bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Features distinguishing amoebic from pyogenic liver abscess: a review of 577 adult cases
Authors: Lodhi S. , Sarwari A. R. , Muzammil M. , Salam A. , Smego R. A. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryDistinguishing amoebic from pyogenic liver abscesses is crucial because their treatments and prognoses differ. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 577 adults with liver abscess in order to identify clinical, laboratory, and radiographic factors useful in differentiating these microbial aetiologies. Presumptive diagnoses of amoebic (n = 471; 82%) vs. pyogenic (n = 106; 18%) abscess were based upon amoebic serology, microbiological culture results, and response to therapy. Patients with amoebic abscess were more likely to be young males with a tender, solitary, right lobe abscess (P = 0.012). Univariate analysis found patients with pyogenic abscess more likely to be over 50 years old, with a history of diabetes and jaundice, with pulmonary findings, multiple abscesses, amoebic serology titres <1:256 IU, and lower levels of serum albumin (P < 0.04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that age >50 years, pulmonary findings on examination, multiple abscesses, and amebic serology titres <1:256 IU were predictive of pyogenic infection. Several clinical and laboratory parameters can aid in the differentiation of amebic and pyogenic liver abscess. In our setting, amebic abscess is more prevalent and, in most circumstances, can be identified and managed without percutaneous aspiration.
Coverage, compliance and some operational issues of mass drug administration during the programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in Orissa, India
Authors: Babu B. V. , Kar S. K. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThis paper reports the coverage, compliance and other operational issues of mass drug administration (MDA) of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole under a programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Orissa state of India. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data from 90 villages and nine urban areas of four districts of Orissa, India. In Orissa, 67% of people older than 2 years had received the drugs during MDA and 42% had consumed them. About 25% of people had not taken the tablets although they received them. Urban areas recorded lower rates than rural areas. The paper discusses some policy/health system‐, community‐ and drug‐related issues that influenced coverage and compliance of MDA. It is essential to improve compliance in future rounds of MDA to achieve targets of control and eventual elimination of LF in a reasonable time frame.
Control of human African trypanosomiasis: trap and odour preference of tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans submorsitans) in the upper Didessa river valley of Ethiopia
Authors: Belete H. , Tikubet G. , Petros B. , Oyibo W. A. , Otigbuo I. N. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryEthiopia is one of the endemic countries for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) as over 100 000 people are at risk of having the disease. The control of HAT using odour preference of tsetse flies (Glossina morsitans submorsitans) was studied in upper Didessa river valley of Ethiopia. No information exists on the effectiveness of attractants for these species of tsetse flies in Ethiopia. Three attractants and their combinations namely: acetone, octenol, cow urine, acetone + octenol, acetone + octenol + cow urine, were evaluated using biconical and NGU traps for their efficacy as a first step in developing a sustainable community‐based HAT control initiative. The biconical traps baited with acetone, octenol or cow urine, or when combined, were more effective in catching G. m. submorsitans than the NGU traps (P < 0.05). However, the NGU traps caught more female tsetse flies than the biconical traps (P < 0.05). The acetone, octenol and cow urine combination was the most effective in attracting tsetse flies in both the biconical and NGU traps. Acetone was the best attractant while octenol was the least effective. Cow urine showed great promise for possible use in community‐based HAT control activities, especially urine that has been kept for several days. The use of cow urine in HAT control in Ethiopia is likely to succeed in the future because of its sustainability.
Evaluation of a urinary antigen‐based latex agglutination test in the diagnosis of kala‐azar in eastern Nepal
Authors: Rijal S. , Boelaert M. , Regmi S. , Karki B. M. S. , Jacquet D. , Singh R. , Chance M. L. , Chappuis F. , Hommel M. , Desjeux P. , Van der Stuyft P. , Le Ray D. , Koirala S. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground  We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy as well as the reproducibility of the urine latex agglutination test ‘KAtex’ in the diagnosis of kala‐azar in patients recruited at a tertiary care centre in Dharan, Nepal, between November 2000 and January 2002.Methods  All patients presenting with fever of 2 weeks or more and splenomegaly were consecutively enrolled. Bone marrow and – if negative – spleen aspirates were examined for Leishmania donovani. Serum and urine samples were taken in duplicate for the Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) and KAtex. The reference laboratory determined sensitivity and specificity of KAtex. Reproducibility between both laboratories was assessed.Results  KAtex was performed on urine from 155 parasitologically confirmed kala‐azar and 77 non‐kala‐azar cases (parasitology and DAT‐negative). KAtex showed a sensitivity of 47.7% (74/155, 95% CI: 39.7–55.9) and a specificity of 98.7% (76/77, 95% CI: 93.0–100.0). Reproducibility of KAtex showed a kappa of 0.684 (P < 0.001, n = 232).Conclusion  KAtex evaluation showed high specificity, low sensitivity and moderate reproducibility. A urine test for kala‐azar could become a real breakthrough in kala‐azar management if its reproducibility and sensitivity could be further improved.
Editorial: A framework for analysing the relationship between disease control programmes and basic health care
Authors: Criel Bart , Kegels Guy , Stuyft Patrick Van der 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIn this paper, we present a framework for analysing the complex relationship between disease control programmes and basic health care systems. Many of the ideas and concepts presented in this paper were developed by the staff of the Public Health Department of the Antwerp Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) over the last 20 years. They are thus the product of the reflection of an entire team.
Integration and disease control: notes from the Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine Colloquium 2002
Authors: Mahendradhata Yodi , Moerman Filip 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe discussion on the desirability or not to integrate disease control activities with general health services is a longstanding one. The recent creations of global health initiatives for poverty‐related disease control have refuelled the debate. The Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) convened a colloquium in Antwerp to clarify concepts involved in integrated disease control and contribute to the creation of a common scientific language and a better understanding of the issues at stake. We present an overview of highlights from the colloquium sessions. Some of the contributions reported here are presented in more detail elsewhere in this special issue.
The spread of the Leu‐Phe kdr mutation through Anopheles gambiae complex in Burkina Faso: genetic introgression and de novo phenomena
Authors: Diabate A. , Brengues C. , Baldet T. , Dabiré K. R. , Hougard J. M. , Akogbeto M. , Kengne P. , Simard F. , Guillet P. , Hemingway J. , Chandre F. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryDuring extensive sampling in Burkina Faso and other African countries, the Leu‐Phe mutation producing the kdr pyrethroid resistance phenotype was reported in both Anopheles gambiae ss and A. arabiensis. This mutation was widely distributed at high frequency in the molecular S form of A. gambiae while it has been observed at a very low frequency in both the molecular M form and A. arabiensis in Burkina Faso. While the mutation in the M form is inherited through an introgression from the S form, its occurrence is a new and independent mutation event in A. arabiensis. Three nucleotides in the upstream intron of the kdr mutation differentiated A. arabiensis from A. gambiae ss and these specific nucleotides were associated with kdr mutation in A. arabiensis. Ecological divergences which facilitated the spread of the kdr mutation within the complex of A. gambiae ss in West Africa, are discussed.
Infection rates with Leishmania donovani and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a village in eastern Sudan
Authors: El‐Safi Sayda Hassan , Hamid Nuha , Omer Ahmed , Abdel‐Haleem Ahmed , Hammad Awad , Kareem Hussein Gad , Boelaert Marleen 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground  Leishmania‐tuberculosis co‐infection is not uncommon in clinical practice in East Africa, but little is known about the epidemiology of this problem at population level. A cross‐sectional household survey was carried out in an active visceral leishmaniasis (VL) focus in Eastern Sudan in February 2002.Methods  All inhabitants of Marbata village in Atbara River Area, Gedarif State, who gave informed consent, underwent both a leishmanin skin test (LST) and a tuberculin test for infection with L. donovani and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All subjects were clinically screened for VL and tuberculosis (TB).Results  About 66% (252 of 382) were LST‐positive, 26% (100 of 382) were tuberculin‐positive and 20% (77 of 382) were positive for both tests. By the age of 15, more than 60% of inhabitants were LST‐positive, but <20% were tuberculin‐positive. By the age of 30, these percentages increased to 100 and 50%. No association was found at the individual level between leishmanial and tuberculous infection after controlling for age.Conclusion  In this community study, we found no association between the risk of infection with L. donovani and M. tuberculosis. However, the progression to active VL disease might be different in M. tuberculosis‐infected than in non‐infected persons and vice versa. Prospective studies are needed to document the prognosis of TB/VL co‐infection.
Platelet characteristic antigens of CD34+ cells in cryopreserved cord blood: a study of platelet‐derived microparticles in transplant processing
Authors: Liu B. , Chen J. S. , Cao M. , Gu S. L. , Liao C. , Li D. Z. , Zhong H. Z. 
Published: December 2004

Background and Objectives  In previous studies, we found that platelet microparticles (PMPs) bind to cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells and transfer adhesion molecules to them, which enhances their engraftment. Before applying this phenomenon in actual transplants, we investigated the effect of PMPs on cryopreserved CD34+ cells in CB.Materials and Methods  We cryopreserved 18 CB units, then evaluated the binding of PMPs to CD34+ cells after thawing, by varying the expression of platelet characteristic antigens (CD41a, CD61, CD62P and CXCR4) on these cells. Adherence of the CD34+ cells, coated with freeze/thaw‐induced PMPs, to endothelium and fibronectin was also studied, as were the effects of thrombin‐induced PMPs from both fresh and preserved CB platelets.Results  PMPs induced by freezing and thawing adhered less well to CD34+ cells than did those from fresh CB, and cells coated with these PMPs had poor adherence. However, thrombin‐induced PMPs from both fresh and preserved CB platelets bound equally well to cryopreserved CD34+ cells and improved their adhesion properties.Conclusions  PMPs could be a useful tool for enhancing engraftment after CB transplantation.
An update on predeposit autologous blood donation and transfusion in Europe
Authors: Politis C. , Richardson S. C. 
Published: December 2004

Background and Objectives  The aim of this study was to update previous data on the practice of autologous blood transfusion in Europe.Materials and Methods  A questionnaire, mainly about predeposit, was distributed to each National Representative on the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on Blood Transfusion and Haematology. Detailed replies were received from 23.Results  Predeposit autologous blood units collected in 2000 amounted to 3·3% of the allogeneic units, compared with 4·2% in 1997. Predeposit collection was commonest in Italy (7·8%) and Germany (6·4%).Conclusions  Although autologous transfusion showed no sign of increase in Europe from 1997 to 2000, the need for alternatives to allogeneic transfusion is growing. Policy and practices in this field should be followed on an ongoing basis.
Empathy and Observed Anger and Aggression in Five‐Year‐Olds
Authors: Strayer Janet , Roberts William 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn Roberts and Strayer (1996), we reported that emotional expressiveness and anger were important predictors of empathy for school‐age children, and that empathy strongly predicted prosocial behaviors aggregated across methods and sources. In this paper, we report how empathy was associated with direct observations of anger and aggression in peer play groups. Twenty‐four initially unacquainted five‐year‐old children (50% girls) were randomly assigned to six same‐sex groups; each group met for three one‐hour play sessions. Physical and verbal aggression, object struggles and anger were coded from videotapes, as were prosocial and social behaviors. As expected, empathy (aggregated across methods and sources) was negatively associated with aggression and anger, and positively associated with prosocial behaviors. Although children who were more angry were also more aggressive, anger and aggression did not covary across play sessions as a simple causal model requires. These results suggest further directions for research in emotions and aggression.
Testing the individualized care model
Authors: Suhonen Riitta , Välimäki Maritta , Leino‐Kilpi Helena , Katajisto Jouko 
Published: December 2004

Background.  Although there has been some research to identify the dimensions on which individualized care should be measured, the indicators that constitute individualized care remain unclear.Objectives.  To describe briefly the maintenance of individualized care and to test a hypothetical model of individualized care in a sample of surgical patients.Design and methods.  A correlational survey design was used. Data were collected with questionnaires from adult patients (n = 454) discharged from surgical wards in one Finnish hospital district (response rate 91%). Structural equation modelling LISREL SIMPLIS using maximum likelihood estimation was used to estimate and test the parameters of the hypothesized model derived deductively from the previous literature.Results.  The goodness‐of‐fit statistics supported the basic solution of the Individualized Care Model, although two additional paths indicating error covariances between the sub‐concepts were identified in the revised model. In this model individualized care is defined in terms of patients’ views of nursing activities aimed at supporting individuality in care and in terms of perceptions of individuality in their own care.Conclusions.  The model has been found to capture attributes that characterize individualized care. It can be used as a basis for evaluation in clinical nursing practice from patients’ point of view. The study highlights the importance of patients’ clinical situation, personal life situation and decisional control as predictors of individualized care. The results also confirm the construct validity of the previously developed Individualized Care Scale.
Satisfaction with care: a study of parents of children with congenital heart disease and parents of children with other diseases
Authors: Lawoko Stephen , Soares Joaquim J.F. 
Published: December 2004

Aim: We compared parents of children with congenital heart disease (PCCHD, n = 1092) with parents of children with other diseases (PCOD, n = 112) regarding satisfaction with their children's care (SCC). We also examined the association between parental/patient characteristics and SCC.Method: The parents completed a questionnaire about such areas as satisfaction with care, children's health status, and financial situation. The design was cross‐sectional and data were gathered over 20 consecutive days.Results: The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that PCCHD were more satisfied with their children's medical care and waiting period for treatment of their ill children than PCOD, although the difference was only modest. Furthermore, mothers were less satisfied with staff attitudes than fathers, with the lowest satisfaction among mothers of children with CHD. However, the multivariate analysis indicated that less satisfaction with care was more associated with decreasing child age, unemployment, financial burden of disease, social isolation and psychological distress than with children's diseases, their severity and parental gender.Conclusion: We corroborated some previous findings and may have provided new insights regarding determinants of SCC among parents. Interventions to improve SCC may need to address issues of parental psychological distress, socialization, and financial burden of illness. Possible ways of achieving this are discussed. Finally, research in a longitudinal format is needed to further scrutinize determinants of parental SCC.
A Novel Mouse Model of Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism: N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea-Induced Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Gene Mutation
Authors: Pask Andrew J. , Kanasaki Haruhiko , Kaiser Ursula B. , Conn P. Michael , Janovick Jo Ann , Stockton David W. , Hess David L. , Justice Monica J. , Behringer Richard R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAn autosomal-recessive mutation that causes hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism was isolated during an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis screen in mice. Affected males had micropenis and small, undescended testes with spermatogenesis arrested at the pachytene stage of meiosis, leading to sterility. Androgen-sensitive organs were small and immature. Affected females were externally normal but sterile with small ovaries due to an arrest at the secondary stage of folliculogenesis, and the uterus and oviducts were thin and immature. Circulating reproductive hormones were significantly decreased in affected males and females. There was also a dramatic reduction in the numbers of FSH- and LH-producing gonadotrophs. Meiotic mapping of the mutation and candidate gene sequencing determined that the N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced lesion is in the third transmembrane domain of the GnRH receptor gene (Gnrhr). In vitro studies indicate that the mutant receptor is not coupled to the plasma membrane signal transduction system. Moreover, this mutant cannot be rescued with defined GnRH receptor pharmacoperones (pharmacological chaperones), an approach that rescues many other misfolded mutants. The mutant GnRH receptor was also shown to exert a dominant-negative effect on wild-type receptor function, indicating that the mutant receptor is unable to fold properly and likely misrouted within the cell, not reaching the plasma membrane. Surprisingly, Gnrhr mutant transcripts were significantly up-regulated in the pituitaries of Gnrhr mutants, revealing a previously unknown autoregulatory feedback loop. This is the first report of a mouse with a Gnrhr loss of function mutation. These GnRH-insensitive mice provide a novel animal model for the study of human idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.
Polysilanes—a new look at some old materials
Authors: Miller Robert D. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn spite of the fact that the first polysilane derivatives were probably prepared in the mid 1920's, there was little scientific interest until recently. The synthesis of the first soluble homo and copolymers about 10 years ago has stimulated an explosive development of this class of materials. This brief review traces the historical development of the polysilanes and focuses on recent studies of polymer structure, electronic properties, photochemical reactions and mechanisms and finally on new applications.
Shear‐induced orientation of side‐group liquid‐crystalline polymers
Authors: Kannan Rangaramanujam M. , Kornfield Julia A. , Schwenk Norbert , Boeffel Christine 
Published: December 2004

Side group liquid‐crystalline polymers (SG‐LCP) will need to be macroscopically oriented if the applications foreseen for them are to be realized. The first observation of oscillatory‐sheer‐induced alignment of an SG‐LCP melt (the Figure shows a schematic of the rheo‐optical apparatus used) is reported. This discovery widens the potential applications of SG‐LCPs, but also raises fundamental questions regarding the mechanism of flow‐induced alignment. magnified image
Electrochemistry of polydialkylcyclopentadithiophenes—modulation of π dimerization by interchain spacing groups
Authors: Zotti Gianni , Berlin Anna , Pagani Giorgio , Schiavon Gilberto , Zecchin Sandro 
Published: December 2004

π dimerization in polythiophenes, leading to stabilization of the intermediate polaronic form, hasrecently been proposed as the origin of the distinctive twin process in the oxidation cycles of polythiophenes. Electrochemical measurements on polymers obtained by anodic cupling 4,4‐di‐n‐alkylcyclopentadithiophene (see Fugure) confirm this; the π dimerization operates when the spacing groups between the polymer strands are absent of the spacing group increases. magnified image
Mesogenic calixarenes
Authors: Malthête Jacques 
Published: December 2004

A novel class of mesogens consists of the calix[n]arenes (see Figure). In addition to forming interesting host‐guest complexes—which offer the possibility of investigations into mesomorphic stability connected with host‐guest complexation—these molecules may be used as the central core of cloumnar mesogens. Different ways of obtaining macroscopic ferroelectric stacking are also briefly considered. magnified image
Paramagnetic liquid crystalline nickel(II) compounds
Authors: Griesar Klaus , Galyametdinov Yuri , Athanassopoulou Maria , Ovchinnikov Igor , Haase Wolfgang 
Published: December 2004

Metallomesogens containing paramagnetic transition metal ions are of interest because the orientation of these mesophases can be controlled by a magnetic field. The first paramagnetic Ni‐containing liquid crystals (related to the non‐mesogenic compound shown in the Figure) are reported. Their complicated temperature‐dependent magnetic behavior is discussed and shown to reflect changes in the coordination core of nickel. magnified image
Starburst/Cascade Dendrimers: Fundamental building blocks for a new nanoscopic chemistry set
Authors: Tomalia Donald A. 
Published: December 2004

That dendrimer structures act as fundamental chemical building blocks (see Figure), forming a “nanoscopic chemistry set” analogous to the “picoscopic chemistry set” formed by atoms, is discussed in this review. Following the logic used by 19th century chemists while defining the atomic “chemistry set”, it is shown that the ability to preface directionality in dendrimer systems validates this approach. magnified image
Chlorine precursor route (CPR) chemistry to poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)‐based light emitting diodes
Authors: Hsieh Bing R. , Antoniadis Homer , Bland Douglas C. , Feld William A. 
Published: December 2004

Thin film organic electrolumiscent devices based on poly 2,3‐diphenyl‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene (DP‐PPV, see Fig.) have been fabricated using the chlorine‐precursor route. Devices with the configuration Mg/DP/‐PPV/ITO are shown to have an external quantum efficiency for green electroluminescence of 0.1%, a value comparable to the efficiency of CA/PPV devices. magnified image