bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of DNA damage using the comet assay in children on long‐term benzathine penicillin for secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic fever
Authors: Dündaröz Ruşen , Ulucan Hakan , Denli Metin , Karapi̇nar Kasi̇m , Aydi̇n Halil İbrahim , Baltaci̇ Volkan 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Backround
: Benzathine penicillin is the most widely used antibiotic in the prophylaxis of children with rheumatic fever. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the DNA damage in children receiving one dose of 1.2 million units benzathine penicillin every 4 weeks over a long period to prevent recurrences of rheumatic fever.
Methods
: Thirty‐five children with confirmed rheumatic fever under benzathine penicillin prophylaxis were enrolled in the study and 35 healthy children with similar ages and socioeconomic backgrounds served as controls. To detect any DNA damage, the comet assay was performed on circulating lymphocytes from the study subjects.
Results
: Damaged (limited and extensive migration) cells in children on prophylactic therapy were higher than those in controls (P<0.001).
Conclusions
: It has been suggested that differences in the comet scores were induced by the administration of benzathine penicillin over a long period of time and further investigations are needed to confirm this toxic effect.
Prognosis of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is excellent in children, when adequately diagnosed
Authors: Kasahara Takayuki , Hayakawa Hiroshi , Okubo Soichiro , Okugawa Takayoshi , Kabuki Naoyuki , Tomizawa Shuichi , Uchiyama Makoto 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
: Recently, the prognosis of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) has been reported as improved, compared with the results of previous studies. In an attempt to clarify this, we analyzed the clinical course of patients with APSGN.
Methods
: A total of 220 children with acute nephritic syndrome were treated in the affiliated hospitals of our department, between January 1988 and December 1997. Among them, 138 children who were diagnosed with APSGN according to the presence of hematuria, transient hypocomplementemia and evidence of group A beta‐hemolytic streptococcal infection, were studied.
Results
: Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels at onset were 0.5 ±0.2 mg/dL and 20 ±12 mg/dL, respectively. There were no patients with renal dysfunction (serum creatinine level ≥1.5 mg/dL), but one patient with nephrotic syndrome. Blood pressure was well controlled in all patients and there were no patients with persistent hypertension. Serum complement levels were normalized within 12 weeks (100%), hematuria disappeared within 4 years (100%) and proteinuria disappeared within 3 years (100%) from the onset.
Conclusions
: These data indicate that the prognosis of APSGN during childhood is excellent, when adequately diagnosed and treated.
Prevalence of breast‐feeding and its correlates in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Li Liubai , Thi Phuong lan Doan , Hoa Nguyen‐Thi , Ushijima Hiroshi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: The health benefits of breast‐feeding are widely acknowledged and breast‐feeding is crucial for the survival of the infants in developing countries. The present study aims to elucidate the prevalence of breast‐feeding and the possible risk factors affecting the breast‐feeding of infants at the age of 3 months in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund launched ‘the Baby‐Friendly Hospital’ Initiative in 1989.Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted in the urban areas of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in February, 2000. Two hundred and sixty mother‐infant pairs were conveniently recruited in three child health centers in Ho Chi Minh City. Mothers of infants aged 6–12 months were interviewed and completed a well‐structured questionnaire regarding the feeding types of the infant, the maternal knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to breast‐feeding.Results: The results indicated that although about 86.4% newborns in the maternity wards and 88.5% infants at 3 months were at least partially fed with breast milk, the prevalence of breast‐feeding were 57.4 and 53.1%, respectively. About 47.5% newborns were fed with breast milk in the first feeding. The multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that the risk factors for the introduction of breast milk substitutes at 3 months of age were maternal antenatal plan of mixed or artificial feeding (odds ratio (OR) = 6.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.18–13.64,P < 0.001) and the supplement of breast milk substitutes in the maternity ward (OR = 4.30, 95% CI: 2.10–8.77,P < 0.001). Higher maternal education levels were beneficial to the continuation of breast‐feeding. About 18.5% mothers had attended antenatal breast‐feeding education. Most of the mothers (94.1%) and families (95.4%) indicated supportive attitudes to breast‐feeding.Conclusion: The prevalence of breast‐feeding was relatively low in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The antenatal education in breast‐feeding needs to be improved and the implementation of the ‘Baby‐Friendly Hospital’ policy needs to be strengthened.
αβ and γδ T cell subsets in chronic renal failure in children on dialysis treatment
Authors: Szczepa´nska Maria , Szprynger Krystyna , Mazur Bogdan , Szczepa´nski Tomasz 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background: Impaired immunity, particularly cell‐mediated, is one of the features of chronic renal failure. This also concerns impaired T cell dependent responsiveness.
Methods: The expression of T cell surface antigens (CD3, CD25, TCRαβ, TCRγδ) was evaluated on peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells using two‐color flow cytometry in 10 children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and in 13 children on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) with polysulfone and cuprophane dialysers.
Results
: In HD children absolute numbers of leukocytes, lymphocytes, CD3+, αβ, γδ T cells and a percentage of γδ T cells were decreased versus healthy children. Also, we observed a relative increase of CD3+, CD3+/CD25+ and αβ T cells after sessions with cuprophane membranes, and an increase of CD3+/CD25+, αβ T cell percentages after sessions with the polysulfone membranes. Additionally we found a decrease of both relative and absolute numbers of γδ T cells after HD with polysulfone. In CAPD children we found declined absolute numbers of total lymphocytes, CD3+ and αβ T cells and higher relative values of CD3+ and αβ T cells versus controls.
Conclusions
: The T cell depletion in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients primarily results from uremic‐related toxicities, rather than from CAPD or HD‐related incompatibilities. We showed a significant decrease of γδ T cells in CRF patients on HD, that may be partly responsible for impaired T‐dependent responsiveness in that group. The intradialytic changes of γδ Tcells may result from a different degree of biocompatibility during the application of various dialysis membranes.
Accelerated hepatitis B vaccination schedule in childhood
Authors: Bosnak Mehmet , Dikici Bunyamin , Bosnak Vuslat , Haspolat Kenan 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Background
: For children travelling to a hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic area or before a treatment by blood or blood productions, the conventional HBV vaccination schedule takes too long to be completed. There may be problems in the completion of the whole vaccination schedule in developing countries because of particular problems. In these situations an accelerated schedule may be useful for HBV vaccination.
Methods
: In this study, 40 children were randomly divided into two groups. Groups were vaccinated according to two different schedules; schedule A: one dose at 0, 1, and 6 months and schedule B: one dose at 0, 10, and 21 days (Engerix B,10mcg/0.5ml, GlaxoSmithKline). Follow‐up blood samples were obtained at 1, 6 and 12 months after the first vaccine injection.
Results
: Seroconversion rates were 35 and 80% 1 month after the first vaccine injection, 95 and 80% at 6 months, 95 and 100% at 12 months, in groups A and B respectively. Seroprotection rates were 20 and 65% 1 month after the first vaccine injection, 85 and 70% at 6 months, 95 and 95% at 12 months, in groups A and B respectively. Seroconversion and seroprotection rates was significantly different at day 28 in accelerated vaccination schedule (P < 0.005).
Conclusion
: In conclusion, an accelerated vaccination course against HBV (three doses at 0, 10, and 21 days) elicited protective levels of anti‐HBs antibodies more rapidly than a classic course (three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months) and without a difference in the rate of seroprotection after 1 year. The accelerated 3‐week recombinant HBV vaccination schedule should be recommended for HBV prophylaxis when children, such as hurried travellers, who have to have blood and blood productions, or an estimated irregular vaccination, where they have < 1 month to complete the standard HBV vaccination schedule before travelling to HBV endemic areas.
Maternal expectations of the child health nurse
Authors: Fägerskiöld Astrid M. , Wahlberg Vivian , Ek Anna‐Christina 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe main aim of this study was to identify what first‐time mothers in Sweden expected of Child Health Nurses. A further aim was to investigate what help and support was received by the new mothers and whether they felt that anything was missing. Twenty new mothers were interviewed according to grounded theory and the data were analyzed by the constant comparative method. It was found that first‐time mothers expected Child Health Nurses to have faith in a new mother's own strength and to be accessible, approachable and knowledgeable, providing advice and support. New mothers indicated that they had experienced most of these characteristics, especially accessibility and approachability, but some felt that there were deficiencies (e.g. a lack of continued interest in their own bodies and health, as well as a lack of support when they ceased to breast‐feed). The Child Health Service was taken for granted by new mothers. First‐time mothers indicated that they appreciated the service, particularly those mothers who did not have a good social network. However, some of the new mothers expressed negative feelings regarding the Child Health Service provided.
Pattern of progression and survival in hormonally treated metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Furuya Yuzo , Akakura Koichiro , Akimoto Susumu , Inomiya Hideshi , Ito Haruo 
Published: March 2003

Background: Patients with prostate cancer generally respond to androgen ablation therapy, but progression to androgen‐independence is frequently observed. To further evaluate disease progression, the pattern of progression and survival in hormonally treated metastatic prostate cancer was examined.Methods: One hundred and ninety‐three patients with untreated metastatic prostate cancer (TxNxM1) who received endocrine therapy between 1986 and 1995 were included in the present study. The pattern of progression was evaluated in these patients.Results: One hundred and eighteen of the 193 patients (61.1%) had disease progression: 33 had local progression, 73 had distant progression and 12 had distant with local progression. Patients with only local progression had a longer interval to disease progression and longer survival than those with distant progression. The interval from disease progression to death in patients with local progression was longer than in those with distant progression. The patients whose prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) had not been normalized 3 months after the start of endocrine therapy had a tendency to progression either into the prostate or into distant sites. Patients with extent of disease (EOD) scores of 3 and 4 progress, especially to distant sites, after endocrine treatment.Conclusions: In untreated metastatic prostate cancer, patients with a poor response of PSA levels and patients with a high volume of bone metastasis (i.e. EOD 3, 4) were in the high‐risk group for progression, especially to distant sites. Progression into distant sites was a poor prognostic factor for patients with recurrence to endocrine therapy.
Intrarenal pelvic papillary Wilms’ tumor associated with aniridia: A case report
Authors: Natsume Osamu , Hirao Yoshihiko , Matsuda Mieko , Okuda Tadami 
Published: March 2003

Background: Intrarenal pelvic Wilms’ tumor in a papillary growth is rare in children. A case of a two‐year‐old infant with Wilms’ tumor associated with congenital aniridia is reported.Results: A chromosomal abnormality (11p13 deletion) was found in this patient. The tumor was well evaluated by ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.Discussion: Previous case reports are briefly reviewed and the clinical characteristics disclosed.
Changes in renal blood flow in response to sympathomimetics in the rat transplanted and denervated kidney
Authors: Morita Ken , Seki Toshimori , Nonomura Katsuya , Koyanagi Tomohiko , Yoshioka Mitsuhiro , Saito Hideya 
Published: March 2003

Background: Renal denervation and re‐innervation may affect vascular responses to sympathomimetics, which may play a role in the maintainance of renal blood flow (RBF) following renal transplantation. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate pharmacological alteration of the renal sympathetic response following kidney transplantation. Using the rat kidney transplantation model, we focused on responses to various sympathomimetics in order to investigate the effects of sympathetic denervation and functional re‐modulation mechanisms in the transplanted kidney.Methods: Male isogenic rats underwent unilateral kidney denervation or kidney transplantation accompanied by unilateral native nephrectomy. Renal blood flow was evaluated using a laser Doppler flow meter following bolus injection of 50 μg/kg dopamine and continuous infusion of 60 μg/min phenylephrine (PE) at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 240 days after transplantation as well as at 30 days after denervation.Results: Bolus injection of dopamine (50 μg/kg) induced an initial reduction in RBF (that of α‐adrenoceptors) followed by a long‐lasting increase in RBF (that of β‐adrenoceptors) in the native kidney. In grafted or denervated kidneys, the dopamine‐induced decrease in RBF mediated by α‐adrenoceptors was markedly enhanced, while the increase in RBF mediated by an action of dopamine on β‐adrenoceptors was blunted. The effects of the post‐transplant period on vascular responses to dopamine were significant, but not completely synchronized with the native kidney, even at 240 days. Continuous infusion of PE (60 μg/min) produced a gradual increase in RBF in the native kidney, whereas a sudden reduction (i.e. breakthrough in autoregulation) was observed in the denervated and transplanted kidney.Conclusions: The responses to sympathomimetics in the grafted kidney were shifted towards flow reduction (i.e. enhanced vasoconstriction via stimulation of α‐adrenoceptors and blunted vasodilatation via stimulation of β‐adrenoceptors. This functional impairment was recovered in a time‐dependent manner. In addition, the hemodynamic autoregulation system in the kidney deteriorated following transplantation or denervation.
Human papillomavirus associated with bladder carcinoma? Analysis by polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Tekin Mehmet, ĮLTERIŞ , Tuncer Serdar , Aki Fazil, TUNCAY , Bilen Cenk, YÜCEL , AygÜn Cem , Özen Haluk 
Published: March 2003

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the possible etiologic role of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in bladder tumors.Methods: Forty‐two fresh biopsy specimens from different grades and stages of bladder tumor cases and 10 normal bladder mucosa biopsies were studied. Specimens were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with HPV‐specific general primer set for the detection of viral DNA. Polymerase chain reaction‐positive samples were also tested with HPV 16‐ and 18‐specific primers by the same method.Results: We found two samples (4.8%) containing HPV DNA among the TaG1 bladder tumors. All other specimens, including the control group, were found to be negative by PCR. Neither of the two HPV‐positive patients had immune deficiency and/or genital warts. Human papillomavirus 16 was detected by type‐specific primers in one sample, but the other HPV‐positive sample could not be typed.Conclusions: The low prevalence of HPV in this and many previous studies does not support an etiologic role of HPV in bladder carcinogenesis. We detected the virus in two early stage tumors, but none was detected in the high‐grade samples. However, to clarify the positivity of HPV in these occasional cases, future studies must be designed by using in situ PCR techniques, including samples from tumors and normal bladder mucosa from the same patient.
Direct and indirect effects of electrical stimulation on the motility of human sperm
Authors: Saito Kazuo , Kinoshita Yuzo , Hosaka Masahiko 
Published: March 2003

Background: Electroejaculation is a technique that is becoming more frequently available for obtaining sperm from men with spinal cord injury or psychogenic anejaculation. However, the effect of electrical stimulation on the movement of human sperm has not been clarified.Methods: Electrical stimulation was applied to ejaculated semen or washed sperm via a pair of electrodes in the sperm‐counting chamber while sperm motility was recorded using a computer‐assisted semen analyzer.Results: When monopolar pulse stimulation was applied to sperm, the motility rate and velocity of sperm near both electrodes decreased according to the number of pulses and current despite low electrical voltages. However, motility of sperm in the center between electrodes did not change. When extremely high‐voltage electrical stimulation with more than 80 V/2 mm (distance between electrodes) was applied to sperm, sperm stopped moving regardless of their location between the electrodes, despite a low electrical current and low energy. Replicating clinical rectal probe electroejaculation, continuous sinusoidal alternating current at 50 V/10 mm was applied to a untreated ejaculated semen. The motility of sperm, except for those adjacent to both electrodes, did not change after stimulation for 60 s, despite a high electrical energy.Conclusions: The motility of sperm near electrodes was decreased when high electric current flowed, despite low electrical voltages. In addition, sperm lost their motility when extremely high‐voltage electrical stimulation was applied. However, electrical stimulation during clinical rectal probe electroejaculation seems to have no effect on sperm motility.
Histopathologic analysis of angiogenic factors in localized renal cell carcinoma: The influence of neoadjuvant treatment
Authors: Kawata Nozomu , Yagasaki Hiroki , Yuge Humikazu , Nakanoya Yuji , Fujimura Kei , Sugimoto Shuji , Hirakata Hitoshi , Takimoto Yukie 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:This study was conducted in order to clarify whether histopathologic analysis of factor thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and Factor VIII could be a useful predictor of postoperative recurrence in localized renal cell carcinoma. Therefore, the relationship between tumor infiltrated lymphocytes (TIL) and both TP and Factor VIII was studied.Method:Of the 71 patients who underwent surgery, 54 patients had no neoadjuvant therapy (group 1), 10 patients were preoperatively administered IFN‐γ (group 2), and the remaining seven patients preoperatively received IFN‐γ and transarterial embolization (group 3). Both TP and Factor VIII immunostaining were performed on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded archival tissue from 71 renal cell carcinoma specimens, while TIL immunostaining was performed on frozen sections. Positive immunostaining was quantitatively scored by a computer‐assisted digital image analysis. For TIL, positive results were semiquantitatively scored.Results:A significant difference in the recurrence‐free rate was recognized for Groups 1, 2 and 3 (P < 0.05). Therefore, the median TP‐positive rate (PR), VIII‐PR, number of microvessels and positive mean vascular area levels were investigated, between the recurrence cases (n = 6) and the recurrence‐free cases (n = 11). Only the TP‐PR levels showed a significant difference among them (P = 0.044). In regards to the neoadjuvant cases, a significant correlation was observed between both VIII‐PR and CD4 (r = 0.815) as well as between VIII‐PR and CD11b (r = 0.756).Conclusion:There was no clear evidence that the neoadjuvant treatment would increase the recurrence‐free survival in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma. TP‐PR might be a predictor of postoperative recurrence in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma.
Transperineal 12‐core systematic biopsy in the detection of prostate cancer
Authors: Kojima Munekado , Hayakawa Takahiro , Saito Toshihiko , Mitsuya Hideo , Hayase Yosimasa 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:The present study was designed to determine the clinical value of transperineal 12‐core systematic prostate biopsy guided by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in the detection of prostate cancer.Methods:A total of 679 consecutive patients underwent systematic prostate biopsies because of abnormal results on digital rectal examination and/or TRUS and/or an elevated serum prostate‐specific antigen level. Systematic six‐ and 12‐core biopsies were taken in 138 patients between April 1994 and February 1995 and in the remaining 541 between March 1995 and February 2000, respectively. Twelve‐core biopsy included two samples from the lateral portion of the peripheral zone and four from the anterior portion of the transition zone in addition to the conventional six‐core biopsy.Results:In the series overall, systematic biopsy revealed 156 cases of prostate cancer (23.0%). The detection rate increased by 5.2%, although this was statistically not significant, from 18.8% (26/138) by six‐core biopsy to 24.0% (130/541) by 12‐core biopsy. Out of 130 patients in whom prostate cancer was detected by 12‐core biopsy, it was supposed that conventional six‐core biopsy would have missed 18 cases (13.8%).Conclusions:Systematic 12‐core biopsy might improve the detection rate for prostate cancer. However, further studies are needed to determine its clinical value in the diagnosis of the disease.