bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root recovery rates for Phytophthora cinnamomi and rate of symptom development from root rot on Abies fraseri trees over 7 years
Authors: Griffin G. J. , Reaver D. , Osborne C. K. , Yancey M. M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryPhytophthora root rot on Abies fraseri trees was monitored from 2001 to 2007 within the disease front of a 12‐year‐old Virginia plantation where trees had been dying of the disease since 1994. After a slow increase in early foliage symptom development from July 2001 to September 2002, the frequency of A. fraseri trees with early symptoms accelerated for about 15 months. While the slow increase occurred during a 18.7% lower than normal rainfall period and the acceleration occurred during a 31.2% higher than normal rainfall period, the percentage of trees with early symptoms continued to increase during the mid‐winter months (December–February) when the estimated mean minimum daily soil temperature (25 cm depth) was unfavourable (<10°C) to Phytophthora cinnamomi pathogenic activity. The time required for trees to progress from early foliage symptoms to completely dead foliage, from November 2000 to October 2007, was highly variable, ranging from 4 to 35 months. Root recovery rates for P. cinnamomi, assayed on a selective medium, were 6.4 times greater for symptomatic foliage trees than for asymptomatic foliage trees in this deep, silt‐loam soil. Following an atypical cold period in February 2007, when the mean minimum daily soil temperature was 0.8°C, symptomatic roots yielded only a low level of germinable propagules of P. cinnamomi. Further, during an atypical midsummer in 2007 (June–August), when the soil water potential was at or below −9 bars for 68 of 92 days, symptomatic roots yielded no germinable propagules of P. cinnamomi. Addition of thiophanate‐methyl to the selective medium aided P. cinnamomi isolation by inhibiting many undesired pythiaceous colonies growing from symptomatic roots.
American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society 2005 standardization of DLCO measurement: Impact on performance
Authors: LEUNG Simon Kwok Fai , YEW Wing Wai , WONG Poon Chuen , TSE Yee Kit , LAW Wing Sze , LEUNG Chi Chiu 
Published: May 2008

Background and objective:  An updated standardization statement on measurement of DLCO was issued by the American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Task Force in 2005. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of new recommendations on the success rate, test efficiency, measurement variability and reported results of DLCO testing.Methods:  We prospectively evaluated 55 Chinese patients without previous experience of the DLCO test in 2006. Performance and results of the test according to the ATS 1995 and ATS/ERS 2005 acceptability criteria were compared.Results:  Using the 2005 criteria, the success rate (maximum four trials) improved from 65% to 85% (change: 20%, 95% CI: 9–31%; P = 0.001). The test efficiency as measured by two‐trial and three‐trial success rates increased from 25% and 51% to 60% and 78%, respectively (both P < 0.0005). The measurement variability was defined as the mean of absolute differences between two acceptable trial results of DLCO for each patient. The means (SD) were 0.60 (0.53) and 0.53 (0.57) mL/min/mm Hg for the old and new criteria, respectively (P = 0.623). The mean DLCO decreased slightly by 0.5%, from 14.93 ± 5.74 (SD) (old criteria) to 14.86 ± 5.75 mL/min/mm Hg (new criteria) overall, with a mean difference (SD) of −0.07 (0.20) mL/min/mm Hg for the 36 subjects meeting both criteria (paired t‐test, P = 0.048).Conclusions:  Success rate and test efficiency for DLCO measurement were improved when the new recommendations were adopted. The effects on measurement variability and reported results were minimal.
Secondary osteoporosis in long‐term bedridden patients with cerebral palsy
Authors: Iwasaki Toshiyuki , Takei Kenji , Nakamura Shinya , Hosoda Nozomi , Yokota Yukifumi , Ishii Masahiro 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present paper was to investigate 20 pediatric patients with cerebral palsy and secondary osteoporosis and consider the efficacy, influence and index of treatment.Methods: A total of 10 boys and 10 girls, age 1–16 years (mean 7.6 years) with secondary osteoporosis and cerebral palsy treated for 6 months, were studied. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured. The bone turnover markers were measured just before and 4 months after treatment or at the time of early discontinuation of treatment. The treatment was classified into two groups: vitamin D (alfacarcidol) only; and with bisphosphonate (risedronate).Results: Monotherapy with alfacarcidol was effective for secondary osteoporosis in children, but when used in combination with risedronate it was even more effective in improving BMD. In the two groups, bone‐specific alkaline phosphate (BAP) decreased from pretreatment to post‐treatment assessment in all but one case, but there was no significant correlation in the difference in ΔBAP with ΔBMD. ΔBAP assumed changes in BAP in treatment either before or after, and ΔBMD also assumed changes in BMD. N‐telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX)/Cr decreased in all cases. The correlation of ΔNTX/Cr with ΔBMD was not significant. The therapy and its efficacy did not correlate to the patients’ age, sex, medicine regimen or enteral nutrition.Conclusions: Risedronate therapy is effective for patients presenting with secondary osteoporosis with cerebral palsy. Moreover, it is desirable to treat patients more aggressively from the early stage because risedronate is not affected by the patients’ other factors.
Effects of individual factors on adolescent obesity: Study in Turkey
Authors: Güven Ayla , Odaci Hatice , Özgen İlker Tolga , Bek Yüksel 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, eating habits, adolescent weight perception and weight changes on obesity in Turkish adolescents.Methods: A total of 87 normal weight and 78 obese participants were included in the study. They were selected from adolescents who had no other health problems beside obesity. Underweight and overweight adolescents were excluded. Estimation of prevalence of overweight and obesity were based on cut‐off points of the International Obesity Task Force (excess of the 85th and 95th percentiles, respectively). The prevalence of underweight was defined as the percentage of adolescents below the fifth percentiles of the US adolescents’ age‐ and gender‐specific body mass index. A structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, eating habits, weight questions about adolescents’ weight perception and weight changes was administered to the participants.Results: In the obese group, the level of the mothers’ and fathers’ education was lower than in the normal group (P = 0.006; P = 0.001, respectively). Obese adolescents had fewer obese people in their family (P = 0.001). There were statistically significant correlations between groups for fathers’ occupation, joining in cultural activities, physical exercise, feeling about body shape and food preference (P = 0.014; P = 0.001; P = 0.003; P = 0.001; P = 0.001, respectively). Increase in weight was larger in the obese group (P= 0.001) and those who wanted to loose weight but failed (P = 0.001).Conclusions: There are associations between obesity and level of mothers’ and fathers’ education, number of obese people in family, fathers’ occupation, joining in cultural activities, physical exercise and food preference in Turkish adolescents.
Effect of hemoglobin on transfusion and neonatal adaptation in extremely low‐birthweight infants
Authors: Hosono Shigeharu , Mugishima Hideo , Kitamura Tomomi , Inami Ikuhiro , Fujita Hidetoshi , Hosono Ako , Minato Michiyoshi , Okada Tomo , Takahashi Shigeru , Harada Kensuke 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present paper was to investigate the effect of initial hemoglobin level on red blood cell transfusion and neonatal adaptation in extremely low‐birthweight (ELBW) infants.Methods: Subjects consisted of 54 ELBW infants admitted to level III neonatal intensive care unit between 1995 and 2000, and divided into two groups based on hemoglobin level at birth. High hemoglobin was defined as hemoglobin ≥15.0 g/dL.Results: There were no significant differences in gestational age and birthweight between the high hemoglobin group (n = 28) and low hemoglobin group (n = 26). The high hemoglobin group had decreased probability of requiring red blood cell transfusion (P < 0.05) and number of red blood cell transfusions (P < 0.05). Mortality rate in the low hemoglobin group was significantly higher compared with the high hemoglobin group (P = 0.03). In the high hemoglobin group, blood pressures during the first 24 h were significantly higher (P < 0.05) and the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage was significantly lower (P = 0.04) compared with the low hemoglobin group. The predictive variables, initial hemoglobin level (odds ratio 1.93 [decrease by 1 g/dL]) and intraventricular hemorrhage ≥III (odds ratio 21.76 [positive]) were found to be most predictive for death on logistic regression.Conclusion: High hemoglobin level at birth is associated with a significantly reduced requirement for red blood cell transfusion and might contribute to stabilization of blood pressure, and thus reduce mortality and the risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage.
Phase 1 trial of 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Japanese adults
Authors: Scott Daniel , Ruckle Jon , Dar Marilyn , Baker Sherryl , Kondoh Hiroaki , Lockhart Stephen 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: A 7‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPnC) has markedly reduced invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in routine use in the USA and is in clinical development in Japan. But a 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13vPnC) would cover even more serotypes. Because vaccines are administered to children by s.c. injection in Japan but by i.m. injection in the USA, a phase I study of s.c. injected 13vPnC in healthy Japanese adults was appropriate before commencing trials in Japanese children and older adults.Methods: This was a randomized comparison in healthy Japanese adults of s.c. administered 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and s.c. administered 23‐valent plain polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (23vPn). Local and systemic reactions were recorded in a daily diary for 14 days after injection. IgG antibodies to serotype‐specific capsular polysaccharide were measured on enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay on samples taken before and approximately 1 month after immunization.Results: A total of 15 subjects were evaluable for safety review in each treatment group. There was a trend towards more local reactions in the 13vPnC group, which may be associated with s.c. administration of aluminum‐containing vaccines as used routinely in Japan; but the local reactogenicity was mostly mild or moderate. Both 13vPnC and 23vPn were immunogenic for all types, with the exception of 6A, which is not included in 23vPn and for which only 13vPnC was immunogenic.Conclusions: Overall, immunogenicity and tolerance was adequate to lead to studies of 13vPnC in both infants and older adults in Japan, using the s.c. route if appropriate.
Characteristics of primary vesico‐ureteral reflux in Thai children
Authors: Vachvanichsanong Prayong , Dissaneewate Pornsak , Lim Apiradee 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the clinical features of primary vesico‐ureteral reflux (VUR) in Thai children.Methods: Children with primary VUR attending in the Nephrology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Songkla University between 1987–2002 were studied.Results: Sixty‐five girls and 60 boys with primary VUR were evaluated. Age of diagnosis was significantly younger in boys than girls (median 0.6 and 2.2 years respectively, P < 0.001). In 73% of boys and 34% of girls VUR diagnosis was made in the first year of life. Hydronephrosis was found in 22% of boys and 8% of girls (P = 0.004). Five per cent of children who had VUR grades I–III had hydronephrosis (6/121). Only children who had VUR grades IV and V had significant hydronephrosis: 33% (14/42) and 53% (10/19), respectively. Bilateral VUR was 60% overall and was significantly more common in boys (70% vs 40% P < 0.028), found in grades I–V at 33%, 61%, 60%, 65%, and 77%, respectively. Of 200 refluxing ureters, the total numbers of VUR grades I–V were 32, 37, 67, 45 and 19 respectively. VUR grade was significantly different by age (P = 0.014) but not by left–right side or sex.Conclusion: Primary VUR occurs equally in boys and girls, but in boys at a younger age. Bilateral VUR and hydronephrosis were significantly more common in boys, and VUR in boys was more severe. But hydronephrosis is a poor indicator for VUR screening even in high‐grade VUR.
Medical aid program for chronic pediatric diseases of specified categories in Japan: Current status and future prospects
Authors: Gu Yan‐Hong , Kato Tadaaki , Harada Shohei , Sato Yuki , Kakee Naoko 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: In 1974 the Medical Aid Program for Chronic Pediatric Diseases of Specified Categories (MAPChD) was established in Japan, and the national registration of MAPChD beneficiaries was initiated in 1998. In 2005, MAPChD became legal. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the newest registration data and discuss the future prospects of MAPChD. The differences in MAPChD content before and after legislation were compared.Methods: The subjects were MAPChD‐registered patients whose guardians had signed a consent document for the children to join a MAPChD research program during the fiscal years 2002–2003. The nationwide electronic registration data were gathered and analyzed, and the official documents about MAPChD were reviewed and summarized.Results: Given that the overall population was aged 0–19 years, there were four MAPChD beneficiaries for every 1000 children in Japan. Moreover, the prolonged survival of MAPChD patients was accompanied by an increasing prevalence of complications. The percentages of MAPChD beneficiaries who did not sign a consent document for research were 3.1% and 6.3% in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Following the legislation, both inpatients and outpatients younger than 20 years with any of 514 chronic diseases became eligible, and MAPChD began providing welfare services to these patients.Conclusions: The establishment of a MAPChD database is necessary for further research. It is expected that, in future, more beneficiaries of MAPChD will join the research program. One of the major challenges faced by long‐term survivors of childhood MAPChD diseases is making the transition from a specialized pediatric care facility to an adult health care system.
EFFECT OF BENCYCLANE FUMARATE ON INTESTINAL ISCHAEMIA REPERFUSION INJURY
Authors: Barut Ibrahim , Tarhan Omer R. , Kapucuoglu Nilgun , Sutcu Recep , Akdeniz Yusuf 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Post‐ischaemic intestinal tissue damage appears to be due to the formation of oxygen radicals. Free radical‐initiated lipid peroxidation following intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) may disrupt mucosal integrity. Indirectly, the radicals trigger the accumulation of neutrophils within the affected tissue, initiating inflammatory processes that lead to severe mucosal lesions. We have investigated the protective effect of bencyclane fumarate, a vasodilating Ca2+ channel blocker, which has been used for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases, on intestinal ischaemia reperfusion (IR) injury in rats.Methods:  Forty‐eight Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: a sham‐operated group (no IR injury, n = 16), an ischaemic control group (IR, n = 16), and BF‐treated group (pretreatment 5 mg/kg bencyclane fumarate + IR, n = 16). A marker for lipid peroxidation, namely malondialdehyde; free radical scavengers, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels; an index of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity and mucosal damage were investigated.Results:  Malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity and the severity of mucosal damage were decreased in the BF group. In addition, in the BF group, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were higher compared with the IR group.Conclusion:  The pretreatment of rats with bencyclane fumarate before intestinal ischaemia attenuates the mucosal damage in intestinal IR injury, probably by altering lipid peroxidation, neutrophil accumulation and antioxidant activity.
METASTATIC CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE SCALP
Authors: Howle Julie R. , Morgan Gary J. , Kalnins Inars , Palme Carsten E. , Veness Michael J. 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma arising from the scalp, although relatively uncommon, is associated with a poor outcome. Older men with a history of baldness and actinic scalp lesions are particularly at risk.Methods:  Between 1980 and 2005, 27 patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp were referred to the Head and Neck Cancer Service at Westmead Hospital, Sydney. Relevant data were extracted from a prospectively maintained database. Patterns of recurrence and outcome were analysed.Results:  Median age at diagnosis was 70 years and median follow up was 45 months in 26 men and one woman. Ten primary (index) lesions were located on the midline scalp, 14 left sided and 3 right sided. Median lesion size was 18 mm and median thickness was 5.5 mm. The median time between treatment of the scalp primary and the development of nodal metastases was 8 months. In 10 patients, nodal metastases were present at the time of primary treatment. Fifteen patients developed parotid metastases (+cervical nodes in 7 of 15) and 12 developed cervical only metastases (5 of 12 level V). All patients underwent nodal surgery and most (75%) also received adjuvant radiotherapy. At the last follow up, 41% of patients had died from their disease. Median survival after relapse was 9 months and all patients experiencing relapse died with most (11 of 13) dying from metastatic disease.Conclusion:  Patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp have a poor prognosis with most dying from regional relapse. Those treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy had a better outcome.
LONG‐TERM OUTCOMES AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC BILE DUCT EXPLORATION: A 5‐YEAR FOLLOW UP OF 150 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS
Authors: Campbell‐Lloyd Andrew J. M. , Martin David J. , Martin Ian J. 
Published: May 2008

Background:  The treatment of common bile duct stones discovered at routine intraoperative cholangiography includes postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or intraoperative laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. Given the equivalence of short‐term outcome data for these two techniques, the choice of one over the other may be influenced by long‐term follow‐up data. We aimed to establish the long‐term outcomes following laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and compare this with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.Methods:  One hundred and fifty consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic common bile duct exploration between March 1998 and March 2006 carried out by a single surgeon. All were prospectively studied for 1 month followed by a late‐term phone questionnaire ascertaining the prevalence of adverse symptoms. Patients presented with a standardized series of questions, with reports of symptoms corroborated by review of medical records.Results:  In 150 patients, operations included laparoscopic transcystic exploration (135), choledochotomy (10) and choledochoduodenostomy (2). At long‐term follow up (mean 63 months), 116 (77.3%) patients were traceable, with 24 (20.7%) reporting an episode of pain and 18 (15.5%) had more than a single episode of pain. There was no long‐term evidence of cholangitis, stricture or pancreatitis identified in any patient.Conclusion:  Laparoscopic bile duct exploration appears not to increase the incidence of long‐term adverse sequelae beyond the reported prevalence of postcholecystectomy symptoms. There was no incidence of bile duct stricture, cholangitis or pancreatitis. It is a safe procedure, which obviates the need and expense of preoperative or postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in most instances.
MANAGEMENT OF SPONTANEOUS RUPTURE OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA
Authors: Wang Bo , Lu Yi , Zhang Xu‐feng , Yú Liang , Pan Cheng‐en , Wu Zheng 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Management of patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma in a single centre is reported and the diagnosis and treatment are discussed.Methods:  The clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment of 28 cases of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma were reviewed.Results:  Twenty‐six patients had sudden right upper‐quadrant abdominal pain and 53.5% patients were in hypovolaemic shock on admission. The median survival of the patients who received one‐stage, two‐stage tumour resection and only transarterial embolization was 370, 483.5 and 60 days, respectively. The prognosis of the patients who underwent only conservative treatment or surgical haemostasis was poor.Conclusion:  Transarterial embolization is the treatment of choice for those who are haemodynamically unstable on admission. Careful evaluations, including functional liver reserve, coagulopathy, tumour size and location should be made before tumour resection.
Considerations for extraction of monoclonal antibodies targeted to different subcellular compartments in transgenic tobacco plants
Authors: Hassan Sally , Van Dolleweerd Craig J. , Ioakeimidis Fotis , Keshavarz‐Moore Eli , Ma Julian K.‐C. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryMonoclonal antibody production from transgenic tobacco plants offers many advantages over other heterologous production systems, creating the prospect of production at a scale that will allow new prophylactic and therapeutic applications in global human and animal health. However, information on the major processing factors to consider for large‐scale purification of antibodies from transgenic plants is currently limited, and is in urgent need of attention. The purpose of this project was to investigate methods for the initial extraction of recombinant immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies from transgenic tobacco leaf tissue. Three different transgenic plant lines were studied in order to establish the parameters for optimal extraction of monoclonal antibodies that accumulate in the apoplasm, at the plasma membrane or within the endoplasmic reticulum. For each transgenic line, seven techniques for physical extraction were compared. The factors that determine the optimal extraction of antibodies from plants have a direct influence on the initial choice of expression strategy, and so must be considered at an early stage. The use of small‐scale techniques that are applicable to large‐scale purification was a particularly important consideration. The optimal extraction technique varied with the target location of IgG in the plant cell, and the dependence of antibody yield on the physical extraction methodology employed, the pH of the extraction buffer and the extraction temperature was demonstrated in each case. The addition of detergent to the extraction buffer may improve the yield, but this was found to be dependent on the site of accumulation of IgG within the plant cell.