bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A mitochondrial DNA polymorphism associated with cardiac arrhythmia investigated in sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Arnestad Marianne , Opdal Siri Hauge , Vege Åshild , Rognum Torleiv Ole 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) has been shown to be the cause of death in some cases originally diagnosed as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Such cardiac arrhythmias have also been noted in families with mitochondrial disease, and studies indicate that mitochondrial disease could be involved in SIDS. This makes the mtDNA polymorphism T3394C interesting, as a previous study has shown it to be associated with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes after exercise in a family with LQTS, where some members harboured a KCNH2 mutation.Subjects: A total of 245 SIDS cases and 176 control cases.Methods: DNA was prepared from blood/tissue samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were performed to search for the mtDNA polymorphism and KCNH2 mutation. Differences were confirmed by sequencing.Results: The T3394C polymorphism was found in 3 pure SIDS cases (1.5%), 2 borderline SIDS cases (4.4%), 1 case of explained death (1.6%) and 2 living control cases (1.8%) (p = 0.62). The KCNH2 mutation was not found in cases or controls.Conclusion: The mtDNA polymorphism studied was found in a small number of SIDS cases and the frequency did not differ statistically from control subjects, making an association with increased SIDS risk unlikely.
The association between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance in 20 obese children and adolescents
Authors: Ciba Iris , Widhalm Kurt 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To investigate whether there are correlations between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance in obese children. For the first time, we present clinical data of 20 obese children with NAFLD, including an oral glucose tolerance test.Methods: Twenty obese children were diagnosed as having NAFLD by abdominal ultrasonography. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ‐glutamyl transferase (γ‐GT) were reported. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test, oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS) and homeostasis is model assessment (HOMA) index. All parameters were compared to 20 obese age‐ and sex‐matched patients without NAFLD.Results: With 81% the prevalence of insulin resistance according to HOMA or OGIS criteria was high in the NAFLD‐patients compared to the other group with 63%. Statistically significant differences between both groups were found for mean serum ALT levels, mean glucose levels after 30, 60 and 90 minutes and mean insulin levels after 60 minutes of the glucose tolerance test.Conclusion: The high prevalence of insulin resistance we found in children with NAFLD confirms the suggestion that there may be an association between insulin resistance and NAFLD in obese children and indicates that markers of insulin sensitivity could be useful screening parameters for NAFLD.
Topical tacrolimus is effective against eczema in Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome (WAS)
Authors: Bienemann Klaus , Gudowius Sonja , Niehues Tim 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome is a rare X‐linked immunodeficiency characterized by microplatelet thrombocytopenia and eczema. Eczema may be severe and facilitate entry of microorganism into the host.Conclusion: We report for the first time that eczema in infants with WAS can be effectively treated with topical tacrolimus.
Reasons for inconsistent condom use by rural South African high school students
Authors: Taylor M , Dlamini SB , Nyawo N , Huver R , Jinabhai CC , De Vries H 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To describe the condom use practices of high school students, compare the beliefs of students who used condoms with those who did not, investigate gender differences in condom use and identify factors that prevent condom use.Method: Cross sectional descriptive study of sexually active grade 10 students at 28 rural high schools who completed a self‐reporting structured questionnaire.Results: Of n = 353 students, mean age 17.50 y (SD 1.40), n = 249 (70.5%) males and n = 104 (29.5%) females (p < 0.005), n = 136 (38.5%) had used a condom at last sex. Students who used condoms differed from non‐condom users in their beliefs that use of condoms did not imply lack of trust (p = 0.03), supported girls' requesting that their partners use condoms (p = 0.002), perceived greater social support (p < 0.005), and had more self‐efficacy (p < 0.005). In the model, condom use at last sex was significantly associated with males (p = 0.03), age at first sex (p = 0.02), knowing a person infected with HIV/AIDS (p = 0.03), and condom use self‐efficacy (p = 0.001).Conclusion: The low rate of condom use amongst these students during the AIDS epidemic is influenced by students' condom use self‐efficacy, emphasizing the need for skills' training. The increasing mortality due to HIV/AIDS may be a cue that encourages condom use.
Mitochondrial tRNA genes and flanking regions in sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Opdal Siri Hauge , Vege Åshild , Arnestad Marianne , Musse Musse Ahmed , Rognum Torleiv Ole 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been proposed as a genetic risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The aim of this study was to further investigate this issue, by sequencing the mitochondrial tRNA genes with flanking regions in SIDS cases and controls.Method: The selected genes were investigated in 24 cases of SIDS and 10 controls, the method used were direct sequencing. In addition, the A10398G mutation in the ND3 gene was investigated in 220 SIDS cases, 26 cases of infectious death and 93 controls, using allele‐specific PCR.Results: Mutations, recorded as differences from the revised Cambridge sequence, were found in 32 different sites in the coding regions investigated. There was no difference in mutation frequency between SIDS cases and controls, and no single mutation was found associated with SIDS.Conclusion: The present study does not indicate an association between a specific mitochondrial tRNA gene mutation and SIDS, nor a higher mtDNA tRNA mutation frequency in SIDS cases than in controls.
The effect of the odour of mother's milk on breastfeeding behaviour of premature neonates
Authors: Raimbault Chantal , Saliba Elie , Porter Richard H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To assess the effects of exposure to the odour of mother's milk on breastfeeding behaviour of premature neonates.Methods: Thirteen preterm infants born at 30–33 weeks gestational age were tested. Seven infants were randomly assigned to the milk‐odour condition, 6 to the water‐control condition. During week 35 post‐conceptual age, each baby was exposed to the appropriate odour stimulus for 120 sec. on 5 consecutive days immediately prior to a breastfeeding attempt. The breastfeeding bout following the final odour exposure session, and a second breastfeeding session shortly before the baby left the hospital, were analysed. Babies were weighed before and after each feeding session.Results: During each breastfeeding session, babies in the milk‐odour condition displayed longer sucking bouts and more bursts composed of >7 sucking movements, and also consumed more milk than the Control infants. The time spent in the hospital was significantly less for the milk‐odour condition (median = 43 days vs. 55.5 days for Controls).Conclusion: Brief exposure to the odour of mother's milk prior to early breastfeeding trials had a positive effect on sucking behaviour and milk ingestion of preterm babies, which in turn resulted in a shortened stay in the hospital.
Parent‐dependent barriers to varicella immunization in Israel: the importance of adequate information
Authors: Adler Amos , Herring Eli , Babilsky Hanan , Gazala Eli , Cohen Avner , Levy Itzhak 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To examine the parent‐dependent barriers to varicella immunization in Israel.Methods: Data were collected by questionnaire from parents of children aged 1 to 18 years who attended an outpatient paediatric centre in five cities in Israel from March to May 2003.Results: A total of 1474 parents completed the questionnaire. A history of chicken pox was reported in 850 children (57.8%), mostly (83%) between ages 1–6 years. Of the 624 children without a history of chicken pox, 213 (34.1%) were immunized against varicella. Immunization rates were significantly lower in families with lower parental education and in patients from cities with a lower socioeconomic ranking (p < 0.05). The main reasons for not being vaccinated (49%) were related to insufficient information about the vaccine itself and the vaccination process. These reasons were more common in families with lower parental education and from cities with lower socioeconomic ranking (p < 0.01). Other reasons included fear of adverse effects (12%) and waning immunity (6%), preference of natural illness over immunization (12%), and financial limitations (5%).Conclusions: Promoting parental knowledge about the varicella vaccine appears to be a key factor in improving the immunization rate, especially in families of lower education, and from cities with low socioeconomic ranking.
Complete unilateral leg duplication with ipsilateral renal agenesis
Authors: Lilje Christian , Finger Leron J. , Ascuitto Robert J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA case of a 5‐month‐old infant with complete duplication of the right leg and ipsilateral renal agenesis is presented. There was also a duplicated scrotum, posterior urethral valves with hydronephrosis, abnormal pelvic bones, and a ventricular septal defect. Complete caudal duplication is exceedingly rare. Associated defects are common. Several aetiological theories have been proposed. Among them, an underlying polytopic (acro‐renal) developmental field defect has been suggested. It best explains the specific findings in our patient. However, the aetiology of caudal duplication syndromes may be multifactorial. In the light of twinning theories, associated duplication of hindgut derivates should be suspected in similar cases. Further research is needed. The motor‐skeletal functional outcome after leg duplication surgery is mostly favourable.Conclusion: A case of complete unilateral leg duplication with ipsilateral renal agenesis is presented. It appears to support the theory of a polytopic developmental field defect.
Temporary henna tattoo is unsafe in atopic children
Authors: Corrente Stefania , Moschese Viviana , Chianca Marco , Graziani Simona , Iannini Roberta , La Rocca Maria , Chini Loredana 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTemporary henna tattoos have become increasingly popular as a safe alternative to permanent tattoos among American and European children and teenagers during the summer holidays. Currently, temporary henna tattoos contain not only henna, but also other additives such as para‐phemylenediamine (PPD), which is considered to be the chemical agent that most frequently causes skin reactions associated with the use of commercial black henna.In this report, we describe an 11‐year‐old boy who applied a temporary black henna tattoo on his right arm during the summer holidays in Greece and developed a severe contact dermatitis at the tattoo site with residual hypopigmentation.He had no previous history of contact dermatitis, however he did suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.Patch testing revealed a strong reaction to PPD, a substance commonly contained in temporary henna tattoo preparations.Conclusion: Henna tattoos are an increasing problem worldwide since they carry an increased risk of severe skin reactions; therefore we suggest that the use of temporary henna tattoos in children be discouraged.
Does maternal postpartum depressive symptomatology influence infant feeding outcomes?
Authors: Dennis Cindy‐Lee , McQueen Karen 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To examine the relationship between diverse infant feeding outcomes, e.g. infant feeding method, maternal satisfaction, infant feeding plans, breastfeeding progress and breastfeeding self‐efficacy) and postpartum depressive symptomatology using a time‐sequenced analysis.Methods: As part of a population‐based study, 594 participants completed questionnaires at 1, 4 and 8 weeks postpartum.Results: No relationship was found between diverse infant feeding outcomes at 1‐week postpartum and the development of depressive symptomatology at 4 or 8 weeks. Conversely, mothers with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score >12 at 1 week postpartum were significantly more likely at 4 and/or 8 weeks to discontinue breastfeeding, be unsatisfied with their infant feeding method, experience significant breastfeeding problems and report lower levels of breastfeeding self‐efficacy.Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that early identification of breastfeeding mothers with depressive symptomatology is needed not only to reduce the morbidity associated with postpartum depression but also in attempt to promote increased rates of breastfeeding duration.
Saccharomyces boulardii in acute childhood diarrhoea: a randomized, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Villarruel Gladys , Rubio Daniel Martinez , Lopez Fani , Cintioni Julio , Gurevech Rubén , Romero Gladis , Vandenplas Yvan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the efficacy of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) as an adjuvant to oral rehydration solution (ORS) in shortening the duration of acute infectious gastroenteritis in children less than 2 years old in ambulatory care.Materials and methods: In a period of 1 year, 100 outpatients between 3 and 24 months old presenting with acute mild to moderate diarrhoea of less than 7 days duration, were included in a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of S. boulardii administered for 6 days. Twelve children were lost in follow‐up; the data of 88 children could be analysed (44 in the placebo and 44 in the S. boulardii group). Seventy‐two patients were followed for one month (37 in the placebo and 35 in the S. boulardii group) allowing the calculation of the duration of diarrhoea.Results: The mean duration of diarrhoea was 6.16 days (range 2–13 days) in the placebo group and 4.70 days (range 2–10 days) in the S. boulardii group (p < 0.05). On the 4th day, the patients in the S. boulardii group passed 2.5 ± 1.4 stools/day versus 3.5 ± 1.8 in the placebo group (p < 0.001). The risk of having diarrhoea lasting more than 7 days was lower in the S. boulardii group (3/44 versus 12/44; RR 0.25; 95% CI 0.1–0.8). In no patient diarrhoea persisted longer than 14 days. A statistically significant difference was observed in the number of stools on the 4th and 7th day favouring the subgroup that received early treatment (within the first 48 h of the onset of diarrhoea). The administration of antibiotics before inclusion did not make any difference.Conclusion: S. boulardii as an adjuvant to ORS in ambulatory care in children less than 2 years old with mild or moderate acute diarrhoea decreased the duration of diarrhoea, accelerated recovery and reduced the risk of prolonged diarrhoea. The data also indicate increased efficacy if S. boulardii is administered within the first 48 h of the onset of diarrhoea.
High plasmatic angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) activity is not correlated with training‐induced left ventricular growth in ACE congenic rats
Authors: Zalvidea S. , Py G. , Lambert K. , Jover B. , Dauzat M. , Le Gallais D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study was to determine the influence of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) genotype on left ventricular growth after endurance training, in ACE congenic rats with plasma ACE activity twice as high as the donor strain (LOU), thus mimicking the ACE I/D polymorphism observed in humans.Methods:  LOU and congenic rats (n = 12) were submitted to an endurance training on a treadmill for 7 weeks, while similar LOU and congenic rats (n = 10) constituted the control groups. Blood pressure, skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity, plasma and left ventricular ACE activity were assessed, and echocardiography was performed before and after the training.Results:  Angiotensin‐converting enzyme plasmatic activity of congenic rats (188.2 ± 26.6 in controls and 187.1 ± 22.6 IU in trained rats respectively) was twofold that of the LOU strain (91.9 ± 23.3 in controls, and 88.3 ± 18.1 IU in trained rats respectively). After training, congenic and LOU rats showed a similar significant increase in citrate synthase activity (P < 0.05), and in the left ventricular mass/body mass ratio × 103: 3.7 ± 0.3 and 3.6 ± 0.6 in the trained congenic and LOU groups, respectively, vs. 3.0 ± 0.1 and 2.9 ± 0.2 in the control congenic and LOU groups respectively (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between ACE plasma activity and left ventricular mass in trained or untrained congenic rats.Conclusion:  We conclude that training‐induced left ventricular growth is not associated with plasma ACE activity in congenic rats.
Monte Carlo determination of radiation‐induced cancer risks for prostate patients undergoing intensity‐modulated radiation therapy
Authors: Stathakis Sotirios , Li Jinsheng , Ma Charlie C.M. 
Published: April 2008

The application of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has enabled the delivery of high doses to the target volume while sparing the surrounding normal tissues. The drawbacks of intensity modulation, as implemented using a computer‐controlled multileaf collimator (MLC), are the larger number of monitor units (MUs) and longer beam‐on time as compared with conventional radiotherapy. Additionally, IMRT uses more beam directions—typically 5 – 9 for prostate treatment—to achieve highly conformal dose and normal‐tissue sparing. In the present work, we study radiation‐induced cancer risks attributable to IMRT delivery using MLC for prostate patients.Whole‐body computed tomography scans were used in our study to calculate (according to report no. 116 from the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements) the effective dose equivalent received by individual organs. We used EGS4 and MCSIM to compute the dose for IMRT and three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy. The effects of collimator rotation, distance from the treatment field, and scatter and leakage contribution to the whole‐body dose were investigated. We calculated the whole‐body dose equivalent to estimate the increase in the risk of secondary malignancies.Our results showed an overall doubling in the risk of secondary malignancies from the application of IMRT as compared with conventional radiotherapy. This increase in the risk of secondary malignancies is not necessarily related to a relative increase in MUs. The whole‐body dose equivalent was also affected by collimator rotation, field size, and the energy of the photon beam. Smaller field sizes of low‐energy photon beams (that is, 6 MV) with the MLC axis along the lateral axis of the patient resulted in the lowest whole‐body dose. Our results can be used to evaluate the risk of secondary malignancies for prostate IMRT patients.PACS: 87.53.wz, 87.53.‐j
Determination of depth and field size dependence of multileaf collimator transmission in intensity‐modulated radiation therapy beams
Authors: Zygmanski Piotr , Rosca Florin , Kadam Dnyanesh , Lorenz Friedlieb , Nalichowski Adrian , Court Laurence , Chin Lee 
Published: April 2008

Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans for the treatment of large and complex volumes may contain a relatively large contribution from multileaf collimator (MLC) transmission. In such cases, comprehensive characterization of direct and scatter MLC transmission is important. We designed a set of tests (open beam, closed static MLC, and dynamic MLC gap) to determine dosimetric MLC properties as a function of field size and depth at the central axis.We developed a generalized model of MLC transmission to account for direct MLC transmission, MLC scatter, beam hardening, and leaf‐end transmission (dosimetric gap). The model is consistent with the beam model used in IMRT optimization. We tested the model for extreme asymmetric fields relevant for large targets and for split IMRT fields. We applied our MLC scatter estimation formula to clinically relevant cases and showed that MLC scatter is contributing an undesired background dose. This contribution is relatively large, especially in low‐dose regions. (For instance, a uniform extra dose may dramatically increase normal‐lung toxicity in thorax treatment.) For complex IMRT of large‐volume targets, we found direct MLC transmission dose to be as high as 30%, and MLC scatter, up to 10% within the target volume for the selected cases. We identified that the dose discrepancies between the IMRT planning system [Eclipse (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA)] and ionization chamber measurements (inside and outside of the field) are attributable to an inadequate model of MLC transmission in the planning system (constant‐value model).In the present study, we measured MLC transmission properties for Varian 6EX (6 MV) and 21EXs (6 and 10 MV) linear accelerators; however, the experimental method and theoretical model are more general.PACS number: 87.53.‐j
Immunomagnetic Separation Combined with Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assays for Detection of Norovirus in Contaminated Food
Authors: Park YoungBin , Cho You-Hee , Jee YoungMee , Ko GwangPyo 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT
We developed an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) technique combined with real-time TaqMan reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), which allowed detection of norovirus at a level as low as 3 to 7 RT-PCR units from artificially contaminated strawberries. The inoculum recovery rate ranged from 14 to 30%. The data demonstrate that IMS combined with real-time RT-PCR will be useful as a rapid and sensitive method for detecting food-borne microbial contaminants.
Cultivation of Hard-To-Culture Subsurface Mercury-Resistant Bacteria and Discovery of New
merA
Gene Sequences
Authors: Rasmussen L. D. , Zawadsky C. , Binnerup S. J. , Øregaard G. , Sørensen S. J. , Kroer N. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

Mercury-resistant bacteria may be important players in mercury biogeochemistry. To assess the potential for mercury reduction by two subsurface microbial communities, resistant subpopulations and their
merA
genes were characterized by a combined molecular and cultivation-dependent approach. The cultivation method simulated natural conditions by using polycarbonate membranes as a growth support and a nonsterile soil slurry as a culture medium. Resistant bacteria were pregrown to microcolony-forming units (mCFU) before being plated on standard medium. Compared to direct plating, culturability was increased up to 2,800 times and numbers of mCFU were similar to the total number of mercury-resistant bacteria in the soils. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of DNA extracted from membranes suggested stimulation of growth of hard-to-culture bacteria during the preincubation. A total of 25 different 16S rRNA gene sequences were observed, including
Alpha
-,
Beta
-, and
Gammaproteobacteria
;
Actinobacteria
;
Firmicutes
; and
Bacteroidetes
. The diversity of isolates obtained by direct plating included eight different 16S rRNA gene sequences (
Alpha
- and
Betaproteobacteria
and
Actinobacteria
). Partial sequencing of
merA
of selected isolates led to the discovery of new
merA
sequences. With phylum-specific
merA
primers, PCR products were obtained for
Alpha
- and
Betaproteobacteria
and
Actinobacteria
but not for
Bacteroidetes
and
Firmicutes
. The similarity to known sequences ranged between 89 and 95%. One of the sequences did not result in a match in the BLAST search. The results illustrate the power of integrating advanced cultivation methodology with molecular techniques for the characterization of the diversity of mercury-resistant populations and assessing the potential for mercury reduction in contaminated environments.