bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of mRNA for glucocorticoid receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Hori Takashiro , Watanabe Kouichi , Miyaoka Masaaki , Moriyasu Fuminori , Onda Kenji , Hirano Toshihiko , Oka Kitaro 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: The amount of glucocorticoid (GC) receptors (GR) in immune cells might be critical for successful GC treatment of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, little is known about the expression of GR in CD; therefore, we carried out quantitative analyses for GR messenger (m)RNA expression in peripheral‐blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of CD.Methods: Seventeen patients with CD and 33 healthy subjects entered into this study. We measured the GRα mRNA level in the PBMC of these subjects by a reverse transcription‐competitive polymerase chain reaction procedure. Relative amounts for GRβ mRNA were obtained semiquantitatively.Results: The amounts of GRα‐mRNA in the CD patients and healthy subjects were 0.053 ± 0.052 and 0.130 ± 0.108 (copies/copies of β‐actin mRNA), respectively. The former value was significantly lower than that of the latter (P < 0.01). The rates of the CD patients and healthy subjects expressing GRβ‐mRNA in PBMC were 41.2% and 45.5%, respectively, and there was no significant difference in the rates between the two groups (P = 0.339). However, the relative amounts of GRβ‐mRNA in the PBMC were estimated to be 1.053 × 10−5 ± 2.540 × 10−5 for the CD patients, and 1.872 × 10−5 ± 3.252 × 10−5 (fluorescence intensity/copies of β‐actin mRNA) for the healthy subjects, and the former was significantly smaller than the latter (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was an inverse correlation between the duration of disease (year) and the amounts of GRα‐mRNA in the PBMC of the CD patients (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The amounts of GRα‐mRNA and GRβ‐mRNA in the PBMC of the CD patients were lower than those of the healthy subjects. The duration of disease correlated with decreased amounts of GRα‐mRNA in the PBMC. Furthermore, the clinical significance of the GR‐mRNA status in the PBMC remains to be elucidated.
Is delayed normalization of alanine aminotransferase a poor prognostic predictor in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with a combined interferon and ribavirin therapy?
Authors: HUNG CHAO‐HUNG , LEE CHUAN‐MO , LU SHENG‐NAN , WANG JING‐HOUNG , TUNG HUNG‐DA , CHEN TSUNG‐MING , CHEN CHIEN‐HUNG , CHANGCHIEN CHI‐SIN 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background and Aims
: Decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level is the accepted basic indicator of an interferon (IFN) therapeutic effect in chronic hepatitis C. This study assessed whether delayed normalization of ALT predicts a poor response to a combined therapy of IFN and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Methods:
Patients were treated with IFN‐α 2b three times weekly and oral ribavirin for 24 weeks. The ALT values were assessed monthly and patterns of changes in ALT activity were analyzed. Serum HCV‐RNA was checked at weeks 0, 12, 24, and 48.
Results:
A total of 103 patients completed therapy and 69 (67%) of them achieved a sustained viral response (SVR). There was no significant difference in the SVR between patients with or without early normalization (week 12) of ALT level (69 vs 56%). Of the sustained responders, nine patients (13%) with delayed ALT normalization had a SVR. Nine of the 12 patients (75%) with abnormal ALT and negative HCV‐RNA at week 12 had a SVR compared with none of four patients who had positive HCV‐RNA at week 12 (P = 0.0192).
Conclusions:
Lack of normalization of the ALT level at week 12 does not preclude successful virological outcome in hepatitis C patients receiving a combined therapy of IFN and ribavirin. Hepatitis C virus RNA at week 12 may be a useful predictor of treatment outcome in patients without early biochemical response.© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Renal tract abnormalities detected in Australian preschool children
Authors: HOGG RJ , HARRIS S , LAWRENCE DM , HENNING PH , WIGG N , JUREIDINI KF 
Published: March 2003

Objective:To quantify the incidence of abnormalities in urinalysis and blood pressure from preschool children and their predictive value in detecting renal disease within an Australian community.Methodology:Urine samples, blood pressure and height measurements and parental reports of significant medical problems were collected from a total of 9355 South Australian preschool children. Seven hundred and forty‐three children with abnormal results were investigated in a nephrology outpatient clinic. A control group of 357 children with no detectable abnormality were also recalled, examined and, where appropriate, investigated.Results:Nine thousand, three hundred and fifty‐five children were tested. Of these, 0.81% were shown to have a clinically significant renal tract abnormality. The findings included children with urinary tract infections, vesico‐ureteric reflux, glomerular disease, renal calculi, essential hypertension and a renal neoplasm. While dipstick‐based methods were the most specific indicators of renal tract abnormalities, measurement of blood pressure and urinary β2‐microglobulin were also important in detecting abnormalities. Screening for glycosuria did not result in the detection of significant undiagnosed abnormalities. In the control group with no abnormality detected at testing, there was one case each of aortic coarctation, polycystic kidney disease and vesico‐ureteric reflux diagnosed.Conclusion:Undiagnosed renal tract abnormalities are present in many Australian preschool children. Most are detectable by a thorough history, examination and urinalysis.
Difference in susceptibilities of different cell lines to bilirubin damage
Authors: Ngai K‐C , Yeung C‐Y , Leung C‐S 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To investigate if there are differences in susceptibilities to bilirubin toxicity of different cell lines. Methodology: A modified 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method was adopted to study the cytotoxic effect of bilirubin on several commercially available cell lines including human glioblastoma (ATCC CRL 1690, T98G), human neuroblastoma (ATCC HTB‐10, SK‐N‐MC), human liver (ATCC CCL 13, Chang Liver, HeLa markers) and a mouse fibroblast (ATCC CCL‐1, NCTC Colon 929). Results: Cytotoxicity was observed when certain bilirubin:albumin molar ratios were exceeded in the medium of a cell line in culture. Different cells exhibited different susceptibilities to the cytotoxic effects of bilirubin; neuroblastoma and glioblastoma were most susceptible, fibroblasts were the least vulnerable. Conclusions: Our findings have confirmed the clinical impression that different cells sustain different degrees of cytotoxicities caused by bilirubin.
Prevalence of childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Urumqi and Beijing
Authors: Zhao T.B , Wang AJ , Chen YZ , Xiao ML , Duo LK , Liu G , Lau YL , Karlberg J 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To assess the prevalence of asthma and other allergies in children in Urumqi and Beijing, compared with that in Hong Kong. Methods: A total of 7754 primary school students were randomly selected to participate in the study. Data were collected in 1995–96 using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol for 6‐ and 7‐year‐olds. The study design and data quality assurance in all aspects followed the protocol, including the double entry of data. Results: The questionnaire response rate was high (98.9%). Beijing children reported significantly more asthma than those living in Urumqi in three categories: wheezing or whistling in the chest in the past year (6.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.1–6.9%vs 2.9%, 2.3–3.5%, P < 0.001), sleeping disturbed due to wheezing (1.3%, 0.9–1.7%vs 0.6%, 0.3–0.9%, P < 0.03) and having experienced asthma ever (10.7%, 9.6–11.8%vs 7.6%, 6.6–8.6%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (30.0%vs 31.1% estimated as 12‐month nasal symptoms in Beijing and Urumqi, respectively) and eczema (2.8%vs 2.0% recorded as 12‐month itchy rash) in the two cities were not significantly different. A similar study was also performed in Hong Kong in 1995 using the same ISAAC protocol. The children in Urumqi and Beijing had fewer (P < 0.05) allergic symptoms compared to those living in Hong Kong (n = 3618). The 12‐month prevalence of wheezing, nasal symptoms and itchy rash found in Hong Kong were 9.2% (95% CI: 8.2–10.2%), 35.1% (33.5–36.7%) and 4.2% (3.5–4.9%), respectively. Conclusion: Urumqi, Beijing and Hong Kong represent communities at different stages of westernization and the results from these three cities reflect a worldwide trend for an increasing prevalence of allergies along with westernization. These three cities could assist in identifying risk factors involved in the increase in asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema.
Bone mineral density in prepubertal asthmatics receiving corticosteroid treatment
Authors: Harris M , Hauser S , Nguyen TV , Kelly PJ , Rodda C , Morton J , Freezer N , Strauss BJG , Eisman JA , Walker JL 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To examine whether bone mass is reduced in prepubertal, asthmatics receiving high doses of inhaled corticosteroids. Methodology: A cross‐sectional comparison of lumbar spine‐bone mineral density (LS‐BMD) was undertaken in 76 subjects after stratifying them according to dosage and administration route of corticosteroid. Results: Weight was the only independent predictor of LS‐BMD (r2 = 0.38). Children receiving greater than 800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid plus intermittent oral corticosteroid had a significantly lower weight‐adjusted LS‐BMD than children treated with 400–800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid (mean difference: 0.06 g/cm2, 95% confidence interval (CI): – 0.02 to – 0.10). A significant difference in weight‐adjusted LS‐BMD persisted when all children receiving greater than 800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid, irrespective of additional oral corticosteroid treatment, were compared with children receiving 400–800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid (mean difference: – 0.05 g/cm2, 95%CI interval: –0.02 to – 0.09). Bone mass was similar in children not receiving any inhaled corticosteroid and those treated with 400–800 μg/day of inhaled corticosteroid. Conclusions: A reduced bone mass in prepubertal asthmatic children receiving high doses of inhaled corticosteroids may predetermine a compromised peak bone mass and increase osteoporotic fracture risk in adulthood.
Review of the outcome of management of Graves’ disease in children and adolescents
Authors: Bergman P , Auldist AW , Cameron F 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To review our recent experience in the management of paediatric Graves’ disease, the leading cause of hyperthyroidism in childhood, in view of ongoing international debate regarding therapy. Methodology: Retrospective medical record review of patients with Graves’ disease, treated between 1985 and 1999, at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Results: Forty patients, aged at diagnosis between 2.9 and 17.6 years (median age 11 years; 31 females), were treated. Thirty‐three patients received either definitive therapy or at least 24 months medical therapy and follow up at the time of the study. Six patients experienced successful remission upon withdrawal of medication (median medication duration 3.2 years; four females; median follow up 4.1 years). Children successfully achieving remission were younger at presentation than those requiring surgery (9.5 vs 12.9 years, respectively; P = 0.01). Ten patients were treated surgically, leaving 4–6 g residual thyroid tissue. Surgical indications included failed initial medical therapy, relapse after medication cessation, non‐compliance and significant medication side effects. During a median follow up of 1.7 years (range 0.2–5 years), three of 10 patients have subsequently relapsed and four of 10 patients are receiving postoperative thyroxine replacement. Transient hypocalcaemia occurred in five patients and temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in two patients. Conclusions: Fewer than 20% of children experienced successful sustained remission at median follow up of 3.2 years. Medication remains a well‐tolerated therapeutic option. Surgery is a reasonable alternative when there are specific indications. In order to decrease the likelihood of surgical relapse, less than 4 g thyroid tissue should be left postoperatively.
A 10‐year serogroup B meningococcal disease epidemic in New Zealand: Descriptive epidemiology, 1991–2000
Authors: Baker MG , Martin DR , Kieft CEM , Lennon D 
Published: March 2003

Objective: New Zealand has experienced an epidemic of meningococcal disease since 1991. This paper describes the characteristics of this epidemic during its first 10 years (1991–2000), current control measures, and potential future interventions. Methodology: Meningococcal disease surveillance in New Zealand uses combined notification and laboratory data. Population census data from 1991 and 1996 were used to calculate disease rates. Results: The annual incidence of meningococcal disease increased from 53 cases (1.6 per 100 000 population) in the pre‐epidemic year of 1990 to a peak of 613 (16.9 per 100 000) in 1997, followed by consistently raised rates. Over the 1996–2000 period, there was an average of 502 cases per year (13.9 per 100 000). The epidemic has resulted in 3547 cases since 1991; approximately 3000 in excess of the number expected based on pre‐epidemic disease incidence. Of the total cases, 158 (4.5%) were fatal. A disproportionately large number of cases have been in Maori and Pacific Islands children in the northern part of the North Island of New Zealand. Since 1991, the epidemic has increasingly been dominated by serogroup B meningococci with subtype P1.7b,4, which by 2000 accounted for 84.6% of all cases for whom this testing was carried out. The majority of these organisms were characterised as B:4:P1.7b,4. Conclusion: Meningococcal disease rates are likely to remain elevated in New Zealand for at least several more years. A vaccine which could induce immunity to the P1.7b,4 PorA subtype may have a role in controlling this epidemic. Efforts are underway to obtain and trial such a vaccine. Measures are also underway to reduce overcrowded living conditions which are contributing to the epidemic. Early recognition and antibiotic treatment of cases improves outcomes and should continue to be promoted. Integrated notification and laboratory‐based surveillance of meningococcal disease provides relatively complete surveillance of this disease in New Zealand and has supported the development of public health interventions.
Clinical risk factors but not bone density are associated with prevalent fractures in prepubertal children
Authors: Ma DQ , Jones G 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the association of clinical risk factors and bone density with prevalent fractures in prepubertal children.Methods:  Bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar spine, femoral neck and total body bone was assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Clinical data on risk factors were collected by measurement and questionnaires.Results:   Of 324 children, 32 (10%) had a prevalent fracture (upper limb 69%). Most fractures were due to low‐energy falls at home (69%). Children with fractures were older (P = 0.04), had higher levels of sports participation (P = 0.03), lower levels of breastfeeding (P = 0.05) and tended towards higher usage of inhaled corticosteroids in the previous year (P = 0.05). However, both BMD and apparent BMD did not differ between those with and without prevalent fracture. No differences were observed in the proportion of maternal fractures, maternal smoking during pregnancy, asthma history and oral prednisolone in last year (all P > 0.05). A final model incorporating age, weight, height, breastfeeding history, sports participation and inhaled corticosteroid usage accounted for 10% of the variability in the odds of fracture (P = 0.03).Conclusion:  These results suggest that BMD may be less important than clinical risk factors for total fracture risk in prepubertal children. However, sample size limitations mean that further investigation in larger populations with less heterogeneity in fracture types is warranted.
Sepsis in neonatal intensive care in the late 1990s
Authors: Mehr SS , Sadowsky JL , Doyle LW , Carr J 
Published: March 2003

Aim:  To determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of sepsis in ventilated infants from an Australian neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the late 1990s.Methods:  Demographic data was collected from babies requiring assisted ventilation (AV) over the 6‐month period from 1 July to 31 December 1998. Sepsis was divided into early onset sepsis (EOS; ″ 72 h of age) and late onset sepsis (LOS; >72 h of age), including both definite (culture‐proven + abnormal markers) and probable (culture negative + abnormal markers) episodes.Results:  Two hundred and eleven babies required AV over this period. Of these, 64 (30.3%) had at least one infection, with 85 episodes of sepsis (40.3 episodes per 100 admissions requiring AV). There were 22 babies with 22 episodes of EOS, and 45 with 63 episodes of LOS. Three babies had both EOS and LOS. The rate of EOS was 10.4 infected infants (10.4 infections per 100 admissions requiring AV). The rate of LOS was 21.3 infected infants (29.9 infections per 100 admissions requiring AV). The rates of both EOS and LOS were higher than previously reported by Australian studies in the early 1990s. In both EOS and LOS, risk factors for infection were common. Group B streptococcus was the commonest cause of definite EOS. The mortality rate from sepsis in the EOS group was 14% (3/22). Coagulase‐negative staphylococci were the commonest cause of LOS. The mortality rate from sepsis in the LOS group was 11% (5/45).Conclusions:  EOS and LOS are significant problems in ventilated NICU infants in the late 1990s.
Variation in mortality and intraventricular haemorrhage in occupants of Pacific Rim nurseries
Authors: Martinez A , Taeusch HW , Yu V , Tan KW , Yeung C‐Y , Lu J‐H , Nishida H , Boo N‐Y 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  A network of neonatal intensive care units in Pacific Rim countries was formed to compare infant risk factors, clinical practices, and outcomes for very low birthweight infants.Methodology:  A multicentre, prospective study compared outcomes for infants born smaller than 1501 g or at less than 31 weeks gestation.Results:  Gestational age‐specific survival and incidence of intracranial haemorrhage varied for infants born in these nurseries. We found differences in infant risk factors among the nurseries. There were also significant differences in the use of antenatal steroids, but similar rates for Caesarean section and surfactant treatment. The factor most predictive of neonatal death and severe intracranial abnormality was an elevated Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score. Antenatal steroid treatment (>24 h prior to delivery) was associated with improved survival and decreased incidence of severe intracranial abnormalities. Antenatal steroid treatment for less than 24 h prior to delivery was not associated with improved survival. Caesarean delivery was associated with improved survival, but showed no benefit regarding the incidence of severe intracranial abnormality.Conclusions:  Our Pacific Rim nursery network found differences in neonatal outcomes that correlated best with measures of neonatal risk at birth, antenatal steroid treatment, and Caesarean delivery. These data emphasize the importance of obstetric care to improve postnatal outcomes in premature infants, and highlight the usefulness of CRIB scores in these patients.
Assessment of critical loading of lakes as a basis for remedial measures: A review of fundamental concepts
Authors: Håkanson Lars 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLake ecosystems throughout the world are threatened by numerous chemicals. Most people have heard about the major chemical threats to aquatic systems, such as mercury, radionuclides, sulphur and acid rain, and nutrients causing eutrophication effects. How are these threats manifested in ecosystems? What is threatened and why? What can be done for remediation? The complexity of ecosystems has often led to the predictive failure of ecosystems models, and a decade ago these models were rightly regarded with suspicion. At that time, many lake models predicted target variables, such as mean concentrations of toxins in water, sediments and fish, within a factor of 10. There has been very rapid development in predictive modelling for water pollutants during recent years. Today, lake models for water pollutants predict as well as can be measured (i.e. within a factor of 0.25–0.5). One major reason for this rapid development is the Chernobyl accident. Large quantities of radiocaesium were released in a pulse during April–May 1986. In order to follow the radiocaesium along ecosystem pathways, the identification of fundamental transport processes and the structuring of models has been developed. To obtain a high predictive power in ecosystem models, it is crucial to include only the key processes (the optimal size problem). Effect‐load‐ sensitivity (ELS) models play a paramount role in the environmental sciences and lake management. The aim of ELS models is to provide quantitative predictions relating operationally defined ecological effect variables to load and environmental sensitivity variables. Validated ELS models provide a tool to simulate practically feasible remedial measures, and important concepts like critical load, natural load and guideline limits/values can be defined from ELS models. The first objective of this paper is to discuss some basic structures, principles and components of ELS models. Empirical (static) and dynamical (time‐dependent) ELS models exist for mercury, radiocaesium and phosphorus in lakes. These models have high predictive powers for a wide range of validation lakes. The second objective of this paper is to demonstrate what can actually be done in water management in terms of remediation of the effects asociated with acidification (lake liming), eutrophication and contamination by mercury and radiocaesium.
Optical and biological properties of Lake Ülemiste, a water reservoir of the city of Tallinn II: Light climate in Lake Ülemiste
Authors: Reinart A. , Arst H. , Erm A. , Trei T. , Hussainov M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractUnderwater light climate in strongly eutrophic Lake Ülemiste was studied by applying in situ measurements and model calculations. The attenuation of light in the waters of Lake Ülemiste is rather high, with a diffuse attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically active radiation, spectral region 400–700 nm (PAR) being 1.0–3.3 m–1. From the subsurface irradiance, only 3–13% reaches the depth of 1 m. However, in most cases, 1% from the irradiance just under the surface of water is available at the average depth (2.5 m) of the lake. A simple model is used for an approximate description of the temporal variation of underwater PAR at different depths. The initial data are the episodically determined values of the diffuse attenuation coefficient of PAR, Kd,PAR and the values of continuously recorded incident irradiance. Light is limiting phytoplankton growth in Lake Ülemiste only for a very short time each year: in early spring and late summer. The study should be continued to investigate the effect of artificially regulated influx and outflow of water and nutrients to toxic cyanobacteria blooms in this lake.