bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrast media‐enhanced power Doppler sonography for evaluation of hemangiomas and malignant tumors in the liver
Authors: KARABACAKOGLU AYDIN , KARAKOSE SERDAR , CIL AHMET SAID , KAYA AHMET 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAim: To evaluate the characterization of liver hemangiomas and malignant tumors using power Doppler sonography before and after intravenous injection of a sonocontrast agent.Methods: Forty‐five patients with 57 liver tumors (22 hemangiomas, 24 metastases, 10 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and one cholangiocellular carcinoma) were examined prospectively. The distribution (peripheral, central, mosaic) and extent (none, minimal, moderate and strong) of intratumoral flow pattern in each sonographic examination was subjectively classified.Results: The administration of the sonocontrast agent by bolus injection caused enhancement to gradually increase up to 2 min and lasted for 4–5 min. After injection of contrast agent, flow signals appeared or increased in 34 tumors. No signal enhancement was observed in 18 hemangiomas, four metastases and one HCC. The sensitivity and specificity of intratumoral vascularity for the detection of malignant liver tumors was 37.1 and 90.9% for unenhanced power Doppler sonography, and 85.7 and 81.8% for contrast‐enhanced power Doppler sonography, respectively.Conclusion: Contrast‐enhanced power Doppler sonography is superior to unenhanced power Doppler sonography in the demonstration of malignant tumor vascularity, and is helpful in differentiating between hemangiomas and malignant liver tumors. A specific flow pattern within the tumor is not established in primary and metastatic malignant tumors with contrast‐enhanced power Doppler sonography.© 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Lafutidine increases hepatic blood flow via potentiating the action of central thyrotropin‐releasing hormone in rats
Authors: YONEDA MASASHI , KUROSAWA MIEKO , WATANOBE HAJIME , TERANO AKIRA 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:  Lafutidine, (±)‐2‐(furfurylsulfinyl)‐N‐[4‐[4‐(piperidinomethyl)‐2‐pyridyl]oxy‐(Z)‐2 butenyl]acetamide, is a newly synthesized histamine H2 receptor antagonist and possesses a cytoprotective efficacy, which comprises mucin biosynthesis and stimulation of gastric blood flow mediated through capsaicin‐sensitive sensory neurons and endogenous calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP). In the present study, an effect of lafutidine on hepatic blood flow was investigated in rats that received an intracisternal injection of a subthreshold dose of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) analog, RX 77368.Methods:  Change in hepatic blood flow was determined by laser Doppler flowmetry. Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with urethane (1.5 g/kg, i.p.), and positioned on a stereotaxic apparatus. An abdominal incision was made, and a probe of laser Doppler flowmeter was placed on the surface of the liver. After a 60‐min stabilization, basal hepatic blood flow was measured for 30 min, and lafutidine (0.5, 1, 3, 5 or 10 mg/kg) or vehicle was injected into the portal vein and a subthreshold dose (1.5 ng) of RX 77368 was injected intracisternally. Hepatic blood flow was monitored for 120 min postinjection. To investigate a role of capsaicin‐sensitive sensory neurons and endogenous CGRP, systemic capsaicin treatment (125 mg/kg, s.c., 10–14 days before) and intravenous infusion of a CGRP receptor antagonist, human CGRP‐(8‐37) (15 µg/kg as a bolus, followed by infusion at 3 µg/kg/h) were performed, respectively.Results:  Intracisternal injection of RX 77368 (1.5 ng) or intraportal lafutidine (10 mg/kg) by itself did not affect hepatic blood flow, but co‐injection of intracisternal RX 77368 (1.5 ng) and intraportal lafutidine (5 mg/kg) increased it with peak response at 30 min postinjection. The effect of lafutidine on hepatic blood flow in rats given RX 77368 was dose‐related over the range 1–5 mg/kg. By contrast, intracisternal injection of RX 77368 (1.5 ng) did not change hepatic blood flow in rats injected with another histamine H2 receptor antagonist, famotidine (5 mg/kg), intraportally. The stimulatory effect of co‐injection of TRH analog and lafutidine was abolished by systemic capsaicin‐treatment and CGRP antagonist.Conclusion:  These data suggest that lafutidine increases hepatic blood flow by sensitizing the liver to the action of central TRH via both capsaicin‐sensitive sensory neurons and endogenous CGRP in urethane‐anesthetized rats.
Relative bioavailability and plasma paracetamol profiles of Panadol® suppositories in children
Authors: COULTHARD KP , NIELSON HW , SCHRODER M. , COVINO A , MATTHEWS NT , MURRAY RS , VAN DER WALT JH 
Published: March 2003

Objective:To determine the relative bioavailability and plasma paracetamol concentration profiles following administration of a proprietary formulation of paracetamol suppositories to postoperative children.Methodology and Results:Study A—eight children undergoing minor surgery had blood samples collected following the rectal administration of either a 250 mg or 500 mg paracetamol suppository on one day and an equivalent oral dose on the following day. A mean dose of 13 mg/kg gave a mean Cmax (Tmax) of 7.7 mg/L (1.6 h) and 4.9 mg/L (2.0 h) following oral and rectal administration, respectively. The mean relative rectal bioavailability was 78% (95% confidence interval of 55–101%). Study B—20 children undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy were randomly assigned to receive a postoperative dose of 500 mg of paracetamol either as 2×250 mg liquid filled or 1×500 mg hard wax Panadol® suppository. A mean dose of 25 mg/kg produced mean maximum plasma paracetamol concentrations of 13.2 mg/L and 14.5 mg/L at 2.1 and 1.9 h for the hard and liquid filled suppository, respectively. The absorption rate constants and areas under the curves suggested no difference in the rate or extent of absorption between the two formulations.Conclusion:Absorption of paracetamol following rectal administration of Panadol® suppositories to postoperative children is slower and reduced as compared to oral therapy. The hard wax and liquid filled products have similar absorption characteristics. The usually quoted antipyretic therapeutic range for paracetamol is 10–20 mg/L, although 5 mg/L may be effective. A single rectal dose of 25 mg/kg will obtain this lower concentration within 1 h of administration and maintain it for up to 6 h. When given in an appropriate dose for analgesia, maximum plasma paracetamol concentrations would be available in the immediate postoperative period if the rectal dose was given 2 h before the planned end of the procedure.
Mortality and neurodevelopmental outcome for infants receiving adrenaline in neonatal resuscitation
Authors: O’DONNELL AI , GRAY PH , ROGERS YM 
Published: March 2003

Objective:To document the outcome, in terms of mortality and morbidity, for all infants requiring adrenaline as part of initial neonatal resuscitation, and to identify the differences between term and preterm infants.Methods:All infants in a five‐year period who received adrenaline during delivery room resuscitation were retrospectively identified. Data from the perinatal period were ascertained by chart review. Details of survivors at 1 year or later were reviewed.Results:Seventy‐eight infants were identified representing 0.2% of all deliveries. Over half of all infants survived, with the proportion increasing with advancing gestational age from 30% below 29 weeks to 67% at term. Seventy‐three per cent of survivors were normal at follow‐up to at least 1 year, with more preterm infants being normal than term infants (79% vs 64%). Over half of survivors below 29 weeks’ gestation were normal, but overall 78% of this group either died or showed evidence of neurodevelopmental disability. Asystolic infants did not differ from the bradycardic infants in terms of survival or rates of disability. Adrenaline may be contraindicated in asystolic very preterm infants.Conclusions:Adrenaline retains a role in term and mature preterm infants where there is an acute cause for depression at delivery. In very preterm infants its use is associated with a high rate of death and disability. Failure to stabilise with adequate ventilatory support should be seen as a poor prognostic sign in this group.
Randomised trial of histoacryl blue tissue adhesive glue versus suturing in the repair of paediatric lacerations
Authors: BARNETT P , JARMAN FC , GOODGE J , SILK G , AICKIN R 
Published: March 2003

Objective:To compare histoacryl blue tissue adhesive glue with suturing in the repair of simple paediatric lacerations.Methodology:Prospective, randomised controlled trial in tertiary paediatric emergency department. Children 4 years old or older with non‐ragged lacerations <5 cm in length,<12‐h‐old and not involving eyelid or mucous membrane. A total of 163 patients were randomly allocated to either glue (83 cases) or sutures (80 controls) to repair their laceration. Primary outcome measures were cosmetic outcome at 3 and 12 months with secondary outcomes—length of time to perform procedure, and pain assessment of procedure by doctor, nurse, parent and child.Results:Cases and controls were similar in age, wound length and width and body part involved, but more females received glue (P=0.013). Time taken to repair the wound was faster in the glue group (median 0–2 mins vs. 6–10 min suture, P<0.001). Doctors (P=0.02), nurses (P<0.01) and parents (P=0.02) but not the children themselves (P=0.24) rated glue repair as less distressing. Complications at 1 week (wound dehiscence, redness and discharge) were the same for both groups (P>0.2). Cosmetic outcome was the same for both groups at 3 (n=65) and 12 (n=65) months (P>0.7).Conclusion:Tissue adhesive glue is faster and probably less painful than suturing. Tissue adhesive glue has the same cosmetic result as suturing when used for the repair of simple lacerations in children.
Prevalence of emotional and physical health concerns amongst young people in Victoria
Authors: Waters E , Wake M , Toumbourou J , Wright M , Salmon L 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To describe the emotional and physical health concerns of young people, and identify the concerns for which young people are more likely to seek help. Methods: We surveyed a representative cross‐sectional sample of students from 11 to 18 years of age from 24 Victorian secondary schools in late 1997 within the Health of Young Victorians Study. Included in this survey were items describing worries or concerns of physical and emotional health. Prevalence rates, Chi‐square, and logistic regression analyses were used to describe relationships. Results: 2361 questionnaires were completed (53% male, response rate 70%). Overall, most frequent reports concerned feelings of depression (40%), worries about weight (37%), worries about self confidence (34%), and trouble falling or staying asleep (30%). Females tended to report a greater range of health concerns. The most frequent reports, by gender, were worries about their weight (52% females), and feelings of depression (30% males). Feelings of being bullied (20%), and concerns about sex, drugs and alcohol (7–11%) were reported equally frequently by males and females. In contrast to the high levels of health concerns reported, few students also reported seeing someone about them other than parents or friends. This finding appeared consistent across ages and for both sexes; with higher rates of seeking help for their physical rather than emotional health concerns. Discussion: These results show that adolescents across Victoria are reporting high levels of concerns or worries about their health which differ across age and gender. They are more likely to report concerns about emotional health, but less likely to seek professional help than for physical concerns.
Transmission of tuberculosis from a seven‐year‐old child in a Sydney school
Authors: Cardona M , Bek MD , Mills K , Isaacs D , Alperstein G 
Published: March 2003

Objectives: To determine whether a 7‐year‐old child with extrapulmonary and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and direct smear positive sputum for acid‐fast bacilli was infectious to home and school contacts, and to ascertain potential adult sources of infection for these contacts. Methods: Contact tracing by Mantoux testing was conducted on 220 children at a primary school and after‐school care facility, and 59 selected adults considered potential sources of infection. Results: The participation rate for the children was 98% and 92% for the adults. Mantoux positivity (induration ≥ 10 mm, or ≥ 15 mm with previous BCG) among children was 13% at the school (anticipated rate 2–3%), 26% among school staff, and 7% among children at the after‐school care centre where the index case attended. One exposed adult hospital staff member converted from Mantoux negative to positive. No other cases of TB disease were detected among children or adults tested. Conclusion: Although spread of TB from children to others is rare, the findings of this investigation indicate that transmission of TB from a young child to other children and an adult may have occurred, and that sputum testing and contact tracing for sputum smear positive children should be considered.
Streptococcus pneumoniae antibiotic resistance in Northern Territory children in day care
Authors: Skull SA , Shelby‐James T , Morris PS , Perez GO , Yonovitz A , Krause V , Roberts LA , Leach AJ 
Published: March 2003

Background: There is evidence that the rapid rise in Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) antimicrobial resistance seen in other countries may have commenced in Australia. Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage and resistance levels are described for urban Northern Territory children in day care. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted of 250 children in nine Darwin day care centres between 24 March and 15 September 1997. Each fortnight nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from children, and parents were interviewed about medications administered. Results: Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected in 52% (1028/1974) of all nasopharyngeal swabs. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from 92% (231/250) of children at some time. Penicillin resistance was found in 30% (312/1028) of isolates using a screening test. Of these, 256 (82%) had resistance confirmed by E‐test. Two hundred and one (20% of all isolates) had intermediate penicillin resistance and 55 (5% of all isolates) had high level resistance. Ceftriaxone resistance was found in 19% of children’s first isolates. Resistance to other antibiotics was also common: co‐trimoxazole 45%, erythromycin 17%, tetracycline 17% and chloramphenicol 13%. A total of 17% (172/1028) of the isolates were multiresistant. The average fortnightly proportion of children given antibiotics was 16% (405/2476). Conclusions: Levels of intermediate and high level penicillin resistance in this day care population are consistent with previous data from the Northern Territory, and considerably higher than the rest of Australia. The national trend of increasing pencillin resistance is likely to continue.
Outcome of respiratory syncytial virus infection and a cost–benefit analysis of prophylaxis
Authors: Numa A 
Published: March 2003

Objectives: To determine outcome and length of stay (LOS) for infants younger than 2 years of age admitted to hospital for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and to perform a cost–benefit analysis of prophylaxis with RSV γ‐globulin (Respigam; CSL Laboratories, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) and monoclonal antibody (Synagis; Abbott Australasia, Kurnell, NSW, Australia) in the Australian context. Methods: Retrospective outcome study using data from an Australian hospital and intensive care databases over a 30 month period encompassing three RSV seasons (1 May 1997–31 October 1999). Results: The mortality for RSV infection was very low, being 0.29% of all patients admitted to hospital and 0% in infants without co‐existing disease. Only 11.4% of infants required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Respiratory syncytial virus infection was not associated with prolonged hospitalization; patients managed in the general wards had a mean length of stay (LOS) of 4.13 days with a median of 3.0 days, while those requiring intensive care had a mean LOS of 9.8 days (including 5.1 days in the ICU). Use of RSV prophylaxis would be expected to reduce the requirement for hospital admission; however, the cost of prophylaxis is conservatively estimated to be between 7.2‐ and 65.3‐fold the money saved in hospital care, depending on the weight of the patient and choice of drug. Conclusions: Respiratory syncytial virus is a major cause of morbidity, but not mortality, in infants. In infants requiring hospitalization for this disease, the LOS is relatively short and the mortality extremely low. Use of prophylactic agents, which reduce the probability of hospital admission but have no effect on mortality, cannot be justified in the Australian context on cost–benefit grounds.
Bed sharing patterns in a cohort of Australian infants during the first six months after birth
Authors: Rigda RS , McMillen IC , Buckley P 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To measure bed sharing (BS) activity in healthy term infants. Methodology: The sleep–wake behaviour and place of infant sleep were recorded for infants aged between 2 and 24 weeks. Infants were then identified as BS or non bed sharing (NBS) according to each of four different definitions of bed sharing. Results: The mean proportion of infants who spent any time BS during a 24‐h period was significantly greater (P < 0.05) between 2 and 12 weeks (40.9 ± 1.4%) than between 13 and 24 weeks (36.5 ± 1.5%). A significantly greater proportion (P < 0.005) of infants bed shared for more than 2 h (25 ± 1%) than for either 1–2 h (10.5 ± 1.1%) or for less than 1 h/24 h (3.2 ± 0.5%) during the whole study period. Each of the definitions of BS used in the study separated infants on the basis of the amount and frequency of BS activity. Conclusion: Bed sharing activity was common and varied in this cohort. It was possible, using quantitative definitions, to identify those infants who routinely bed share.
Dietary fibre intake and constipation in children with severe developmental disabilities
Authors: Tse P W T , Leung S S F , Chan T , Sien A , Chan A K H 
Published: March 2003

Objective: Constipation is a common problem in children with severe developmental disabilities (DD). This study aimed to evaluate fibre intake of severe DD children living in a residential institution, and the possibility of reducing the use of laxatives by increasing their fibre intake. Methodology: A baseline study was performed to evaluate the fibre and macronutrient intake in a group of severe DD children. Nutrients including fibre for a standard serving in each meal were calculated and daily macronutrients and fibre intake were estimated. An intervention study was then carried out to evaluate whether increasing fibre intake could relieve constipation. A total of 20 children aged between 3 and 17 years were assessed over a 4‐month period. In a residential unit for severe DD children, laxatives were routinely prescribed if there was no spontaneous bowel motion for two consecutive days. Fibre intake was increased in stages by adding All‐Bran® (Kellogg Company, Battle Creek, MI, USA) and desserts. The mean number of laxative usage per week per child in the different stages were then compared. Results: The baseline fibre intake was found to be approximately 2 g/day. The mean number of laxatives required per week per child decreased significantly from a baseline value of 1.22 (about 5 laxatives/month) (standard deviation (SD) = 0.36)) to 0.90 (about 3.5 laxatives/month) (SD = 0.75) in the first stage, and 0.71 (about 3 laxatives/month) (SD = 0.40) in the second stage. Using paired t‐test, the difference was statistically significant when compared with the baseline: P < 0.05 for the first, and P < 0.01 for the second stage of fibre supplementation. Conclusion: Very low daily intake of fibre of 2 g/day was documented. Relief of constipation and a significant reduction in the usage of laxatives was demonstrated by increasing fibre intake to 17 g/day (stage 1). Increasing fibre intake further to 21 g/day (stage 2), showed a further reduction in the use of laxatives. There was, however, no statistical significance between stage 1 and stage 2 of fibre supplementation. Alternative ways to further relieve constipation in severe DD children require further studies.
Burkholderia cepacia in cystic fibrosis: Novel Australian cluster strain without accelerated respiratory deterioration
Authors: Fitzgerald DA , Cooper DM , Paul M , Tiley S , Kado J , Cordwell J , Collins C 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To determine whether 4 years of colonization with a novel Australian cluster strain (The ‘Hunter’ strain) of Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients was associated with more rapid decline in nutritional status and pulmonary function than in non‐colonized contemporaries from the same CF clinic. Methodology: A retrospective review of respiratory function and nutritional data from a single multidisciplinary paediatric CF clinic over 4 years (1993–97). Results: Paired spirometry data for 1993 and 1997 were available in 47 patients without (n = 31) and with B. cepacia (n = 16) colonization (mean (± SD) ages in 1993: 12.1 years ± 4.0 vs 12.6 years ± 6.5; P = 0.83). Their percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (94.2%± 16.7 vs 85.9%± 21.2; P = 0.19) were not significantly different. The averaged annual fall in FEV1 over 4 years was also not significantly different (3.8%± 3.8 vs 3.6%± 3.7; P = 0.82). Weight percentile (Wt%), height percentile (Ht%) and percentage age weight for height (%WFH) were not significantly different between groups in 1993. By 1997, Wt% (36.7%± 25.1 vs 22.3%± 19.6; P = 0.04) and Ht% (42.5%± 29.6 vs 17.6%± 19.4; P = 0.002) but not %WFH (102%± 10.0 vs 106%± 11.2; P > 0.10) were lower in subjects with B. cepacia. Conclusions: In adolescent CF patients, colonization with the Hunter strain of B. cepacia was associated with a deterioration in some nutritional parameters but not with an accelerated decline in FEV1 over 4 years. As varying pathogenicity of B. cepacia strains may account for differing rates of pulmonary decline, further assessment of the consequences of colonization with certain strains of B. cepacia in CF is needed.