bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulse wave velocity and ankle brachial index in patients with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Ooyanagi Reiki , Fuse Shigeto , Tomita Hideshi , Takamuro Motoki , Horita Norihisa , Mori Mitsuru , Tsutsumi Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI) are a useful method to estimate atherosclerosis in adults, while a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) may be a risk factor for later atherosclerosis of systemic arteries. PWV and ABI in patients with a history of KD have not been reported.
Method
: In total, 90 patients ranging in age from 4 to 25 years who had a history of KD previously, any time from 1 month to 19 years ago, were studied. As a control group, 119 patients with other trivial cardiovascular diseases such as a small ventricular, an atrial septal defect or mild arrhythmias, were also evaluated. A high value of PWV was determined as ≥120% of normal predicted value of PWV, while a low value of ABI was determined as ≤0.9. Age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, ABI and PWV by t‐test, and univariate and multivariate analyses of a logistic‐regression model, were analyzed.
Results
: When a cut‐off point was set as per cent of normal predicted PWV (%N PWV) ≥ 120%, and ABI ≤ 0.9, patients with a history of KD had a higher PWV than the control group, while there was no significant difference in the ABI between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the PWV or the ABI between the KD patients with or without coronary aneurysms.
Conclusion
: Patients with a history of KD may have increased aortic stiffness for their age.
Investigation of DNA damage in lymphocytes exposed to benzathine penicillin G
Authors: Köseoglu Vedat , Kismet Erol , Soysal Yasemin , Ulucan Hakan , Dündaröz Rusen , Imirzahoglu Necat , Gökçay Erdal 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
: Benzathine penicillin G (BPG) is a widely used antibiotic for treatment or prophylaxis of certain infectious diseases. Previous in vivo studies using sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency and comet assay, had showed that long‐term administration of benzathine penicillin G may cause some degree of DNA damage in children with rheumatic fever.
Methods
: Because DNA damage has also been reported in various connective tissue disorders, to rule out the possible effects of underlying disease on DNA integrity, 3‐day‐cultured lymphocytes obtained from nine healthy individuals were exposed to BPG at different concentrations (0.002, 0.02 and 0.1 µg/mL), and sister chromatid exchange frequencies were studied. The mean SCE frequency per metaphase was calculated from 20 selected cells for each individual.
Results
: The incidence of SCE frequency did not differ when all groups were compared. Comparing between each concentration group, exposure to BPG did not cause a dose‐dependent increase in SCE frequency (Student's t‐test, P > 0.05).
Conclusion
: Insignificant changes (P > 0.05) in SCE, within the 3‐day exposure to BPG, may suggest that DNA damage did not occur. Short‐term exposure to BPG does not have toxic effects on DNA. In contrast, this preliminary study should be supported by other genotoxicity assays, expanding the exposure time to longer periods, in order to exclude rapid DNA repair mechanisms. and a possible role of underlying disease on DNA integrity should not be ignored.
Oral fructose solution as an analgesic in the newborn: A randomized, placebo‐controlled and masked study
Authors: Akçam Mustafa 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
: Pain in the newborn child can be associated with various risks. For this reason, as well as for ethical reasons, it seems essential to find a simple and acceptable method for reducing pain. Pharmacological agents are not recommended because of their side‐effects. Glucose and sucrose solutions were administered, and were found effective for pain relief in minor procedures in previous studies. Fructose solution has not been tried in human neonates before now. For this study, fructose solution for pain relief was tried during heel lancing in term neonates, and to compare its effect with glucose and placebo, using a validated behavioral acute pain rating scale.
Methods
: In total, 34 healthy full‐term neonates were studied. Randomized, masked, placebo‐controlled and crossover trial were used. Each infant was assessed three times, receiving 0.5 mL of 30% fructose, 0.5 mL of 30% glucose or 0.5 mL of sterile water orally by syringe in random order, 2 min before heel lancing.
Results
: Pain scores were significantly lower in 30% fructose and 30% glucose groups as compared with the placebo group. No statistically significant difference in pain scores was found between 30% fructose and 30% glucose groups.
Conclusion
: A small dose of 0.5 mL of 30% fructose solution has an equal analgesic effect with 0.5 mL of 30% glucose solution.
Ecotone delimitation: Epigean–hypogean transition in cave ecosystems
Authors: PROUS XAVIER , FERREIRA RODRIGO LOPES , MARTINS ROGÉRIO PARENTONI 
Published: August 2004

Abstract  The ecotone zone between epigean and hypogean environments has been delimited for two limestone caves using a new method proposed herein. The richness and the diversity of the ecotone, epigean and hypogean environments and their similarities have also been determined. The ecotones were delimited using a similarity matrix between the inner and outer sectors of each cave. The ecotone of Dona Rita's cave was estimated to be 12 m long and the ecotone of Retiro's cave 16 m. The richness (S) of arthropods in Dona Rita's cave was higher in the ecotone (S = 131), intermediate in the epigean environment (S = 75) and lower in the hypogean system (S = 45). The invertebrate diversity (H′) was lower in the hypogean environment (H′ = 2.89) and not statistically different between the epigean environment and the ecotone (H′ = 3.56 and H′ = 3.76, respectively). The richness in Retiro's cave was higher in the ecotone (S = 86), intermediate in the epigean environment (S = 39) and lower in the hypogean system (S = 12). The invertebrate diversity was lower in the hypogean environment (H′ = 0.48), intermediate in the ecotone (H′ = 3.02) and higher in the epigean region (H′ = 3.29). Species migration patterns, differential environmental barriers and determination of accidental versus trogloxenes/troglophylous species are topics that are primarily approached by establishing ecotone zones in caves. The aim of the present paper is to establish the delimitation of theses zones.
Colonization and extinction of ant communities in a fragmented landscape
Authors: SCHOEREDER JOSÉ H. , SOBRINHO TATHIANA G. , RIBAS CARLA R. , CAMPOS RENATA B. F. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract  In this paper we tested the assumption that smaller and more isolated remnants receive fewer ant colonizers and lose more species. We also tested hypotheses to explain such a pattern. We sampled ants in Brazil for 3 years in 18 forest remnants and in 10 grasslands between them. We tested the influence of remnant area and isolation on colonization rate, as well as the effect of remnant area on extinction rate. We tested the correlation between remnant area and isolation to verify the landscape design. Colonization rate was not affected by remnant area or isolation. Extinction rate, however, was smaller in larger remnants. Remnant area and isolation were negatively correlated. We tested two hypotheses related to the decrease in ant species extinction rate with increased remnant area: (i) small remnants support smaller and more extinction‐prone populations; and (ii) small remnants are more often invaded by generalist species, which suffer higher extinction inside remnants. The density of ant populations significantly increased with area. Generalist species presented a lower colonization rate in larger remnants, contrary to the pattern observed in forest species. Generalist species suffered more extinction than expected inside remnants. The lack of response of colonization rate to remnant area can be explained by the differential colonization by generalist and forest species. The decrease of ant population density in smaller remnants could be related to loss of habitat quality or quantity. The higher colonization by generalist ant species in the smaller remnants could be related to landscape design, because smaller remnants are more similar to the matrix than larger ones. Our results have important implications for conservation strategies because small remnants seem to be more affected by secondary effects of fragmentation, losing more forest species and being invaded more often by generalist species. Studies that compare only species richness between remnants cannot detect such patterns in species composition.
Stochastic frontier analysis of a classic self‐thinning experiment
Authors: BI HUIQUAN 
Published: August 2004

Abstract  The classic experiment that gave rise to the self‐thinning rule 40 years ago was re‐analysed using stochastic frontier functions. The estimated slope of the self‐thinning boundary line was almost identical to the original proposed value. However, contrary to the original conclusion that the self‐thinning boundary line remained invariant across the soil fertility gradient, the intercept was found to increase with soil fertility. Stochastic frontier analysis also provided a more realistic estimate of the maximum asymptotic stand density than the original work, by separating the effects of density‐dependent and density‐independent mortalities during self‐thinning in a composed error term in the model specification. The time‐course of self‐thinning across the soil fertility gradient was described by a non‐linear function, which enabled the estimation of a minimum possible stand density that could still maintain full site occupancy (i.e. the maximum asymptotic stand density at the end of self‐thinning). The maximum asymptotic stand density decreased more rapidly on more fertile soils and the difference in maximum asymptotic stand density among the five levels of soil fertility increased non‐linearly with time. Site carrying capacity was defined as stand biomass shown by the point on the self‐thinning boundary line at the end of self‐thinning. This definition led to a direct functional link between the self‐thinning boundary line and site carrying capacity for even‐aged plant populations.
Chromosome analysis of human spermatozoa with morphologically abnormal heads by injection into mouse oocytes
Authors: WATANABE SEIJI 
Published: August 2004

Aim:  The risk of chromosome aberrations in human spermatozoa with an abnormal head shape was examined using intracytoplasmic sperm injection into mouse oocytes.Methods:  Human spermatozoa with small, large, pointed or elongated head shape from a fertile donor were injected into mouse oocytes, and the hybrid oocytes were cytogenetically analyzed at the first cleavage metaphase.Results:  The oocyte activation rate was significantly lower in hybrid oocytes injected with pointed (90.2%) or elongated spermatozoa (94.1%) than with normal spermatozoa (99.0%). However, the frequency of intracytoplasmic sperm injection oocytes at the first cleavage metaphase did not differ among the sperm groups (71.8–77.2%). No difference in the incidences of aneuploidy (1.8, 2.6 and 1.4%), diploidy (0, 0 and 0%) and structural chromosome aberrations (6.3, 10.4 and 8.6%) was observed between small or pointed spermatozoa and normal spermatozoa. Only a small population of large spermatozoa (3.7%) was diploidy. Elongated spermatozoa showed significantly frequent structural chromosome aberrations (33.3%) as compared with normal spermatozoa.Conclusion:  The results reveal some interesting details of the mechanism of sperm nuclear condensation: small sperm size is attributed to the problem of nuclear condensation, not a decrease in chromosomes. Diploidy prevents sperm nucleus from condensing, resulting in a large sperm head. Elongation of sperm nucleus causes DNA lesions leading to structural chromosome aberrations. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 147–152)
Effect of repeated administration of clomiphene citrate at two different times on the endometrium in patients undergoing intrauterine insemination
Authors: WADA MAMIKO , KASAI TSUYOSHI , NAGAI SEIICHIRO , FUJIE MICHIKO , MIYAKE MAKI , SUZUKI KOHTA , SUZUKI MARIKO , HIRATA SHUJI , HOSHI KAZUHIKO 
Published: August 2004

Background, Aims and Methods:  Clomiphene citrate (CC) has been widely used for induction of ovulation; however, despite the high rate of ovulation, the pregnancy rate is only 30%. The anti‐estrogenic effect of CC on the endometrium is one explanation for this finding. It is well known that repeated administration of CC enhances its anti‐estrogenic effect. To overcome this adverse affect, a number of techniques have been used. One technique is the early administration of CC, in an attempt to decrease the anti‐estrogenic effects of CC on the endometrium. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate if repeated administration of CC at varying times may affect the endometrium during preovulatory period; pregnancy rates were compiled for patients with unexplained infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). The patients were divided into four groups based on the number of repeat administrations and the time of CC administration.Results:  The endometrial thickness at the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration was greater in early administration within three consecutive CC cycles than the others.Conclusion:  When the endometrium is thin during classical administration of CC, it is worth attempting the early administration of CC in the CC/IUI treatment for patients with unexplained infertility. However, this effect disappeared over the duration of the three consecutive CC cycles. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 153–157)
Costs of maternal and neonatal medical care for triplet and quadruplet pregnancies in Japan
Authors: MOTOHASHI TAKASHI , HONDA TETSURO , HASEGAWA MASAAKI , UCHIDA TAKAFUMI , KANAMOTO NAOKAZU , KOIZUMI KOJI , BEPPU MICHIKO , NAKAHORI TAKASHI , TAKAHASHI AKIRA 
Published: August 2004

Aims:  It is well documented that maternal morbidity and neonatal morbidity and mortality increase alike in high‐order multiple (HOM) births. There have, however, been few reports concerning the costs of maternal and neonatal medical care associated with HOM births. This is the first such report on the situation in Japan.Materials and methods:  All triplet and quadruplet pregnancies managed at this institution from before 16 weeks’ gestation, and delivered at no earlier than 22 weeks’ gestation, between 1997 and 2002 were included. Prophylactic cervical ligature, hospitalization to prevent premature labor from 23 weeks’ gestation until delivery, and delivery by cesarean section, were all routine for HOM pregnancies. All women with singleton and twin pregnancies, who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and also delivered their babies at no earlier than 22 weeks’ gestation at this institution, between 1997 and 2002, were also examined as controls. Prophylactic cervical ligature, preventive hospitalization, and cesarean section were not routine in the control group.Results:  The average gestational ages at delivery in singleton (n = 58), twin (n = 21), triplet (n = 14) and quadruplet (n = 1) pregnancies, were 39.4, 35.6, 31.9 and 25.1 weeks, respectively (P < 0.001 by anova). Birthweights were 2886 ± 425 g, 2117 ± 623 g, 1430 ± 373 g, and 633 ± 77 g (mean ± SD), respectively (P < 0.001). The average inpatient medical care cost for mother and child(ren), from maternal admissions after 12 weeks’ gestation to the discharge of all family members from hospital, was ¥703 279 yen (∼US$5861), ¥4 903 270 (∼US$40 861), ¥11 810 327 (∼US$98 419), and ¥44 961 000 (∼US$374 675), respectively (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  The present study outlined the high costs of medical care for HOM pregnancies. Not only from a medical viewpoint, but also from the viewpoint of medical costs, it is important to avoid HOM pregnancies as a result of infertility treatment. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 159–164)
Changes in serum leptin concentrations in overweight Japanese men after exercise
Authors: Miyatake N. , Takahashi K. , Wada J. , Nishikawa H. , Morishita A. , Suzuki H. , Kunitomi M. , Makino H. , Kira S. , Fujii M. 
Published: August 2004

Aim:  To investigate the link between serum leptin concentrations and exercise.Design:  Cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies of an exercise intervention.Subjects:  110 Japanese overweight men aged 32–59 years were recruited. At baseline, the average body mass index (BMI) was 28.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2. From this group, we used data of 36 overweight men (BMI, 28.9 ± 2.3) for a 1‐year exercise programme.Measurements:  Leptin was measured at baseline and after 1 year. Fat distribution was evaluated by visceral fat (V) and subcutaneous fat (S) areas measured with computed tomography (CT) scanning at umbilical levels. Anthropometric parameters, aerobic exercise level, muscle strength and flexibility were also investigated at baseline and after 1 year.Results:  In the first analysis, using cross‐sectional data, leptin was significantly correlated with total body fat (r = 0.760, p < 0.01), V (r = 0.383, p < 0.01) and S (r = 0.617, p < 0.01) areas. In the second analysis, using longitudinal data, leptin was significantly reduced after 1 year (pre 6.7 ± 4.0 ng/ml vs. post 5.1 ± 3.1 ng/ml, p < 0.01). Results showed that steps per day were increased, and aerobic exercise level, weight‐bearing index (WBI) and insulin resistance were significantly improved. Although, there was a positive correlation between Δ leptin(positive changes in leptin after 1 year) and anthropometric measurements such as Δ body weight, Δ BMI and Δ body fat, leptin/body weight, leptin/BMI and leptin/body fat ratios were significantly reduced during exercise intervention.Conclusion:  The present study indicated exercise significantly lowers serum leptin concentrations, and thus it may improve the leptin resistance observed in overweight Japanese men.
Nateglinide alone or with metformin safely improves glycaemia to target in patients up to an age of 84
Authors: Weaver J. U. , Robertson D. , Atkin S. L. ,   on behalf of The Nateglinide Glycaemic Control Investigators
Published: August 2004

Aim:  To assess the effect of nateglinide on efficacy [fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) plasma glucose and HbA1c], tolerability and safety in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2Dm) on diet alone or on metformin in subjects up to an age of 84.Methods:  In an open‐labelled 12‐week, parallel study of 358 patients, aged 35–84 years with T2Dm, nateglinide was given as either monotherapy in patients previously on diet alone or low‐dose sulfonylureas, which required washout before the study (group 1), or as an addition therapy in patients on steady dose of metformin (group 2). Nateglinide 120 mg was given before main meals. HbA1c, FPG and PPG values were taken at the time of breakfast at the beginning and the end of the study.Results:  HbA1c fell by a mean of 0.83%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−0.97, −0.69) (p < 0.001) in group 1, and 0.67%, 95% CI (−0.77, −0.58) (p < 0.001) in group 2. There was a significant improvement in PPG in group 1 by a mean reduction of −3.47 mmol/l, 95% CI (−4.08, −2.87) (p < 0.0001) and in group 2 of −2.41 mmol/l, 95% CI (−2.84, −1.99) (p < 0.0001). There was an improvement in FPG of −1.2 mmol/l, 95% CI (−1.49, −0.81) (p < 0.0001) and −0.8 mmol/l, 95% CI –(1.07, −0.53) (p < 0.0001) in group 1 and 2 respectively. 44% of patients in group 1 and 34% in group 2 achieved target of HbA1c <7.0 and 66% in group 1 and 59% in group 2 achieved of HbA1c <7.5%. Only one subject on nateglinide and metformin was withdrawn due to the side effect of hypoglycaemia. No patient required third‐party assistance nor was admitted to hospital due to hypoglycaemia.Conclusion:  These data demonstrate that nateglinide is a safe and effective agent in treatment to target in patients with T2Dm up to an age of 84 years.
Characteristics of US adults with the metabolic syndrome and therapeutic implications
Authors: Jacobson T. A. , Case C. C. , Roberts S. , Buckley A. , Murtaugh K. M. , Sung J. C. Y. , Gause D. , Varas C. , Ballantyne C. M. 
Published: August 2004

Background:  The third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) of the National Cholesterol Education Program defines clinical criteria for diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, which increases cardiovascular risk and is a target for therapy.Aim:  We analysed the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III; 1988–94) to determine how many US adults meet these criteria and are recommended for lipid‐modifying drug therapy by ATP III.Methods:  NHANES III data were used to estimate the number of individuals with the metabolic syndrome and the number recommended for treatment by ATP III, based on 1990 census data.Results:  An estimated 36.3 million (23%) US adults have the metabolic syndrome. Of these, 84% met the criterion for obesity, 76% for blood pressure, 75% for HDL‐C, 74% for triglycerides and 41% for glucose. Most (54%) are in the higher risk categories of ATP III, yet only 39% overall are recommended for drug therapy by ATP III cutpoints; of these, most will achieve LDL‐C targets with reductions of 35–40%. Of the 15.3 million individuals with the metabolic syndrome and triglycerides ≥2.26 mmol/l (200 mg/dl), non‐HDL‐C is above ATP III recommendations in 11.6 million.Conclusions:  Of the large number of Americans with the metabolic syndrome, ATP III recommends drug therapy for only a minority, because LDL‐C typically is not substantially elevated. Instead, high triglycerides and low HDL‐C are more common; clinical trial data are needed to determine whether optimal therapy should focus on reductions in LDL‐C or on comprehensive improvements to the lipid profile.