bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonality of birth for cancer in Northern England, UK
Authors: Feltbower Richard G. , Pearce Mark S. , Dickinson Heather O. , Parker Louise , McKinney Patricia A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryEnvironmental factors operating around the time of birth may influence the subsequent development of childhood cancer, particularly leukaemia. Certain factors may vary with season (e.g. infections), and we therefore investigated whether there was any evidence of seasonality of month of birth, based on data from 4199 children diagnosed with cancer under the age of 15 years. We extracted details of (i) children born 1960–95 and diagnosed 1968–95 from two population‐based registries, covering the Northern (n = 2053) and Yorkshire (n = 1977) Regional Health Authority and (ii) children born in Cumbria 1950–93 and diagnosed anywhere in the UK before 1994 from a birth cohort database (n = 397). The following diagnostic categories were analysed: 0–14 years ‐ all cancers, leukaemias, acute lymphoblastic leukaemias, central nervous system tumours, all other solid tumours; 1–6 years – leukaemias, acute lymphoblastic leukaemias. Seasonal variation was tested using Walter and Elwood's test, and logistic regression analysis allowing for cyclical variation in month of birth. No evidence of seasonality was present for any group except acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosed among 1‐ to 6‐year‐olds. Seasonal trends varied by region: in the Northern and Cumbrian datasets, seasonality patterns were significant and similar (P < 0.05) with a predicted peak in early spring, whereas in Yorkshire there was less strong evidence of seasonality (P = 0.08) with a peak predicted in late summer. These findings suggest that local seasonal environmental factors operating around the time of birth are not associated with the totality of childhood cancer, but possible links with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia are supportive of a hypothesis of an infectious aetiology.
Birthweight and gestational age effects on motor and social development
Authors: Hediger Mary L. , Overpeck Mary D. , Ruan W. June , Troendle James F. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe number of children at risk for delays in motor and social development (MSD) associated with preterm delivery and low birthweight is increasing, but such children are generally not seen as being in need of evaluation. The objective of these analyses was to determine whether there are independent effects of birthweight and gestational age on MSD and the magnitude of effects. Subjects were a representative sample of 4621 US‐born singleton children, aged 2–47 months, examined in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–94). MSD was assessed using an age‐appropriate scale. Birthweight and gestational age were taken from birth certificates. Mexican–American and ‘other’ race/ethnicity (other than non‐Hispanic white, non‐Hispanic black or Mexican–American), low parental education level, older maternal age, higher birth order, low birthweight (LBW, <2500 g) and preterm delivery (<37 weeks) were all found to be associated with significant (P
< 0.01) delays in MSD. Three per cent of the infants and children were preterm
LBW and 2.2% term LBW (<2500 g, 37–44 weeks). Adjusting for socio‐demographic
factors, preterm LBW children had lower MSD scores (−1.5 ± 0.3 points,
P < 0.0001) through early childhood, as did term LBW children (−0.8
± 0.4 points, P < 0.03). For females, LBW was the most important
perinatal predictor of a lowered score (−0.9 ± 0.3 points compared with
normal birthweight, P < 0.04). For males, scores were additionally decreased
by –0.1 ± 0.03 points/week (P = 0.001) of early delivery. LBW children had less muscle mass, but adjusting for muscularity did not diminish the effects of birth size on MSD. LBW status and preterm delivery are associated independently with small, but measurable, delays in MSD through early childhood and should be considered along with other known risk factors for development delays in determining the need for developmental evaluation.
Prenatal and intrapartum events and sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Klonoff‐Cohen Hillary S. , P. Indu P. , Edelstein Sharon L. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to evaluate specific pregnancy and labour and delivery events that may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A matched case–control study was conducted in five counties in southern California, using California death certificate records. The sample consisted of 239 Caucasian, African–American, Hispanic and Asian mothers of SIDS infants and 239 mothers of control infants matched on sex, race, birth hospital and date of birth. Mothers participated in a detailed telephone interview and provided access to obstetric and paediatric records. More case than control mothers reported a family history of anaemia (OR = 2.12, P < 0.001). Placental abruptions were strongly associated with SIDS (unadjusted OR = 7.94, [95% CI 1.34,47.12]). There was an increased risk of SIDS death associated with maternal anaemia during pregnancy (OR = 2.51, [95% CI 1.25,5.03]), while simultaneously adjusting for maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal years of education and age, parity, infant birthweight, gestational age, medical conditions at birth, infant sleep position and post‐natal smoking. Interactions of anaemia and prenatal smoking as well as anaemia and post‐natal smoking were not statistically significant. There were no other statistically significant differences between case and control mothers for pregnancy conditions, labour and delivery events (e.g. caesarean sections, anaesthesia, forceps) or newborn complications (e.g. nuchal cord, meconium aspiration). Anaemia and placental abruptions were significantly associated with an increased risk of SIDS; both are circumstances in which a fetus may become hypoxic, thereby compromising the subsequent growth, development and ultimate survival of the infant.
Marital status, cohabitation, and the risk of preterm birth in Europe: where births outside marriage are common and uncommon
Authors: Zeitlin Jennifer A. , Saurel‐Cubizolles Marie‐Josèphe , Ancel Pierre‐Yves ,   the EUROPOP Group
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis article explores whether the impact of marital status on the risk of preterm birth varies in relation to marital practices in the population, defined by the proportion of out‐of‐marriage births. Data come from a case–control study of the determinants of preterm birth in 16 European countries (5456 cases and 8234 controls). There is a significantly elevated risk of preterm birth associated with both cohabitation (OR = 1.29 [1.08, 1.55]) and single motherhood (OR = 1.61 [1.26, 2.07]) for women living in countries where fewer than 20% of births occur outside marriage. In contrast, there is no excess risk associated with marital status when out‐of‐marriage births are more common. This overall result does not apply to all subgroups of preterm births: different patterns emerge for early preterm births and preterm births induced for medical reasons. It is important to consider social context in the analysis of individual risk factors.
Paternal occupational group and risk of offspring with neural tube defects
Authors: Shaw Gary M. , Nelson Verne , Olshan Andrew F. 
Published: March 2003

SummarySelected paternal occupations as well as specific occupational exposures to chemicals such as organic solvents have been suggested as possible risk factors for neural tube defects (NTD). We investigated data from a population‐based, case–control study of fetuses and liveborn infants with NTDs among 1989–91 California births and fetal deaths. Interviews were conducted with mothers of 538 NTD cases and 539 non‐ malformed controls. Mothers were asked to report the occupations that the fathers had in the period 3 months before and 3 months after conception. Each job title and industry reported was coded in accordance with the 1990 US Census.Considering those fathers who worked in managerial and professional occupations as the reference group, elevated odds ratios (OR) for NTDs were observed for the categories: technical, sales and administrative, OR = 1.5 [95% confidence interval 1.0, 2.4]; service, OR = 2.0 [1.2, 3.1]; farming, forestry and fishing, OR = 2.1 [1.3, 3.3]; operators, fabricators and labourers, OR = 1.8 [1.2, 2.7]; and military, OR = 1.9 [0.7, 5.0]. Stratification by NTD phenotype revealed that these elevated ORs were primarily observed for spina bifida phenotypes. Analyses adjusted for maternal body mass index, maternal periconceptional use of multivitamins containing folic acid, paternal race/ethnicity, maternal race/ethnicity and maternal education revealed attenuated risk estimates for most of the occupational groups. Analyses of 182 more specific occupational groups defined by aggregating fathers on similar job titles, when compared with fathers who worked in managerial and professional occupations, revealed that four job title groups were associated with fairly precise effect estimates of ≥1.5. These groups were: cooks; janitors and cleaners; farm workers; and groundsmen/gardeners. Using occupational titles as defined in previous investigations, we did not observe an elevated OR associated with paternal occupational solvent exposures, OR = 0.8 [0.5, 1.3]. These analyses generated potential clues regarding paternal occupational exposures as NTD risk factors. Risk variation observed by spina bifida phenotype is interesting and will need to be investigated further.
Perinatal mortality in Turkey
Authors: Erdem Gulsen 
Published: March 2003

SummaryA prospective study was conducted to investigate perinatal mortality rate, stillbirth rate and early neonatal mortality rate in 29 centres throughout Turkey between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 1999. The most frequent causes of mortality were determined according to the modified Wigglesworth classification, and the results were evaluated with respect to the differences between the centres and the regions. The total number of births from all centres was 92 587. Perinatal mortality rate was 34.9 per 1000, stillbirth rate 18 and early neonatal death rate 17.2 per 1000. Perinatal mortality rates were highest with 71.9 and 62.9 per 1000 in the regions that have low socio‐economic status and are predominantly rural and semi‐urban. The rate was lowest (27.3 per 1000) in the region that is economically more developed. In 23 out of 29 centres, the causes of death were clearly determined. The most important causes of death according to the modified Wigglesworth classification were antepartum stillbirths (42.7%), prematurity (26.0%) and lethal congenital malformations (13.2%). In conclusion, reduction in the perinatal mortality rate in Turkey is likely to be possible only with the co‐ordination of the government, universities, obstetricians and neonatologists and improvement of prenatal, delivery and postnatal care and prevention of prematurity. Perinatal mortality studies should be extended and better organised regionally in Turkey.
Alterations of intralesional and lymph node gene expression and cellular composition induced by IL‐12 administration during leishmaniasis
Authors: Schopf Lisa R. , Erickson Jamie , Hayes Lori , Chung Charles , Lavigne Liz , Sypek Joseph 
Published: March 2003

Changes in gene expression and cellular distribution in the lymph node and at the site of infection, the footpad, during Leishmania major infection and/or IL‐12 administration were evaluated. Otherwise susceptible BALB/c mice given IL‐12 are able to resolve infection. Interestingly, iNOS was not induced in the lymph node by IL‐12, yet, nitric oxide is critical in the control of leishmaniasis. However, we observed an increase in iNOS at the lesion site in response to IL‐12. These results reflect the importance of examining the primary site of infection. We observed no changes in inflammation at the lesion site; however, IL‐12 promoted an early inflammatory response in the lymph nodes. IL‐12 administration differentially affected both the local and systemic immune response to invading leishmanial parasites. IL‐12 induced iNOS at the lesion site and an early granulomatous inflammation in the lymph node; therefore, we hypothesize that these are key events responsible for the resolution of disease in BALB/c mice treated with IL‐12.
Identification of HLA‐A2 restricted CD8+ T‐lymphocyte responses to Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein in individuals naturally exposed to malaria
Authors: Arévalo‐Herrera Myriam , Valencia Anais Zully , Vergara Juana , Bonelo Anilza , Fleischhauer Katharina , González John Mario , Restrepo Juan Carlos , López José Alejandro , Valmori Danila , Corradin Giampietro , Herrera Sócrates 
Published: March 2003

SummarySpecific CD8− T‐lymphocyte (CTL) activity against Plasmodium pre‐erythrocytic stages (P‐ES) derived antigens is considered one of the most important mechanisms for malaria protection. Plasmodium vivax is the second most prevalent human malaria parasite species distributed worldwide. Although several CTL epitopes have been identified in Plasmodium falciparum P‐ES derived antigens, none has been described for P. vivax to date. In this study, we analysed HLA‐A*0201 specific CD8− T‐lymphocyte responses to the P. vivax circumsporozoite (CS) protein in both malaria exposed and non‐exposed populations from the Colombian Pacific Coast. First, we analysed the prevalence of HLA‐A2 allele in the study populations and found that approximately 38% of the individuals expressed this molecule and that 50% of them were HLA‐A*0201. We then selected, on the P. vivax CS, five peptide sequences containing the HLA‐A*0201 binding motifs and used the corresponding synthetic peptides to evaluate the CD8− T‐lymphocyte interferon (IFN)‐γ response. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the HLA‐A*0201 donors were in vitro stimulated with these peptides and IFN‐γ production was determined by an ELISPOT assay. Specific CD8− T‐lymphocyte responses were detected for three peptides located in the C‐terminal region of the protein. Specific responses to these peptides were also detected in several individuals expressing different HLA‐A*02 subtypes. The potential of these peptides to induce specific cytolysis and that of long synthetic peptides comprising these epitopes as P. vivax malaria vaccine subunits are being studied.
Comparative efficacy of the Schistosoma mansoni nucleic acid vaccine, Sm23, following microseeding or gene gun delivery
Authors: Da’dara Akram A. , Skelly Patrick J. , Fatakdawala Mufaddal , Visovatti Scott , Eriksson Elof , Harn Donald A. 
Published: March 2003

SummarySm23 is an integral membrane protein expressed widely in the human parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni. Sm23 has already been shown to elicit protective immune responses following immunization with peptides or DNA constructs. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and the protective efficacy of the Sm23 DNA vaccine using two different intradermal DNA delivery methods: microseeding and gene gun. Using both techniques, all mice immunized with the Sm23‐pcDNA construct generated Sm23‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody, while mice immunized with the control plasmid, pcDNA, did not. Antibody isotypes analysis revealed that microseeding elicited mainly IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies, with relatively low levels of IgG1 and IgG3. The relative IgG1/IgG2a ratio was 0·03, indicative of a Th1 type immune response. In contrast, gene gun immunization resulted in significantly higher levels of IgG1 and IgG3. The relative IgG1/IgG2a ratio in this case was 11, indicative of a Th2 type immune response. No significant difference in the levels of IgG2b was observed. Coimmunization with plasmid DNA encoding either interleukin (IL)‐12 or IL‐4 by microseeding did not affect the levels of IgG1, while the levels of IgG2a and IgG2b were reduced. On the other hand, the levels of IgG3 were significantly increased by IL‐4, but unchanged by IL‐12. Importantly, in all experiments, the Sm23‐pcDNA vaccine provided statistically significant levels of protection against challenge infection. Microseeding immunizations resulted in higher levels of protection (31–34% protection) than gene gun immunization (18% protection). This suggests that the Th1 type immune response elicited by microseeding immunization was responsible for the higher protection levels. However, the protective effect of the vaccine was not affected by coadministering plasmids encoding either IL‐12 or IL‐4 using the microseeding technique.
Cystatins of filarial nematodes up‐regulate the nitric oxide production of interferon‐γ‐activated murine macrophages
Authors: Hartmann Susanne , Schönemeyer Annett , Sonnenburg Bettina , Vray Bernard , Lucius Richard 
Published: March 2003

SummaryCystatins of two filarial nematodes were studied with regard to their capacity to up‐regulate the production of nitric oxide (NO) in vitro, and the effects were analysed. Recombinant cystatin of the human pathogenic filaria Onchocerca volvulus and of the rodent filaria Acanthocheilonema viteae significantly enhanced the NO production of interferon (IFN)‐γ‐activated macrophages of BALB/c and C3H/HeJ mice. Truncated cystatins lacking the N‐terminal protease inhibitory active site, and showing marginal protease inhibitory activity, up‐regulated the NO production to the same extent as the full‐length proteins, indicating that the effect on the NO production is independent of cysteine protease inhibition. NO did not contribute to the suppression of proliferative T cell responses exerted by filarial cystatins, as shown in other studies, since NO synthase inhibitors did not restore proliferative responses. The up‐regulation of NO production induced by filarial cystatins was partly dependent on the production of interleukin‐10 and tumour necrosis factor‐α, since depletion of both cytokines by antibodies led to a diminution of the enhanced NO production by 22–48%. Our data suggest that filarial cystatins are potent triggers of the production of NO, a mediator which was shown to have a role as an effector molecule against filarial worms in vitro and in vivo.
Chemokine responses in schistosomal antigen‐elicited granuloma formation*
Authors: Chiu Bo‐Chin , Chensue Stephen W. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryHost immune systems have evolved specialized responses to multicellular parasites. This is well represented by the type 2 granulomatous response to Schistosoma mansoni egg antigens, which is an eosinophil‐rich inflammatory response mediated by Th2‐associated cytokines. Using Ag‐bead models of pulmonary granuloma formation in mice, we defined characteristic chemokine (CK) profiles in the granulomatous lungs. Our findings point to a role for C‐C chemokine receptor‐2 (CCR2) and CCR3 agonists such as monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCPs) 1/CCL2, 3/CCL7 and 5/CCL12 as important participants that are subject to regulation by Th2 cytokines interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13. CCR4 and CCR8 agonists are also likely contributors. Analysis of CK receptor knockout mice revealed that CCR2 ligands (e.g. MCP‐1 and 5) promoted early phase granuloma macrophage accumulation, whereas anti‐MCP‐3 (CCL7) antibody treatment abrogated eosinophil recruitment. CCR8 knockout mice also demonstrated impaired eosinophil recruitment but this appeared to be related to impaired Th2 cell function. Transcript analysis of CD4+ T cells generated during schistosome granuloma formation failed to show biased CCR8 expression but, having a more limited receptor repertoire, these cells were likely more dependent on CCR8 ligands. Together, these studies indicate an intricate involvement of chemokines in various stages and aspects of schistosomal egg Ag‐elicited granuloma formation.
Modulation of whitefly take‐off and flight orientation by wind speed and visual cues
Authors: Isaacs Rufus , Willis MarK. A. , Byrne David N. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe effect of different wind speeds on take‐off and flight orientation of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), was studied in the presence of a green visual stimulus which reflected 550 ± 10 nm light, or a white stimulus of the same intensity. When the white light was present, take‐off was negatively correlated with wind speed. Analysis of the flight tracks of whiteflies in 0, 15 and 30 cm/s wind with the white light present showed that flight was not directed toward the stimulus in zero wind, and that insects were carried downwind as the wind increased. Net displacement downwind was significantly slower than the wind speed, indicating that B. tabaci can control its rate of displacement relative to its surroundings, and is not always passively transported by the wind. In the presence of the green visual stimulus, take‐off and flight behaviour of B. tabaci was markedly different to that observed in the presence of the white light. Taking off was more likely and whiteflies made upwind orientated flights, landing on the illuminated section of the screen when it reflected green light. At all wind speeds tested, the mean ground speeds of B. tabaci were approximately 20 cm/s whether the insects were flying upwind or downwind. This uniformity of ground speed regardless of the changing effects of wind‐induced drift in different directions strongly suggests that whiteflies actively control their ground speed using visual flow fields in a manner similar to all other flying insects examined thus far.
The titres of lectins in the haemolymph of Lacanobia oleracea and the effects of parasitism by the ectoparasitoid wasp Eulophus pennicornis
Authors: Mosson Helen J. , Richards Elaine H. , Marris Gay C. , Edwards John P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSerum from larvae of Lacanobia oleracea L. (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) parasitized by Eulophus pennicornis (Hymenoptera; Eulophidae) and from normal non‐parasitized larvae is capable of agglutinating rabbit, sheep, calf, goat, chicken, horse and human erythrocytes, but not yeast. Studies with a range of inhibitory carbohydrates showed that serum lectins(s) had specificity for sugars containing galactose and for rhamnose, and for the glycosubstances fetuin and asialofetuin. Lectin activity is heat‐labile and is not dependent on calcium. Parasitism by E. pennicornis caused an increase in the agglutination titre of the serum from larvae of L. oleracea but not an increase in specific activity (titre per mg protein per ml). However, when venom from the venom gland of female wasps was injected into L. oleracea larvae, both the agglutinating activity and the specific activity of the larval serum increased. The possible causes of this increase are discussed. It is suggested that venom contains antigenic components which, when injected into the haemocoel of the L. oleracea larva, may be increasing lectin synthesis and/or release into the serum.
Distribution of lysozyme and protease, and amino acid concentration in the guts of a wood‐feeding termite, Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe): possible digestion of symbiont bacteria transferred by trophallaxis
Authors: Fujita Ai , Shimizu Isamu , Abe Takuya 
Published: March 2003

SummaryDistribution of lysozyme and protease, and amino acid concentration in the guts of a wood‐feeding termite, Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) were studied to examine the possibility that termites digest symbiont bacteria transferred by trophallaxis. Total lysozyme activity was found predominantly in the salivary gland and to a minor extent in the digestive tracts. However, specific lysozyme activity was high in the foregut as well as in the salivary gland. The similarity of the lysozyme pH profile of the salivary gland and of the foregut suggested that the foregut lysozyme came from the salivary gland. Major protease activity having the optimum pH of 7.5 was found in the midgut. Total free amino acid amount and concentration in the midgut was higher than elsewhere in the digestive tract. The possibility that lysozyme secreted from the salivary gland into the foregut digests hindgut bacteria transferred by trophallaxis was discussed.