANUSH , VEJCHAPIPAT PAISARN , THAWORNSUK NUTCHANART , TANGKIJVANICH PISIT , POOVORAWAN YONG 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground: Biliary atresia (BA) is one of the most common causes of neonatal cholestasis. Stem‐cell factor (SCF) has been implicated in the development of fibrosis in various diseases. The objective of the present study was to examine the significant role of SCF in BA.Methods: Fifty‐seven pediatric patients with BA after Kasai operation and 30 healthy children were recruited. The mean ages of BA patients and controls were 6.1 ± 0.6 years and 6.1 ± 0.7 years, respectively. The patients were categorized into two groups according to their serum levels of total bilirubin (TBil < 2 mg/dL, no jaundice vs TBil ≥ 2 mg/dL, persistent jaundice) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT < 100 vs ALT ≥ 100 U/L). The serum SCF levels were determined on commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results: The mean serum SCF level of the BA children was higher than that of normal controls (748.3 ± 17.9 pg/mL vs 582.2 ± 17.3 pg/mL; P < 0.001). Subsequent analysis demonstrated that the BA patients with serum ALT ≥ 100 U/L had significantly greater levels of serum SCF compared to those with serum ALT < 100 U/L (796.5 ± 22.6 pg/mL vs 694.7 ± 25.0 pg/mL, respectively; P = 0.002). In addition, serum SCF levels were significantly elevated in the patients with portal hypertension (PH) compared with those without PH (810.0 ± 18.8 pg/mL vs 634.1 ± 20.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001).Conclusion: The current study showed that BA patients had higher serum SCF levels compared with controls. The significant elevation in SCF levels is associated with the presence of PH and the degree of hepatic injury. These findings suggest that SCF may play a part in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis in BA patients after Kasai procedure.