bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery improved asthma symptoms as well as PEFR and olfaction in patients with nasal polyposis
Authors: Ehnhage A. , Olsson P. , Kölbeck K‐G. , Skedinger M. , Dahlén B. , Ålenius M. , Stjärne P. ,   for the NAFS Study Group
Published: February 2009

Background:  Nasal polyposis is a disease known to be associated with asthma. The management is anti‐inflammatory, with topical and oral corticosteroids as the first‐line treatment. The effect of surgical treatment on lower airway inflammation has not been sufficiently studied.Aim:  The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) as well as fluticasone proprionate nasal drops (FPND) 400 μg b.i.d. on nasal and lower airway parameters in asthmatics with nasal polyposis.Methods:  This was a prospective 21‐week study of 68 patients with asthma and nasal polyposis, on the benefits of FESS on nasal ‘(butanol test, subjective olfaction, peak nasal inspiratory flow, congestion, rhinorrhoea, and polyp score)’, and on the lower airway parameters (dyspnea, cough, mean daily peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and lung function tests). It also included a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled 14 weeks phase on FPND.Results:  Functional endoscopic sinus surgery significantly improved mean asthma symptom scores and daily PEFR and all nasal parameters including subjective and objective olfaction tests. This is the first study that shows the benefits of FESS on butanol tests in patients with nasal polyposis. We found no significant difference between topical treatment with FPND or placebo in the nasal or lower airway variables.Conclusion:  Functional endoscopic sinus surgery improved nasal and asthma symptoms in patients with nasal polyposis. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery could be considered early in the natural course of nasal polyposis with concomitant asthma, as well as a second‐line treatment in nasal polyposis patients with a reduced sense of smell. The potential benefits of FPND 400 μg b.i.d. were probably overshadowed by FESS.
New Necrotic Isolates of Pepino mosaic virus Representing the Ch2 Genotype
Authors: Hasiów‐Jaroszewska B. , Pospieszny H. , Borodynko N. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractNew necrotic isolates of Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) were found in 2007 infecting greenhouse tomato plants in Poland. The isolates differ from previously identified PepMV isolates in host range and symptomatology. They induce severe necrosis on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) and local necrotic lesions on Datura inoxia. Phylogenetic analysis, based on three distinct regions, triple gene block 1, the coat protein gene and a part of polymerase gene, revealed that the new necrotic isolates share high nucleotide sequence identity with isolates of the Ch2 genotype. This is the first report describing a necrotic type of PepMV of the Ch2 genotype.
Molecular Identification of Stolbur Phytoplasma Associated with Red Clover Dwarf Disease Symptoms
Authors: Fránová Jana , Navrátil Milan , Jakešová Hana 
Published: February 2009

Abstract Trifolium pratense plants exhibiting dwarf symptoms without flower abnormalities were frequently observed in the breeding nurseries in North Moravia, Czech Republic. Direct and nested polymerase chain reaction with phytoplasma‐specific primers and subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of 16S rDNA, as well as sequence analyses of the 16S–23S ribosomal operon, identified phytoplasmas belonging to the ribosomal subgroup 16SrXII‐A. Identical analyses of the dnaB gene and the transcription factor tuf gene were used for further differentiation. The primer/enzyme‐combination of TufAYf,r/HpaII revealed the grouping of the phytoplasmas into stolbur tuf‐type II in all examined samples. Stolbur phytoplasmas have not been reported previously in red clover.
Pathogenicity of Phaeoacremonium Species on Grapevines
Authors: Aroca Angeles , Raposo Rosa 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSeveral Phaeoacremonium species have been recently described to include some species involved in disease of decline of woody plants and others associated with human infections. Thirteen species are currently reported on grapevines and they are suspected to be involved in Esca and Petri disease. The pathogenic character of new defined species is still unknown and, therefore, pathogenicity studies were conducted in this work. The pathogenicity of the following species was studied on grapevine seedlings and cuttings: Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, P. angustius, P. inflatipes, P. krajdenii, P. mortoniae, P. parasiticum, P. scolyti, P. venezuelense, P. viticola, and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora included as positive control. Two‐month‐old grapevine seedlings of Vitis vinifera cv. Malvar and cv. Airen were inoculated by watering 10 individual pots with a spore suspension (107 spores/ml) of each Phaeoacremonium species. All inoculated seedlings showed typical symptoms of a vascular disease 2 months after inoculation. Grapevine cuttings of Vitis vinifera cv. Monastrell were vacuum‐inoculated with a spore suspension (108 spores/ml) and individually planted. Plants rated after 5 months showed that all Phaeoacremonium species and P. chlamydospora (used as positive control) caused a significant vascular discoloration, while only Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaoeacremonium mortoniae and P. aleophilum caused a significant root weight reduction compared with a non‐inoculated control. Phaoeacremonium parasiticum, P. angustius, P. inflatipes and P. venezuelense caused significant foliar symptoms that included interveinal chlorosis and stunted leaves.
Clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus infection‐associated acute otitis media
Authors: Tomochika Kiyoko , Ichiyama Takashi , Shimogori Hiroaki , Sugahara Kazuma , Yamashita Hiroshi , Furukawa Susumu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  It is known that children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection frequently have complications of acute otitis media (AOM).Methods:  The hospital records of 148 inpatients aged 6–35 months who had RSV infection between January 2004 and December 2007, were retrospectively investigated.Results:  Forty‐six out of 148 children (31%) had AOM. There was a significantly greater number of children with fever who had AOM (P = 0.005). The percentage of children with β‐lactamase‐non‐producing ampicillin‐resistant (BLNAR) Haemophilus influenzae in nasopharyngeal culture who had AOM showed a tendency to be greater than that of those who did not have AOM, but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.068). Moreover, BLNAR H. influenzae was positive in middle ear fluid specimens from four of five children with AOM who underwent tympanocentesis. There were no significant differences in the incidence of lower airway infection, leukocytes counts, or serum C‐reactive protein levels between children with and without AOM.Conclusions:  Children who had RSV infection with AOM had a higher incidence of fever than those without AOM.
Interferon‐α for alarming hemangiomas in infants: Experience of a single institution
Authors: Chao Yu‐Hua , Liang Der‐Cherng , Chen Shu‐Huey , Wang Lin‐Yen , Yeh Ting‐Chi , Liu Hsi‐Che 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  Hemangioma is the most common tumor in infancy. ‘Alarming hemangiomas’ refer to the lesions that potentially impair vital structures or cause life‐endangering complications, and which warrant vigorous treatment. Interferon‐α has been used for alarming hemangiomas at Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, since 1994.Methods:  The records of 21 consecutive infants treated between January 1994 and December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The initial dose of interferon‐α was 50 000 IU/kg per day, which was increased to 100 000 IU/kg per day in the second week of therapy if tolerated. It was tapered depending on response, with total treatment lasting no longer than 12 months. Treatment response was evaluated depending on the size of the lesion and resolution of complications.Results:  The duration of therapy ranged from 6 to 12 months. Six patients (29%) had a reduction in mass of ≥25% after 1 month of therapy. Twenty patients (95%) had achieved a decrease in size of 50% by 12 months, and 15 (71%) had total involution of lesions by a median age of 13.5 months (range 7–50 months). Only mild and transient adverse effects were encountered. No neurologic complications occurred.Conclusions:  Interferon‐α appears to be an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for alarming hemangiomas in infancy.
Extended‐stay hospitalization for childhood asthma in Japan
Authors: Tani Hidekazu , Matsuda Kentaro , Matsumoto Takao , Hiramoto Ikue , Okamatsu Yuki , Takehiro Satoshi , Kimura Kouichi , Higuchi Sadanobu , Okazaki Reiji , Matsuishi Toyojiro 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  While recent advances in asthma management have enabled adequate control to be frequently achieved in outpatient settings, children whose asthma remains poorly controlled despite outpatient treatment are often referred to extended‐stay hospitals. The aim of the present study was to examine trends concerning extended‐stay hospitalization and to evaluate the present status of this approach.Methods:  A retrospective study was conducted to assess changes in the number of admissions among 408 children with extended stays at Kamiamakusa General Hospital between 1989 and 2005. Medical and laboratory data of 236 patients admitted since 1994 were obtained from clinical records.Results:  The number of children with extended‐stay hospitalizations since 2000 declined dramatically compared with the early 1990s, while the percentage of patients with complications of childhood asthma, such as severe atopic dermatitis, school absenteeism, and obesity, have increased significantly in the recent past. Practical benefits of extended‐stay hospitalization were demonstrated by significant improvement of exercise performance and measurement of pulmonary function parameters and serum IgE concentrations by time of discharge. In addition to improvement in asthmatic symptoms, maintenance drug requirements and frequency of school absenteeism were reduced.Conclusions:  The medical mission of extended‐stay hospitalizations is currently limited due to the availability of improved pharmacotherapy. Some patients, however, with exceptionally severe asthma or psychological problems that interact with their medical condition still fare poorly under outpatient care and could benefit from group care. Further study is needed to identify the components of long‐term programs essential to produce change.
Placental findings in malnourished term neonates
Authors: Salihoğlu Özgül , Karatekin Güner , Ilhan Rıdvan , Nuhoğlu Asiye 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to investigate placental pathologies in malnourished term neonates.Methods:  A group of term newborns was evaluated at birth for fetal malnutrition (FM) using the Clinical Assessment of Nutritional Status (CANS) score. The study group consisted of 37 malnourished neonates and 13 well‐nourished newborns, including their placentas. Infants with FM were subdivided into two groups: appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA).Results:  The proportion of subjects having antepartum complications was 18.9% in the FM group, whereas none was found in the control group. Similarly, a significant portion, 83.8% of the study group, had gross placental abnormalities, while the control group had none. The placental microscopic findings in the study group included perivillous fibrin deposition, calcification, necrosis, retroplacental hematoma, and infarction. In contrast, the control group had only perivillous fibrin deposition and calcification. Placental histopathological findings between FM term AGA and SGA neonates were also compared, and no statistically significant differences were found (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Placental findings in malnourished term AGA neonates are not different from findings documented in malnourished SGA cases, but they are different from those in well‐nourished term AGA newborns.
Regulation of growth factors in hormone‐ and drug‐resistant prostate cancer cells by synergistic combination of docetaxel and octreotide
Authors: Erten Cigdem , Karaca Burcak , Kucukzeybek Yuksel , Gorumlu Gurbuz , Cengiz Ercument , Gul Mustafa K. , Atmaca Harika , Uzunoglu Selim , Karabulut Bulent , Sanli Ulus A. , Uslu Ruchan 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of combined treatment with docetaxel and octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, on human hormone‐ and drug‐refractory prostate cancer cell lines, PC‐3 and DU‐145, and on some growth factors related to tumour growth and angiogenesis in prostate cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODSA cell proliferation assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the drugs. To verify apoptosis, both DNA fragmentation (by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) and caspase 3/7 activity were measured. We also investigated the effect of combined docetaxel and octreotide on growth factors secreted from prostate cancer cells using a human growth factor antibody array.RESULTSThe combination of docetaxel and octreotide resulted in significant synergistic cytotoxic activity and apoptosis, which was dose‐ and time‐dependent. The combined treatment also resulted in significantly less secretion of stem cell factor and platelet‐derived growth factor‐AB in PC‐3 cells, and transforming growth factor‐β and basic fibroblast growth factor in DU‐145 cells, than in untreated controls.CONCLUSIONOctreotide, a somatostatin analogue, combined with docetaxel might provide a rationale treatment option for hormone‐refractory prostate cancer cells, not only by direct inhibition of cell proliferation but also by inhibiting the secretion of growth factors.
Multilevel Multivariate Modelling of Childhood Growth, Numbers of Growth Measurements and Adult Characteristics
Authors: Goldstein Harvey , Kounali Daphne 
Published: February 2009

SummaryA general latent normal model for multilevel data with mixtures of response types is extended in the case of ordered responses to deal with variates having a large number of categories and including count data. An example is analysed by using repeated measures data on child growth and adult measures of body mass index and glucose. Applications are described that are concerned with the flexible prediction of adult measurements from collections of growth measurements and for studying the relationship between the number of measurement occasions and growth trajectories.
The Complexity of School and Neighbourhood Effects and Movements of Pupils on School Differences in Models of Educational Achievement
Authors: Leckie George 
Published: February 2009

SummaryTraditional studies of school differences in educational achievement use multilevel modelling techniques to take into account the nesting of pupils within schools. However, educational data are known to have more complex non-hierarchical structures. The potential importance of such structures is apparent when considering the effect of pupil mobility during secondary schooling on educational achievement. Movements of pupils between schools suggest that we should model pupils as belonging to the series of schools that are attended and not just their final school. Since these school moves are strongly linked to residential moves, it is important to explore additionally whether achievement is also affected by the history of neighbourhoods that are lived in. Using the national pupil database, this paper combines multiple membership and cross-classified multilevel models to explore simultaneously the relationships between secondary school, primary school, neighbourhood and educational achievement. The results show a negative relationship between pupil mobility and achievement, the strength of which depends greatly on the nature and timing of these moves. Accounting for pupil mobility also reveals that schools and neighbourhoods are more important than shown by previous analysis. A strong primary school effect appears to last long after a child has left that phase of schooling. The additional effect of neighbourhoods, in contrast, is small. Crucially, the rank order of school effects across all types of pupil is sensitive to whether we account for the complexity of the multilevel data structure.
Overeducation and the Skills of UK Graduates
Authors: Chevalier Arnaud , Lindley Joanne 
Published: February 2009

SummaryDuring the early 1990s the proportion of a cohort entering higher education in the UK doubled over a short period of time. The paper investigates the effect of the expansion on graduates’ early labour market attainment, focusing on overeducation. We define overeducation by combining occupation codes and a self-reported measure for the appropriateness of the match between qualification and the job. We therefore define three groups of graduates: matched, apparently overeducated and genuinely overeducated. This measure is well correlated with alternative definitions of overeducation. Comparing pre- and post-expansion cohorts of graduates, we find with this measure that the proportion of overeducated graduates has doubled, even though overeducation wage penalties have remained stable. We do not find that type of institution affects the probability of genuine overeducation. Apparently overeducated graduates are mostly indistinguishable from matched graduates, whereas genuinely overeducated graduates principally lack non-academic skills and suffer a large wage penalty. Individual unobserved heterogeneity differs between the three groups of graduates but controlling for it does not alter these conclusions.
Modelling Population-Based Cancer Survival Trends by using Join Point Models for Grouped Survival Data
Authors: Yu Binbing , Huang Lan , Tiwari Ram C. , Feuer Eric J. , Johnson Karen A. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryIn the USA cancer as a whole is the second leading cause of death and a major burden to health care; thus medical progress against cancer is a major public health goal. There are many individual studies to suggest that cancer treatment breakthroughs and early diagnosis have significantly improved the prognosis of cancer patients. To understand better the relationship between medical improvements and the survival experience for the patient population at large, it is useful to evaluate cancer survival trends on the population level, e.g. to find out when and how much the cancer survival rates changed. We analyse population-based grouped cancer survival data by incorporating join points into the survival models. A join point survival model facilitates the identification of trends with significant change-points in cancer survival, when related to cancer treatments or interventions. The Bayesian information criterion is used to select the number of join points. The performance of the join point survival models is evaluated with respect to cancer prognosis, join point locations, annual percentage changes in death rates by year of diagnosis and sample sizes through intensive simulation studies. The model is then applied to grouped relative survival data for several major cancer sites from the ‘Surveillance, epidemiology and end results’ programme of the National Cancer Institute. The change-points in the survival trends for several major cancer sites are identified and the potential driving forces behind such change-points are discussed.
Efficacy of partner notification for Chlamydia trachomatis among young adults in youth health centres in Uppsala County, Sweden
Authors: Sylvan SPE , Hedlund J 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground  The study was conducted to define the contact‐tracing success rate of the partner notification services routinely provided by the community‐based youth health centres and the county medical officer for communicable disease control (CMO) in Uppsala County, Sweden.Objective  The study had three goals, (i) to register the number of sexual partners routinely reported by each diagnosed index case with CT and the success rate in tracing and testing these partners for CT infection. (ii) To analyse the current notification practices in reporting the number of cases of unsuccessful contact tracing to the CMO. (iii) To determine the contact tracing success rate of the partner notification services provided by the CMO.Methods  Each diagnosed case of CT is obliged by law to participate in the contact‐tracing procedure performed by the physician managing the patient or by a specialised sexually transmitted infection (STI) adviser. Successful contact‐tracing is defined as the confirmed attendance of a sexual contact within 12 months of the contact with the index case.Results  The number of CT cases diagnosed by the youth health centres during the study period was 463 (299 females and 164 males). The females reported 660 male sexual contacts and the males reported 386 female contacts. Successful partner notification was achieved for 73% of all sexual contacts. 284 (190 females and 94 males) unsuccessful partner notifications were reported to the CMO of whom 98 (52%) of the female contacts and 20 (21%) of the male contacts were successfully notified by the CMO. However, for 134 (71 females and 63 males) partners, personal details given by the index case were insufficient for identification of the partner.Conclusions  When asymptomatic, genital CT infection spreads among sexually active young adults with multiple, unidentified sexual partners, appropriate methods of partner notification are not sufficient to achieve its aims at the population level.Conflicts of interestNone declared
The ketogenic diet improves recently worsened focal epilepsy
Authors: VILLENEUVE NATHALIE , PINTON FLORENCE , BAHI‐BUISSON NADIA , DULAC OLIVIER , CHIRON CATHERINE , NABBOUT RIMA 
Published: February 2009

Aim  We observed a dramatic response to the ketogenic diet in several patients with highly refractory epilepsy whose seizure frequency had recently worsened. This study aimed to identify whether this characteristic was a useful indication for the ketogenic diet.Method  From the 70 patients who received the ketogenic diet during a 3‐year period at our institution, we retrospectively selected patients with focal epilepsy. There were 22 children, 13 females and nine males, aged from 5 months to 18 years 6 months (mean 6y 9mo, SD 5y 11mo). Fifteen had symptomatic and seven had cryptogenic focal epilepsy. Seizure frequency 1 week before initiating the ketogenic diet was compared with that at 1 month and at the last visit on the diet.Results  Eleven patients were responders (defined as reduction of seizures by more than 50%) at 1 month. Responders were higher (p=0.046) in the group with a recent worsening of seizures than in those with stable seizure frequency. Seven patients were still seizure‐free at 6 months on the diet. Tolerability was excellent in 10 patients. Five patients stopped the diet because of early side effects.Interpretation  The ketogenic diet may be a valuable therapeutic option for children with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy, particularly those with a recent deterioration of seizure control and neurological status. Because of its rapid effect, the ketogenic diet may be a useful support to intravenous emergency drugs in such a situation.