bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of canine Old World visceral leishmaniasis: a systematic review
Authors: NOLI CHIARA , AUXILIA SILVIA T. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic disease caused byLeishmania infantum. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate the evidence of efficacy of interventions for treatment or prevention of canine visceral leishmaniasis, and to propose recommendations for or against their use. Forty‐seven articles describing clinical trials published between 1980 and 2004 fulfilled selection criteria. The evaluation of clinical trials provided good evidence for recommending the use of meglumine antimoniate at a minimum dosage of 100 mg kg−1daily for at least 3–4 weeks, combined with allopurinol in order to obtain a good clinical efficacy and a reduced relapse rate. The evaluation of the articles also provided fair evidence for recommending the use of pentamidine (4 mg kg−1twice weekly) and aminosidine (5 mg kg−1twice daily) for 3–4 weeks. There was insufficient evidence for recommending the use of allopurinol alone, amphotericin B, buparvaquone, ketoconazole, enrofloxacin, and the combinations of metronidazole with spiramicyn or metronidazole with enrofloxacin. Fair evidence against the use of aminosidine at high dosages (20–80 mg kg−1per day) was proposed due to its side effects. Evaluation of articles on repellent measures against sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis provided good evidence for recommending deltamethrin collars and fair evidence for recommending spot‐on permethrin.
Prevalence of the group 1 Dermatophagoides allergens Der p 1 and Der f 1 in homes with no dogs, healthy dogs and Dermatophagoides‐sensitized atopic dogs in Liverpool
Authors: RAFFAN ELEANOR , LAWRENCE HELEN , HENDERSON THOMAS , NELSON SARAH , ISHERWOOD DIANA , McARDLE CLAIRE , NUTTALL TIM 
Published: August 2005

Abstract  Dermatophagoides farinae is a frequent allergen in canine atopic dermatitis despite its reported scarcity in the UK, and the aim of this study was to determine whether dogs were uniquely exposed to this species. Der f 1 and Der p 1 in dust collected from living room carpets, bedroom carpets and dog beds of 13 houses with no dogs, 13 with healthy dogs, and 16 with Dermatophagoides‐sensitized atopic dogs were quantified by ELISA. Der p 1 levels (µg g−1 house dust) were significantly higher than Der f 1 in living rooms (Der p 1 median = 1.9, 95% CI = 2.05–6.32, n = 42; Der f 1 median = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01–0.06, n = 42), bedrooms (Der p 1 median = 4.35, SD = 5.52; Der f 1 median = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.001–0.1, n = 42) and dog beds (Der p 1 median = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.4–8.1, n = 29; Der f 1 median = 0.008, 95% CI = 0.01–0.04, n = 29) (P < 0.0001). Living rooms in houses without dogs had significantly greater Der p 1 levels (median = 7.0, 95% CI = 3.53–15.8, n = 13) than houses with healthy (median = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.44–3.49, n = 13) or atopic dogs (median = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.63–2.42, n = 16) (P = 0.0004). Environmental flea control in living rooms and washing dog beds was associated with significantly reduced Der p 1 levels. This confirms that D. pteronyssinus is common but D. farinae is rare in the sampling area. Apparent sensitization to D. farinae is probably due to cross‐reaction. A combination of environmental measures could reduce allergen exposure.
Associations of major histocompatibility complex class I chain‐related molecule polymorphisms with Behcet's disease in Caucasian patients
Authors: Hughes E.H. , Collins R.W.M. , Kondeatis E. , Wallace G.R. , Graham E.M. , Vaughan R.W. , Stanford M.R. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract:  HLA‐B*51 is known to be associated with Behcet's disease (BD) in many ethnic groups. The pathogenic gene, however, may lie close to the HLA‐B locus and therefore be in linkage disequilibrium with HLA‐B*51. On the basis of the proximity of MIC genes to HLA‐B, their expression pattern and their affinity for the activating NKG2D receptor on natural killer (NK) cells and γδ T cells, these molecules have been postulated as susceptibility factors in BD. DNA from 56 western European Caucasians with BD and 90 Caucasian controls were analysed by polymerase chain reaction using allele‐specific primers for MICA and MICB alleles. An increased allele frequency of MICA*009 was found in the BD patient group (25.0%) when compared with the controls (7.2%). This was associated with a corresponding decrease in MICA*008 in the BD patients (36.6%) compared with the controls (46.7%), which was not significant. MICA*009 was strongly associated with the presence of HLA‐B*51 in patients and controls. No significant difference in frequency of MICB alleles was found between patients and controls. Both

HLA‐B*51 and MICA*009 are strongly associated with BD in a pure Caucasian BD patient group, and the two alleles are in linkage disequilibrium. No MICB allele was found to associate significantly with the disease, an unexpected finding considering the close proximity of the MICA and MICB loci. Our results suggest that while MICB does not influence the development of BD, polymorphisms in MICA may be pathogenic, perhaps through the interaction with NK and γδ T cells.
Difficult asthma in adults: recognition and approaches to management
Authors: Harrison B. D. W. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract Difficult asthma must be distinguished from severe asthma. It is then important in patients with suspected difficult asthma to ensure that the diagnosis is correct, and that if the patient has asthma that the attributed symptoms are indeed all genuinely due to the asthma and not to coexisting physical or psychogenic respiratory conditions. It is also important to be alert when there is discordance between symptoms and objective lung function in order to recognize both poor perceivers and over‐reactors. Difficult asthma can occur in patients with objectively mild, moderate or severe disease, but the consequences are most dramatic in patients with severe asthma. Asthma may be difficult for the patient, for the clinician or both because of disease factors, doctor or nurse therapist factors, and/or patient factors. Investigation requires access to the full range of respiratory, imaging and allergy tests. It also requires a multidisciplinary approach involving ear, nose and throat specialists and speech therapists, and access to psychiatric and psychological assessment and therapies. Poor compliance is associated with significantly poorer asthma and asthma‐related health outcomes. Poor compliance can be recognized in two‐thirds of such patients by their not attending scheduled appointments. Poor compliance is significantly associated with anxiety, social deprivation and adverse family circumstances, and these characteristics and adversities probably contribute to the poorly compliant behaviour. In difficult asthma it is important to identify and manage the condition causing the symptoms rather than prescribing more and more asthma therapy. Recognizing psychosocial adversity is essential. A structured approach is essential. There remains a small number of patients with genuine steroid‐resistant asthma, some with predominately neutrophilic rather than eosinophilic airway inflammation, and others for whom the secondary gain of continuing symptoms is overwhelming. There is a need for further research using agreed definitions, structured approaches and a full range of investigations in patients with difficult asthma. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 543–547)
Glargine is superior to neutral protamine Hagedorn for improving glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood glucose levels during intensive insulin therapy
Authors: Fulcher G. R. , Gilbert R. E. , Yue D. K. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract Aim: To compare glycaemic control and symptomatic hypoglycaemia rates with glargine versus neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) in poorly controlled type 1 diabetes patients.Methods: Patients (n = 125) received preprandial insulin lispro and either glargine (n = 62) or NPH (n = 63) at bedtime for 30 weeks in a multicentre, randomized, single‐blind (a blinded investigator made titration decisions) study. Basal insulin dosage was titrated to achieve fasting blood glucose (FBG) values <5.5 mmol/L.Results:  Baseline characteristics were similar for the two groups (mean diabetes duration 17.5 ± 10.1 years) except mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), which was lower in the glargine versus NPH group (9.2 ± 1.1% vs 9.7 ± 1.3%; P < 0.02). At end‐point, mean HbA1c was 8.3 versus 9.1% for the glargine versus NPH groups. Adjusted least‐squares mean (LSM) change from baseline was –1.04 versus –0.51%, a significant treatment benefit of 0.53% for HbA1c in favour of glargine (P < 0.01). Mean baseline FBG were similar for the glargine and NPH groups (11.2 vs 11.4 mmol/L). The means for end‐point FBG were 7.9 versus 9.0 mmol/L. Adjusted LSM change from baseline was –3.46 versus –2.34 mmol/L, with a significant difference of 1.12 mmol/L in favour of glargine (P < 0.05). There were similar total numbers of daytime mild, moderate or severe hypoglycaemia episodes in the two treatment arms. However, significantly fewer moderate or severe nocturnal hypoglycaemic episodes were observed in the glargine group (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02).Conclusion:  Glargine is superior to NPH for improving HbA1c and FBG levels during intensive insulin therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes, and is associated with less severe nocturnal hypoglycaemia. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 536–542)
Mannose‐binding lectin: biology and clinical implications
Authors: Worthley D. L. , Bardy P. G. , Mullighan C. G. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract The innate host defence molecule mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) has attracted great interest as a potential candidate for passive immunotherapy to prevent infection. MBL is a multimeric lectin that recognizes a wide array of pathogens independently of specific antibody, and initiates the lectin pathway of complement activation. The basic structural unit is a triple helix of MBL peptides, which aggregate into complement‐fixing higher‐order structures (tetramers, pentamers and hexamers). The gene encoding MBL, MBL2, contains several common polymorphisms that influence transcription and assembly of the molecule into multimers. MBL2 coding alleles associated with low blood levels are present in up to 40% of Caucasoids, with up to 8% having genotypes associated with profound reduction in circulating MBL levels. Low‐producing MBL2 variants and low MBL levels are associated with increased susceptibility to and severity of a variety of infective illnesses, particularly when immunity is already compromised – for example, in infants and young children, patients with cystic fibrosis, and after chemotherapy and transplantation. These observations suggest that administration of recombinant or purified MBL may be of benefit in clinical settings where MBL deficiency is associated with a high burden of infection. This review provides a background to MBL biology and disease associations, and identifies the exciting therapeutic possibilities of MBL replacement. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 548–555)
Epiglottitis in Sydney before and after the introduction of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b disease
Authors: Wood N. , Menzies R. , McIntyre P. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract Background:  Acute epiglottitis due to infection with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is much less common in children following the introduction of Hib vaccination; however, adult epiglottitis cases have not decreased. In addition, epiglottitis hospitalizations are consistently more numerous than notifications and the reason for this is not clear.Aims:  To more accurately describe the clinical, aetiological and epidemiological features of epiglottitis and to ascertain the accuracy of hospitalization data in an era of widespread Hib vaccination.Methods:  Medical records in 11 public hospitals in three area health services in New South Wales with a principal or stay diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐9‐CM or ICD‐10‐AM code) of acute epiglottitis between July 1990 and June 1992 (prior to Hib vaccination = pre‐vaccine era) and July 1998 and June 2000 (widespread Hib vaccination = vaccine era) were reviewed. Case definitions of epiglottitis were applied.Results:  One hundred and forty‐two records were identified (114 pre‐vaccine era and 28 vaccine era). Incorrect coding was more common in vaccine era records (32 vs 7%). Of correctly coded records, adults over 20 years old comprised the majority in the vaccine era (84 vs 17%). Hib bacteraemia was identified in 62% of cases in the pre‐vaccine era compared to no cases in the vaccine era, despite equivalent blood cultures being taken between the two eras (84 vs 74%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the only other organism isolated. Three deaths were recorded (1 child, 2 adults), all in the pre‐vaccine era.Conclusions:  Acute epiglottitis hospitalizations in the current Hib vaccine era are predominantly in adults, and rarely are Hib or other causative organisms identified, although microbiological data are often incomplete. The discrepancy between hospitalization and notification data appears to be due to misclassification of hospitalization records. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 530–535)
From advance directives to advance care planning: current legal status, ethical rationales and a new research agenda
Authors: Jordens C. , Little M. , Kerridge I. , McPhee J. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract This paper uses a case example to review the current legal status of advance directives, as well as their ethical rationale. We draw attention to ongoing efforts to institutionalize advance directives, and to some of the tractable and intractable reasons why advance directives are ineffective. We then introduce the concept of advance care planning, and argue that we should not assume that advance care directives have a place in this process. We conclude by offering three reasons why this assumption may operate, and by suggesting that contingency and uncertainty may sometimes overwhelm all rational approaches to medical care. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 563–566)
Comprehensive geriatric assessment for community‐dwelling elderly in Asia compared with those in Japan: IV. Savannakhet in Laos
Authors: Okumiya Kiyohito , Ishine Masayuki , Wada Taizo , Cruz Matheus , Cruz Idiane , Ishine Naoko , Sakagami Teiji , Kita Tohru , Kaneda Eiko , Moji Kazuhiko , Pongvongsa Tiengkham , Nakamura Satoshi , Akimichi Tomoya , Boupha Boungnong , Kawakita Toshiko , Fushida Mutsuko , Matsubayashi Kozo 
Published: August 2005

Background:  The objective of the present study is to compare the findings of comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGA) of community‐dwelling elderly people living in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) with those in Japan.Methods:  A cross‐sectional, interview‐ and examination‐based study was undertaken. The subjects consisted of community‐dwelling elderly people in Songkhon, a rural district in Laos and in Sonobe, a rural town in Kyoto, Japan. Two hundred and ninety‐four people aged 60 years and over in Laos and 411 aged 65 years and over in Japan were examined using a common CGA tool. Interviews pertaining to activities of daily living (ADL), medical and social history, quality of life (QOL) and Geriatric Depression Scale as well as anthropometric, and blood chemical examinations were included in the assessment.Results:  All scores for basic and instrumental ADL, intellectual activity and social roles, body mass index, prevalence of hypertension, mean total and HDL cholesterol levels were lower in Laos than in Japan, while prevalence of depression, impaired glucose tolerance and anemia were higher in Laos than in Japan.Conclusion:  Differences in lifestyle and medical status were found between economically developing Laos and highly developed Japan. Almost all comprehensive geriatric functions such as ADL, QOL, mood and nutritional condition in blood chemistry were lower in the elderly in Songkhon than in Kyoto. Of particular note were the higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and anemia and lower prevalence of hypertension in the elderly population in Songkhon district, which should be examined in future studies.
Walking duration and habitual exercise related to bone mineral density using computer‐assisted X‐ray densitometry in Japanese women
Authors: Kato Yuichiro , Ishikawa‐Takata Kazuko , Yasaku Kyoko , Koitaya Noriko , Okawa Yayoi , Kawakami Osamu , Ohta Toshiki 
Published: August 2005

Background:  We conducted a survey to examine the difference in metacarpal bone mineral density (BMD) associated with the duration of walking and participation in habitual exercise in order to assess the benefits of walking for the prevention of bone loss in Japanese women.Methods:  The subjects were 1873 healthy women (premenopausal, n = 1502; postmenopausal, n = 371), aged 18–72 years, who were screened for osteoporosis at health‐care centers. They were classified into pre‐ (n = 1502), early post‐ (0–5 years since menopause, n = 195) and late post‐menopausal (6–20 years since menopause, n = 176) phases. The metacarpal BMD was measured by computer‐assisted X‐ray densitometry. Subjects completed a questionnaire on lifestyle factors that included habitual exercise and daily walking time. To consider the factors of aging and physical characteristics, the BMD of all subjects was adjusted for age and height using a multiple non‐linear model based on the data for premenopausal women.Results:  anova indicated significant differences in adjusted BMD (BMDadj) in all menopausal phases according to walking duration and whether or not habitual exercise was engaged in. Premenopausal and early postmenopausal women who walked for over 30 min a day had a significantly greater BMDadj than those walking for less than 30 min (2.743 vs 2.684 mm thickness of an aluminum equivalent [mm Al]; and 2.711 vs 2.597 mm Al, respectively). Late postmenopausal women who walked for over 120 min had a significantly greater BMDadj than those walking under 30 min per day (2.746 vs 2.539 mm Al).Conclusion:  These findings suggest that daily walks of more than 30 min also affect the metacarpal BMD, which is a non‐weight bearing site, although walking over 120 min seems required to benefit late postmenopausal women. We conclude that such daily walks appeared to be beneficial in maintaining BMD in Japanese women.
Relationships of muscle strength and power with leisure‐time physical activity and adolescent exercise in middle‐aged and elderly Japanese women
Authors: Kozakai Rumi , Doyo Wataru , Tsuzuku Shigeki , Yabe Kyonosuke , Miyamura Miharu , Ikegami Yasuo , Niino Naoakira , Ando Fujiko , Shimokata Hiroshi 
Published: August 2005

Aim:  The purpose of the present study is to assess the relationships of muscle strength and power with recent leisure‐time physical activity and exercise during adolescence in middle‐aged and elderly Japanese women.Methods:  The subjects consisted of 1128 community‐dwelling women aged 40–79 years. They were interviewed about their physical activity habits during leisure time in the past 12 months and exercise they engaged in during adolescence. Muscle function was measured as grip strength, knee extension strength and leg extension power. Subjects were grouped into three intensity levels for leisure‐time physical activity and as to whether or not they engaged in adolescent exercise. The relationships of muscle strength and power with leisure‐time physical activity and adolescent exercise were assessed using analysis of covariance controlled for age, smoking status, annual income and education level.Results:  The proportion of subjects that participated in leisure‐time physical activity was 67.1% (light, 33.7%; moderate or heavy, 33.4%). The subjects that engaged in adolescent exercise represented 41.9% of the total. There was a significant relationship between leisure‐time physical activity and adolescent exercise. In the analysis of covariance controlled for age, smoking status, annual income and education level, leisure‐time physical activity and adolescent exercise had significant main effects on all muscle strength and power measurements. However, there was no interaction effect between leisure‐time physical activity and adolescent exercise.Conclusion:  The results suggest that current leisure‐time physical activity and adolescent exercise benefit muscle function in middle‐aged and elderly women.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment for community‐dwelling elderly in Asia compared with those in Japan: V. West Java in Indonesia
Authors: Wada Taizo , Wada Chizu , Ishine Masayuki , Okumiya Kiyohito , Kawakita Toshiko , Fushida Mutsuko , Kita Toru , Mizuno Kosuke , Matsubayashi Kozo 
Published: August 2005

Background:  The objective of the present study is to compare the findings of comprehensive geriatric assessments between community‐dwelling elderly in Indonesia and those in Japan.Methods:  A cross‐sectional, interview‐ and examination‐based was undertaken. Subjects of the study consisted of community‐dwelling elderly living in two rural towns in Indonesia and in a town in Japan: 436 people aged 62 years and over who were living in two rural towns in west Java in Indonesia, and 411 people aged 65 years and over who were living in Kyoto, Japan. They were examined using a common comprehensive geriatric assessment tool. Interviews, or mail surveys were conducted pertaining to activities of daily living (ADL), medical and social history, quality of life (QOL) and the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale, as well as anthropometric, neurobehavioral and blood chemical examinations were included in the assessment. The findings from the three groups were compared using anova and Post Hoc Scheffe's F‐test.Results:  The scores of basic ADLs, instrumental self‐maintenance, intellectual activities, social role and Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG‐IC) were lower in the two Indonesian towns than in Japan. The prevalence of depression (15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale score of 6 or more and of 10 or more) was higher and QOL scores, except subjective sense of family and friend relationship, were lower in the Indonesian elderly subjects than in the Japanese ones. Mean blood pressure measurements and the proportion of subjects with systolic pressure > 140 mmHg or diastolic pressure > 90 mmHg was higher in Indonesia than in Japan while body mass index was lower in the Indonesians than in Japanese. Total cholesterol levels and blood hemoglobin levels were lower in the Indonesian elderly than in the Japanese.Conclusion:  In economically developing Indonesia, the elderly had lower ADLs and QOLs, than Japanese elderly. Of particular note is the higher rate of hypertension in West Java in Indonesia, which is probably associated with dietary habits. Although several trials for examining or caring system for old people have been implemented in Indonesia, they have begun only recently.