bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SPECTRUM AND MANAGEMENT OF OTITIS MEDIA IN AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS CHILDREN: A NATIONAL STUDY
Authors: Gunasekera Hasantha , Knox Stephanie , Morris Peter , Britt Helena , McIntyre Peter , Craig Jonathan 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: The reported prevalence and severity of otitis media are highest among the world's Indigenous children, but whether their clinical management varies accordingly is unknown.
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study the spectrum and management of otitis media in Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in Australia.
METHODS: From a representative Australian cluster survey of consecutive primary health care consultations, we analyzed all consultations with children (aged 0–18 years). We compared the practitioners' investigation, treatment, and referral practices for Indigenous and non-Indigenous children with otitis media after adjusting for clustering.
RESULTS: Over 8 years (1998–2006), 7991 practitioners managed 141 693 problems in 119 503 consultations with children, including 2856 (2.4%) with Indigenous children. Ear problems were the fourth most common problems managed. Otitis media was managed slightly more commonly in Indigenous than non-Indigenous children (9.8% vs 7.3% consultations; P &lt; .05). When otitis media was diagnosed, Indigenous children were significantly more likely to have severe otitis media (chronic and/or suppurative and/or perforation: 7.9% vs 1.7%; P &lt; .001), discharging ears (3.9% vs 0.1%; P &lt; .001), ear swabs (3.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6–6.2] vs 0.8% [95% CI: 0.6–0.9]), and topical eardrops administered (10.7% [95% CI: 6.8–14.6] vs 4.5% [95% CI: 4.1–5.0]) but not more likely to receive oral antibiotics (71.8% vs 75.9%), have ear syringing (1.1% vs 0.2%), or be referred to an otolaryngologist (6.1% vs 3.4%) or audiologist (1.8% vs 1.1%) (all P &gt; .05).
CONCLUSIONS: In the Australian primary health care setting, Indigenous children are 5 times more likely to be diagnosed with severe otitis media than non-Indigenous children, but reported management is not substantially different, which is inconsistent with established national guidelines. This spectrum-management discordance may contribute to continued worse outcomes for Indigenous children with otitis media.
COMPARISON OF PEDIATRIC LOGISTIC ORGAN DYSFUNCTION (PELOD) SCORE AND PEDIATRIC RISK OF MORTALITY (PRISM) III AS A MORTALITY PREDICTOR IN PATIENTS WITH DENGUE SHOCK SYNDROME
Authors: Iskandar Henny R. , Mulyo Dharma , Agnes Praptiwi , Suryatin Yuliatmoko 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: The mortality rate for dengue shock syndrome (DSS) in the PICU at Children's and Maternity Harapan Kita Hospital is still high (13.2%).
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated performance of the Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction (PELOD) score compared with the Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM III) for predicting mortality in our PICU.
METHODS: A total of 42 patients (48% boys, 52% girls) admitted to the PICU from January to December 2006 were enrolled onto the study. Diagnosis of DSS was made according to 1997 World Health Organization criteria and confirmed with serologic-positive dengue blot taken on the fifth day of fever (93% secondary infection and 7% primary infection). PELOD and PRISM scores were evaluated on the first day.
RESULTS: From 42 admissions, 1 was excluded for insufficient data. Median age of the children was 7 years. Death occurred in 11.9% of the patients with DSS. Analysis showed that the mean PELOD score was 7.2 (Mann-Whitney U test between survivors and nonsurvivors was significant at P = .001) compared with the PRISM III (mean score was significant also at P = .008). The receiver operating characteristic curves for the PELOD and PRISM III were 0.954 and 0.868, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: PELOD and PRISM III scores showed a good discrimination for predicting mortality in patients with DSS in our PICU.
CLINICAL STUDIES AND ANALYSIS OF THE RETT SYNDROME GENE (MECP2) IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION IN THE GREEK POPULATION
Authors: Psoni Stavroula , Traeger-Synodinos Joanne , Sofocleous Christalena , Kitsiou-Tzeli Sophia , Mavrou Ariadni , Kanavakis Emmanuel , Fryssira Helen 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Mutations in the methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene are responsible for 70% to 95% of cases of Rett syndrome (RS), an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder that mostly affects girls. Classical RS is characterized by normal early development followed by psychomotor regression and gradual onset of microcephaly, although variable atypical forms have also been observed. MECP2 has also been implicated in a variety of other mental retardation (MR) phenotypes, including X-linked MR, fragile X syndrome–like and Angelman syndrome (AS)–like phenotypes.
OBJECTIVE: Our goals were to evaluate the incidence and spectrum of MECP2 mutations in children with RS and atypical MR and to correlate the phenotype and genotype.
METHODS: Exons 3 and 4 of the MECP2 gene were analyzed by using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, sequencing, and gap polymerase chain reaction for (1) 124 children with FXS-like symptoms (102 boys, 22 girls) and 41 children with AS-like symptoms (14 boys, 27 girls) who tested negative for gene variation at the FXS and AS loci, respectively, (2) 23 girls with classical RS and 25 girls with atypical RS, and (3) 11 boys who were referred with possible RS. Statistical analysis (t and nonparametrical tests) included correlation of RS clinical severity score (Kerr, 2001) with MECP2 mutations and frequency of MECP2 mutations in the various patient categories.
RESULTS: Mutations were detected in 78.3% of classical and 20% of atypical RS cases, respectively. One boy carried the p.R106W mutation, and another boy showed a large rearrangement that required further characterization. Among AS- and FXS-like cases, 7.3% and 2.4% had MECP2 mutations, respectively, including an X-linked MR case.
CONCLUSIONS: MECP2 gene analysis provides an appropriate diagnostic tool for RS and contributes additional information for research into MR.
THE GLOBAL BURDEN OF CHILDHOOD OTITIS MEDIA AND HEARING IMPAIRMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Gunasekera Hasantha , Haysom Leigh , Morris Peter , Craig Jonathan 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization resolved that chronic otitis media and resultant hearing impairment are significant global health problems and called for more detailed epidemiological information, particularly the association between prevalence and socioeconomic variables.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the worldwide prevalence of otitis media (OM) and hearing impairment (HI) and their risk factors.
METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, and Cinahl for population-based studies with incidence or prevalence data on OM and HI (&gt;25 dB) in children (&lt;18 years), without language restrictions. Studies identified through reference lists were also included. We examined the effect of socioeconomic and health variables on OM and HI prevalence.
RESULTS: The search strategy identified 1504 studies with substantial methodologic variation. They included studies (n = 108) that provided a combined sample size of 250 978 children. Acute OM incidence ranged from 0.6 to 1.7 episodes per child per year. The highest OM prevalence rates were in Inuits (81%) and Australian Aborigines (84%). HI prevalence ranged from &lt;1% (Greece) to 23% (Australian Aborigines), and HI was significantly more common in children with OM (odds ratio [OR]: 8.11 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.91–9.52]). In meta-analysis, increased OM prevalence was associated with not breastfeeding (OR: 1.28 [95% CI: 1.03–1.59]) and parental smoking (OR: 1.73 [95% CI: 1.42–2.10]), but male gender (OR: 1.04 [95% CI: 0.90–1.20]) and urbanization (OR: 0.72 [95% CI: 0.28–1.83]) were not significant. Some studies reported increased OM prevalence with overcrowding, lower maternal education, and poorer household sanitation.
CONCLUSIONS: Indigenous children have the highest prevalence of OM and its complications. OM remains a significant cause of preventable childhood HI, and many of the risk factors are modifiable.
IMPACT OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION ON RESPIRATORY AND GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS: A DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED TRIAL AMONG URBAN IRANIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN
Authors: Masoodpoor Nahid , Darakhshan Shokoofeh , Darakhshan Darakhshan , Tabatabaei Seyed Taghi , Mosavat Seyed Abualghasem 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: In addition to inhibiting growth, mild zinc deficiency is probably associated with reduced resistance to infection in children, but it has been difficult to establish this link; however, children with severe zinc deficiency have been found to be at increased risk for diarrhea and respiratory diseases.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of zinc supplementation in the episodes of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in children.
METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 90 children (50 boys and 40 girls aged 7–12 years) who were underweight or had stunted growth. They were supplemented with 10 mg of zinc or placebo on school days for 6 months. Episodes of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections were recorded monthly.
RESULTS: At the end of this study, significant effects of zinc supplementation on the decreased number of episodes of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections were seen during the full 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this study, zinc supplementation decreased the number of episodes of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in schoolchildren who were underweight or had stunted growth.
USING Q-METHODOLOGY TO EXPLORE PREFERENCES FOR CARE OF ADOLESCENTS WITH CHRONIC DISORDERS: 4 PROFILES
Authors: Van Staa AnneLoes , Jedeloo Susan , Latour Jos , van Exel Job 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents with chronic disorders are seldom asked to give opinions about their preferences for care, even though they are frequent health care users and soon need to take over the responsibility of managing their own care.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate care-related preferences of adolescents with chronic disorders.
METHODS: A Q-methodologic study was conducted in a random sample of 31 adolescents with various congenital and acquired disorders from the total population of Erasmus Medical Center-Agia Sophia Children's Hospital (12–19 years). Adolescents rank-ordered 37 statements about preferences for care and self-care using a quasi-normal distribution. Factor analysis was applied to identify clusters in the Q-sorts, groups of adolescents with common preferences.
RESULTS: Four profiles were distinguished: concerned and compliant, backseat patient, opinionated and careless, and worried and insecure. Differences between profiles are related to independence competencies, level of involvement in management of the illness, adherence to therapeutic regimens, and appreciation of their parents' role. All adolescents want to have an important say in treatment-related decisions. Although adolescents are used to being accompanied by their parents in the consultation room, they sometimes prefer to be on their own.
CONCLUSIONS: Four different preference profiles were uncovered. Caregivers recognize these profiles in daily practice. Because the goal of Q-methodology is to establish different patterns but not their prevalence, the distribution of profiles will be explored in a large follow-up survey. Additional use of these profiles in daily practice will be also explored, because rank-ordering the statements stimulated adolescents to talk about care issues.
STUDY OF PULMONARY SURFACTANT AND SURFACTANT PROTEIN IN RATS WITH LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED ACUTE LUNG INJURY
Authors: Xu Feng , He Yong 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: The abnormal metabolism of pulmonary surfactant (PS) may have some relationship to acute lung injury (ALI).
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the alteration trend of PS and surfactant-associated protein (SP) in rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI.
METHODS: Fifty-six adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal saline (NS) group and the ALI group. The levels of mRNA of surfactant protein A (SP-A) and SP-B were measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction during intravenous LPS administration at 1, 3, 5, and 7 hours. The content and component of PS in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, lung dry/wet weight ratio, the protein content of BALF, alveolar oxygen partial pressure, and histologic changes were detected.
RESULTS: Compared with the NS group, the ALI group developed severe lung damage; edema, hemorrhage, and inflammation were found. Total phospholipids in BALF at 1, 3, 5, and 7 hours were lower than those in the NS group; phosphatidylcholine at 3, 5, and 7 hours was lower than that in the NS group, whereas lysophosphatidylcholine at 1, 3, 5, and 7 hours was higher than that in the NS group. The expression of SP-A and SP-B mRNA at 3, 5, and 7 hours was less than that in the NS group.
CONCLUSIONS: The changed metabolism of PS may be responsible for the pathogenesis of ALI. It is mainly demonstrated by the decrease in total phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine and the decreased expression of SP-A and SP-B mRNA. Decrease in content and change in components of PS may play an important role in severe hypoxemia in ALI.
INTERLEUKIN 18 GENE POLYMORPHISM AS A POTENTIAL HOST-SUSCEPTIBILITY FACTOR IN TUBERCULOSIS IN CHONGQING, CHINA
Authors: Jiang Li-Ping 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin 18 (IL-18), which is an important interferon γ inducer, regulates the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine interferon γ and the antituberculosis response.
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to investigate polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene promoter and determine whether polymorphism of the IL-18 gene promoter is a potential host-susceptibility factor in tuberculosis in Chongqing, China.
METHODS: A total of 123 patients (including 91 children and 32 adults) with tuberculosis and 249 normal controls (including 167 children and 82 adults) were selected randomly. The polymorphisms at positions -607A/C and -137G/C in promoter of the IL-18 gene were analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers.
RESULTS: The allele and genotype frequencies of IL-18/-607 gene polymorphisms were similar in patients with tuberculosis and in controls. However, frequencies of the -137GG, GC, and CC genotypes were 67.9%, 28.5%, and 3.6%, respectively, in controls and 78.9%, 19.5%, and 1.6%, respectively, in those with tuberculosis. Frequency of the -137GG genotype in tuberculosis was significantly higher than that in controls (χ2 = 4.881; P = .027 &lt; .05). The frequency of allele G at position -137 in patients with severe tuberculosis was significantly higher than that in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (χ2 = 4.336; P = .037 &lt; .05).
CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphism of the IL-18 gene promoter at position -137 is a potential host-susceptibility factor in tuberculosis in Chongqing. The people with allele C at position -137 in the promoter of the IL-18 gene may be protected against mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The polymorphisms at position -137 of the IL-18 gene may be associated with a severe degree of tuberculosis.
Using BiblioSpec for Creating and Searching Tandem MS Peptide Libraries
Authors: Frewen Barbara , MacCoss Michael J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBiblioSpec is a software package for creating and searching libraries of tandem MS peptide spectra. Library searching provides a quick method for making peptide‐spectrum matches by comparing a query spectrum to a collection of reference spectra of known peptide sequence. Pre‐assembled libraries for several model organisms can be used as the basis of a search or custom libraries can easily be assembled. The protocols in this unit describe installing BiblioSpec, searching libraries, and creating custom libraries. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 20:13.7.1‐13.7.12. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup diversity in Basques: A reassessment based on HVI and HVII polymorphisms
Authors: Alfonso‐Sánchez M. A. , Cardoso S. , Martínez‐Bouzas C. , Peña J. A. , Herrera R. J. , Castro A. , Fernández‐Fernández I. , De Pancorbo M. M. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis study provides a more complete characterization of the mitochondrial genome variability of the Basques, including data on the hypervariable segment HVII of the D‐loop region, which remains relatively unknown. To that end, genomic DNA from 55 healthy men living in the Arratia Valley (Biscay province) and the Goiherri region (Guipúzcoa province) was examined by direct sequencing. Three‐generation pedigree charts were compiled to ensure the collection from autochthonous individuals. The most notable findings emerging from the analysis of haplogroup composition are: (i) lack of U8a mitochondrial lineage, a rare subhaplogroup recently identified in Basques and proposed as a Paleolithic marker, (ii) low frequency of haplogroup V, which conflicts with results of earlier analyses describing high frequencies in southwestern Europe, and (iii) high frequency of haplogroup J, especially subhaplogroups J1c1 and J2a. The frequency of haplogroup J does not coincide with previous mtDNA studies in present‐day Basques, but is congruent with frequencies found in prehistoric and historic Basque populations. In explaining divergence in haplogroup composition between modern Basque samples, we hypothesized spatial heterogeneity promoted by population fragmentation due to extreme limitation of dispersal opportunities during the Pleistocene glaciations. Similarities between extinct and extant Basque populations as for the high frequency of lineage J, as well as the abundance of this haplogroup in northern Spain endorse a shift in the focus of attention of mtDNA analysts. A refined dissection of haplogroup J might provide more solid evidence about the process of postglacial recolonization of Europe, and thus about the shaping of the European gene pool. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new spin on losses looming larger than gains: asymmetric implicit associations from slot machine experience
Authors: Akalis Scott A. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractKahneman and Tversky's prospect theory states, among other things, that losses loom larger than gains. As much research as this simple idea has generated, key questions remain. How fundamental is the losses‐looming‐larger effect: will it emerge under more minimal circumstances than previously tested and will it manifest in implicit associations? And how does the actual experience of predominant losses or gains affect the losses‐looming‐larger effect? In two experiments employing non‐traditional methods, participants experienced slot machine spins in which symbols were paired with gain, loss, and neutral outcomes. After experiencing these pairings, participants took Implicit Association Tests (IATs). In Experiment 1, implicit associations formed by the minimal experience of the slot machine were lopsided: negative associations with the loss symbol were stronger than positive associations with the gain symbol. In addition, it was found that the extent to which losses loomed larger depended on the context of the slot machine experience, with losses looming implicitly larger than gains most when they were fewer in number (participants experienced a net‐gain) and least when they were the predominant outcome (participants experienced a net‐loss). Finally, in Experiment 2, a potential artifact was ruled out and a replication obtained by showing that slot machine losses implicitly loom larger whether conceptualized from the perspective of a casino player or a casino owner. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Presynaptic functional trkB receptors mediate the release of excitatory neurotransmitters from primary afferent terminals in lamina II (substantia gelatinosa) of postnatal rat spinal cord
Authors: Merighi Adalberto , Bardoni Rita , Salio Chiara , Lossi Laura , Ferrini Francesco , Prandini Massimiliano , Zonta Micaela , Gustincich Stefano , Carmignoto Giorgio 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA subset of primary sensory neurons produces BDNF, which is implicated in control of nociceptive neurotransmission. We previously localized full‐length trkB receptors on their terminals within lamina II. To functionally study these receptors, we here employed patch‐clamp recordings, calcium imaging and immunocytochemistry on slices from 8–12 days post‐natal rats. In this preparation, BDNF (100–500 ng/mL) enhances the release of sensory neurotransmitters (glutamate, substance P, CGRP) in lamina II by acting on trkB receptors expressed by primary afferent fibers of the peptidergic nociceptive type (PN‐PAFs). Effect was blocked by trk antagonist K252a or anti‐trkB antibody clone 47. A pre‐synaptic mechanism was demonstrated after (i) patch‐clamp recordings where the neurotrophin induced a significant increase in frequency, but not amplitude, of AMPA‐mediated mEPSCs, (ii) real time calcium imaging, where sustained application of BDNF evoked an intense response in up to 57% lamina II neurons with a significant frequency rise. Antagonists of ionotropic glutamate receptors and NK1 receptors completely inhibited the calcium response to BDNF. Reduction of CGRP (a specific marker of PN‐PAFs) and substance P content in dorsal horn following BDNF preincubation, and analysis of the calcium response after depletion with capsaicin, confirmed that the neurotrophin presynaptically enhanced neurotransmitter release from PN‐PAFs. This is the first demonstration that trkB receptors expressed by PN‐PAF terminals in lamina II are functional during postnatal development. Implications of this finding are discussed considering that BDNF can be released by these same terminals and microglia, a fraction of which (as shown here) contains BDNF also in unactivated state. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Syntheses, Structures and Magnetic Properties of Dinuclear Copper(II)–Lanthanide(III) Complexes Bridged by 2‐Hydroxymethyl‐1‐methylimidazole
Authors: Zhang Wei‐Xiong , Yang Yang‐Yi , Zai Shao‐Bo , Weng Ng Seik , Chen Xiao‐Ming 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThree discrete dinuclear copper(II)–lanthanide(III) complexes, namely, [CuLn(mmi)2(NO3)3(H2O)2] [Ln = La (1), Sm (2)] and [CuGd(mmi)2(NO3)2(H2O)3][NO3] (3) (Hmmi = 2‐hydroxymethyl‐1‐methylimidazole) were synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis. In these complexes, dinuclear cores of CuII and LnIII are consolidated by a pair of μ‐1,1‐O bridges from mmi at a distance of 3.36–3.46 Å. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and the field dependence of the magnetization indicate that 1, 2 and 3 exhibit paramagnetic, antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic behaviours, respectively. The value of the JCu–Gd coupling constant of 3 [8.7(1) cm–1] is fairly large, which is probably related to the small dihedral angles, α (5.0°), between the two planes of O–Cu–O and O–Gd–O in the CuO2Gd core.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)