bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of therapeutic early onset granulocyte transfusions in pediatric patients with neutropenia and severe infections
Authors: Sachs Ulrich J.H. , Reiter Alfred , Walter Tobias , Bein Gregor , Woessmann Wilhelm 
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND: Bacterial and fungal infections in profound neutropenia after chemotherapy are associated with high mortality despite appropriate antibacterial and antifungal treatment. Granulocyte transfusions are used as a therapeutic addendum, but concern regarding pulmonary reactions often results in delayed use in clinical practice. Accordingly, many patients are already at advanced stages of their infectious disease once granulocytes are transfused. Thus, a prospective Phase II trial was conducted to test the safety and efficacy of therapeutic early‐onset granulocyte transfusions in immunocompromised children with neutropenia and severe infections.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty‐seven children with hematologic disorder or malignancy and severe neutropenia with clinically and/or microbiologically documented severe infection unresponsive to standard treatment were included. They received granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)–elicited, crossmatched granulocyte concentrates every other day until complete recovery from infection was documented.RESULTS: A median of two granulocyte transfusions with a median of 8 × 108 granulocytes per kilogram of body weight were administered. All transfusions were well tolerated, and no pulmonary symptoms were observed. A total of 92.6 percent of our patients were able to clear their initial infection, and 81.5 percent were alive and without signs or symptoms of their infection 1 month later. All six children with aspergillosis cleared their infection.CONCLUSIONS: G‐CSF–elicited, crossmatched granulocyte concentrates are a safe and efficient therapeutic addendum in immunocompromised children with prolonged neutropenia and severe infections. Early transfusion of granulocyte concentrates can lead to an overall response rate of 92.6 percent without adverse events. Randomized clinical trials with an early‐onset design are required to determine appropriate clinical applications.
Achievement of Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients Undergoing Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Ablation: A Randomized Comparison Between Two Different Isolation Approaches
Authors: LIU XINGPENG , DONG JIANZENG , MAVRAKIS HERCULES E. , HU FULI , LONG DEYONG , FANG DONGPING , YU RONGHUI , TANG RIBO , HAO PENG , LU CHUNSHAN , HE XIAOKUI , LIU XIAOHUI , VARDAS PANOS E. , MA CHANGSHENG 
Published: September 2006

Introduction: Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) with the endpoint of pulmonary vein (PV) isolation has been developed as an effective therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). This endpoint can be achieved either by closing gaps along circular lines or by segmental PV isolation inside the circular lines after creation of initial CPVA lesions. We investigated whether the clinical outcome depends on the PV isolation approach used during the first‐time CPVA procedure. Methods and Results: One hundred consecutive patients (69 male; age, 56.7 ± 11.6 years) who underwent first‐time CPVA for treatment of symptomatic AF were enrolled. PV isolation was randomly achieved either by CPVA alone (aggressive CPVA [A‐CPVA] group, n = 50) or by a combination of CPVA with segmental PV ostia ablation (modified CPVA [M‐CPVA] group, n = 50). Recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATa) within 3 months after the initial procedure occurred in 30 patients (60%) in the M‐CPVA group and in only 15 patients (30%) in the A‐CPVA group (P < 0.01). ATa relapse after the first 3 months was detected in 21 patients (42%) in the M‐CPVA group, compared with 9 patients (18%) in the A‐CPVA group (P = 0.01). At 13 ± 4 months, patients treated by the A‐CPVA approach had greater freedom from ATa recurrence than patients who underwent M‐CPVA (P = 0.01). The M‐CPVA approach was the only independent predictor associated with procedural failure (RR 0.318; 95% CI 0.123–0.821; P = 0.02). Conclusions: When PV isolation is the endpoint of CPVA, the efficacy of the A‐CPVA approach is better than that of M‐CPVA.
The associations between gingival crevice fluid matrix metalloproteinase‐9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 and periodontitis in human immunodeficiency virus‐positive patients
Authors: Alpagot T. , Suzara V. , Bhattacharyya M. 
Published: September 2006

Background and Objective:  The study aimed to determine whether matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) in gingival crevice fluid could serve as prognostic factors for the progression of periodontitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ‐positive patients. Activated inflammatory cells produce inflammatory mediators, which stimulate the production of MMPs and their inhibitors. It is likely that the compromised immune system contributes to the pathogenesis of periodontitis in HIV‐positive patients.Methods:  Clinical measurements including gingival index, plaque index, bleeding index, probing depth, attachment loss, and gingival crevice fluid samples were taken from two healthy sites (including sites with gingival recession, gingival index = 0; probing depth ≤ 3 mm; attachment loss ≤ 2 mm), three gingivitis sites (gingival index > 0; probing depth ≤ 3 mm; attachment loss = 0) and three periodontitis sites (gingival index > 0; probing depth ≥ 5 mm; attachment loss ≥ 3 mm) of each of the 35 patients at baseline visits and 6‐month visits by means of paper strips. Gingival crevice fluid levels of MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 were determined by sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.Results:  The mean amounts of MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 in the gingivitis and periodontitis sites sites were significantly higher than in the healthy sites (P < 0.0001). The progressing site was defined as a site that had 2 mm or more attachment loss during the 6‐month study period. Gingival crevice fluid levels of MMP‐9 were significantly correlated with probing depth, attachment loss, TIMP‐1, age, smoking pack years, and viral load values at baseline and 6‐month visits (0.0001 < P < 0.001). TIMP‐1 levels were only correlated with CD4, viral load, attachment loss, and MMP‐9 (0.001 < P < 0.01). Repeated measures analysis of 11 active sites vs. 269 inactive sites indicated that MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 levels were significantly higher in active sites than in inactive sites (P < 0.0001). These data indicate that sites with high ginigval crevice fluid levels of MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 in HIV‐positive patients are at significantly greater risk for progression of periodontitis.
Expression of suppressors of cytokine signaling in diseased periodontal tissues: a stop signal for disease progression?
Authors: Garlet G. P. , Cardoso C. R. , Campanelli A. P. , Martins W. , Silva J. S. 
Published: September 2006

Background and Objective:  Inflammatory cytokines are thought to trigger periodontal tissue destruction. In addition to being regulated by anti‐inflammatory mediators, their activity is under the control of suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS), which down‐regulate the signal transduction as part of an inhibitory feedback loop. We therefore investigated the expression of SOCS‐1, ‐2 and ‐3, and the cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐10, in different forms of human periodontal diseases.Material and Methods:  Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RealTime‐PCR) was performed with mRNA from gingival biopsies of control subjects and from that of patients with chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis.Results:  Our results show that patients with chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis exhibit significantly higher SOCS‐1, ‐2 and ‐3, TNF‐α and interleukin‐10 mRNA expression when compared with healthy controls. The data also demonstrate that SOCS‐1 and ‐3 mRNA expression was higher in tissue from patients with chronic gingivitis than chronic periodontitis, while the levels of SOCS‐2, TNF‐α and interleukin‐10 mRNA were similar in these groups.Conclusion:  The increased expression of SOCS‐1, ‐2 and ‐3 mRNA in diseased periodontal tissues is believed to be involved in the down‐regulation of inflammatory cytokine and Toll‐like receptor signaling, and therefore in the attenuation of both the inflammatory reaction and disease severity. Furthermore, it is possible that variation in the levels of SOCS mRNA expressed in different forms of periodontal diseases may determine the stable or progressive nature of the lesions.
Developing practice in breastfeeding
Authors: Renfrew Mary J. , Herbert Gill , Wallace Louise M. , Spiby Helen , McFadden Alison 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis paper reports on an approach to practice development in breastfeeding as part of a national programme of work to address inequalities in maternal and child nutrition. The production and dissemination of evidence and guidelines is necessary but not sufficient on its own to effect change in practice, particularly when dealing with complex public health issues. In the case of breastfeeding, review evidence and national guidance have shown that multifaceted changes are essential if policy aspirations are to be realized. The objectives of the programme described here were to (1) inform and enable practice development in breastfeeding in low‐income areas; (2) evaluate the impact of approaches used; and (3) develop robust approaches and appropriate material for use nationally. A conceptual framework was established, and a six‐stage process is outlined. The recruitment of four sentinel sites across whole health economies, involving professionals and the voluntary sector, was an essential component of the programme. The strength of the model is that it provides a structured, cross‐sectoral approach to practice development in public health. A key challenge is to identify whose responsibility it is to resource practice development when a number of disciplines and sectors are involved. This question needs to be addressed if public health guidance is to be of sustained benefit.
‘Informal’ learning to support breastfeeding: local problems and opportunities
Authors: Abbott Stephen , Renfrew Mary J. , McFadden Alison 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis study explored ‘informal’ learning opportunities in three health economies, both for National Health Service (NHS) staff and lay people wishing to promote and support breastfeeding and for new mothers wishing to breastfeed. The word ‘informal’ indicates local learning opportunities that are not part of recognized academic or professional training courses. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with 31 key informants, including health visitors, midwives, infant feeding advisers, Sure Start personnel, voluntary organization representatives, Strategic Health Authority representatives, senior nurses and trainers. The results were analysed thematically. In each site, there were regular training events for NHS staff to acquire or update knowledge and skills. Training was provided by a small number of enthusiasts. Midwives and health visitors were the groups who attend most frequently, although many find it difficult to make time. Although many training events were multidisciplinary, few doctors appeared to attend. Individual staff also used additional learning opportunities, e.g. other courses, conferences, web‐based learning, and training by voluntary organizations. Services offered to lay people by the NHS, Sure Start and voluntary organizations included parentcraft, antenatal and post‐natal classes, breastfeeding support groups, ‘baby cafés’ and telephone counselling. Interviewees’ organizations did not have a specific breastfeeding strategy, although action groups were trying to take the agenda forward. Local opportunities were over‐dependent on individual champions working in relative isolation, and support is needed from local health economies for the facilitation of coordination and networking.
A training needs survey of doctors’ breastfeeding support skills in England
Authors: Wallace Louise M. , Kosmala‐Anderson Joanna 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe study examined the training needs of paediatricians and general practitioners (GPs). Respondents rated their competence on 23 breastfeeding support skills, importance of update in the next 2 years, actual and potential helpfulness of different forms of professional updates, and accessibility in the next 2 years. The perception of organizational barriers to breastfeeding support and practitioners’ knowledge of policies and guidance on breastfeeding were also examined. The sample comprised 120 paediatricians and 57 GPs. Response rates were estimated as between 4% and 29%, depending upon the method of recruitment. Although both groups rated themselves as fairly competent in most of the skill areas, they welcomed training in key areas of practice. Paediatricians identified more areas for update than GPs (t = 3.44; d.f. = 178; P < 0.00001). Those who believed that they were less competent in clinical skills were least likely to seek update (r = 0.35; P < 0.00001). Practical forms of training were most often welcomed. Only 47% of GPs and 62.5% of paediatricians had access to a local breastfeeding policy. There were evident gaps in knowledge on key aspects of public health policy, which could influence local practice; for example, 50.8% of GPs and 47.5% of paediatricians identified a younger age for introducing solids than the minimum according to current government guidance. Organizational barriers to breastfeeding support were experienced by all respondents. Recommendations include purposively targeting training to those least likely to seek training, and developing effective self‐study and observational methods of learning. All training should be evaluated and implemented alongside breastfeeding policies and clinical leadership to improve the practice of all healthcare practitioners.
Pouring Rights Contracts and Childhood Overweight: A Critical Theory Perspective
Authors: Opalinski Andra 
Published: September 2006

PURPOSE.  To examine school environments, and in particular, pouring rights contracts and how they relate to childhood overweight from a critical theory perspective. CONCLUSIONS.  Pouring rights contracts provide a profit to powerful mega‐corporations at the expense of children's health. There is a need to move beyond a solely individual approach to addressing childhood overweight and involve a social ecology approach. This would involve a push for social change, including removal of soda machines from schools, and changing marketing practices targeted at children. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  Nurses are poised in community situations to actively effect social changes to improve health outcomes of our nation's most vulnerable people, but nurses must get involved.
Distribution of tomato‐infecting begomoviruses and Bemisia tabaci biotypes in Morocco
Authors: Tahiri A. , Sekkat A. , Bennani A. , Granier M. , Delvare G. , Peterschmitt M. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV) (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) as well as their whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci were reported from the south‐west and central regions of Morocco. To establish a more comprehensive view of tomato begomoviruses and B. tabaci biotypes throughout Morocco, 32 tomato fields were surveyed for tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) symptoms in southern and northern regions, and 54 samples of leaves from cultivated plants or weeds and 35 B. tabaci individuals were collected and analysed by PCR, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and sequencing. Only TYLCV or TYLCSV were detected. TYLCV was detected in 15 plant samples whereas TYLCSV only in 4. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of the ‘Spanish’ strain of TYLCSV and distinguished two genetically distinct strains of TYLCV. The begomovirus infections were unevenly distributed throughout Morocco. In the north‐west and north‐central regions where tomato plants exhibiting TYLCD symptoms were rarely observed, only 1 sample out of 13 tested positive for the presence of a begomovirus. In the north‐east region, the ratio of begomovirus‐positive samples was higher, 6/13, and in the south‐west region, it was the highest, 13/14. Consistently the frequency of plants exhibiting TYLCD‐like symptoms in the northern regions was lower than that in the south‐west region. B. tabaci biotype Q is present throughout the country and in Algeria, whereas biotype B, identified for the first time in Morocco, was detected only in the north‐east region.
On testing biological data for the presence of a boundary
Authors: Milne A.E. , Wheeler H.C. , Lark R.M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractUnder the boundary line model for a biological data set, where one variable is a biological response (e.g. crop yield) to an independent variable (e.g. available water content of the soil), we interpret the upper (or lower) boundary on a plot of the dependent variable (ordinate) against the independent variable (abscissa) as representing the maximum (or minimum) possible response for a given value of the independent variable. This concept has been widely used in soil science, agronomy and plant physiology; but it has been subject to criticism. In particular, no methods that are used to analyse the boundary line quantify the evidence that the envelope of the plot represents a boundary (in the sense of some limiting response to the independent variable) rather than simply being a fringe of extreme values of no intrinsic biological interest. In this article, we present a novel procedure that tests a data set for evidence of a boundary by considering its statistical properties in the region of the proposed boundary. The method is demonstrated using both simulated and real data sets.
INFLUENCE OF WATER ACTIVITY ON THE ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES OF BREAKFAST CEREALS
Authors: GONDEK EWA , LEWICKI PIOTR P. , RANACHOWSKI ZBIGNIEW 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT Corn and wheat bran flakes were compressed in a plastic cylinder and the generated vibrations were measured by a piezoelectric accelerometer. Amplitude–time records were thoroughly analyzed and the total acoustic energy in arbitrary units, number of acoustic events and energy of a single acoustic event were calculated. Relationships between the time of compression, frequency and sound intensity are presented as acoustograms. All parameters, except the energy of a single acoustic event, were strongly dependent on water activity (Aw). The flakes differed essentially in their ability to propagate vibrations. At low Aw's, both types of flakes were alike, but at higher Aw's, corn flakes damped high‐frequency waves while wheat bran flakes did not show this property.
Semi-Active Static Output Feedback Variable Structure Control for Two-Stage Vibration Isolation System
Authors: Zhao Cheng , Chen Lesheng , Chen Dayue 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
A semi-active static output feedback variable structure control (VSC) strategy is presented to control a two-stage vibration isolation system in this paper. A continuous output feedback VSC controller which utilizes the measurements from a limited number of sensors installed at strategic locations is designed and a bypass electrorheological (ER) damper is applied to achieve the best control effect more rapidly and accurately. The determination of sliding surface in terms of the Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion is combined with continuous controller design such that the control law is completely decoupled from external excitations, which are hard to measure or estimate. The self-adaptability of the vibration isolation system with respect to external disturbances, the robustness of the control method with respect to parameter variations and the effectiveness of vibration isolation are demonstrated by numerical simulation results. It showed that the designed semi-active static output feedback VSC strategy realized by the ER damper can achieve better performance than those of optimally passive damping and maximum damping variety even if system parameter uncertainties exist.
A Model of Stress and Strain in the Interosseous Ligament of the Forearm Based on Fiber Network Theory
Authors: Pfaeffle H. James , Fischer Kenneth J. , Srinivasa Arun , Manson Theodore , Woo Savio L-Y. , Tomaino Matthew 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Fiber network theory was developed to describe cloth, a thin material with strength in the fiber directions. The interosseous ligament (IOL) of the forearm is a broad, thin ligament with highly aligned fibers. The objectives of this study were to develop a model of the stress and strain distributions in the IOL, based on fiber network theory, to compare the strains from the model with the experimentally measured strains, and to evaluate the force distribution across the ligament fibers from the model. The geometries of the radius, ulna, and IOL were reconstructed from CT scans. Position and orientation of IOL insertion sites and force in the IOL were measured during a forearm compression experiment in pronation, neutral rotation, and supination. An optical image-based technique was used to directly measure strain in two regions of the IOL in neutral rotation. For the network model, the IOL was represented as a parametric ruled three-dimensional surface, with rulings along local fiber directions. Fiber strains were calculated from the deformation field, and fiber stresses were calculated from the strains using average IOL tensile properties from a previous study. The in situ strain in the IOL was assumed uniform and was calculated so that the net force predicted by the network model in neutral rotation matched the experimental result. The net force in the IOL was comparable to experimental results in supination and pronation. The model predicted higher stress and strain in fibers near the elbow in neutral rotation, and higher stresses in fibers near the wrist in supination. Strains in neutral forearm rotation followed the same trends as those measured experimentally. In this study, a model of stress and strain in the IOL utilizing fiber network theory was successfully implemented. The model illustrates variations in the stress and strain distribution in the IOL. This model can be used to show surgeons how different fibers are taut in different forearm rotation positions—this information is important for understanding the biomechanical role of the IOL and for planning an IOL reconstruction.
Risk of injury in elite football played on artificial turf versus natural grass: a prospective two-cohort study
Authors: Ekstrand J , Timpka T , Hägglund M 
Published: September 2006

Objective:To compare injury risk in elite football played on artificial turf compared with natural grass.Design:Prospective two-cohort study.Setting:Male European elite football leagues.Participants:290 players from 10 elite European clubs that had installed third-generation artificial turf surfaces in 2003–4, and 202 players from the Swedish Premier League acting as a control group.Main outcome measure:Injury incidence.Results:The incidence of injury during training and match play did not differ between surfaces for the teams in the artificial turf cohort: 2.42v2.94 injuries/1000 training hours and 19.60v21.48 injuries/1000 match hours for artificial turf and grass respectively. The risk of ankle sprain was increased in matches on artificial turf compared with grass (4.83v2.66 injuries/1000 match hours; rate ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.00 to 3.28). No difference in injury severity was seen between surfaces. Compared with the control cohort who played home games on natural grass, teams in the artificial turf cohort had a lower injury incidence during match play (15.26v23.08 injuries/1000 match hours; rate ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.91).Conclusions:No evidence of a greater risk of injury was found when football was played on artificial turf compared with natural grass. The higher incidence of ankle sprain on artificial turf warrants further attention, although this result should be interpreted with caution as the number of ankle sprains was low.