bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The POCER indicator: a decision tool for non‐agricultural pesticide use
Authors: Claeys Sara , Vagenende Bénédicte , De Smet Bart , Lelieur Liesbeth , Steurbaut Walter 
Published: May 2005

AbstractPesticides are used not only in agriculture but also by public services and households. Much information is available on the influence of agricultural applications on human health by occupational exposure and on the environment. There is still a need for adequate information on the impact of non‐agricultural applications of pesticides. The POCER indicator (Pesticide Occupational and Environmental Risk indicator) has been developed at Ghent University for agricultural situations, as a tool for applicators and decision‐makers, by calculating the impact of pesticide treatments on the applicator, the worker, the bystander, groundwater, surface water, bees, earthworms, birds, useful arthropods and persistence in soil. A few adaptations in the POCER calculation method can make the indicator also very useful for non‐agricultural conditions. The impact of plant protection products on human health and environment in public services and households can be calculated and the scores can be compared with each other, resulting in an improved pesticide programme. Decision makers might use the POCER indicator to evaluate the reduction programme of public services and communities and offer them measurements to reduce the impact of pesticides. For example, wearing protective clothing or taking into account the distance between application and surface water can greatly reduce the impact score. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel modulation reflectance spectroscopy of semiconductor heterostructures
Authors: Ryabushkin O. A. , Lonskaya E. I. , Sotnikov A. E. , Chernikov M. A. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractNew methods of modulation reflectance spectroscopy have been proposed for investigation of semiconductor heterostructures. Current‐, radio‐frequency‐ and microwave‐modulated reflectance are proposed and applied for determination of band structure features and band diagram of heterostructures of high electron mobility transistors and laser diodes. New physical contributions to formation of spectra of the modulation reflectance of light with quantum energy near the fundamental absorption edge are discussed. The main contributing mechanism, free carriers' heating, is associated with alternating current, radio‐frequency and microwave electric field, or with radiation with photon energy below bandgap energy of semiconductor layers. Novel techniques of local excitation of the heterostructures by radio‐frequency field or by pump light with scanning by probe signal are also proposed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The increase in serum uric acid concentration caused by diuretics might be beneficial in heart failure
Authors: Reyes Ariel J. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractPatients with mild‐moderate chronic heart failure (CHF) often have raised levels of serum uric acid (UA). This is due, amongst other factors, to reduced UA excretion by the kidneys, which is partly explained by restriction of sodium intake and treatment with diuretics. The decline in renal function that parallels worsening cardiac function also contributes to elevated serum UA in patients with advanced CHF. However, UA production also appears to be augmented in CHF. Because UA scavenges various reactive oxygen species, diuretic‐induced elevations in serum UA could be beneficial in patients with CHF. This concept is supported by the superior performance of antihypertensive therapy with diuretics in preventing heart failure. The present hypothesis may be tested by examining the effects of add‐on treatment with a thiazide‐type diuretic on morbidity and mortality, or surrogate variables, in asymptomatic patients with left ventricular dysfunction but without fluid retention.
Predicting clinical severity in sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Steinberg M. H. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThe ability to predict the phenotype of an individual with sickle cell anaemia would allow a reliable prognosis and could guide therapeutic decision making. Some risk factors for individual disease complications are known but are insufficiently precise to use for prognostic purposes; predicting the global disease severity is not yet possible. Genetic association studies, which attempt to link gene polymorphisms with selected disease subphenotypes, may eventually provide useful methods of foretelling the likelihood of certain complications and allow better individualized treatment.
Bone involvement in sickle cell disease
Authors: Almeida Antonio , Roberts Irene 
Published: May 2005

SummaryBone involvement is the commonest clinical manifestation of sickle cell disease both in the acute setting such as painful vaso‐occlusive crises, and as a source of chronic, progressive disability such as avascular necrosis. Management of these problems is often difficult because of the diagnostic imprecision of most laboratory and imaging investigations and because of the lack of evidence for most surgical procedures in sickle cell disease. This review first discusses the acute problems related to bone involvement in sickle cell disease, with particular reference to differentiating infection from infarction, and then describes the long‐term effects of sickle cell disease on bone mineral density, growth, and chronic bone and joint damage.
Co‐existence of multiple subclones in TEL‐AML1 at diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in association with submicroscopic deletion of AML1
Authors: Rothman Rachel , Trakhtenbrot Luba , Bielorai Bella , Izraeli Shai , Ishoev Galina , Amariglio Ninette , Rechavi Gideon , Toren Amos 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThe TEL/AML1 (ETV6/RUNX1) fusion gene is the most common genetic rearrangement in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Although considered to be a low‐risk leukaemia, it is associated with a relapse rate of 10–20%. The coexistence of different subclones at diagnosis, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies of IG/TCR gene rearrangement, with differential response to chemotherapy, was recently reported in this subtype of ALL. We wished to demonstrate such subclones at diagnosis by a recently developed technique of quantitative multiparametric fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Bone marrow cells from 80 paediatric patients with ALL at diagnosis were analysed for the presence of the TEL/AML1 fusion gene by interphase FISH. Fourteen patients were positive for the translocation. Four of them had several subclones associated with various combinations of additional chromosomal abnormalities. The most striking was an atypical and unexpected hybridization pattern consistent with a submicroscopic deletion of the 5′ region of the AML1 breakpoint. Other abnormalities included TEL deletion, trisomy and tetrasomy 21 as well as double TEL‐AML1 fusion. The presence of numerous subclones in about 25% of patients with TEL/AML1+ ALL suggests extensive clonal evolution by the time of diagnosis.
Phenotype and frequency of Epstein–Barr virus‐infected cells in pretreatment blood samples from patients with Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Khan Gulfaraz , Lake Annette , Shield Lesley , Freeland June , Andrew Linda , Alexander Freda E. , Jackson Robert , Taylor Penelope R. A. , McCruden Elizabeth A. B. , Jarrett Ruth F. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryAn accumulating body of data suggests that the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a lymphotropic herpesvirus, is involved in the pathogenesis of a proportion of cases of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). In this study, we showed that the frequency of circulating EBV‐infected cells was significantly higher (P < 0·001) in pretreatment blood samples from EBV‐associated cases when compared with non‐EBV‐associated cases. We further showed that in patients with EBV‐associated disease, the virus persisted in the peripheral blood in memory B cells. This phenotype is consistent with that seen in healthy seropositive controls, post‐transplant patients and patients with acute infectious mononucleosis. The data suggest that an increased frequency of EBV carrying B cells in peripheral blood is associated with EBV‐associated HL.
Use of mycophenolate mofetil for chronic, refractory immune cytopenias in children with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
Authors: Koneti Rao V. , Dugan Faith , Dale Janet K. , Davis Joie , Tretler Jean , Hurley John K. , Fleisher Thomas , Puck Jennifer , Straus Stephen E. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryAutoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a disorder of apoptosis associated most often with heritable FAS mutations leading to lymphadenopathy, hypersplenism and chronic refractory autoimmune cytopenias. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was used to treat cytopenias in 13 ALPS patients aged 9 months to 17 years from a cohort of 118 children (aged < 18 years) and 82 adults. Twelve responded for a median follow‐up of 49 weeks (range 38–240 weeks), defined by maintenance of adequate blood counts and reduction in dosage or cessation of other immunosuppressive agents. This preliminary experience suggests that MMF may spare steroid usage in patients with ALPS‐associated cytopenias.
Interphase molecular cytogenetic screening for chromosomal abnormalities of prognostic significance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a UK Cancer Cytogenetics Group Study
Authors: Harrison Christine J. , Moorman Anthony V. , Barber Kerry E. , Broadfield Zoë J. , Cheung Kan L. , Harris Rachel L. , Reza Jalali G. , Robinson Hazel M. , Strefford Jonathan C. , Stewart Adam , Wright Sarah , Griffiths Mike , Ross Fiona M. , Harewood Louise , Martineau Mary 
Published: May 2005

SummaryInterphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH) was used independently to reveal chromosomal abnormalities of prognostic importance in a large, consecutive series of children (n = 2367) with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The fusions, TEL/AML1 and BCR/ABL, and rearrangements of the MLL gene occurred at frequencies of 22% (n = 447/2027) (25% in B‐lineage ALL), 2% (n = 43/2027) and 2% (n = 47/2016) respectively. There was considerable variation in iFISH signal patterns both between and within patient samples. The TEL/AML1 probe showed the highest incidence of variation (59%, n = 524/884), which included 38 (2%) patients with clustered, multiple copies of AML1. We were thus able to define amplification of AML1 as a new recurrent abnormality in ALL, associated with a poor prognosis. Amplification involving the ABL gene, a rare recurrent abnormality confined to T ALL patients, was identified for the first time. The use of centromeric probes revealed significant hidden high hyperdiploidy of 33% and 59%, respectively, in patients with normal (n = 21/64) or failed (n = 32/54) cytogenetic results. The iFISH contributed significantly to the high success rate of 91% (n = 2114/2323) and the remarkable abnormality detection rate of 89% (n = 1879/2114). This study highlights the importance of iFISH as a complementary tool to cytogenetics in routine screening for significant chromosomal abnormalities in ALL.
Do children do what they say? Responses to hypothetical and real‐life social problems in children with mild intellectual disabilities and behaviour problems
Authors: Van Nieuwenhuijzen M. , Bijman E. R. , Lamberix I. C. W. , Wijnroks L. , De Castro B. Orobio , Vermeer A. , Matthys W. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground  Most research on children's social problem‐solving skills is based on responses to hypothetical vignettes. Just how these responses relate to actual behaviour in real‐life social situations is, however, unclear, particularly for children with mild intellectual disabilities (MID).Method  In the present study, the spontaneous and selected responses of 56 children with MID to hypothetical situations from the Social Problem‐Solving Test for children with MID (SPT‐MID) were compared to their actual behaviour in comparable staged standardized real‐life conflict situations. Correlations to externalizing behaviour problems were assessed using the Teacher's Report Form (TRF).Results  The results show children with MID and accompanying externalizing behaviour problems to behave more aggressively in the staged real‐life conflicts and provide more spontaneous aggressive responses to the hypothetical vignettes than children with MID and no accompanying externalizing behaviour problems; they did not, however, select more aggressive responses from the hypothetical options provided. A moderate correlation was found between the aggressiveness of the spontaneous responses in the hypothetical situations and actual behaviour in the staged real‐life situations. In addition, both the spontaneous aggressive responses under hypothetical circumstances and the actual aggressive behaviour under staged real‐life circumstances were related to teacher‐rated aggressive behaviour in the classroom.Conclusions  It is concluded that the hypothetical vignettes from the SPT‐MID do provide information on both the actual behaviour and knowledge of social problem‐solving skills of children with MID.
Looking at the future and seeing the past: the challenge of the middle years of parenting a child with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Todd S. , Jones S. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground  This paper seeks to understand and conceptualize the experience of mothers of adolescents with intellectual disabilities (IDs) at a time in their lives which others have characterized as ‘mid‐life’ or the ‘middle years of parenting’. The concerns of the paper are the lifecourse concerns in mothers’ own lives and with biographical elements of becoming and being such a parent.Methods  Qualitative interviews were conducted with mothers of adolescents with IDs. The average age of mothers was 48 years. Typically parents were interviewed on two to three occasions.Results  The data suggest that despite the difficulties they faced, these parents had constructed a ‘life‐as‐ordinary’ in the early phase of their parental careers. They saw themselves as ‘ordinary mothers’. However, the social content and events of the middle years of parenting prompt a realization that their lives and, for some, their sense of ‘self’, are undergoing considerable change. Mothers are forced to look over their lives to find the meaning and significance of these events. For some, there is biographical reinforcement. For others, there is only disruption.Discussion  The overall picture of these years is one of considerable changes and challenges, and underlines the need for a focus on the lifecourse concerns of parents as well as their children. The implications of the data for further research and service development are discussed in the context of identity theory.
Endometrial adenocarcinoma presenting in a premenopausal patient with tuberous sclerosis
Authors: Jaffe J. S. , Chambers J. T. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground  Endometrial adenocarcinoma is very uncommon in women under 40 years of age.Case  A 39‐year‐old woman with tuberous sclerosis and severe intellectual disability presented with irregular bleeding unresponsive to oral contraceptive therapy. She was subsequently found to have a deeply invasive endometrial adenocarcinoma.Conclusion  Caregivers must pay particular attention to signs and symptoms in non‐verbal patients. Persistent irregular bleeding on oral contraceptive therapy warrants additional evaluation.
ADHD symptoms and insistence on sameness in Prader‐Willi syndrome
Authors: Wigren M. , Hansen S. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground  Apart from a pervasive eating disorder, the Prader‐Willi (PWS) syndrome is characterized by a distinct behavioural profile comprising maladaptive behaviours, obsessive‐compulsive traits and skin picking, all included in the PWS behavioural phenotype. In this study, we present a further delineation of this characteristic behavioural profile by screening for indices of executive dysfunctions related to attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), immature compulsive‐like adherence to sameness and skin picking, and how these features aggregate into symptom constellations in children and adolescents with PWS.Method  Parents of 58 individuals with PWS (aged 5–18 years) participated by completing Childhood Routines Inventory (CRI) and Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS‐48).Results  Results showed that indices of ADHD and excessive insistence on sameness were common, comorbid and of early onset. They were both associated with conduct problems. Skin picking, appearing as a single and comorbid symptom, was less associated with childlike compulsions and ADHD‐related problems.Conclusions  Findings are discussed in terms of further research in executive dysfunctions in PWS.
Risk factors for low bone mineral density in individuals residing in a facility for the people with intellectual disability
Authors: Jaffe J. S. , Timell A. M. , Elolia R. , Thatcher S. S. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground  Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are known to have a high prevalence of both low bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures with significant attendant morbidity. Effective strategies aimed at reducing fractures will be facilitated by the identification of predisposing risk factors.Methods  Bone mineral density was measured by quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus performed on 79 women and 132 men residing in a facility for adults with ID. Multiple variable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the significance of risk factors for low BMD.Results  Mobility impairment consistently appeared to be a significant risk factor for low BMD regardless of age or sex and especially for middle‐aged men with profound ID. Further risk was identified for postmenopausal women taking enzyme inducing anticonvulsant medications and middle‐aged men who were either smokers or tended to be short. Hispanic followed by Caucasian origin also put middle‐aged males at a greater risk than their African‐American counterparts.Conclusions  Specific risk factors for low BMD, some of which have potential for modification, were identified in the study population. Targeted strategies for risk factor reduction may result in a decrease in the high rate of fractures among these individuals.
Schistosoma japonicum reveals distinct reactivity with antisera directed to proteases mediating host infection and invasion by cercariae of S. mansoni or S. haematobium
Authors: Chlichlia K. , Schauwienold B. , Kirsten C. , Doenhoff M. J. , Fishelson Z. , Ruppel A. 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARY Serine proteases released from the acetabular glands of cercariae, also known as cercarial elastases, are key enzymes in the penetration process of schistosomes through the skin of the final host. Antisera against these enzymes secreted from Schistosoma mansoni or S. haematobium reveal differences in the patterns of elastase expression among schistosome species and among different developmental stages of the larvae. Immunolocalization studies showed that antisera raised against the enzyme s28 protease react with S. mansoni, S. haematobium and also S. japonicum, in developing as well as mature cercariae and in both pre‐ and post‐acetabular glands. Antisera against the enzyme SmCE detect the respective antigen solely in the pre‐acetabular glands. Remarkably, the SmCE‐1a isoform is detectable with DNA‐vaccinated mouse sera in S. mansoni and S. haematobium only, but is apparently absent from the acetabular glands of S. japonicum. These differences in immunoreactivity of cercarial enzymes may be related to the distinct infection process of S. japonicum.
Longitudinal study on the relationship between cat allergen and endotoxin exposure, sensitization, cat‐specific IgG and development of asthma in childhood – report of the German Multicentre Allergy Study (MAS 90)
Authors: Lau S. , Illi S. , Platts‐Mills T. A. E. , Riposo D. , Nickel R. , Grüber C. , Niggemann B. , Wahn U. ,   The Multicentre Allergy Study Group
Published: May 2005

Background:  Controversial data have emerged regarding the question whether cat exposure in childhood favours or decreases the risk of sensitization and allergic airway disease. In a prospective birth‐cohort study, we assessed the association between longitudinal cat allergen exposure, sensitization (immunoglobulin E, IgE), IgG antibody (ab) levels to cat and the development of asthma in children up to the age of 10 years.Methods:  Of 1314 newborn infants enrolled in five German cities in 1990, follow‐up data at age 10 years were available for 750 children. Assessments included yearly measurements of specific serum IgE to cat and at age 6 and 18 months, 3, 4 and 10 years measurement of cat allergen Fel d 1 in house dust samples. Additionally, Fel d 1‐specific IgG ab were determined in 378 serum samples of 207 children. Endotoxin exposure in mattress dust was measured in a subgroup of 153 children at age 10 years. From age 4 years on, International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires were completed yearly in order to assess the prevalence of wheeze and asthma.Results:  Serum IgG‐levels to cat showed a large variation, however, intraindividually values showed rather constant concentration over a longer time period. The IgG levels at school‐age correlated with cat allergen exposure during the first 2 years of life. Specific IgE to cat was clearly associated with wheeze ever, current wheeze and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), this was also observed for children with specific IgE ab to cat (>0.35 kU/l) plus IgG levels above 125 U/ml. A large percentage of very highly exposed children showed high IgG but no IgE responses to cat, however, not all highly exposed children were found to be protected from sensitization. Children with IgG but without IgE ab to cat showed the lowest prevalence of wheeze ever and current wheeze despite high cat allergen exposure, however, this trend did not achieve significance. While homes of cat owners showed higher Fel d 1 concentrations than homes without cats, homes of cat owners were not found to have higher endotoxin levels in carpet dust samples than homes without cats.Conclusions:  We could confirm that high cat allergen exposure in a cohort with lower community prevalence of cats is associated with higher serum IgG and IgE levels to cat in schoolchildren. Sensitization to cat allergen (IgE) is a risk factor for childhood asthma. While exposure to cat allergen during infancy is associated with sensitization (IgE), only in the very highly exposed children the likelihood of sensitization (IgE) is decreased and high IgG levels to cat without IgE were associated with low risk of wheeze. However, cat‐specific IgG ab levels did not protect children with IgE‐mediated sensitization from wheeze.