bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary calcium excretion in Chinese adolescents
Authors: WONG GWK , LAM CWK , KWOK MY , MAK TWL 
Published: November 2003

Objectives:To obtain normative reference values for urinary calcium excretion in Chinese adolescents.Methodology:A random group of 425 healthy Chinese adolescents aged 12–19 years were recruited from secondary schools in Hong Kong. Each subject provided a sample of morning urine for the assessment of calcium and creatinine excretion. A subgroup of 80 subjects provided a 24‐h urine sample for assessment of daily calcium excretion.Results:The mean (±S.D.) and median urinary calcium/creatinine concentration ratios (UCa/Cr) expressed in mmolmmol creatinine were 0.18 (±0.16) and 0.12. Girls had a higher UCa/Cr than boys (P<0.0001). The mean±S.D. 24‐h urinary calcium excretion was 0.043±0.025mmol kg day−1 (1.71±1.01 mg kg day−1).Conclusion:The UCa/Cr ratio and 24‐h urinary calcium excretion are low when compared with published values for Caucasian children. The apparent rarity of nephrolithiasis and microscopic haematuria associated with hypercalciuria may be related to the low urinary calcium excretion in this population.
Carrier identification in X‐linked immunodeficiency diseases
Authors: LI SL , TING SS , LINDEMAN R , FFRENCH R , ZIEGLER JB 
Published: November 2003

Objective:Carrier identification in X‐linked immunodeficiency disorders can be based on the demonstration of non‐random X inactivation (NRXI) in affected blood cell lineages when growth is impaired in cells expressing the abnormal gene. We examined the utility of seeking evidence of NRXI1 to test the carrier status of women in families affected by X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID) and X‐linked hypogammaglobulinaemia (XLH),2 to identify as carriers the mothers of boys with SCID or hypogammaglobulinaemia whose phenotype suggested X‐linkage and3 to infer X‐linkage in boys with SCID or hypogammaglobulinaemia whose disease was not clearly X‐linked on the basis either of family history or clinical and immunological characteristics.Methodology:A polymerase chain reaction‐based method was used to amplify a polymorphic CAG repeat in the first exon of the androgen receptor gene after selective digestion of the active X chromosome with a methylation‐sensitive enzyme, HpaII to distinguish between the paternal and maternal alleles and to identify their methylation status.Results:Heterozygosity was found in 24 of 31 female subjects (77%). As anticipated, NRXI could be demonstrated in all lymphoid cells studied from obligate carriers of XSCID and an obligate carrier of XLH but not on a carrier of X‐linked immunodeficiency with hyper‐IgM. The finding of NRXI in the mother of a boy with a SCID variant showed her to be a carrier of XSCID and establishes that her son has XSCID, not otherwise evident from available data.Conclusions:This PCR assay provides a rapid method for carrier detection of X‐linked immunodeficiencies, and has allowed us to expand the phenotype of XSCID
Prevalence and risk factors of childhood asthma, rhinitis and eczema in Hong Kong
Authors: LAU YL , KARLBERG J 
Published: November 2003

Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of childhood asthma and allergies in Hong Kong and compare with that in Singapore and Great Britain. Methodology: Parents of 3618 randomly selected 6‐ to 7‐year‐old children responded to a questionnaire prepared by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) together with supplementary questions on risk factors. Results: The 12‐month prevalences of wheezing, rhinitis symptoms and itchy rash were 9.2%, 35.1% and 4.2%, respectively. Wheezing in the past year was significantly associated with rhinitis symptoms in the past year, itchy rash in the past year, rhinitis interfering with daily activities moderately or severely, kept awake by itchy rash in the past year, parental wheezing (one or both parents), frequent upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), born in Hong Kong and male sex. For girls, the prevalence of wheezing in the past year was lowest when they were born in July/August and highest when born in January/February. Conclusions: The prevalence of allergic disorders in Hong Kong was comparable to that in Singapore and Great Britain. Several potential risk factors such as parental wheezing, frequent URTI, born in Hong Kong, male sex and month of birth in girls were identified.
Immunogenicity and reactogenicity associated with an 18‐month booster dose of a new diphtheria‐tetanus‐whole cell pertussis vaccine
Authors: NOLAN T , HOGG G , DARCY M‐A , CARLIN JB , SKELJO M , VARIGOS J 
Published: November 2003

Objective:To establish safety and immunogenicity of a reformulated whole cell pertussis based diphtheria‐tetanus‐pertussis vaccine (DTPw) at the 18‐month booster stage following a 2,4, and 6‐month primary immunisation course.Method:Open trial in suburban Melbourne in 100 healthy children initially recruited through maternal and child health centres. Thirty‐five subjects were bled prior to vaccination, and 4–6 weeks after vaccination. A 7‐day diary card was used to record subject temperatures and other systemic and local clinical signs.Results:The increase in antibody geometric mean titres (GMT) after boosting was 19.6‐fold (95%ci 14.2, 27.2) for tetanus and 26.5‐fold (95%ci 16.6, 42.4) for diphtheria. Pertussis antibody GMTs also all showed substantial increases following the booster, with mean fold changes in titre ranging from 7.3 (Agg2) to 31.3 (Fha). Seventeen percent of subjects (95%ci 10%, 26%) experienced axillary temperatures ≥38°C during the 24‐h period following vaccination. Low rates of significant (>25 mm) injection site redness (13%) and swelling (8%) were recorded at 24 h postvaccination.Conclusion:This vaccine was well tolerated by children at 18 months of age, and showed substantial boosting of antibody to all components.
Non‐typhoid Salmonella gastroenteritis
Authors: LEE WS , PUTHUCHEARY SD , BOEY CCM 
Published: November 2003

Objective:To study the clinical features of non‐typhoid Salmonella gastroenteritis and the incidence, risk factors and outcome of invasive complications in urban Malaysian children. To describe the serotypes of Salmonella species isolated and the pattern of antibiotic susceptibility.Methodology:Retrospective review of a group of 131 children with non‐typhoid Salmonella gastroenteritis seen at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from January 1994 to December 1996.Results:Sixty‐seven percent were infants below one year of age. Fever and vomiting were seen in nearly half of children. Seven children (5.3%) had invasive complications: 5 bacteraemia and 2 meningitis. Age below 6 months, fever >38.0°C, and dehydration on admission were significantly associated with invasive complications. The commonest serotypes isolated were S. enteritidis, S. paratyphi B, and S. bovis‐morbificans. A total of 94–100% of isolates were susceptible to commonly prescribed antibiotics.Conclusions:Children with Salmonella gastroenteritis below 6 months of age who are febrile and dehydrated should be treated empirically with antibiotics until the result of blood culture is available.
Outcome, tolerability and compliance of compassionate use interferon and ribavirin for hepatitis C infection in a shared care hospital clinic
Authors: Kontorinis N. , Garas G. , Young J. , Speers D. , Chester B. P. , MacQuillan G. C. , De Boer B. , Chapman M. D. , Forster E. , Jeffrey G. P. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract Background and aims:  To determine response rate, side‐effects and compliance in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection following treatment with ­interferon‐α−2b and ribavirin in a ‘shared care’ hospital clinic.Methods:  Data were collected prospectively on 81 patients treated with combination therapy for chronic HCV infection between 1999 and 2001. All had biochemical and virological evidence of active infection. All patients had undergone liver biopsy except haemophiliac patients. Patients infected with genotype 1 were treated for 12 months. Patients infected with genotypes 2 and 3 were treated for 6 months. Patient care was shared with the referring general practitioner. Intention to treat, end of treatment and sustained virological response (SVR) rates, side‐effects and compliance were assessed.Results:  Eighty‐one patients with chronic HCV infection were treated with combination therapy. The majority of HCV patients were genotype 1 (n = 46; 57%). There were 12 patients (15%) with cirrhosis. SVR rates were: (i) 24% for genotype 1, (ii) 58% for genotype 3 and (iii) 75% for genotype 2. SVR was achieved in three (23%) cirrhotic patients. Compliance with the treatment regimen was 98%. Seven per cent of patients were withdrawn from therapy prematurely because of side‐effects.Conclusions:  These ‘shared care’ clinic results compare well with controlled clinical trials using combination therapy for chronic HCV infection. Outcomes were poorer in genotype 1 patients and in patients with cirrhosis. Compliance with therapy was excellent because of the ‘Shared Care Programme’ with participation of general practitioners, psychiatrists and hepatitis C nurse practitioners in the management protocol. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 500−504)
Radiochemotherapy in rectal cancer: the role of oxaliplatin
Authors: Gerard J.‐P. , Glynne‐Jones R. , Blackstock W. , Aschele C. , Van De Velde C. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractRadiation therapy is well established in the treatment of early and locally advanced rectal cancer, where it has been used in both the pre‐operative and postoperative settings. Pre‐operatively, radiation therapy has been shown in a series of studies culminating in the Dutch total mesorectal excision (TME) study to significantly reduce the rate of local recurrence at 2 years. However, the overall rate of survival was not improved in this study because radiotherapy failed to reduce the incidence of distant metastases. Chemotherapy, however, may reduce distant metastatic spread, as well as increasing the rate of R0 resectability and sphincter‐saving surgery when used in combination with radiotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting. Oxaliplatin is a prime candidate for radiochemotherapy in rectal cancer because it frequently has large and rapid cytoreductive effects in colorectal malignancies and has been shown in vitro and preclinical models to be radiosensitizing. In an Italian phase I/II study, weekly oxaliplatin combined with standard infusional 5‐FU and pre‐operative radiotherapy has shown low toxicity and promising antitumour activity. These encouraging results are now being followed up in a more extensive trials programme. A randomized trial comparing this regimen with standard infusional FUra and radiotherapy (STAR, Studio nazonaleTerapia neoAdiuvante Retto [National Study on Neoadjuvant Treatment of Rectal cancer]) is being launched in Italy. A new phase II study, CORE (Capecitabine, Oxaliplatin, Radiotherapy and Excision), is now in development in Europe and will use a similar weekly treatment regimen with an oral fluropyrimidine in place of infusional FUra, and a number of further oxaliplatin‐based radiochemotherapy studies in rectal cancer are planned or in progress. In summary, radiochemotherapy appears to have the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes in rectal cancer, and oxaliplatin‐based treatment is proving central to its ongoing development.
The role of oxaliplatin in the management of upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies
Authors: Scheithauer W. , Van Cutsem E. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractFollowing the successful introduction of oxaliplatin into the management of advanced colorectal cancer, its clinical utility is currently being investigated in a variety of other malignancies, including cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract. In advanced pancreatic cancer, oxaliplatin has been found to be clinically effective in phase II trials in which it was combined with either 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) or gemcitabine, the current standard chemotherapy for this disease. In a phase II trial involving 67 patients, the combination of oxaliplatin and 5‐FU in a high dose infusional regimen (n = 31) achieved an objective response rate of 9.7%, stable disease for at least three cycles in 48.4% of patients, tumour growth control in 58% of patients, a median time to progression of 4.9 months and median overall survival reaching 9.2 months. In combination with gemcitabine in a phase II trial involving 64 patients with metastatic (n = 34) or locally advanced (n = 30) pancreatic cancer, there was an objective response rate of 30.6%, treatment benefit in 39.7%, a median progression‐free survival of 5.3 months and again a median overall survival of 9.2 months. Response rates and survival times did not differ between locally advanced and metastatic disease. On the basis of these encouraging results, phase III studies of oxaliplatin in advanced pancreatic cancer are now in progress in Europe and the United States. In metastatic gastric cancer, a phase II study investigated the combined use of oxaliplatin and 5‐FU using the FOLFOX6 regimen in 53 patients, of whom 49 were evaluable for efficacy. The objective response rate was 44.9% and the median duration of response was 7.9 months. Large phase III trials of oxaliplatin‐based treatment for advanced gastric cancer are now in progress. Oxaliplatin is also being investigated in oesophageal cancer and several other gastrointestinal tumours. In summary, oxaliplatin is emerging as an effective and highly promising chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal malignancies.
Product attributes, consumer benefits and public approval of genetically modified foods
Authors: Hossain Ferdaus , Onyango Benjamin , Schilling Brian , Hallman William , Adelaja Adesoji 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe use of biotechnology in food production has generated considerable debate involving the benefits and risks associated with its use. Consumer acceptance of genetically modified foods is a critical factor that will affect the future of this technology. Using data from a national survey, this study examines how public acceptance of food biotechnology is related to consumers’ socioeconomic and value attributes as well as the benefits associated with the use of this technology. Empirical results suggest that consumer acceptance of food biotechnology increases considerably when the use of this technology brings tangible benefits for the public. Consumers with different socioeconomic and demographic attributes have diverging views of food biotechnology only when its use brings specific benefits to them. When the use of genetic technology confers no additional benefit, public attitudes towards genetically modified foods are driven primarily by their scientific knowledge, views of scientists and corporations associated with biotechnology as well as public trust and confidence in government.
How important is appearance? Consumer preferences for mandarins in Indonesia
Authors: Wei Sherrie , Singgih Shinta , Woods Elizabeth J. , Adar Damianus 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this research was to determine consumer preferences for attributes of mandarins in Indonesia, in particular the preferences between domestic and imported mandarins. A focus group was conducted to identify some salient attributes of mandarins to Indonesian consumers. Intrinsic fruit attributes that are important to consumers include the appearance, taste, texture and overall quality of fruit segments and skin colour. Based on the results of the focus group, a survey questionnaire was developed and used in the interview process with the consumers. Evaluations were made on a seven‐point intensity scale for two domestic lines of mandarins and one imported line. Respondents did not know the origins of the fruit when evaluating the intrinsic qualities of mandarins. The results from 113 respondents in the city of Surabaya showed that domestic mandarins were rated higher on all intrinsic attributes. Imported mandarins were rated the best only on skin colour as domestic fruit are normally green or only partially orange when ripe. The fact that imported mandarins continue to command premium prices in the Indonesian market is an interesting phenomenon. Two possible explanations are suggested. The prestige of supermarket retailers (where imported produce is mostly sold) may advantage imported fruits. Alternatively, consumers may hold persistently favourable perceptions of imported fruits. Whether this represents the influence of subjective psychological and status factors requires further investigation.
Petrology and microthermometry of aluminous rocks in the Botswanan Limpopo Central Zone: evidence for isothermal decompression and isobaric cooling
Authors: HISADA K. , MIYANO T. 
Published: November 2003

Phase analysis in the model K2O‐poor aluminous rock system (FMASH) illustrates the following sequence of reactions during retrograde metamorphism in the Botswanan Limpopo Central Zone:Opx+Sil+Qtz=Crd ,Opx+Sil=Spr+Crd ,Grt+Qtz=Opx+Crd ;Opx+Crd+W=Ged+Qtz ,Grt+Opx+Crd+W=Ged ;andGrt+Qtz+W=Ged+Crd .A quantitative petrogenetic grid with phase relations shows that sapphirine results from nearly isothermal decompression in the quartz‐undersaturated portions of the grid, and that gedrite formation by reactions (4)–(6) records isobaric cooling from high temperature (c. 800° C) after the decompression. Conditions for hydration in the western part of the area were 700–800° C and c. 6 kbar, based on microthermometric data and the available garnet–cordierite geothermometer. On the basis of these conditions and predicted thermodynamic properties of gedrite, phase relations in T–XMg space were constructed to investigate the isobaric cooling event. The results are in good agreement with the hydration P–T  path. Further, the T–XMg topologies show that hydration of orthopyroxene in the central part of the area (reaction 4) occurred at about 800° C and c. 5 kbar. Therefore, we conclude that the Botswanan Limpopo Central Zone has suffered isothermal decompression, similar to the Central Zone in South Africa and Zimbabwe, followed by isobaric cooling. The isobaric cooling event in the western (at c. 6 kbar) and central (at c. 5 kbar) parts of the area commenced at nearly the same temperature (c. 800° C), and appear to be consistent with a tectonic model that involved westward movement (thrusting) of the Central Zone.
Graphite deformation in marble and mylonitic marble, Grenville Province, Canadian Shield
Authors: KRETZ R. 
Published: November 2003

In the southern Grenville Province of the Canadian Shield (Otter Lake area), high‐grade marble, gneiss and amphibolite have been folded about north‐ to north‐east‐trending axes; mylonite zones, parallel to layering and 0.1–10 cm wide, are locally present in marble.In nonmylonitic marble, graphite occurs as c. 1–mm hexagonal prisms, which are commonly accompanied by a relatively few crystals that have been deformed, resulting in cleavage separation and the formation of folds and kink bands. Fracture‐filled calcite contains less Mg and Fe than surrounding calcite (e.g. <0.30 compared with 1.8–2.7 wt% MgO, and 0.02–0.12 compared with 0.13–0.18 wt% FeO); the composition of fracture‐filled dolomite is similar to that of the surrounding dolomite. In semimylonite, graphite forms elongate streaks of fragmented crystals and, in mylonite, further fragmentation has occurred to produce extremely small particles. The fragmentation has not destroyed the atomic structure (hexagonal modification) of graphite.The behaviour of biotite was similar to that of graphite, but extreme fragmentation did not occur. Dolomite was more rigid than calcite, and in mylonite it occurs more commonly as relics. Amphibole and pyroxene crystals remained undeformed but are locally replaced by calcite.The numerous microprocesses that have evidently occurred in marble and mylonitic marble of the study area are: coarsening (calcite, graphite), twinning (calcite, dolomite), slip (calcite, dolomite, graphite, biotite), strain‐induced recrystallization (calcite), microfolding and kink‐band formation (graphite, biotite), fragmentation (graphite) and the pressure‐induced transport of calcite and dolomite to voids in graphite and biotite.
The Role of Preoperative Imaging for the Treatment of Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer
Authors: Rutten H. , Kuipers T. , Nieuwenhuijzen G. , Klaassen R. , V Riet Y. , Vd Nieuwenhof‐Biesheuvel L. , Mannaerts G. , Tjon a Tham R. , Donkers v Rossum A. , Martijn H. , Vd Berg H. , Tan‐Go Y. , Daniels Gooszen A. 
Published: November 2003

Purpose:to promote a better understanding of locally recurrent rectal cancer disease among surgeons, radiologists, radiotherapists and medical oncologists. Since 1994, a specialized team in the Catharina Hospital Eindhoven is involved in the treatment of patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer. The complete resection rate increased from 42% to 65%. A 30% crude survival rate for all patients was attainable. After complete resection, a five‐year survival rate above 40% was achieved (1). Imaging is the cornerstone for treatment planning. However, not merely the diagnosis, which is itself often difficult to obtain, but also the operative planning of the treatment is of interest to the team. The role of the different imaging modalities during consecutive phases of locally recurrent rectal cancer disease is discussed.
Scope of worldwide hepatitis C problem
Authors: Brown Robert S. , Gaglio Paul J. 
Published: October 2003

Key points:
1. Hepatitis C is a global health problem affecting over 170 million people worldwide.
2. There is wide geographic variation in both prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus on a global level.
3. Most hepatitis C virus is spread parenterally, either through intravenous drug use or, in lesser-developed countries, through blood contamination during medical procedures.
4. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
5. Despite a declining incidence of new infections, the burden of disease, both in terms of mortality and in terms of cost, is expected to increase over the next decade.
Retransplantation for recurrent hepatitis C: Positive aspects
Authors: McCashland Timothy M. 
Published: October 2003

Key points
1. The prevalence of retransplantation for hepatitis C (HCV) patients is stable (around 40%).
2. Survival models to predict outcome of retransplantation do not show that HCV is an independent variable with poor outcomes.
3. Using Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database from 1996-2002, retransplantation for HCV had similar outcomes to other causes of retransplantation.
4. Poorer outcomes were noted for retransplantation with MELD scores greater than 25.
5. Minimal survival thresholds need to be developed for retransplantation for all causes of retransplantation.
Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in the allograft
Authors: Neuberger James 
Published: October 2003

Key points
1. Recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the graft is associated with a reduced quality of life and worse graft survival.
2. Pretransplantation, the severity of HCV recurrence may be reduced by reducing the pretransplantation load, by avoiding the use of organs from older donors, and by reducing the ischemic times. The effect of split livers on recurrence rates is uncertain.
3. The optimal immunosuppression regime has not been established but a heavy induction regime and treatment for acute rejection are associated with more viral replication and more graft damage.
4. Presently, there is no convincing evidence for preemptive treatment of HCV.
5. There are many studies on the effect of interferon with and without ribavirin for the treatment of HCV hepatitis. However, few are prospective, randomized, and controlled.
6. The current best treatment is with pegylated interferon and ribavirin; the dose and duration of treatment need to be established. Side-effects of treatment are common and reduction/withdrawal is frequent, but the regime is cost-effective.
7. The role of newer treatments remains to be established.