bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Test–retest variability for standard automated perimetry and short‐wavelength automated perimetry in diabetic patients
Authors: Bengtsson Boel , Hellgren Karl‐Johan , Agardh Elisabet 
Published: October 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To assess limits for significant improvement or deterioration of visual fields in diabetic patients based on short‐term test–retest variability in subjects with different degrees of retinopathy.Methods:  Fifty patients with diabetic retinopathy ranging from level 10 to 75 [according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) severity scale] were tested repeatedly with both standard automated perimetry (SAP) and short‐wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) with short intervals. The association between visual field loss and degree of retinopathy outside fovea was analysed. Test–retest variability of global and local visual field indices and prediction limits for significant change were calculated.Results:  The amount of visual field loss was significantly associated to the degree of retinopathy, with a correlation coefficient of −0.51 for SAP (P = 0.0003) and −0.45 for SWAP (P = 0.002). Global test–retest variability was smaller with SAP than with SWAP (P < 0.0001). For both SAP and SWAP, local test–retest variability was considerably smaller at test points with normal sensitivity than at test points with reduced sensitivity (P < 0.0001). Paracentral test points within 10° of eccentricity had less variability than peripheral points (P < 0.0001), implying that smaller change is required to reach statistically significant improvement or deterioration at initially normal and paracentral points than at depressed points and peripherally located test points.Conclusion:  Our results propose that SAP, as well as SWAP, can be useful for monitoring visual function outside fovea in diabetic patients with various degrees of retinopathy. We report a preference for SAP because of less variability generally. Limits for significant improvement or deterioration have been assessed but need future validation in a longitudinal study.
Pesticide contact dermatitis in fruit and vegetable farmers of Himachal Pradesh (India)
Authors: Verma Ghanshyam , Sharma Nand Lal , Shanker Vinay , Mahajan Vikram K. , Tegta Gita Ram 
Published: October 2007

Background:  Not many studies on pesticide allergic contact dermatitis are available from Himachal Pradesh (India).Objective:  We studied the role of commonly used pesticides in causing allergic contact dermatitis in fruit and vegetable farmers in the region.Methods:  30 fruit and vegetable farmer patients having dermatitis involving face, neck, hands, and feet and 20 controls comprising 2 groups of 10 subjects each: Group‐1 had history of exposure to pesticides but no dermatitis and Group‐2 having neither dermatitis nor history of exposure to pesticides, were patch tested with 10 most common pesticides used in the region.Results and Conclusion:  These 30 patients (M : F 21 : 9) were between 22–81 years of age having dermatitis for 4 days to 20 years with relapses and remissions. 21 patients had seasonal exacerbation. 10 patients attributed exacerbation of dermatitis to exposure to pesticides. Positive patch test reactions from pesticides were observed in 8 patients only. Captan was the most common sensitizer (5 patients), 2 patients were sensitive to propargite. Chlorpyrifos, tree spray oil and thiuram gave positive reaction in 1 patient each. 3 controls from Group‐1 showed positive reactions to multiple pesticides. Pesticide related contact dermatitis appears more common than expected.
Cellular dynamics in the draining lymph nodes during sensitization and elicitation phases of contact hypersensitivity
Authors: Larsen Jeppe Madura , Geisler Carsten , Nielsen Martin Weiss , Boding Lasse , Von Essen Marina , Hansen Ann Kathrine , Skov Lone , Bonefeld Charlotte Menné 
Published: October 2007

Background:  The different role of various immunological effector cells in contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is receiving increased attention. During the past decade, the involvement of different cell types in CHS has been investigated by the use of antibody‐induced depletion of specific subtypes of immunological cells and by studying knockout mice lacking one or more of these immunological cell populations.Objectives:  To develop a method for studying the collective cellular dynamics of immune cells in the draining lymph nodes during CHS in intact animals.Patients/Methods:  Mice were sensitized and/or challenged with 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene or oxazolone. Using multi‐parameter flow cytometry we determined the proliferation, activation state, and absolute number of helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells in the draining lymph nodes.Results:  The presented method can be applied to evaluate the effect of different contact allergens on various cell populations of the immune system.Conclusions:  Our study support recent findings that several cell types seem to be involved in CHS.
Are material safety data sheets (MSDS) useful in the diagnosis and management of occupational contact dermatitis?
Authors: Keegel Tessa , Saunders Helen , LaMontagne Anthony D. , Nixon Rosemary 
Published: October 2007

Objectives:  This study assesses both the success of medical practitioners in accessing hazardous substances’ information from product manufacturers and the accuracy and clinical usefulness of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) presented by workers with suspected occupational contact dermatitis (OCD).Patients/Methods:  100 consecutively presented MSDS were collected from 42 workers attending an occupational dermatology clinic. Product manufacturers were contacted to verify ingredients. MSDS were evaluated for compliance with the Australian criteria for listing of OCD relevant information (sensitizers present at a concentration ≥1%, irritants present at a concentration ≥20%), and for clinical usefulness. All sensitizers were checked for clinical relevance to the worker’s dermatitis.Results:  Manufacturers supplied product constituents for 77/100 MSDS. 58 MSDS satisfied the Australian standard. 57/58 MSDS were deemed clinically useful. Irritants were listed for 19/23 MSDS and sensitizers were listed for 30/68 MSDS (P = 0.001). 3 MSDS contained sensitizers, which were clinically relevant to the presenting worker’s dermatitis, 1 appropriately listed, 1 present at ≥1% but not listed, and 1 present at <1% in the product and therefore, not required to be listed.Conclusions:  Sensitizers are frequently omitted from MSDS and clinicians are often unsuccessful in obtaining crucial information from manufacturers. MSDS are inadequate for the protection and diagnosis of workers with suspected OCD.
Tumour necrotizing factor‐α promoter and GST‐T1 genotype predict skin allergy to chromate in cement workers in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Bour‐Jr , Shiao Judith‐Sc , Chen Chiou‐Jong , Lee Yeu‐Chin , Guo Yue‐Liang 
Published: October 2007

Background:  Construction workers exposed to cement are known to suffer from occupational contact dermatitis because of chromate sensitization. It is not clear whether certain genotypes are associated with increased susceptibility of chromate sensitization in those workers regularly exposed to cement.Objective:  The objective of this study was to determine the genotypes predisposing workers to cement‐induced contact dermatitis.Methods:  A total of 153 current cement workers who had regular contact with cement were telephone interviewed for skin problems in the past 12 months, work exposure, and personal protection. A dermatologist examined their skin and conducted patch test with common skin allergens. Blood samples were donated for genotypic determination by polymerase chain reaction‐based assays for GST‐T1, GST‐M1 (null/non‐null), tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha promoter‐308G/A, and interleukin (IL) 4‐590C/T.Result:  High percentage of dermatitis was noted in the 153 workers examined, which was correlated with reported skin problems. By patch testing, construction workers had a high‐prevalence rate (12%) of sensitivity to chromate. Sensitivity to chromate was significantly associated with TNF alpha promoter‐308 heterozygous (GA) as compared with GG genotype (odds ratio 3.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1–13.2), as well as with GST‐T1 null genotype (odds ratio 5.5, 95% confidence interval 1.4–36.2), but neither the GST‐M1 nor the IL‐4 genotypes.Conclusion:  It is concluded that among workers frequently exposed to cement in Southern Taiwan, those with TNF alpha promoter‐308 heterozygous (GA) genotype or GST‐T1 null genotype had increased risk of chromate sensitization.
The Value of MRI in Imaging Malignant Head and Neck Tumours
Authors: Schneider Astrid , Forstner Rosemarie 
Published: October 2007

SummaryMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in pre‐treatment assessment of tumours of the head and neck region. Because of its excellent soft tissue contrast it renders pivotal information in staging and serves as a basis for surgery planning or primary chemo‐ and/or radiotherapy. Primary tumours are best seen on T2WI with fat saturation or contrast‐enhanced images. Morphologic criteria used for lymph node imaging depend on size and shape, and thus MRI is limited in differentiation of normal size malignant nodes or hyperplastic benign nodes. Necrosis is a more specific sign of malignancy.In this review, imaging technique and imaging of tumours in the head and neck region in general and for specific areas are covered with the emphasis on MR imaging features of the primary tumours and their spread including perineural and lymphatic dissemination. Uncooperative or claustrophobic patients, however, should undergo staging by computerized tomography instead of MRI.
Image Fusion of Positron Emission Tomographic Scan with Radiotherapy Planning CT in a Patient with Parotid Gland Cancer
Authors: Kopp M. , Deutschmann H. , Rettenbacher L. , Pirich C. , Sedlmayer F. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThis case report shows that fusion of positron emission tomography (PET)/computerized tomography (CT) with radiotherapy planning CT offers the possibility to give high total doses with minimized morbidity specifically in patients with head and neck cancer.
Increasing incidence of respiratory distress in neonates
Authors: Ersch Joerg , Roth‐Kleiner Matthias , Baeckert Peter , Bucher Hans Ulrich 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: To document the change in the incidence of respiratory distress (RD), related interventions and mortality in neonates admitted to primary, secondary and tertiary neonatal units within a geographically defined population over a period of 30 years.Methods: RD was defined as a clinical picture irrespective of the etiology. Information was collected retrospectively for 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004 from all neonatal units in Switzerland.Results: In the 30 years studied the proportion of infants hospitalized with RD increased from 1.9% to 3.8% of the whole neonatal population and from 30% to 53% of all infants admitted to a neonatal unit. Treatment of RD changed significantly. Mechanical ventilation decreased from 31% to 16%, nasal CPAP increased from almost 0% to 26% and surfactant administration increased from 0% to 53% in infants with hyaline membrane disease. Overall mortality decreased in infants with RD from 15.5% to 3.5%.Conclusions: The incidence of RD in infants admitted to neonatal units doubled over the last 30 years in a geographically defined neonatal population. This rise can predominantly be ascribed to infants with birth weight >2500 g and may reflect the corresponding increase in the rate of caesarean section.
Risk factors for out‐of‐home custody child care among families with alcohol and substance abuse problems
Authors: Sarkola Taisto , Kahila Hanna , Gissler Mika , Halmesmäki Erja 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: To study the risk of children to mothers with alcohol and/or substance abuse related problems for early childhood out‐of‐home care in Finland.Methods: A population‐based cross‐sectional retrospective analysis of 526 pregnant women attending special outpatient clinics during 1992–2001 and their 626 offspring, with out‐of‐home care data until 2003 provided by the National Child Welfare Register.Results: Fifty percent (95% confidence interval 46–54%) were at some point and 38% (34–42%) by the age of two years, in out‐of‐home care. Out‐of‐home care was associated with maternal care for substance abuse after delivery, nonemployment, housing, daily smoking during pregnancy, increasing number of previous births, mother in custody in her childhood, maternal education, previous child in custody, drug in urine during pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, partner with significant abuse, regular health‐care contact for abuse, daily alcohol consumption before and/or during pregnancy, newborn not discharged with mother, neonatal abstinence symptoms (NAS), intensified perinatal surveillance or NICU, and delayed discharge from hospital.Conclusions: There is a substantial risk of children born to mothers with significant alcohol and/or substance abuse related problems for out‐of‐home care during early childhood. Factors identified during the pre‐ and perinatal period are associated with this risk.
Ligurian experience on neonatal hearing screening: clinical and epidemiological aspects
Authors: Calevo MG , Mezzano P , Zullino E , Padovani P , Serra G ,   and the STERN Group
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: Early identification and rehabilitation of newborns with congenital hearing impairment (HI) by Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS).Methods: The neonatal population was divided into two groups: babies with No Audiological Risk (NAR), and babies With Audiological Risk (WAR). NAR neonates underwent OAE testing, and in case of a doubtful (Refer) result, ABR testing was carried out. All WAR newborns underwent ABR testing within the third month of life.Results: Between February 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004, UNHS was carried out on 32 502 newborns at the 13 regional birth centres, representing 98.7% of the whole regional neonatal population. The prevalence of HI in the population we tested was estimated at about 1‰, while Bilateral Hearing Impairment (BHI) was estimated at 0.65‰.A 3.7% prevalence of HI and a 2.8% prevalence of BHI was observed among the WAR population.Median age at the end of the diagnostic procedures was 6.7 months in the WAR population and 6.9 months in the NAR population.Conclusions: Our project is based on two levels of testing, which resulted in a 0.28% false‐positive rate with 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity. Our screening is the first Italian experience that has been extended to a whole region and the results prove that regional neonatal hearing screening is feasible.
Fatty acid composition in breast milk and serum phospholipids of healthy term Chinese infants during first 6 weeks of life
Authors: Peng YM , Zhang TY , Wang Q , Zetterström R , Strandvik B 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: To compare the fatty acid (FA) pattern in early and mature breast milk with that in plasma phospholipids of cord blood and breast‐fed infants.Methods: Forty‐five mother–infant pairs from western Shanghai were studied. All infants, born at term with normal weight and length, were examined at birth and days 5 and 42. FA was analyzed by capillary gas–liquid chromatography.Results: Cord blood showed higher concentration of long‐chain polyunsaturated FA (LCPUFA) but lower saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) FA than postnatal infants' plasma. SFA decreased with age in the infants, but MUFA and linoleic acid (LA, 18:2ω6) increased. LCPUFA were lower in the plasma of 5‐day‐old infants than in cord blood, but LA was 80%, α‐linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3ω3) 33% and the ratio ω‐6/ω‐3 42% higher. At day 42, LA increased further, LCPUFA remained similar, and was in breast milk lower than at day 5, while ALA and γ‐linolenic acid (18:3ω6) were higher. The activity index of desaturases indicated high Δ9 activity in breast milk and high activity of Δ5 desaturase in the infants.Conclusion: Breast milk FA composition changed markedly from day 5 to 42 with increasing correlation to infants' plasma. Calculation of desaturase activities suggested high capacity of LCPUFA synthesis.
Severe HPA‐15b related neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Moncharmont P , Courvoisier S , Pagnier A , Cotta L , Debillon T , Rigal D 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe HPA‐15 platelet (PLT) group was recently described. Severe neonatal thrombocytopenia due to alloimmunization by HPA‐15b has very rarely been observed. A 22‐year‐old mother, gravida 1/para 1, gave birth to a male infant who presented with a severe thrombocytopenia, the PLT count recorded to be 3 ×109/L. A few hours after birth, he developed purpura with extensive haematomas but without visceral or intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). Two PLT transfusions were given including one using maternal PLTs. The infant's PLT count was 267 × 109/L on day 6. The maternal platelet group was HPA‐15a/a and her infant was HPA‐15a/b. Anti‐HPA‐15b antibodies was found in maternal serum.Conclusion: HPA‐15b maternal alloimmunization may induce severe neonatal thrombocytopenia. In order to establish the frequency of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) due to anti‐HPA‐15b antibodies, an improved detection method is necessary.
Parental experiences during the first period at the neonatal unit after two developmental care interventions
Authors: Van Der Pal SM , Maguire CM , Le Cessie S , Wit JM , Walther FJ , Bruil J 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: Developmental care has gained increased attention in the individualized care for preterm infants. This study was designed to explore the effect of a basic form of developmental care and the more extended Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) on parental stress, confidence and perceived nursing support.Methods: Two consecutive randomized controlled trials (RCT's) comparing (1) standard care versus basic developmental care (standardized nests and incubator covers) (n = 133) and (2) basic developmental care versus NIDCAP, including behavioural observations (n = 150). Parents of infants born <32 weeks gestational age (GA) received questionnaires after the first week of admission in the neonatal unit and on average these 2 weeks after the birth of their infant.Results: No significant differences were found in confidence, perceived nursing support or parental stress. The difference in parental stress between mother and father was less in the NIDCAP intervention group (p = .03), although not significant.Conclusion: Both basic developmental care and NIDCAP had little effect on parental experiences during the first period at the neonatal unit. As a result of increased paternal stress, the NIDCAP intervention tended to decrease the difference in parental stress levels of fathers and mothers, possibly because of the increased involvement of father during the NIDCAP intervention.
Myocardial substrates in children with congenital heart disease: relationship to substrate supply, age, growth and desaturation
Authors: Åmark Kerstin , Ekroth Rolf , Nilsson Krister , Sunnegårdh Jan , Söderberg Björn 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: The myocardial uptake of substrates in children has only been investigated on a small scale. The purpose of this study was to define myocardial substrate uptake in relation to the arterial supply of substrates, age, growth and oxygen saturation.Methods: Thirty patients with congenital heart disease, aged 3 months to 16 years, were studied during cardiac catheterization. Arterial and coronary sinus blood was analyzed for the major fuel metabolites and amino acids.Results: The uptake of all major substrates correlated significantly with the arterial supply: free fatty acids (r = 0.52, p = 0.004), β‐hydroxybutyrate (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001), lactate (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001) and glucose (r = 0.48, p = 0.01). Free fatty acids were the dominant substrate, irrespective of age, growth and saturation. With age, there was an increase in the uptake of lactate (r = 0.61, p = 0.0004) and a decrease in the uptake of β‐hydroxybutyrate (r =–0.41, p = 0.02). In multivariate analyses, these changes were explained by the arterial supply of the substrates, while age per se did not contribute significantly.Conclusion: The uptake of myocardial metabolites correlated with the arterial supply. Free fatty acids were the dominant substrate at all ages. The uptake of lactate and β‐hydroxybutyrate, although varying with age, was also determined by the arterial supply.
Paediatric diabetes: achieving practical, effective insulin therapy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Danne T , Becker D 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBoth type 1 and type 2 diabetes can occur in children and adolescents. Type 1 diabetes is the most common chronic disease in children in the developed countries and the number of adolescents with type 2 diabetes is rising as a consequence of the obesity epidemic. As they grow, children and adolescents with diabetes have special and changing needs; these must be recognized and addressed as there are major physiological, medical, psychological, social and emotional differences in adults with diabetes. Glycaemic control is important to prevent or delay long‐term complications also in the paediatric age group. This goal is often achieved using insulin. However, practical issues associated with insulin use in paediatric patients include attainment of target glycaemic levels without increased risk of hypoglycaemia, hormone‐driven fluctuations in insulin requirements, and the psychological and social impacts of weight gain and puberty. This article reviews the advances that are helping to overcome these issues and enable paediatric patients to achieve their treatment goals.Conclusion: Advanced insulin formulations, particularly insulin analogues, tailored insulin regimens and delivery systems combined with age‐appropriate education, patient/carer involvement and ongoing support from the wider diabetes team will assist in the effective management of diabetes among children and adolescents.
C‐reactive protein in the periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome
Authors: Førsvoll Jostein A , Øymar Knut 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAims: To evaluate levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) during febrile episodes in children with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA).Methods: All CRP values during typical episodes of fever in children diagnosed with PFAPA during a 3 years period were retrospectively registered.Results: In 16 children with PFAPA, a total of 87 CRP values were registered during 38 episodes of fever. The mean of the maximum CRP during each episode was 185 mg/L (SD: 69.4, range: 45–322). Values of CRP were elevated throughout the whole period of fever, with higher values on days 2–4 compared to day 1.Conclusion: Levels of CRP are substantially increased during febrile episodes in children with PFAPA. High levels of CRP may suggest a role for immunological mechanisms in PFAPA, and may raise the suspicion of PFAPA when measured in children with periodic fever of unknown origin.