bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term management of obesity in paediatric office practice: experimental evaluation of two different types of intervention
Authors: Nova Aurelio , Russo Antonio , Sala Elisabetta 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTObjective To compare two types of intervention intended to reduce weight in obese children that can be carried out in the family paediatricians (FPs) office.Design Controlled prospective study with randomization of FPs into two different treatment groups: routine approach (group A) and enhanced approach (group B).Settings FPs of certain ASL (Local Health Units) in Lombardy (Northern Italy).Subjects Obese children (excess weight (≥20% of ideal body weight), aged 3–12 years.Main outcome measures (1) Variation in percentage overweight; (2) behavioural modifications and (3) adherence to follow‐up visits, which was also used as an indicator for FP's commitment.Results A total of 18 of the 139 (13%) FPs contacted agreed to participate in the study and enrolled 186 children, 114 in group A and 72 in group B. Compared with starting values, a reduction in percentage overweight was observed in both groups. This reduction was significantly higher in group B (–8.8% at 6 months; –8.5% at 12 months) than in group A (–2.9% at 6 months; –2.9% at 12 months). In group B, the observed reduction in weight was associated with the changes in dietary behaviour and with the level of parental involvement. No significant variations in physical activity, computer or television use were noted within each group from 0 to 12 months and between groups at these times. The attendance of children at the 12‐month follow‐up visit was 70.2% (80/114) in group A and 69.4% (50/72) in group B; however, these values varied considerably when individual FP were considered.Conclusions This study indicates that FPs who maintain a positive, long‐lasting, active contact with obese children and their families can significantly enhance the child's ability to lose weight.
Accuracy of assessment: the discriminative and predictive power of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
Authors: Rich Brendan A , Eyberg Sheila M 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTObjective The discriminative and predictive power of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) was assessed using revised clinical cut‐off scores. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive power were calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of the revised score in screening children for treatment of disruptive behavior problems.Sample Participants were drawn from archival samples of 196 children aged 3–6 whose mothers had completed an ECBI. The disruptive behavior group (n = 98) consisted of children referred for psychological treatment who met diagnostic criteria for Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. The non‐diagnosed group (n = 98) consisted of children visiting pediatric clinics whose mothers did not check the box on their demographic information questionnaire endorsing the presence of behavior problems.Design Children in the non‐diagnosed group were selected to match the disruptive behavior group on socio‐economic status, age, and sex. The mothers' scores on the ECBI Intensity Scale were used to calculate the sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive power, and kappa of the ECBI.Results The ECBI Intensity Scale correctly classified 91% of the children, with 96% of the diagnosed children correctly classified and 87% of the non‐diagnosed children correctly classified.Implications for practice This study further validates the ECBI for use as a screening measure for children in pediatric settings who require further evaluation or treatment for disruptive behavior problems.
Spatial clustering of emergency department visits by asthmatic children in an urban area: south‐western Detroit, Michigan
Authors: Meliker Jaymie R , Nriagu Jerome O , Hammad Adnan S , Savoie Kathryn L , Jamil Hikmet , Devries Jeffrey M 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTObjective This ecological study evaluates the correlation of asthma clusters with outdoor air pollution, race, and household income in South‐western Detroit, Michigan.Design To attain this objective (1) a geographic information aystem (GIS) is utilized to evaluate the relationships between rates of emergency department (ED) admissions for asthma, race, and socio‐economic status at the neighborhood block group level of analysis; (2) cluster statistical analyses are performed using Geomed software; and (3) the asthma risk from industrial air pollution was evaluated with windrose data and Screen3 air pollution model.Sample Data from five major hospitals with ED admissions of asthma patients (code 493), aged 0–15 years, are used to select a region of analysis with good geographical representation based on the catchment areas of hospitals in the study. A total of 2067 of the reported cases between 1 January 1993 and 30 June 1998, are successfully geocoded to a map, generating a no‐match rate of 8.4%. Data on racial characteristics, population density, and household income levels are obtained from neighborhood block groups in the 1990 census report. Locations of major polluting industries within the study area are obtained from the Toxics Release Inventory.Results Spatial analysis identified a local asthma cluster roughly 2 km east (the predominant downwind direction) of the second and third largest air polluters (in terms of tonnage) in Wayne County. Evaluation of the industrial pollution with a focused cluster test, Screen3 air pollution model, and windrose figures, displayed weak association between ED asthma admissions and estimated levels of outdoor air pollution from these two facilities. The neighborhood block groups in the local asthma cluster are more closely correlated with high proportions of African Americans and low median household income.Implications for practice This study illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of GIS in the public health arena. It highlights the difficulty of disentangling the effects of exposure to outdoor air pollutants and socio‐economic factors on ED asthmatics (reflecting asthma severity) among an urban population. This study also illustrates the need for population‐based, as opposed to hospital‐based, asthma data, and the need for block‐groups, as opposed to zip codes, as a spatial unit of analysis in the evaluation and analysis of asthma‐related risk factors.
Effect of recolonization with ‘interfering’ streptococci on recurrences of acute and secretory otitis media in children: randomised placebo controlled trial.
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: March 2003

Objective To study the effect of recolonization with streptococci with the ability to inhibit the growth of otopathogens (‘interfering’ activity) on the recurrence of acute otitis media in susceptible children and the effect on the frequency of secretory otitis media.Design Double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study.Setting Ear, nose, and throat clinic with three doctors.Participants One hundred and thirty children prone to otitis media aged between 6 months and 6 years, 108 of whom were eligible and followed for 3 months.Main outcome measures Recurrence of otitis media during follow up and a normal tympanic membrane at the last valid visit.Interventions Children with no recurrences during the last month received phenoxymethylpenicillin (n = 22), and those with a recurrence within 1 month received amoxicillin clavulanic acid (n = 86), both twice daily for 10 days. These were followed by a streptococcal or placebo solution sprayed into the nose for a further 10 days. At day 60 the same spray was started for another 10 days.Results At 3 months 22 children (42%) given the streptococcal spray were healthy and had a normal tympanic membrane compared with 12 (22%) of those given placebo. This difference was shown separately for recurrences of both acute otitis media and secretory otitis media.Conclusions Selected bacteria with the ability to inhibit the growth of common otopathogens can be used to protect against recurrent acute otitis media and secretory otitis media in children.
I was not aware of this group's work, but it seems to make sense. However, before becoming too excited it is worth remembering that the effect size is relatively modest. Although the authors make the important point that this will have a large potential effect at a population level, a lot of this will depend on how confident patients and parent will be that it works, otherwise there will continue to be a demand for antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections. These results clearly need to be replicated by other investigators.
Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomised placebo‐controlled trial.
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: March 2003

Background Reversal of the progressive increase in frequency of atopic disease would be an important breakthrough for health care and wellbeing in Western societies. In the hygiene hypothesis this increase is attributed to reduced microbial exposure in early life. Probiotics are cultures of potentially beneficial bacteria of the healthy gut microflora. We assessed the effect on atopic disease of Lactobacillus GG (which is safe at an early age and effective in treatment of allergic inflammation and food allergy).Methods In a double‐blind, randomized placebo‐controlled trial we gave Lactobacillus GG prenatally to mothers who had at least one first‐degree relative (or partner) with atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, or asthma, and post‐natally for 6 months to their infants. Chronic recurring atopic eczema, which is the main sign of atopic disease in the first years of life, was the primary endpoint.Findings Atopic eczema was diagnosed in 46 of 132 (35%) children aged 2 years. Asthma was diagnosed in six of these children and allergic rhinitis in one. The frequency of atopic eczema in the probiotic group was half that of the placebo group [15/64 (23%) versus 31/68 (46%); relative risk 0.51 (95% CI 0.32–0.84)]. The number needed to treat was 4.5 (95% CI 2.6–15.6).Interpretations Lactobacillus GG was effective in prevention of early atopic disease in children at high risk. Thus, gut microflora might be a hitherto unexplored source of natural immunomodulators and probiotics, for prevention of atopic disease.
Another study on probiotics, this one suggesting they may modulate the immune response in infants and so prevent atopic disease. This study suggests how the hygiene hypothesis may work, and how we might use it to successfully intervene. There is an important matter of timing, both this paper and an editorial (Murch SH (2001) Toll of allergy reduced by probiotics. Lancet357: 1057–1059) point out that these babies guts were colonized immediately at birth. If so then this could be another example of programming.It is important not to get too carried away by the results of a small number of studies, but the message from these three is that our understanding of interactions between bacteria, hosts and the environment is entering a new phase, and one that may hold out many promises for therapeutic and preventive interventions.
Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity in two groups of Italian Veneto speakers from Veneto
Authors: MOGENTALE‐PROFIZI N. , CHOLLET L. , STÉVANOVITCH A. , DUBUT V. , POGGI C. , PRADIÉ M. P. , SPADONI J. L. , GILLES A. , BÉRAUD‐COLOMB E. 
Published: March 2003

Although frequencies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups in the different European populations are rather homogenous, there are a few European populations or linguistic isolates that show different mtDNA haplogroup distributions; examples are the Saami and Ladin speakers from the eastern Italian Alps.MtDNA sequence diversity was analysed from subjects from two villages in Veneto. The first, Posina, is situated in the Venetian Alps near Vicenza. The second, Barco di Pravisdomini is a village on the plains near Venice. In spite of their common Veneto dialect, the two group populations have not preserved a genetic homogeneity; particularly, they show differences in T and J haplogroups frequencies. MtDNA diversity in these two groups seems to depend more on their geographic situation.
Molecular characterisation of four human Y‐specific microsatellites (DYS434, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439) for population and forensic studies
Authors: GUSMÃO L. , ALVES C. , AMORIM A. 
Published: March 2003

In this work we present results on DYS434, DYS437, DYS438 and DYS439 loci studied in three population samples from North Portugal (N: 69), Macao (N: 59) and Mozambique (N: 64). Gene and haplotype diversity values are presented and compared. Gene diversity values ranged from 0.0290 to 0.0620 for DYS434; 0.0615 to 0.5959 for DYS437; 0.4906 to 0.6424 for DYS438; 0.5873 to 0.7038 for DYS439. The highest average gene diversity was found in Macao and the lowest in Mozambique. Haplotype diversity in North Portugal, Macao and Mozambique was calculated to be 0.925, 0.928 and 0.787, respectively.Allele and haplotype frequency distributions for all markers were compared between the three populations. At the haplotype level all the differences between pairs of samples were significant. Sequencing analysis was performed for all alleles found in the four loci. Identical flanking sequences were observed with most of the alleles differing only by the repeat number. However, two variations were found in allele 10 of DYS438: one in a Macao sample presenting a TTTTA before the last TTTTC repetition and one in a Portuguese sample showing a base substitution (A/C) at position 7 downstream from the tandem repeat. A base substitution (C/T) at position 3 upstream from the repeat motif was also found in allele 14 of DYS437 in a sample from Mozambique.
Nijmegen breakage syndrome gene (NBS1) alterations and its protein (nibrin) expression in human ovarian tumours
Authors: PLISIECKA‐HAŁASA J. , DANSONKA‐MIESZKOWSKA A. , REMBISZEWSKA A. , BIDZIŃSKI M. , STEFFEN J. , KUPRYJAŃCZYK J. 
Published: March 2003

We looked for NBS1 gene (602667) alterations and changes in nibrin expression in 162 human gynaecological tumours, mostly ovarian. Exons 6–8 and 10 of the NBS1 gene were evaluated by the SSCP and direct sequencing method. Nibrin expression was detected immunohistochemically with the use of the p95NBS1 (Ab‐1) antibody. The 657del5 mutation (Slavic mutation) was found in two of 117 carcinomas studied (1.7%) – in both cases it was present in the germline; one of these tumours showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for the 657del5 mutation and loss of nibrin expression. We have found three types of novel germline intron variants: (1) two concomitant transitions (G to A) at bases 14009 and 14256; (2) C to T transition at base 13998; (3) G to C transversion at base 20035. Among the carcinomas studied, the intron variants were associated with a clear cell histological type (p = 0.004). Our results may suggest that NBS1 gene alterations contribute to the development of rare ovarian carcinomas. LOH for 657del5 in tumour tissue may support the hypothesis that the NBS1 gene functions as a tumour suppressor.
Autosomal Microsatellite and mtDNA Genetic Analysis in Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Romano V. , Calì F. , Ragalmuto A. , D'Anna R. P. , Flugy A. , De Leo G. , Giambalvo O. , Lisa A. , Fiorani O. , Di Gaetano C. , Salerno A. , Tamouza R. , Charron D. , Zei G. , Matullo G. , Piazza A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryDNA samples from 465 blood donors living in 7 towns of Sicily, the largest island of Italy, have been collected according to well defined criteria, and their genetic heterogeneity tested on the basis of 9 autosomal microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms for a total of 85 microsatellite allele and 10 mtDNA haplogroup frequencies. A preliminary account of the results shows that: a) the samples are genetically heterogeneous; b) the first principal coordinates of the samples are correlated more with their longitude than with their latitude, and this result is even more remarkable when one outlier sample (Butera) is not considered; c) distances among samples calculated from allele and haplogroup frequencies and from the isonymy matrix are weakly correlated (r = 0.43, P = 0.06) but such correlation disappears (r = 0.16) if the mtDNA haplogroups alone are taken into account; d) mtDNA haplogroups and microsatellite distances suggest settlements of people occurred at different times: divergence times inferred from microsatellite data seem to describe a genetic composition of the town of Sciacca mainly derived from settlements after the Roman conquest of Sicily (First Punic war, 246 BC), while all other divergence times take root from the second to the first millennium BC, and therefore seem to backdate to the pre‐Hellenistic period.A more reliable association of these diachronic genetic strata to different historical populations (e.g. Sicani, Elymi, Siculi), if possible, must be postponed to the analysis of more samples and hopefully more informative uniparental DNA markers such as the recently available DHPLC‐SNP polymorphisms of the Y chromosome.
Simultaneous Detection of ACP1 and GC Genotypes Using PCR/SSCP
Authors: Dissing J. , Thymann M. , Hopkinson D. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe classical enzyme and protein markers ACP1 and GC have gained new importance because of the biological functions of their gene products. ACP1 encodes a low molecular weight enzyme which is now recognized as a phosphotyrosine phosphatase with a role in the regulation of signal transduction pathways, and GC‐globulin acts both as a transporter of vitamin D and as a plasma actin scavenger and plays a role in macrophage activation. These two polymorphisms were phenotyped for decades on the basis of electrophoretic isozyme or protein patterns; the gene structures are now known. Nucleotide substitutions determining the common alleles are close enough at each locus to be contained in one short PCR product. We have developed a simple, rapid and reliable multiplex method based on PCR and SSCP which allows the simultaneous determination of the common ACP1 and GC genotypes.
Tuberous Sclerosis: from Tubers to mTOR
Authors: Kwiatkowski D. J. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryTuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an autosomal dominant hamartoma syndrome whose causative genes (TSC1andTSC2) were identified 5 and 9 years ago respectively. Their encoded proteins are large, and apart from a strong binding interaction with each other, relatively little was known about their biochemical function. Recent studies inDrosophilahave pinpointed a critical function for theDrosophilaTSC1/TSC2homologues in the regulation of cell size. Epistasis experiments and a variety of biochemical studies that followed have indicated a critical function for these proteins in the highly conserved PI‐3‐kinase‐Akt‐mTOR signalling pathway.
Populations of aphids, whiteflies and associated predators and parasites on different vegetables cultivated in plastic greenhouses
Authors: Zaki F. N. , El‐Shaaraway M. F. , Farag N. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractDuring 1996 and 1997, populations of aphids and whiteflies and their parasites were studied in plastic greenhouses under a chemical control program and in those free of pesticides. In the greenhouses free of pesticides, the parasite A. colemani destroyed 14.7 % of the aphids. B. tabaci had no effect on the cucumbers during the spring cultivation. However, it attacked the autumn cultivation. The parasite E. mundus killed 30 % of these nymphs.

The parasite A. colemani parasitized up to 10 % of aphids on tomato plants in greenhouses free of chemical pesticides. The parasite E. mundus killed 15.7 % of whitefly nymphs.

In greenhouses under a chemical pesticides program, aphids and whiteflies were found on the plants at the end of the plantation season, after the pesticide spraying had stopped. Although the pest population was low, the parasite A. colemani parasitized 8 % of the aphid population. Whiteflies were not found on tomato plants in greenhouses under extensive pesticides use.
Side effects of some fungicides on phytoseiid mites (Acari, Phytoseiidae) in north‐Italian vineyards
Authors: Pozzebon A. , Duso C. , Pavanetto E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe effects of fungicides containing mancozeb or copper oxychloride, as principal active ingredients, on phytoseiid mites were investigated in a vineyard comprising four varieties (Prosecco, Cabernet Franc, Pinot gris and Merlot) and located in north‐eastern Italy. Phytoseiid colonisation was different among the four varieties: Amblyseius andersoni and Kampimodromus aberrans were dominant on Pinot gris and Merlot, respectively, while Typhlodromus pyri was more common than the above species on Prosecco and Cabernet Franc. Applications of mancozeb fungicides significantly affected K. aberrans populations. Concerning T. pyri, a significant effect was observed on Cabernet but not on Prosecco. The effects of mancozeb fungicides on A. andersoni were less clear. The response of phytoseiids to fungicides containing mancozeb appeared to be mediated by the variety. Therefore, the choice of one or two varieties as a standard reference for field tests is recommended. These results also suggest that the side effects of fungicides on predatory mites should be studied on different phytoseiid species and, possibly, on susceptible and resistant strains in order to gain useful insights.
Development of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) on natural and synthetic diets
Authors: Salama H. S. , Abdel‐Razek A. S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe development of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) was investigated on a newly developed semiartificial diet as compared with two natural diets namely sugarcane stem and banana fruit. The weevil was successfully maintained on these diets and duration of the life cycle for males and females, respectively were 164.97 and 194.61 days on the semiartificial diet, 192.5 and 186.5 days on banana, and 172.00 and 170.00 days on sugarcane. The average egg production per female was shown to be significantly higher on the semiartificial diet, being 184.00 ± 18.68 eggs compared with an average of 125.00 ± 11.97 and 133.00 ± 15.21 eggs on banana and sugarcane, respectively. The fertility ranged between 94 – 100 % in those eggs deposited by females previously reared on the tested diets. The developed semiartificial diet was shown to be suitable for maintaining laboratory colonies of the red palm weevil, and it can substitute natural diets.
Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdj.) under adverse weather conditions (2001) (Hom., Aphididae)
Authors: Starý P. , Lukášová H. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractCool and wet weather in some periods of the season generally supressed the RWA (Diuraphis noxia Kurdj.) populations in the Czech republic in 2001. However, some sites manifested population levels ranging out of the population mean stated per area, and these sites were also apparently responsible for respective peaks of alate aphids sampled by suction traps. An analysis of these sites determined them to be attributed to some poor quality barley fields in a warmer area of the state. RWA is known to vary in all‐over populations in different years, and the year 2001 illustrated its capability of its surviving even unfavourable periods and seasons, remaining well‐established in the area.