bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE F PROTEIN OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS STRAINS ISOLATED IN THE BEIJING, CHINA, AREA
Authors: Lu Qi , Shen Kunling , Xu Wenbo , Zhang Yang , Zhu Zhen 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral pathogen for lower respiratory tract infection among young children. However, pathogenic mechanisms and molecular characteristics of RSV are still not completely understood, so the development of an effective vaccine has been hindered. F protein has been shown to be a potential RSV subunit vaccine candidate, so the study on genetic characteristics of F protein may be important for further investigation.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine the genetic characteristics of the F protein.
METHODS: Seventy-six strains of human RSV were isolated from 2001 to 2004 in Beijing, China, of which 6 representative strains were chosen.
RESULTS: Among the 6 Beijing isolates, 4 belonged to subgroup A. The F gene of the isolates shared 97.0% to 97.4% nucleotide sequence identity and 92.1% to 93.0% amino acid sequence identity. They were highly homologous with GenBank Nos. AY198175, AY198176, and AY198177 (China Hebei). The other 2 isolates belonged to subgroup B, and 97.3% and 98.2% sequence identity was seen at nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of subgroup B showed the highest identities with GenBank Nos. NC001781 and AF013254. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences revealed that those 4 within group A were monophyletic and closely related to each other, but those 2 within group B were distributed in 2 distinct clusters. AA200-225 and AA259-278 on the F gene are conservative between subgroups A and B.
CONCLUSIONS: Subgroup A and B strains cocirculated, which indicates that there were different transmission chains in Beijing from 2001 to 2004. AA200-225 and AA259-278 are potential segments to develop an effective vaccine in Beijing or even in China.
SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEPATITIS A IN GREEK CHILDREN
Authors: Kyrka Amalia , Tragiannidis Athanassios , Pantelaki Katerina , Tzivaras Andreas , Athanasiadou Fotini , Konstantopoulos Andreas , Papaevangelou Vassiliki 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease with epidemiology that has changed over the past decades. In Greece, the vaccine has been available and recommended, but no universal mass vaccination has been implemented as yet.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to study the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A in Greek children.
METHODS: The seroepidemiology of hepatitis A in children 0 to 14 years of age living in Greece was studied. We collected 100 sera per year of age, stratified by geographic region. Demographic data and documented hepatitis A vaccine history was entered into a specially designed anonymous database. Sera were tested for the presence of anti–hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin G antibodies (AxSYM, Abbott Laboratories, Hellas, Greece).
RESULTS: Data from 948 children analyzed revealed that 40.7% of the children had received at least 1 dose of hepatitis A vaccine. To date we have examined 498 sera. Among fully vaccinated children who had received at least 2 doses of vaccine, 91.2% were immune. The overall prevalence of anti–hepatitis A virus antibodies in unvaccinated children was 15.4%. In unvaccinated children &gt;12 months of age, the rate of natural immunity was 11.7% (33 of 282). Interestingly, neither age nor ethnicity were associated with higher rates of natural infection. Among unvaccinated infants, the rate of passively maternal antibodies was surprisingly high (15 of 30 [50%]), mainly because of children from immigrant or Gypsy families, reflecting maternal natural infection.
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of universal vaccination against hepatitis A in Greece should be discussed because, according to our results, 11.7% of unvaccinated children have serologic evidence of past natural infection.
SUPPRESSION OF THE OLIVOCOCHLEAR REFLEX: A NEUROTOXIC ADVERSE EFFECT OF VINCRISTINE
Authors: Varvoutsi Maria , Riga Maria , Douniadakis Dimitris , Psarommatis George , Bouhoutsou Despina , Baka Margarita , Pourtsidis Apostolos , Doganis Dimitrios , Kosmidis Helen 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a known neurotoxic regimen, such as the acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster 95 (ALL-BFM-95) protocol, on the function of the medial olivocochlear bundle, which was assessed by recording suppression of the amplitudes of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) when white noise was applied simultaneously to the contralateral ear.
METHODS: Our population consisted of 3 groups of children with ALL. A baseline examination was performed before the beginning of therapy. DPOAE-suppression measurements were repeated after 4 weekly doses of vincristine in the first group (n = 12), after 8 weekly doses in the second group (n = 12), and 3 years after completion of the protocol in the third group (n = 23). In the third group, a subgroup of 12 children who were exposed to low-dose gentamicin (&lt;13 days) and another 11 children who were exposed to high gentamicin doses (&gt;23 days) were evaluated.
RESULTS: At baseline examination, all groups presented significant suppression at all frequencies. Efferent mediated DPOAE suppression was still present after 4 sessions of vincristine. However, after 8 vincristine sessions, instead of suppression, an increase of amplitudes was noted at 5 (of 12) frequencies. In the subgroups examined 3 years after ALL-BFM-95, the olivocochlear reflex had recovered.
CONCLUSIONS: Enhancement or no significant suppression of OAEs by contralateral noise indicates a probable vincristine-induced insult to the efferent cochlear innervation. This adverse effect seems to take place early in the course of chemotherapy and is slowly reversed a few years after chemotherapy. The clinical implications of these findings may need additional investigation.
LITERATURE REVIEW OF ROTAVIRUS PREVALENCE IN AFRICA
Authors: Waggie Zainab , Hawkridge Anthony , Hussey Gregory 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Diarrhea kills 1.6 million children younger than 5 years annually, with rotavirus causing 600 000 of those deaths. Eighty-five percent of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to review rotavirus prevalence studies of children in Africa from 1975 to 2006.
METHODS: Three multilingual Medline searches (limited to humans) were performed: “RV,” country/Africa, and epidemiology/diarrhea. Additional inclusion criteria included children &lt;5 years of age, conducted over &gt;3 months, and including &gt;50 children. Data were analyzed in 4 periods.
RESULTS: Of the initial 189 studies identified, 75 in 18 countries met the additional inclusion criteria (Table 1). More than half of the studies were hospital based. In all studies the most common serotypes were G1 (25%), G4 (16%), G2 (13%), G3 (12%), P[8] (37%), P[6] (35%), and P[4] (11%). From 1996 to 2006 the common serotypes were G1 (22%), G4 (17%), G2 (13%), G3 (13%), P[6] (37%), P[8] (35%), and P[4] (11%).
CONCLUSIONS: The current prevalence rate is 30% (range: 17%–38%). Present serotypes include G1 through G4, G8, G9, P[8], P[6], and P[4]. Rotavirus diarrhea represents a significant disease burden. Current rotavirus prevalence studies are important, because there are effective rotavirus vaccines available to prevent mortality and severe disease.
TABLE 1.Results of 75 Studies on Rotavirus Prevalence in Children &lt;5 Years Old in AfricaAll Studies1976–19851986–19951996–2006Total No. of studies75123924Duration, mo12 (8.0–15.5)12 (8.0–12.5)12 (8.0–12.5)14 (11–24)Rotavirus-positive, %26252530Studies with serotyping, n180216Rotavirus-positive with serotyping, %24—567— indicates that data were not available.
PROSPECTIVE FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS WITH EWING SARCOMA WITHIN THE LATE EFFECTS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
Authors: Paulides Marios , Dirksen Uta , Stohr Wolfgang , Jürgens Heribert , Dorr Helmuth-Gunther , Bolling Tobias , Willich Normann , Beck Jorn-Dirk , Langer Thorsten 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: It is known that antineoplastic treatment may induce early and late organ toxicities depending on treatment modalities and intensity.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the cumulative incidence of sequelae within our cohort of patients treated within the EICESS-92 (European Intergroup Cooperative Ewing's Sarcoma Study, 1992) treatment trial.
METHODS: Since 1998, the Late Effects Surveillance System (LESS) of the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology has prospectively registered late effects in patients of all ages with relapse-free bone and soft tissue sarcoma in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The follow-up is conducted locally in accordance with LESS guidelines. Data are reported to the LESS center for collation and analysis.
RESULTS: There were 67 patients available for analysis (42 male, 25 female) with a median age at diagnosis of 13 years and a median follow-up of 3.5 years. Registration had to be terminated for 17 patients as a result of relapse. In total, 43.3% (29 of 67) of the patients were reported to have at least 1 sequelae of treatment. Sixteen patients suffered toxicity in 1 organ system, 9 patients developed toxicity in 2 organ systems, and there were 3 organ systems affected in 4 patients. Nephrotoxicity was reported in 10.4% (7 of 67), cardiotoxicity in 8.9% (6 of 67), peripheral polyneuropathy in 5.9% (4 of 67), and other toxicities in 34.3% (23 of 67) of the patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Sequelae of treatment for Ewing sarcoma within this cohort of the EICESS-92 study were not more frequent than reported previously. Patients are at risk for the development of several toxicities after treatment for Ewing sarcoma, and they should receive adequate medical follow-up.
LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF HENOCH-SCHÖNLEIN NEPHRITIS IN CHILDREN
Authors: Oner Ayse , Erdogan Φzlem , Eren Tuba , Demircin Gülay , Bülbül Mehmet , Baysun Sahika , Arda Nilufer 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: The long-term prognosis in Henoch-Schönlein purpura is determined principally by the development of progressive glomerulonephritis (&gt;10% progress to end-stage renal failure).
OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to investigate the long-term prognosis of Henoch-Schönlein nephritis (HSN) in childhood.
METHODS: Between 1991 and 2003, 156 patients with HSN were investigated retrospectively.
RESULTS: There were 86 boys and 70 girls with a mean age of 9.6 years. They were graded according to the degree of renal involvement: grade 1, isolated microscopic hematuria (n = 31); grade 2, hematuria and mild proteinuria (n = 60); grade 3, acute nephritic syndrome (n = 4); grade 4, nephrotic syndrome ± hematuria (n = 18); grade 5, acute nephritic and nephrotic syndrome (n = 43). Renal biopsy was performed on 43 patients with grade 4 or 5 disease. Twenty patients had extensive crescent formation (&gt;50%) as shown by the renal biopsy and were given triple therapy (intravenous pulse methylprednisolone [30 mg/kg per day for 3 days] followed by oral prednisolone [OP], oral cyclophosphamide [2 mg/kg per day for 2 to 3 months], and dipyridamole). The other 23 patients with &lt;50% crescent formation were given methylprednisolone followed by OP and dipyridamole. The patients with grade 3 or 4 disease were given OP and dipyridamole. Those with grade 1 or 2 disease were not given any immunosuppressive agent. During the follow-up period (mean: 30 ± 3.5 months; range: 12–96 months), 23 patients with grade 1, 38 patients with grade 2, 2 patients with grade 3, 8 patients with grade 4, and 21 patients with grade 5 disease showed complete remission (59%). Of the 5 patients with extensive fibrosis shown by renal biopsy, 2 (1%) had persistent nephropathy and 3 (2%) developed end-stage renal failure. The remaining 59 patients showed near-complete recovery with minimal urinary abnormalities (38%).
CONCLUSIONS: Although initial presentation of renal involvement determines the prognosis for those with HSN, intensive treatment with triple therapy seems to be effective for severe renal disease, especially if started before the development of fibrotic changes in crescents and tubulointerstitial tissue.
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE ON HYPEROXIA-INDUCED LUNG INJURY AND ITS INTERACTION WITH P38 MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE SIGNALING PATHWAY
Authors: Xu Feng , Tan Li-Ping , Kuang Feng-Wu , Fang Fang , Lu Zhong-Yi , Wang Xing-Yong 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an effective oxidation inhibitor, but the protection of NAC in hyperoxia-induced lung injury is unknown.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the protective effect of NAC on hyperoxia-induced lung injury and change of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression caused by NAC treatment.
METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to room air (A), hyperoxia injury (B), hyperoxia + NAC (C), hyperoxia + SB203580 (D), or hyperoxia + NAC + SB203580 (E). The lung wet/dry ratio, pathology, and location and quantity of p38 protein were detected.
RESULTS: Although pathologic changes in group B included severe alveolar edema with inflammatory cell aggregation and red blood cell leakage, the lung micrographic pictures in groups C, D, and E were improved significantly compared with group B; p38-positive cells increased in group B compared with that in group A and labeled in many types cells in lung tissue, especially in infiltrative inflammatory cells. In groups C, D, and E, the positive cells remarkably decreased compared with those in group B; the quantity of p38 MAPK was higher in group B than in group A, and p38 expression in groups C, D, and E decreased significantly compared with group B but was higher than that in the control group. There was no significant difference of p38 quantity among the 3 groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Reactive oxygen species activated phospho-p38 MAPK signaling pathway, and NAC and SB203580 treatments reduced the extent of hyperoxia-induced lung injury, as evidenced by reduction of the wet/dry ratio and lung pathology. NAC may exert a protective effect on hyperoxia-induced lung injury through attenuation of reactive oxygen species–induced p38 MAPK activation.
DETECTION OF HUMAN BOCAVIRUS IN CHINESE CHILDREN WITH RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION
Authors: Zhao Xiaodong 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Human bocavirus (HBoV), a parvovirus discovered in 2005, was identified as a respiratory pathogen in a proportion of respiratory tract diseases with an unknown causative agent.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to investigate the role of HBoV in acute lower respiratory tract infection in Chinese children.
METHODS: Two hundred forty-five nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from January to December 2006 from hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infection were tested for the presence of HBoV DNA by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that targeted the NP-1 gene. Bulk PCR products were subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis. Medical charts were reviewed for clinical features of HBoV infection.
RESULTS: HBoV DNA was detected in 11 (4.5%) of the 245 nasopharyngeal aspirates. HBoV infection occurred year-round and peaked in winter. The age range of the children was from 48 days to 18 months. Coinfections of HBoV and respiratory syncytial virus were found in 2 (18.2%) of 11 samples. Nucleotide sequence of the NP-1 gene PCR products showed considerably high identity (99%). Clinical symptoms included cough and wheezing.
CONCLUSIONS: HBoV seems to be one of the respiratory pathogens for acute respiratory tract infection in the Chongqing area, particularly in young children. Understanding of the clinical relevance of HBoV infection will require additional studies.
TWO-DECADE EXPERIENCE AND LONG-TERM SURVIVAL IN PEDIATRIC NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA
Authors: Papadakis Vassilios , Parcharidou Agapi , Paisiou Anna , Tourkantoni Natalia , Papargyri Sofia , Stefanaki Kalliopi , Polychronopoulou Sophia 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Treatment results for pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) continue to improve internationally.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate patient characteristics in our series of patients with NHL and outcomes for the last 16 years (1990–2006).
METHODS: Our patients included 52 newly diagnosed children (11 girls) with a median age of 8.40 years (range: 0.33–14.5 years). Histology results included B-lymphocyte NHL, T-lymphocyte NHL, and Ki-1 in 35, 12, and 5 patients, respectively. In each 5-year period, 14 (3), 17 (3), and 21 (5) patients (girls) were diagnosed, respectively. Common presenting sites were the mediastinum (16), neck area (14), and abdomen (10). Disease was at stage I, II, III, and IV in 3, 14, 23, and 7 patients, respectively. Treatment varied over time. Berlin-Frankfurt-Munich (BFM) protocols had been applied since 1995 (BFM-NHL-90), and since 1997 the BFM-NHL-95 protocol had been applied. Irradiation was given to 5 patients (2 with B-NHL, 3 with T-NHL), and autologous stem cell transplantation was performed on 4 patients, all with B-NHL (1 with central nervous system disease, 1 with residual disease at the end of treatment, and 2 at relapse).
RESULTS: At this writing, 41 patients are alive; 39, 2, and 1 are in first, second, and third remission, respectively. In total, 9 have succumbed (2 died soon after admission in other hospitals as a result of acute-phase complications), and 5 patients died during the first decade of our retrospective study (with T-histology and extensive disease). The event-free survival rate is 74.4% (39 of 52 patients), and the overall survival rate is 80.9% (41 of 52 patients), for a median follow-up time of 6.1 years (range: 0.01–14.7 years) for all patients. For the 39 patients treated with the BFM-95 protocol since 1997, event-free survival and overall survival rates are 79.4% and 88.2%, respectively, for a median follow-up time of 4.8 years.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall and event-free survival rates and outcome of our patients with NHL treated during the last 16 years are standing high. There has been limited use of irradiation and stem cell transplantation.
EFFECT OF DURATION OF STATUS CONVULSION ON NEURONAL APOPTOSIS AND EARLY APOPTOTIC EVENTS IN HIPPOCAMPUS OF RATS
Authors: Jiang Li , Guo Yi , Yuan Ai-yun , Hu Yue 
Published: January 2008

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to explore the influence of duration of status epilepticus on neuronal apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c release in hippocampus in Wistar rats after status epilepticus (SE).
METHODS: SE that lasted for 30 minutes or 3 hours was induced by intraperitoneal injection with lithium chloride and pilocarpine. Rats were killed at different time points. The apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular cytochrome c level were investigated by flow cytometry.
RESULTS: The proportion of apoptotic cells, the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, and the release of intracellular cytochrome c significantly changed 30 minutes after 30-minute SE. The peak level was at the 12th hour after SE and 6th hour after SE in apoptosis and the 2 early apoptotic events, respectively. Compared with the same time point after 30-minute SE, the levels of apoptosis and the 2 early apoptotic events after 3-hour SE were much higher. The neuronal apoptosis and the 2 early apoptotic events in hippocampus after SE had a positive correlation with the duration of SE in partial correlation analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: Severe seizures could induce the changes of neuronal apoptosis and the early apoptotic events in hippocampus after SE; the longer the duration of SE, the more serious the change of apoptosis and early apoptotic events were.
BASIC FEATURES OF HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS CHINESE ISOLATE PROTEINS
Authors: Zhao Xiaodong , Lu Huang 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), initially described in 2001, is an enveloped RNA virus of the genus Metapneumovirus, subfamily Pneumovirinae, family Paramyxoviridae.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to clarify the basic features of hMPV proteins.
METHODS: Rabbits were immunized with inactivated virions of hMPV Chinese isolate, CHN05-01, to yield anti-hMPV antiserum. Antiserum was used as primary antibody to detect hMPV proteins by Western blotting. NetNglyc 1.0 server, NetOglyc 3.1 server, and the NetPhos 2.0 server were applied for predicting potential glycosylation and phosphorylation sites of proteins of prototype virus of subtype A, CAN97-83.
RESULTS: The highest reactive titer of the antiserum with hMPV antigens reached 1:500 in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Potential glycosylation sites of G protein and phosphorylation sites of P protein were greatest among all hMPV proteins. G protein was shown as a narrow band with molecular weight between 55 and 72 kd (∼68 kd), indicating that its glycosylation level is consistent and remarkably different from that of CAN99-80 and CAN99-81. F1 subunit of fusion protein displayed molecular weight between 40 and 55 kd (∼48 kd), which is consistent with previous reports.
CONCLUSIONS: Basic features of 2 major membrane proteins of Chinese hMPV isolate were clarified, which will benefit future studies on protein function and the pathogenesis of this virus.
PREDICTION OF CAPILLARY LEAKAGE IN PATIENTS WITH DENGUE VIRUS INFECTION: WHAT ELSE BESIDES HEMATOCRIT AND PLATELET COUNTS?
Authors: Khongphatthanayothin Apichai , Supachokechaiwattana Pentip , Pantcharoen Chitsanu 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Besides clinical examination, hematocrit and platelet counts are often used to predict if a patient with suspected dengue virus infection had dengue hemorrhagic fever.
OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the role of Doppler study of the portal vein as a predictor for capillary leakage in these patients.
METHODS: Doppler studies of the right portal vein blood flow velocity were performed for 61 patients (aged 10.2 ± 2.9 years; 34 boys and 27 girls) with serologically confirmed dengue virus infection at defervescence. Presence of right pleural effusion was detected by ultrasound in 32 patients 24 to 48 hours later. Binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for the following variables as predictors of pleural effusion 24 to 48 hours after defervescence: age, gender, maximum hematocrit level, lowest platelet count, and the velocity of blood flow in the right portal vein (PVDPL).
RESULTS: Hematocrit level and PVDPL were independent predictors of pleural effusion. The area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity for these variables as predictors for right pleural fluid 24 to 48 hours after defervescence are shown in Table 1.
CONCLUSIONS: Doppler-derived portal venous blood flow velocity may be used to predict the clinical progression of patients with dengue virus infection.
TABLE 1.Variables as Predictors of Pleural EffusionVariablesArea Under ROC CurveCutoffSensitivity, %Specificity, %Hematocrit, %0.79&gt;437283PVDPL, cm/s0.88&lt;15.37279Hematocrit/PVDPL, s/cm0.93&gt;2.668183