bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between severity of disease and reimbursement of costs in neonatal and paediatric intensive care patients
Authors: Hoehn Thomas , Drabik Attyla , Lehmann Christian , Christaras Andreas , Stannigel Hans , Mayatepek Ertan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between neonatal, paediatric and adult disease severity scores and reimbursement by health insurances.Methods: The setting was a university hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). We performed a prospective study of all patients admitted over the 3‐month study period. Data collected included five scoring systems to predict mortality or to quantify disease severity (Paediatric Index of Mortality [PIM], Paediatric Risk of Mortality [PRISM], Simplified Acute Physiological Score [SAPS], Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology [SNAP], Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System [TISS]) on a daily basis, the total reimbursement as calculated by the grouper according to the German diagnosis‐related groups (DRG) system, age of the patient, length of stay (LOS), International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐10 and DRG diagnosis. Our intention was to determine the correlation between different neonatal, paediatric and adult scores (PIM, PRISM III, SAPS‐II, SNAP, Core‐10‐TISS), and reimbursement by the health insurance on the basis of the German DRG system in its 2005 and 2007 version.Results: No positive correlation between any score applied and reimbursement by the health insurance could be identified. Reimbursement was positively correlated to the length of hospital stay. Positive correlations could also be shown for some of the scores among each other.Conclusion: We conclude that other scoring systems or measures of disease severity urgently need to be established to terminate the chronic underfunding of paediatric intensive care medicine in the developed countries.
Correlation of 8‐isoprostane, interleukin‐6 and cardiac functions with clinical score in childhood obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Biltagi Mohammed A , Maguid Mohammed A , Ghafar Mohammed A , Farid Eman 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective: Adeno‐tonsillar hypertrophy is the commonest cause of childhood obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Our aim of the study is to correlate the severity of OSA with levels of 8‐isoprostane and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and with cardiac diastolic dysfunctions.Methods: Forty children with adenoidal hypertrophy and 20 control children were recruited. The OSA clinical score was evaluated and IL‐6 and 8‐isoprostane were measured in exhaled breath condensate. The cardiac functions were evaluated by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE).Results: Higher concentrations of isoprostane‐8 and IL‐6 were found in group with clinical score >40 (58.595 ± 2.86 pg/mL and 38 ± 1.77 pg/mL, respectively) than in control group (34.9 ± 1.5 pg/mL and 7.02 ± 0.3 pg/mL, respectively) {p < 0.0001*}. There was positive correlation between level of isoprostane‐8 and IL‐6 and value of clinical score {p < 0.0001*} and also with the degree of the cardiac dysfunction in those children.Conclusion: The severity of OSA as indicated by clinical score was positively correlated with degree of elevation of 8‐Isoprostane and IL‐6 in breath condensate of children with OSA and also with degree of cardiac dysfunction. Echocardiography and tissue Doppler modality are advised to examine these children.
Human placental IGF‐I and IGF‐II expression: correlating maternal and infant anthropometric variables and micronutrients at birth in the Pakistani population
Authors: Akram SK , Akram M , Bhutta ZA , Soder O 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim: To correlate infant birth weight with maternal and infant biometric data, including the expression of placental IGF‐I and IGF‐II at birth, and levels of serum zinc and ferritin.Methods: The data consisted of observations from 89 women from Karachi, Pakistan. Placental and cord blood samples were taken immediately following delivery and were subsequently divided into two groups, small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA).Results: The mean birth weight was 2.79 kg; the prevalence of SGA being 13.4% (≤10th percentile); the prevalence of LGA being 23.6% (≥90th percentile). Placental IGF‐I and IGF‐II mRNA expression was greater in the LGA group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant correlation was noted between infant birth weight and maternal anthropometric parameters (p < 0.01). Cord zinc levels were also significantly higher in the LGA group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Maternal anthropometry, along with placental IGF‐I and IGF‐II mRNA levels, correlated significantly with infant birth weight suggesting the importance of these growth factors for birth weight outcomes. The higher zinc levels in the LGA group also suggest the importance of this micronutrient in foetal growth. Our results suggest that growth problems have a multifactorial aetiology arising from within the infant rather than due to maternal constraint alone.
Taller stature after postnatal rapid weight gain in early infancy predicts overweight status at age 3
Authors: Akaboshi Izumi , Haraguchi Yougo , Mizumoto Yuuji , Kitano Akito , Kan Hiroaki 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim: To evaluate whether postnatal rapid weight gain in early infancy is associated with subsequent tall stature and being overweight at age 3, and taller stature after postnatal rapid weight gain predicts overweight status at age 3.Methods: Data from a retrospective cohort study (time period 2003–2004, total number = 1353 subjects in Kumamoto, Japan) were used. The rate of weight gain during the first 3–4 months was calculated as 100 g/month, and postnatal rapid and slow growth were calculated by using weight standard deviation (SD). Overweight status at 3 years of age was determined according to the definition of the International Obesity Task Force.Results: In total, 4.7% of subjects were overweight at age 3. Postnatal rapid weight gain, associated with height increases until age 3 (p < 0.0001), and the rate of weight gain were significant risk factors for being overweight in children at age 3. Taller heights at 6–9 months and 17–20 months of age following postnatal rapid weight gain were associated with overweight status at age 3 (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Taller stature following postnatal rapid weight gain in early infancy predicts overweight status at age 3; additionally, rapid infancy weight gain contributes to the acceleration of statural growth in overweight children.
Hand washing soap as a source of neonatal Serratia marcescens outbreak
Authors: Rabier V , Bataillon S , Jolivet‐Gougeon A , Chapplain J‐M , Beuchée A , Bétrémieux P 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective: To describe an outbreak of Serratia marcescens infections in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to report investigations and interventions having led to the cessation of the outbreak.Design: Observational study of microbiological and epidemiological investigations realised during a S. marcescens outbreak between March and October 2006.Methods: Nine cases were observed in a 5 months period. A Serratia outbreak was therefore identified, and all the strains were compared by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Data from medical notes were gathered retrospectively. Environmental samples were gathered prospectively.Results: Four infants were colonized and five infants were infected by S. marcescens. PFGE revealed that three different strains were present. Seven of the nine babies were infected by only one of these strains. This same strain was found in a nonantimicrobial soap bottle (NAS) that could be the source of contamination.Conclusion: It is the first time that S. marcescens is found in a NAS during a neonatal nosocomial outbreak. Molecular analysis is a method of choice to compare different strains. Identification and elimination of the nosocomial source and adherence to the infection control policies are essential to succeed in the containment of a nosocomial epidemic.
HTR2Avariation and sudden infant death syndrome: a case–control analysis
Authors: Rand Casey M , Berry‐Kravis Elizabeth M , Fan Wenqing , Weese‐Mayer Debra E 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim: The serotonergic (5‐HT) system functions in central autonomic regulation with homeostatic roles in cardiorespiratory control, thermoregulation, arousal and sleep‐wake cycling. Altered function and development of this system in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) have been established, but the aetiology of these disturbances remains unclear. The serotonin receptor, HTR2A, functions within this system with roles in the homeostatic response to hypoxia including excitatory effects on respiration, gasping and rhythm generation, all functions potentially compromised in SIDS. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between SIDS risk andHTR2Avariation.Methods: All coding regions, intron–exon boundaries and the promoter region ofHTR2Awere PCR amplified and analysed by standard sequencing in 96 SIDS cases and 96 matched controls.Results: Twenty‐oneHTR2Avariations were identified in this case–control cohort, including four novel variations (c.C‐1185A, c.T‐923C, c.T‐17C and c.C50T). None of the variations identified showed a significant association with SIDS.Conclusion: This report provides evidence that despite known alterations of the 5‐HT system in SIDS, and the logical role for the HTR2A receptor, genetic variation ofHTR2Aas studied in our cohort is not responsible for these alterations. These results represent a further step in the investigation of the aetiology of the altered serotonin system in SIDS cases.
The Studies on the Aetiology of Diarrhoea in Neonatal Calves and Determination of Virulence Gene Markers ofEscherichia coliStrains by Multiplex PCR
Authors: Ok M. , Güler L. , Turgut K. , Ok Ü. , Şen I. , Gündüz I. K. , Birdane M. F. , Güzelbekteş H. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to determine aetiological agents of diarrhoea in neonatal calves and to investigate virulence gene markers ofEscherichia colistrains isolated from calves by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty‐two diarrhoeic calves and 18 healthy calves were used as subjects. Faeces were taken from the rectums of all the calves and were subjected to bacterial culture. Antigen enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect rotavirus, coronavirus andE. coliK99 in faeces of all the calves. A multiplex PCR was used to characterizeE. colistrains in all the calves.Escherichia coliwas isolated from 37 faeces samples,Enterococcusssp. was isolated from 22 faeces samples andSalmonellawas isolated from one faeces sample in diarrhoeic calves. Furthermore, onlyE. coliwas isolated from all 18 faeces samples of healthy calves. Of the 37E. coliisolated from diarrhoeic calves, K99 (18.9%), F41 (18.9%), heat‐stable enterotoxin a (STa) (18.9%), Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1; 13.5%) and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2; 5.4%) and intimin (8.1%) genes were identified by multiplex PCR. Of the 18E. coliisolated from healthy calves, K99 (16.6%) and intimin (55.5%) genes were identified by PCR. A total of 15 rotavirus, 11 coronavirus and 11E. coliK99 were detected in diarrhoeic calves by the antigen ELISA. As a result, this study shows that rotavirus, coronavirus,E. coliandEnterococcus ssp.were determined to play a role in the aetiology of diarrhoea in the neonatal calves. K99, F41, STa, Stx1 and Stx2 were found as the most common virulence gene markers ofE. colistrains isolated from calves with diarrhoea. Multiplex PCR may be useful for characterization ofE. coliisolated from calves.
Effect of Organic Acids in Drinking Water During the Last 2 weeks Prior to Slaughter onSalmonellaShedding by Slaughter Pigs and Contamination of Carcasses
Authors: De Busser E. V. , Dewulf J. , Nollet N. , Houf K. , Schwarzer K. , De Sadeleer L. , De Zutter L. , Maes D. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryIn this study, we investigated the effect of adding organic acids to the drinking water of finishing pigs 2 weeks prior to slaughter on the shedding and prevalence rate ofSalmonellaat slaughter. Approximately 600 animals from four Belgian pig herds infected withSalmonellawere included. At two herds, the study was conducted twice. Before the start of the study, overshoes were taken at the different herds. Two weeks prior to the expected slaughter date, the pigs were randomly divided into two groups (treatment and control group) each containing on average 50 animals within each herd. The treatment group received from this day onwards acidified drinking water (pH = 3.6–4.0), the control group received non‐treated water (pH = 7.8–8.5). All other housing, feeding and management factors were identical in both groups. At the slaughterhouse, 10 pigs of each group (20 pigs for each group of study group 6) were randomly selected and sampled (blood, contents of ileum and rectum, mesenteric lymph nodes and carcass swabs). All samples were immediately transported to the laboratory and submitted toSalmonellaisolation.Salmonellawas isolated out of 11.9% (66/554) of the samples taken at the slaughterhouse, with the highest frequency found in the content of the ileum (18.7%), followed by 17.8% in the lymph nodes, 7.2% in the content of the rectum and 3.6% in the carcass swabs. The results did not reveal a significant difference between the treatment and control groups for the different slaughterhouse samples. The study documented that the investigated control strategy namely, the strategic application of organic acids during the last 2 weeks prior to slaughter was insufficient to decreaseSalmonellashedding and contamination shortly before and during slaughter.
Risk Factors Associated withCryptosporidium parvumInfection in Cattle
Authors: Duranti A. , Cacciò S. M. , Pozio E. , Di Egidio A. , De Curtis M. , Battisti A. , Scaramozzino P. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryA 2‐year, cross‐sectional study was conducted to identify risk factors forCryptosporidiumsp. infection in bovine farms in central Italy. Faecal samples were collected on 248 farms, from 2024 calves and analysed using ELISA and immunofluorescent assay (IFA) commercial kits. In all 101 samples confirmed to be positive with IFA, the aetiological agent was identified asCryptosporidium parvumand a large genetic variability was detected by subtype analysis. The prevalence of farm infection ranged from 3.4% to 35.6%. Univariate analysis showed a number of putative risk factors, including the type of farm, stalling of calves, late supply of colostrum, number of heads and contact between calves and adults. However, multivariate analysis confirmed that the higher risk for calves was associated with housing calves separately from their dams, a characteristic practice of dairy herd, whereas calves being nursed by their dams, a characteristic of cow–calf herd resulted as a protective factor.
Prevalence ofCampylobacter jejuniand its Resistance to Antibiotics in Poultry in the Czech Republic
Authors: Bardon J. , Kolar M. , Cekanova L. , Hejnar P. , Koukalova D. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThermotolerantCampylobacterspp., in particularCampylobacter jejuni, are among the most frequently identified pathogens, found to be causing human gastrointestinal infections in Europe, with the Czech Republic being no exception. The presented work aimed at assessing results of the first nationwide monitoring of prevalence and antibiotic resistance ofCampylobacterspp. in broiler flocks in the Czech Republic, including a comparison of antibiotic resistance ofC. jejuniisolates collected from poultry and the human community. The monitoring was carried out in poultry slaughterhouses in 2006 and 2007. From broilers, cloacal swabs were collected and examined. The human isolates ofC. jejuniwere acquired from rectal swabs in community patients with diarrhoeal diseases. Suspected isolates of both animal and human origin were confirmed by the PCR methods. Antibiotic resistance to selected anti‐microbial agents was tested by the microdilution method. In the monitored period, the prevalence of thermotolerantCampylobacterspp. in broilers in the Czech Republic reached almost 50%. In 2006,C. jejuniwas detected in 46% andCampylobacter coliin 3% of the tested samples. In 2007,C. jejuniwas found in 43% andC. coliin 2% of the samples. The results of anti‐microbial susceptibility testing ofC. jejunishowed higher resistance in animals when compared with humans. The only exception was tetracycline with higher resistance in isolates of human origin. The highest resistance detected was to quinolone antibiotics. Resistance to oxolinic acid was 77% in animal and 60% in human isolates, to ciprofloxacin 72% in isolates from poultry and 55% in those from humans. In ampicillin, 26% of poultry isolates and 16% of human isolates were resistant. Moreover, 9% of animal isolates demonstrated resistance to streptomycin, undetected in human isolates. In erythromycin, resistance was found in 6% of poultry and 1% of human isolates.
TOWARDS PATTERN-BASED REASONING FOR FRIENDLY ONTOLOGY DEBUGGING
Authors: JARRAR MUSTAFA , HEYMANS STIJN 
Published: September 2008

Reasoning with ontologies is a challenging task specially for non-logic experts. When checking whether an ontology contains rules that contradict each other, current description logic reasoners can only provide a list of the unsatisfiable concepts. Figuring out why these concepts are unsatisfiable, which rules cause conflicts, and how to resolve these conflicts, is all left to the ontology modeler himself. The problem becomes even more challenging in case of large or medium size ontologies, because an unsatisfiable concept may cause many of its neighboring concepts to be unsatisfiable. The goal of this article is to empower ontology engineering with a user-friendly reasoning mechanism. We propose a pattern-based reasoning approach, which offers 9 patterns of constraint contradictions that lead to unsatisfiability in Object-role (ORM) models. The novelty of this approach is not merely that constraint contradictions are detected, but mainly that it provides the causes and suggestions to resolve contradictions. The approach is implemented in the DogmaModeler ontology engineering tool, and tested in building the CCFORM ontology. We discuss that, although this pattern-based reasoning covers most of contradictions in practice, compared with description logic based reasoning, it is not complete. We argue and illustrate both approaches, pattern-based and description logic-based, their implementation in the DogmaModeler, and conclude that both complement each other from a methodological perspective.
Matrilysin(MMP-7) Is a Novel Broadly Expressed Tumor Antigen Recognized by Antigen-Specific T Cells
Authors: Yokoyama Yuko , Grünebach Frank , Schmidt Susanne M. , Heine Annkristin , Häntschel Maik , Stevanovic Stefan , Rammensee Hans-Georg , Brossart Peter 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPurpose: A prerequisite for the development of vaccination strategies is the identification and characterization of relevant tumor-associated antigen. Using microarray and reverse transcription-PCR analysis, we found matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-7 to be extensively up-regulated in renal cell carcinomas and expressed in a broad variety of malignant cells. MMP-7 can promote cancer invasion and angiogenesis by proteolytic cleavage of extracellular matrix and basement membrane proteins, thus making it a promising target in the context of immunotherapies.Experimental Design: To analyze the possible use of MMP-7 as a tumor-associated antigen, specific CTLs were induced using monocyte-derived dendritic cells electroporated with MMP-7-mRNA. In addition, to better characterize the fine specificity of these CTLs, MMP-7 MHC class I ligands were isolated and characterized in renal cell carcinoma tissue, which overexpressed MMP-7, by mass spectrometry–based peptide sequencing. Using this approach, we identified a novel HLA-A3–binding antigenic MMP-7 peptide. CTLs generated from healthy donors by in vitro priming with dendritic cells, pulsed with the novel peptide, were used as effectors in 51Cr-release assays.Results: The induced CTLs elicited an antigen-specific and HLA-restricted cytolytic activity against tumor cells endogenously expressing the MMP-7 protein. Furthermore, we were able to induce MMP-7–specific CTLs using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia capable of recognizing the autologous leukemic blasts while sparing nonmalignant cells.Conclusions: Our study describes the identification of a novel broadly expressed T-cell epitope derived from the MMP-7 protein that represents an interesting candidate to be applied in immunotherapies of human malignancies targeting both tumor cells and neovascularization.
Effective CpG Immunotherapy of Breast Carcinoma Prevents but Fails to Eradicate Established Brain Metastasis
Authors: Xiong Zhengming , Gharagozlou Soheila , Vengco Isabelita , Chen Wei , Ohlfest John R. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Purpose: Breast cancer patients with brain metastasis have a dismal prognosis. We determined the ability of immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) to treat or prevent brain metastasis in a mouse model.
Experimental Design: Mice bearing orthotopic breast carcinoma with or without concurrent i.c. tumors were treated by injections of CpG ODN at the primary tumor. Immunologic memory was tested by tumor rechallenge and immune responses were assessed by flow cytometry, delayed-type hypersensitivity, and CTL assays.
Results: Orthotopic tumors regressed in treated mice regardless of whether concurrent i.c. disease was present. In mice bearing only orthotopic tumors, CpG ODN rendered 50% tumor-free and they rejected tumor rechallenge in breast and brain. In mice with concurrent i.c. disease, there was no difference in brain tumor growth compared with saline controls, despite regression of the primary tumor. Flow cytometry revealed that treated mice that died from i.c. disease exhibited a significant increase in brain-infiltrating T and natural killer cells relative to saline controls. CTLs from these mice were able to kill tumor in vitro and extend survival of naive mice bearing less-established brain tumors by adoptive transfer.
Conclusions: The lack of survival benefit in mice with appreciable brain metastasis was not explained by a deficit in lymphocyte trafficking or function because CTLs from these mice killed tumor and inhibited microscopic brain metastasis by adoptive transfer. These results indicate that CpG ODN might be beneficial as a preventative adjuvant to initial therapy preceding brain metastasis or to inhibit progression of microscopic brain metastases.