bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early childhood factors influencing health‐related quality of life in adolescents at 13 years
Authors: Wilkins AJ , O'Callaghan MJ , Najman JM , Bor W , Williams GM , Shuttlewood G 
Published: February 2004

Objective:  To understand the relationship of health‐related quality of life (HR‐QOL) to early life experience.Methodology:  Eight thousand five hundred and fifty‐six women enrolled in a prospective study at their first antenatal clinic visit. At 13 years, of 5345 women remaining, a consecutive sample of 901 mother/child pairs provided data on adolescent HR‐QOL using the Child Health Questionnaire‐Parent Report form (CHQ‐PF50) and the Dartmouth COOP Functional Assessment Charts for Adolescents. The CHQ‐PF50 yielded physical (PHS) and psychosocial (PSS) summary scores. We examined the relationship between health‐related QOL and early childhood predictive variables.Results:  PHS was related to gestation, maternal health symptoms in pregnancy, maternal anxiety at 6 months, child health and hours of childcare at 5 years (P < 0.05). PSS was related to maternal age at index visit, maternal attitude to pregnancy, maternal satisfaction with care giving and maternal depression at 6 months, and child health and behaviour problems at 5 years (internalizing and social/attentional/thought (SAT) domains) (P < 0.05). Findings from adolescent self‐reports were similar.Conclusions:  This study has identified a number of early childhood determinants of adolescent HR‐QOL. These findings add to evidence of the effects of early adversity on the developmental pathways of children and support the need for effective early intervention.
Psychoeducational outcome at school age of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Gray PH , O'Callaghan MJ , Rogers YM 
Published: February 2004

Objective:  To investigate the cognitive performance and educational attainment at school‐age of children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), compared with a preterm control group of children.Methods:  Seventy preterm infants with BPD and 61 birth weight matched controls were prospectively followed‐up to school‐age. The Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children − III (WISC), the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) and the Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) were administered. The results were compared between the two groups and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the effect of confounding variables.Results:  The children in the BPD group performed less well on the Full Scale IQ (mean 86.7 vs 93.5; 95% CI, 1.9−11.7), Verbal IQ (mean 87.1 vs 94.1; 95% CI, 2.0−12.0) and the Performance IQ (mean 88.6 vs 95.2; 95% CI, 2.0−11.2) of the WISC, the reading component of the WRAT (mean 93.8 vs 98.9; 95% CI, 0.3−9.8) and the VMI (mean 88.9 vs 93.3; 95%, CI 1.1−7.8). Despite controlling for social and biological variables, statistical differences persisted for Full Scale and Verbal IQ and reading. A Verbal IQ >1 SD below the mean was found in 41% of BPD children compared to 21% of controls, while on the reading component of the WRAT a greater proportion of BPD children also had scores>1 SD below the mean.Conclusion:  Impaired psychoeducational performance was found in preterm children with BPD compared to controls, especially in the areas of language abilities and reading skills. This supports a greater need for special educational services and counseling for parents for these children.
Maternal haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome: Perinatal and neurodevelopmental neonatal outcomes for infants weighing less than 1250 g
Authors: Singhal N , Amin HJ , Pollard JK , Tough SC , Johnston DW , Clark DJ , Sauve R 
Published: February 2004

Objectives: To study mortality and short‐term morbidity of infants born to women with HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome and to compare the long‐term neurodevelopmental morbidity of a subgroup with birth weight (BWT) less than 1250 g (study group) with weight matched controls.Methods: Retrospective chart review and prospective neurodevelopmental follow‐up through a Perinatal Follow‐up clinic. Analysis of perinatal and neonatal data for women diagnosed with HELLP from 1993 to 1996. Neurodevelopmental outcome for the study group was compared to a group of weight matched controls.Results: A total of 109 infants (mean gestational age 32.6 weeks, mean BWT 1766 g) were born to 104 women with HELLP syndrome. There was a significant decrease in mortality (P = 0.002) and morbidity (P < 0.05) with increasing gestational age and birthweight. No significant differences in neonatal mortality and morbidity were present between the infants weighing less than 1250 g study and weight matched control group. However, at 3 years, the study group had fewer children with cerebral palsy (P = 0.024) and mental disability (Ptrend = 0.07). Mean cognitive index was 99 versus 91 in the controls (P = 0.101).Conclusion: Improved health outcomes occur with increased gestational age. Infants with BWT less than 1250 g born to women with HELLP syndrome were not at risk of increased neurodevelopmental disability compared to controls.
Five‐year surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in Malaysia
Authors: Hussain IHMI , Ali S , Sinniah M , Kurup D , Khoo TB , Thomas TGS , Apandi M , Taha AM 
Published: February 2004

Objective:  The nation‐wide surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) was implemented in Malaysia in 1995 and further intensified in 1996 as part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) certification process for polio eradication in the Western Pacific Region. Clinical data on AFP cases during a 5‐year surveillance period from 1997 to 2001 were compiled and analysed.Results:  Based on 517 cases of AFP reported during this 5‐year period, the overall rate of AFP was 1.2 per 100 000 children below 15 years old. The major clinical diagnosis associated with AFP were Guillain−Barre syndrome (30.2%), central nervous system infection (16.2%), transverse myelitis (10.6%) non‐polio enterovirus infection (6.2%), and hypokalaemic paralysis (5.2%). This unusual pattern with an excess of CNS infection and non‐polio enterovirus infection was attributed to the outbreak of enterovirus 71 infection nation‐wide in 1997. According to the WHO virological classification, there was no case of poliomyelitis due to wild poliovirus. Three cases were ‘polio compatible’, there were no cases of vaccine‐associated paralytic polio (VAPP), while 62 cases (12.0%) were merely classified as ‘non‐polio AFP’.Conclusion:  Overall, these data suggest the absence of circulation of wild poliovirus in Malaysia from 1997 to 2001. The pattern of AFP in this study is different from other published reports.
Quality assurance of paediatric cardiac surgery: A prospective 6‐year analysis
Authors: Justo RN , Janes EF , Sargent PH , Jalali H , Pohlner PG 
Published: February 2004

Objective:  To audit effective quality assurance methods to monitor outcomes following paediatric cardiac surgery at a single institution.Methods:  All patients undergoing cardiac surgery from January 1996 to December 2001 were enrolled prospectively. Patients were stratified by complexity of surgical procedure into four groups, with Category 4 being the most complex procedure. Outcome measures included death, length of admission and morbidity from complications.Results:  A total of 1815 patients underwent 1973 surgical procedures. Of these, 1447 (73.3%) were cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, and 543 (27.5%) were more complex (Category 3 and 4) procedures. Median patient age was 3.5 years (range, 1 day−20 years) and patient weight 15.0 kg (range, 900 g to 90 kg). Sixty‐six patients (3.6%) died during the study period. Of the procedures in 1996, 22.7% were classified as complex compared with 29.2% of procedures in 2001. The annual surgical mortality ranged from 1.9−4.7% (P = 0.20), and when mortality was adjusted for complexity of surgery, there was no significant yearly variation in the mortality rate (P = 0.57). Analysis of individual surgeon's results showed no significant difference in the mortality rate by complexity of surgery performed (P = 0.90). Mean ventilation times did not change significantly over time (P = 0.79). The yearly incidence of significant neurological complications ranged from 0.6% to 4.5% and the incidence of arrhythmias from 4.2% to 8.0%. No difference was detected between the years.Conclusions:  Stratifying complexity of surgery proved valuable in monitoring surgical outcomes and detecting differences in performance over time as large subgroups were created for analysis.
BRDF Measurement Modelling using Wavelets for Efficient Path Tracing
Authors: Claustres L. , Paulin M. , Boucher Y. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Physically based rendering needs numerical models from real measurements, or analytical models from material definitions, of the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF). However, measured BRDF data sets are too large and provide no functionalities to be practically used in Monte Carlo path tracing algorithms. In this paper, we present a wavelet‐based generic BRDF model suitable for both physical analysis and path tracing. The model is based on the separation of spectral and geometrical aspect of the BRDF and allows a compact and efficient representation of isotropic, anisotropic and/or spectral BRDFs. After a brief survey of BRDF and wavelet theory, we present our software architecture for generic wavelet transform and how to use it to model BRDFs. Then, modelling results are presented on real and virtual BRDF measurements. Finally, we show how to exploit the multiresolution property of the wavelet encoding to reduce the variance by importance sampling in a path tracing algorithm. ACM CSS: I.3.7 Computer Graphics—Three‐Dimensional Graphics and Realism
Soft Object Modelling with Generalised ChainMail — Extending the Boundaries of Web‐based Graphics
Authors: Li Ying , Brodlie Ken 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Soft object modelling is crucial in providing realistic simulation of many surgical procedures. High accuracy is achievable using the Finite Element Method (FEM), but significant computational power is required. We are interested in providing Web‐based surgical training simulation where such computational power is not available, but in return lower accuracy is often sufficient. A useful alternative to FEM is the 3D ChainMail algorithm that models elements linked in a regular, rectangular mesh, mimicking the behaviour of chainmail armour. An important aspect is the ability to make topology changes for example by cutting — an aspect that FEM finds difficult. Our contribution is to extend the 3D ChainMail technique to arbitrary grids in 2D and 3D. This extends the range of applications that can be addressed by the ChainMail approach, to include surfaces and volumes defined on triangular and tetrahedral meshes. We have successfully deployed the algorithm in a Web‐based environment, using VRML and Java linked through the External Authoring Interface. ACM CSS: I.3.5 Computer graphics: Computional Geometry and Object Modelling, I.3.2 Computer Graphics: Graphics Systems, J.3 Life and Medical Sciences
The State of the Art in Flow Visualisation: Feature Extraction and Tracking
Authors: Post Frits H. , Vrolijk Benjamin , Hauser Helwig , Laramee Robert S. , Doleisch Helmut 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Flow visualisation is an attractive topic in data visualisation, offering great challenges for research. Very large data sets must be processed, consisting of multivariate data at large numbers of grid points, often arranged in many time steps. Recently, the steadily increasing performance of computers again has become a driving force for new advances in flow visualisation, especially in techniques based on texturing, feature extraction, vector field clustering, and topology extraction. In this article we present the state of the art in feature‐based flow visualisation techniques. We will present numerous feature extraction techniques, categorised according to the type of feature. Next, feature tracking and event detection algorithms are discussed, for studying the evolution of features in time‐dependent data sets. Finally, various visualisation techniques are demonstrated. ACM CSS: I.3.8 Computer Graphics—applications
Creative Disruption — A Task‐Based Approach to Engaging With Original Works of Art
Authors: Walker Keith , Smith Liz 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis paper examines the value of a task‐based approach to engaging with original works of art and focuses in particular upon the experiences of a group of PGCE Art and Design trainees when they visited an exhibition entitled, Air Guitar: Art Reconsidering Rock Music, to carry out given tasks. The extent to which a task‐based approach might creatively disrupt trainee teachers' thinking and the nature and significance of such thinking within an educational context is considered, as is the impact of the tasks on their developing understanding of the need for a diversity of approaches to critical engagement. It draws extensively upon selected responses to the tasks and the trainees' subsequent reflections on the experience. Comparisons are made between trainees' responses to particular works and references to these works that are detailed in the exhibition catalogue. This is undertaken with the intention of examining the interrelationship between understanding and knowledge when reading and responding to works of art in the gallery context. A further concern is to generate debate and challenge assumptions regarding the nature and dynamics of gallery based activities and contribute to a process of development and innovation in which all participants can play an active part.
Art Interpretation as Subject Constitution Research on the Role of Critical Art History in Teacher Education
Authors: Trafí Laura 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis article describes the foundations, development and some of the findings from a research project about how the use of ‘the gaze’, as a key idea from critical art history, might affect the understanding of art by art educators. It shows how the use of this key idea involved not just the disruption of a modernist model of art interpretation (based on the author and the oeuvre), but also mediated the discursive production of the subjectivity of the interpreters as readers/writers of the work. The research was based in the interpretation of a specific artwork by Manet, A Bar at the Folies‐Bergère.
Human potassium chloride cotransporter 1 (SLC12A4) promoter is regulated by AP-2 and contains a functional downstream promoter element
Authors: Zhou Guo-Ping , Wong Clara , Su Robert , Crable Scott C. , Anderson Kathleen P. , Gallagher Patrick G. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Most K-Cl cotransport in the erythrocyte is attributed to potassium chloride cotransporter 1 (KCC1). K-Cl cotransport is elevated in sickle erythrocytes, and the KCC1 gene has been proposed as a modifier gene in sickle cell disease. To provide insight into our understanding of the regulation of the human KCC1 gene, we mapped the 5′ end of the KCC1 cDNA, cloned the corresponding genomic DNA, and identified the KCC1 gene promoter. The core promoter lacks a TATA box and is composed of an initiator element (InR) and a downstream promoter element (DPE), a combination found primarily in Drosophila gene promoters and rarely observed in mammalian gene promoters. Mutational analyses demonstrated that both the InR and DPE sites were critical for full promoter activity. In vitro DNase I footprinting, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and reporter gene assays identified functional AP-2 and Sp1 sites in this region. The KCC1 promoter was transactivated by forced expression of AP-2 in heterologous cells. Sequences encoding the InR, DPE, AP-2, and Sp1 sites were 100% conserved between human and murine KCC1 genes. In vivo studies using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with antihistone H3 and antihistone H4 antibodies demonstrated hyperacetylation of this core promoter region. (Blood. 2004;103:4302-4309)
Plasticity of endothelial cells: rapid dedifferentiation of freshly isolated high endothelial venule endothelial cells outside the lymphoid tissue microenvironment
Authors: Lacorre Delphine-Armelle , Baekkevold Espen S. , Garrido Ignacio , Brandtzaeg Per , Haraldsen Guttorm , Amalric François , Girard Jean-Philippe 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Endothelial cells display remarkable heterogeneity in different organs and vascular beds. Although many studies suggest that tissues “speak” to endothelial cells, endothelial cell diversity remains poorly characterized at the molecular level. Here, we describe a novel strategy to characterize tissue-specific endothelial cell phenotypes and to identify endothelial cell genes that are under the control of the local microenvironment. By comparing post-capillary high endothelial venule endothelial cells (HEVECs), freshly isolated from human tonsils without any cell culture step, with HEVECs cultured for 2 days, we found that HEVECs rapidly lost their specialized characteristics when isolated from the lymphoid tissue microenvironment. Striking changes occurred as early as after 48 hours, with complete loss of the postcapillary venule–specific Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARCs) and the HEV-specific fucosyltransferase Fuc-TVII. DNA microarray analysis identified several other candidate HEV genes that were rapidly down-regulated ex vivo, including type XV collagen, which we characterized as a novel, abundant HEV transcript in situ. Together, our results demonstrate that blood vessel type–specific and tissue-specific characteristics of endothelial cells are under the control of their microenvironment. Therefore, even short-term primary cultures of human endothelial cells may not adequately mimic the differentiated endothelial cell phenotypes existing in vivo.
The Tie-2 ligand Angiopoietin-2 is stored in and rapidly released upon stimulation from endothelial cell Weibel-Palade bodies
Authors: Fiedler Ulrike , Scharpfenecker Marion , Koidl Stefanie , Hegen Anja , Grunow Verena , Schmidt Jarno M. , Kriz Wilhelm , Thurston Gavin , Augustin Hellmut G. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
The angiopoietins Ang-1 and Ang-2 have been identified as ligands with opposing functions of the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie-2 regulating endothelial cell survival and vascular maturation. Ang-1 acts in a paracrine agonistic manner, whereas Ang-2 appears to act primarily as an autocrine antagonistic regulator. To shed further light on the complexity of autocrine/paracrine agonistic/antagonistic functions of the angiopoietin/Tie-2 system, we have studied Ang-2 synthesis and secretion in different populations of wild-type and retrovirally Ang-2–transduced endothelial cells. Endogenous and overexpressed endothelial cell Ang-2 is expressed in a characteristic granular pattern indicative of a cytoplasmic storage granule. Light and electron microscopic double staining revealed Ang-2 colocalization with von Willebrand factor, identifying Ang-2 as a Weibel-Palade body molecule. Costaining with P-selectin showed that storage of Ang-2 and P-selectin in Weibel-Palade bodies is mutually exclusive. Stored Ang-2 has a long half-life of more than 18 hours and can be secreted within minutes of stimulation (eg, by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [PMA], thrombin, and histamine). Collectively, the identification of Ang-2 as a stored, rapidly available molecule in endothelial cells strongly suggests functions of the angiopoietin/Tie-2 system beyond the established roles during angiogenesis likely to be involved in rapid vascular homeostatic reactions such as inflammation and coagulation.
Evidence for anti-inflammatory activity of statins and PPARα activators in human C-reactive protein transgenic mice in vivo and in cultured human hepatocytes in vitro
Authors: Kleemann Robert , Verschuren Lars , de Rooij Bert-Jan , Lindeman Jan , de Maat Moniek M. , Szalai Alexander J. , Princen Hans M. G. , Kooistra Teake 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Inflammatory processes, aside from cholesterol, play a central role in atherogenesis. Human C-reactive protein (huCRP) signals systemic inflammation and independently predicts future cardiovascular risk. Cholesterol-lowering statins reduce atherosclerosis and plasma huCRP levels. Evidence is sought for a direct anti-inflammatory statin effect in vivo, independent of effects on plasma cholesterol and atherogenesis. The effect of atorvastatin and simvastatin on huCRP expression was studied in nonatherosclerotic huCRP transgenic mice and compared with another class of hypolipidemic drugs, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) activators, notably fenofibrate and Wy14643. Like statins, PPARα activators combine antiatherosclerotic properties with huCRP-lowering effects. Dietary treatment with statins or PPARα activators decreased basal and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced plasma huCRP levels independently of cholesterol lowering. These direct anti-inflammatory in vivo effects occurred at the transcriptional level and could be confirmed in cultured human liver slices and in human hepatoma cells transiently transfected with a huCRP promoter-driven luciferase reporter. A molecular rationale for the suppression of IL-1-induced huCRP transcription is provided by showing that statins and PPARα activators up-regulate IκBα protein expression. This results in a reduced nuclear translocation of p50-nuclear factor κ B (NFκB) and thereby decreased amounts of nuclear p50-NFκB∼CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) complexes, which determine the huCRP transcription rate. Our results provide conclusive evidence for a direct suppressive effect of statins and PPARα activators on huCRP expression independent of cholesterol lowering and atherogenesis. (Blood. 2004;103:4188-4194)
The occurrence of graft-versus-host disease is the major predictive factor for response to donor lymphocyte infusions in multiple myeloma
Authors: Lokhorst Henk M. , Wu Kalung , Verdonck Leo F. , Laterveer Laurens L. , van de Donk Niels W. C. J. , van Oers Marinus H. J. , Cornelissen Jan J. , Schattenberg Anton V. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
The graft-versus-myeloma (GVM) effect of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) is well established. We now report the outcome of DLI in 54 patients with relapsed myeloma following allogeneic transplantation. Twenty-eight patients (52%) responded, 19 patients (35%) with a partial response and 9 patients (17%) with a complete response. Progression-free and overall survival were 19 and 23 months, respectively. We found that acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) observed in 57% and 47% of patients, respectively, following DLI were the strongest predictors for response. This suggests that targets for GVHD and GVM are identical. In a subgroup analysis, deletion of chromosome 13, as determined by double-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), had no impact on outcome, indicating that these patients are candidates for early allogeneic transplantation followed by DLI, in case of insufficient response. (Blood. 2004;103:4362-4364)