bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decline in FEV1 in patients with PiZ alpha‐1‐antitrypsin deficiency: The Australian experience
Authors: BURDON JONATHAN G. W. , BRENTON SUE , HOCKING VANESSA , KNIGHT KENNETH R. , AYAD MONNA , COOK LUISA , JANS EDWARD D. 
Published: March 2003

Objective: Alpha‐1‐antitrypsin (α1antitrypsin) deficiency is a rare hereditary
disorder which characteristically presents with emphysema at an early age. The aim
of the present study was to determine whether the rate of decline of lung function
in α1antitrypsin‐deficient subjects in Australia was similar to that found elsewhere.Methodology: Patients registered with the Australian Alpha‐1‐Antitrypsin Replacement Program
were studied. All patients (n = 50) had a serum α1antitrypsin
concentration of < 0.3 g/L and had had spirometry measured over at least 2 years.
They were compared with a group of normal volunteers (hospital staff, n =
107) with normal α1antitrypsin levels and phenotypes and with no clinical
history of lung disease. All had spirometry measured for periods ranging from 2 to
6 years. The rate of decline of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)
for each subject was calculated by least squares linear regression using FEV1 against the time from entry into the study.Results: The group mean (± SD) rate of decline in FEV1 was significantly
greater (P < 0.01) in the α1antitrypsin‐deficient patients
(88 ± 71 mL/year) than for the normal controls (–15 ± 48 mL/year).
There was no difference in decline in FEV1 when the data was analysed for gender and for index versus non‐index cases.Conclusion: The results confirm previous reports of an accelerated rate of decline of FEV1
in patients with α1antitrypsin deficiency. Our results indicate that
the rate of decline of lung function in α1antitrypsin deficient subjects in Australia is similar to that found in reported series from elsewhere.
Sample survey of drug‐resistant tuberculosis in Henan, China, 1996
Authors: WANG GUOBIN , PENG YI LI , ZHANG GUOLONG , ZHANG LI , XING JIN , LI DENGXU , WANG LIN , SONG HUAIZHOU , DING DEHUANG , DUANMU HONG JIN , ZHANG ZHESHU , ZHANG GENGRONG 
Published: March 2003

Background: There is little reliable data on the global drug resistance to tuberculosis (TB) as most of the existing data is based upon biased samples, is not standardized or was obtained using poor techniques. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) developed a global project on anti‐TB drug resistance surveillance (DRS) in 1994. China joined this project in 1995 and the province of Henan was selected as the first site for collection of representative samples to survey the prevalence of drug‐resistant TB.Methodology: Standard drug susceptibility testing by the proportion method against streptomycin (S), isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), and ethambutol (E) was performed with Mycobacterium
tuberculosis isolated from 916 new cases and 456 previously treated cases. Treatment outcome of these patients has been evaluated according to the regimens and drug susceptibility patterns.Results: Drug resistance among new cases to any drug was found to be 43.0% and any resistance: S, 32.5%; H, 31.0%; R, 20.7%; and E, 10.3%. Drug resistance among previously treated cases to any drug was 68.2% and any resistance: S, 52.2%; H, 49.3%; R, 48.3%; and E, 20.4%. The cure rate for new cases was 43.3% and 29.4% for previously treated cases. The poor cure rate resulted mainly from a high defaulter rate.Conclusion: Drug‐resistant TB was found to be highly prevalent in Henan and the cure rate remained poor. The results strongly indicated that Henan should take immediate action to improve the cure rate of patients through expansion of the introduction of the directly observed treatment short‐course strategy.
The role of Interleukin‐8 in interstitial pneumonia
Authors: FUJIMORI Yoshiaki , KATAOKA Mikio , TADA Shinya , TAKEHARA Hideki , MATSUO Kiyoshi , MIYAKE Toshitsugu , OKAHARA Masayuki , YAMADORI Ichiro , TANIMOTO Mitsune 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  A variety of inflammatory cells accumulate in the lungs of patients with interstitial lung disease. The potential for IL‐8 to be released from these cells into the lungs of patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), interstitial pneumonia with collagen vascular disease (IP‐CVD), sarcoidosis (SAR) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) was investigated.Methodology:  IL‐8 levels were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in BAL fluid and serum, and the expression of IL‐8 in the lungs of these patients was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Results:  Serum IL‐8 levels were significantly elevated in patients with IIP (P < 0.05) and SAR (P < 0.01). In BAL fluid, the IL‐8 level was significantly higher in patients with IIP (P < 0.05), IP‐CVD (P < 0.01), SAR (P < 0.01) and HP (P < 0.01). In several cases, IL‐8 level correlated with neutrophil density. The IL‐8 immunopositive cells were type II pulmonary epithelial cells and alveolar and interstitial macrophages in patients with IIP and IP‐CVD.Conclusions:  IL‐8 is likely to be a key factor in the pathogenesis of fibrosis of the lung and in lung injury.
Variations in size structure, growth and reproduction in Japanese plantain (Plantago asiatica L.) between exposed and shaded populations
Authors: Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Okamoto Kazuyasu , Hori Yoshimichi 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Plantago asiatica is a perennial herb that is distributed over a wide range of east Eurasia. The population structure, growth and reproduction in exposed (E‐) and shaded (S‐) populations of P. asiatica were examined in the Kanto District of eastern Japan. In both populations, the plant size structure showed a bimodal distribution during spring to early summer, in which the two modes corresponded to smaller seedlings and larger overwintered plants, respectively. In autumn, this distribution became unimodal due to seedling growth. However, this change occurred later in the S‐population because of suppressed growth in the seedlings. In the S‐population, flowering also began later in the growing season and the threshold plant size for flowering was larger than that of the E‐population. Biomass allocation to the rhizomes was greater in autumn in the reproductive plants of the S‐population. Growth and biomass allocation in plants grown from seeds collected from each population were compared under phytotron conditions. Near a saturated photon flux density, E‐population plants had a higher relative growth rate than S‐population plants. Therefore, E‐population plants should allocate resources to reproductive organs sooner. Shaded population plants were not vigorous in their growth and reproduction. Seed size (dry weight per grain) was significantly greater in the S‐population than in the E‐population, both in the field and under phytotron conditions. These results suggest that ecotypic differentiation in life‐history strategies, which is mainly due to light availability, occurs among local P. asiatica populations. The effects of severe trampling on early reproduction in the E‐population are also discussed.
Demographic genetics of the American beech, Fagus grandifolia. II. Genet substructure of populations for the Blue Ridge, Piedmont and the Great Smoky Mountains
Authors: KITAMURA KEIKO , HOMMA KOSUKE , TAKASU HIDEKI , HAGIWARA SHINSUKE , UTECH FREDERICK H. , WHIGHAM DENIS F. , KAWANO SHOICHI 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPopulations of American beech in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina were investigated for demographic genetic substructurings. Two Virginia populations, one on the Blue Ridge (WG1) and the other on the Piedmont (WG2) occur over an elevational gradient of several hundreds meters. One of the Great Smoky Mountain populations (GS1) was in a ‘beech gap’ and the other (GS2) in a ‘cove forest’ along a creek. The populations in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park were only separated by a few hundred meters in elevation, but both on the same physiographic province. The populations had two growth forms. Trees produced extensive root suckers at WG1, GS1 and GS2, but WG2 had no root suckers and all individuals had obviously been established from seeds. A total of 1335 shoots were mapped at the four sites, their size measured [diameter at breast height (DBH) or diameter at ground height (DGH)], and genotypes were determined for each locus using allozyme analysis. FIS among five different size‐classes revealed an excess of homozygotes in WG1, GS1 and GS2, and an excess of heterozygotes in WG2. The offshoot formation from root suckers obviously contributed to the abundance of intermediate size‐classes in WG1, GS1 and GS2. Exceedingly localized patchiness of different multilocus genotypes reveals genetic clustering of shoots that have obviously originated from root suckers in WG1, GS1 and GS2. The Piedmont population (WG2), on the other hand, showed loose localization of genetically related trees at a scale of 35–40 m in area, suggesting broader ranges of pollen and seed dispersal. The data are discussed in the light of the differences in growth form and mode of reproduction, and also in relation to the post‐glacial migration and the current geographic distribution of the species.
Unfavorable lipid profiles in mild obesity with excess body fat percentage
Authors: Tamura Akiho , Mori Tetsuo , Komiyama Atsushi 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of subclassifications of overweight children using the body fat percentage (Fat%) to predict the serum lipid profile.
Methods
: School children (431, 236 boys and 195 girls) aged 9–12 years were divided into three obesity groups (non‐, mild and advanced obesity) and were further divided into two subgroups according to the Fat% measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The mean fasting serum lipid levels were also evaluated.
Results
: In the non‐obesity and the advanced obesity groups, the Fat%‐based subclassification demonstrated no essential differences in lipid profiles or in the prevalence of hyperlipidemia between the two subgroups. However, in the mild obesity group, the levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride and the atherogenic index were significantly higher and the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly lower in the adipositic subgroup (Fat%≥ age/sex‐specific cut‐off value) than in the non‐adipositic subgroup. Multiple comparison of lipid levels among all six categories of children indicated that the adipositic subgroup of mild obesity had no advantage over the advanced obesity group with respect to the atherogenic potential and that the non‐adipositic subgroup of mild obesity showed no additional risks compared to the non‐obesity group. Moreover, the prevalence of hyperlipidemia in the adipositic subgroup of mild obesity (50.0%) was significantly different from that in its non‐adipositic counterpart (13.3%) and was equivalent to that in the advanced obesity group.
Conclusions
: These results suggest that Fat% evaluation is useful to divide mildly obese children into two distinct subtypes based on serum lipid profiles and that the excess Fat% in mildly obese school children is a predictor of atherogenesis.
Short‐term developmental outcome of iron prophylaxis in infants
Authors: Yalçin S Songül , Yurdakök Kadriye , Açikgöz Demet , Özmert Elif 
Published: March 2003

Background
: Previous studies on the cognitive effects of iron treatment have focused on anemic or non‐anemic iron‐deficient infants. The effect of iron supplementation on cognitive development among iron‐sufficient infants has not been studied. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of iron supplementation on performance in the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) and anthropometric measurement in 6‐month‐old iron‐sufficient healthy infants.
Methods
: Healthy, iron‐sufficient infants who were 6 months of age and were attending the Well Baby Clinic were considered for enrollment. Infants were randomly assigned to take ferrous sulfate supplementation (1 mg/kg per day) or no supplementation and were followed for 3 months. Anthropometric measurement, hematologic status and BSID were evaluated on admission and after 3 months.
Results
: Seven infants in the intervention group and nine in the control group completed the study. No significant differences were observed in anthropometric measurements and complete blood counts between the two groups after the 3 month study period. The mean transferrin saturation (TS) level decreased significantly in the control group during the study period (from 15.3~2.6 to 7.8~5.1%; P=0.0117), but no such reduction was seen in the intervention group. At the end of the study, the TS of the control group was found to be significantly lower than that of the intervention group (7.8~5.1 vs 19.9~7.9%, respectively; P=0.0033). The BSID scores of infants in both groups were within the normal range on admission and at the end of the study period.
Conclusions
: Short‐term iron supplementation did not change developmental test scores despite the hematologic response in iron‐sufficient healthy infants. The high prevelance of iron‐deficiency anemia and its relationship with adverse developmental outcome suggests that prevention of iron‐deficiency anemia with prophylaxis needs to be emphasized, rather than treatment.
Pattern of human leukocyte antigens in Turkish children with celiac disease
Authors: Tümer Leyla , Altuntaş Buket , Hasanoğlu Alev , Söylemezoğlu Oğuz , Arinsoy Turgay 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
: Regional variations in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) distribution patterns of celiac disease (CD) have been reported. The aim of the present study was to assess the distribution of HLA class I and class II in Turkish children with CD and to compare the findings with a control group.
Methods
: Human leukocyte antigen typing was performed in 33 children with CD and in 77 healthy individuals, who served as controls, by using standard National Institutes of Health lymphocytotoxicity techniques.
Results
: A positive association was found between HLA A2 (42 vs 19% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively), B8 (39 vs 9% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively), CW7 (45 vs 25% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively), DR3 (70 vs 17% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively), DR7 (30 vs 13% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively) and DQ2 (52 vs 34% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively). The combinations of DR3–DQ2 (30 vs 12% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively), DR3–DR4 (21 vs 1% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively) and DR7–DQ2 (21 vs 6% for sick subjects compared with healthy controls, respectively) were also found to be significantly important in children with CD. The highest relative risk (RR) was for HLA B8 in class I (RR 6.50), for DR3 (RR 11.30) in class II and for combination of DR3–DR4 (RR 20.46). The highest etiologic fraction (EF) was for the DR3 antigen (EF 0.55).
Conclusions
: The present study emphasizes that HLA genotypes are an important background to CD development, but some additional susceptibility factors remain to be identified.
Pulmonary sequelae in long‐term survivors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Ng Daniel Kwok‐Keung , Lau Winnie Yuen‐Wah , Lee So‐Lun 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common problem in premature babies. Long‐term sequelae are the main concerns.
Methods
: A retrospective review of all BPD children born in Queen Mary Hospital, a teaching hospital of the University of Hong Kong, from January 1987 to December 1995 was conducted. Children with cerebral palsy, immunodeficiency, congenital heart disorders, renal or liver failure were excluded from analysis. Chest radiography (CXR), electrocardiogram (ECG) and pulse oximetry were routinely performed.
Results
: Fifty‐five children completed the study. The female to male ratio was 1 : 1.1. The mean gestational age was 28 weeks. Twenty‐five children were born with a birthweight of less than 1001 g. Mean age at assessment was 5.4 years. Twenty‐four children (44%) demonstrated signs or symptoms of current asthma. Only seven children managed to perform the spirometry satisfactorily. One child had low forced vital capacity and one had hyperresponsive airway. The only risk factor found to be associated with current asthma was the birth month, with those children born early in the year at higher risk of developing current asthma. Seventeen of 48 children (35%) had a bodyweight below the third percentile at the corrected age of 1 year. Eleven of these seventeen children (65%) demonstrated catch‐up growth at assessment. Abnormal CXR was found in 25 of 40 children (63%). All had normal pulse oximetry and ECG.
Conclusions
: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia children had a significantly higher risk than the general population of developing current asthma (odds ratio 4.7; 95% confidence interval 3.4–6.5; P<0.0001). The importance of birth month suggests that early life experience is important in the pathogenesis of asthma, even in BPD children. The long‐term growth of BPD children was much better than previously reported.
Idiopathic sustained left ventricular tachycardia in pediatric patients
Authors: Yasui Kiyoshi , Shibata Toshimitsu , Yokoyama Utako , Nishizawa Takashi , Takigiku Kiyohiro , Sakon Takuma , Kobayashi Hirohide , Iwamoto Mari , Nimura Ichiro 
Published: March 2003

Background
: Idiopathic sustained ventricular tachycardia originating from the left ventricle (ILVT) has been an indication for catheter ablation. The present study evaluated the clinical features, long‐term prognosis and indications for treatment in pediatric patients with ILVT.
Methods
: The subjects of the present study were eight patients (four males and four females) with a mean age at onset of 11.0 years (range 3–15 years). The mean follow‐up period was 7.7 years (range 2.1–11.3 years).
Results
: In electrophysiologic studies, intravenously administered verapamil was effective for the termination of tachycardia in all six patients who received this treatment and for the prevention of tachycardia in four of five patients. Oral administration of verapamil was effective in five of seven patients. Propranolol or flecainide was added to the treatment protocol for two patients who did not respond to verapamil alone. Tachycardia disappeared without drugs in four patients during the follow‐up period and became non‐sustained in another patient. Two of three patients with persistent tachycardia underwent catheter ablation. Pharmacologic treatment was very effective for ILVT among these patients.
Conclusions
: Pharmacologic therapy, such as with verapamil, is still the treatment of choice for ILVT because of a good long‐term prognosis and potential risks and complications by manipulation of catheter ablation.
Endomysium antibodies in the diagnosis of celiac disease in short‐statured children with no gastrointestinal symptoms
Authors: Tümer Leyla , Hasanoglu Alev , Aybay Cemalettin 
Published: March 2003

Background
: Endomysium antibodies (EmAb) are strongly associated with untreated celiac disease and are suggested to be diagnostic. The aim of the present study was to assess the value of anti‐EmAb for celiac disease screening in children with short stature.
Methods
: In 84 children with height less than the third percentile for age, preliminary work‐ups were made to find a cause for their short stature and then their serum was assayed for anti‐EmAb by indirect immunofluorescence tests using monkey esophagus.
Results
: Seven children were strongly positive for EmAb and all had positive histologic findings for celiac disease.
Conclusions
: Our results show that there is an association with occult celiac disease and idiopathic short stature and that the serum anti‐EmAb test is useful in identifying such cases.
Effect of gestational age on plasma fibronectin concentrations in the neonate
Authors: Topaloglu A Kemal , Hallioglu Olgu , Duzovali Oznur , Amac Aysel , Yilgor Esat 
Published: March 2003

Background
: Fibronectin (FN) is known to have important roles in host defense against infection. The risk for neonatal sepsis increases with the degree of immaturity of the host. Conflicting results have been reported on the relationship between plasma FN levels and gestational age (GA) in the preterm neonate.
Methods
: In the present study, we determined plasma FN concentrations with an immunodiffusion method in 40 newborns of various gestational ages, ranging from 30 to 42 weeks.
Results
: We found a strong direct correlation between plasma FN levels and GA (r=0.86; P<0.001).
Conclusions
: We speculate that the increased risk for neonatal sepsis with degree of prematurity may, in part, be explained by impaired defense with decreasing plasma FN levels seen with lessening GA.
Catheter closure of moderate to large sized patent ductus arteriosus using the simultaneous double or triple coil technique
Authors: Akagi Teiji , Mizumoto Yoshie , Iemura Motofumi , Tananari Yoshifumi , Ishii Masahiro , Maeno Yasuki , Kato Hirohisa 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
: Although the clinical experience with transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus using the coils has grown rapidly, one important complication of this procedure using the conventional Gianturco coil was the migration of coils into peripheral vessels. This is especially for patients with a relatively larger size ductus and the risk for such complications could be increased. In this situation, the detachable coil may have some technical benefits to perform coil occlusion and reduce the incidence of complications.
Methods
: We describe the clinical efficacy of a simultaneous double or triple coil occlusion technique using the Cook detachable coil or bioptome delivered 0.052 inch Gianturco coil to close the ductus arteriosus. This was performed in patients whose ductus diameter was greater than 3.0 mm.
Results
: From February 1995 to December 2000, 118 patients with patent ductus arteriosus were treated by coil occlusion using Cook detachable coils, of whom 58 patients whose minimum diameter of ductus ≥ 3.0 mm were reviewed. All patients had successful placement of coils. According to the evaluation by color flow mapping, a trivial shunt was observed in 17 patients (29%) within 24 h after the procedure. In 11 out of 17 patients, a residual shunt was not detected 1 month after the procedure. At 6 months after the procedure, the residual shunt was detected only in three patients.
Conclusions
: Although this study did not calculate the statistical significance between detachable and non‐detachable coils in term of occlusion rate, our institutional experience suggests that the simultaneous double or triple coil technique using the detachable or 0.052 inch Gianturco coils can reduce the prevalence of coil migration or complications.