bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Educational success for children in public care: advice from a group of high achievers
Authors: Martin Pearl Y. , Jackson Sonia 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTResearch over the past 20 years has consistently shown that children in public care fall behind at school, seldom achieve good qualifications, and are much less likely than their peers to go on to further or higher education. However, a small minority of looked‐after children do well academically. This paper examines the opinions of 38 high‐achieving young people who spent at least a year in residential or foster care on what they think are the best ways to enhance the educational experience of looked‐after children. An evaluation of four key questions from a semistructured interview highlighted the importance of foster carers, residential workers, social workers and teachers in providing support and encouragement for academic achievement. On the other hand, many of these individuals emphasized their dislike of being ‘singled out’ by the teacher. A third of the participants believed that negative stereotypes and low expectations of children in care among professionals and care providers were major obstacles to their educational success. Over half the sample reported that in many children’s homes basic necessities such as books, a desk and a quiet place to do homework were lacking. In addition their opportunity to engage in outside interests and hobbies was severely limited. By contrast, for these individuals foster care had provided better opportunities. On entering higher education the majority of the participants had faced severe problems. They stressed the need for continuing financial support and adequate year‐round accommodation, because, unlike most students, these care leavers usually have no parental home to return to during university vacations. A third of participants also felt a strong desire for a ‘guardian angel’ to support and encourage them during their time at university. The paper concludes that the views of these thoughtful and resilient individuals should be taken very seriously and translated into improvements in policy and practice. Official guidance now highlights the importance of education for looked‐after children, but changing attitudes and priorities at ground level presents a major challenge.
‘Undeserving’ mothers? Practitioners’ experiences working with young mothers in/from care
Authors: Rutman Deborah , Strega Susan , Callahan Marilyn , Dominelli Lena 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAlthough teen pregnancy is on the rise in Canada, and while adolescent mothering in general has received considerable recent attention from researchers, there is a paucity of information about the particular experiences of young women who become mothers while in government care. Emerging out of a study guided by a grounded theory methodology to address this knowledge gap, this paper examines the experiences and perspectives of government‐based social workers who work with young mothers in/from care. Our findings indicated that social workers reflect prevailing middle class values, including norms about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ parenting, and centred around the belief that adolescent pregnancy is, in and of itself, bad. One of the most significant ramifications of workers’ values was their belief about the inevitability of ‘the cycle’: of children in care begetting children who ultimately came into care. Ironically, though workers and young mothers were both preoccupied by the concept of ‘the cycle’, and each were determined to break it, the two groups had very different ideas about what the cycle was all about and what perpetuated it. Unfortunately, this disjunction in perspectives, along with major recent shifts in the direction of child welfare policy and practice and related constraints in the resources at workers’ disposal, conjoined to create significant barriers to what workers and young women both recognized as supportive practice with youth in care.
Maternal report of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in preschool children
Authors: Gimpel G A , Kuhn B R 
Published: March 2003

SummaryTwo hundred and fifty‐three mothers were surveyed regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in their preschool children (aged 2–6 years). Twenty‐four children (9.5%) met DSM‐IV criteria (criterion A only) for ADHD based solely on parent report. Mean ratings of the three core symptoms of ADHD (hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness) were in the mid‐range on a 1–7 point scale, with mothers indicating their children were most likely to be impulsive. Positive parental endorsement of the 18 individual DSM‐IV symptoms of ADHD ranged from 4% for ‘loses things necessary for tasks’, to 28.4% for ‘is on the go or acts as if driven by a motor’. Males and children of less‐educated parents were more likely to receive endorsement of ADHD symptoms. There were no differences with respect to age of the child or birth order (first vs later born). Global ratings of hyperactivity and inattentiveness predicted overall ratings of ADHD but when classification rates were examined, high global ratings were not predictive of diagnosis. These results lend support to the notion that relying solely on parents’ verbal reports of isolated ADHD symptoms may lead to over‐identification of the disorder. Thus, using full DSM‐IV diagnostic criteria and including standardized behaviour rating scales across multiple informants and settings, is recommended.
Screening for developmental language disability in 3‐year‐old children. Experiences from a field study in a Swedish municipality
Authors: Westerlund M , Sundelin C 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis study evaluates a screening instrument for identification of severe developmental language disability (DLD) in 3‐year‐old children, which is used as a routine assessment at several child health centres (CHCs) in Sweden. The results are reported in terms of clinical outcome (false‐ and true‐positive rates), kind and extent of DLD, signs of comorbidity and relation between nurses’ and parents’ observations. More than 60 CHC nurses, all with experience of the screening instrument, assessed in all 2359 3‐year‐old children (98% of the whole population) by direct observation of their language comprehension, language production and level of co‐operation. In addition to the screening parents answered a questionnaire. Children who failed the screening had their hearing assessed and were clinically examined by trained speech and language therapists. Forty‐four (34 boys and ten girls) of the 65 referred children were clinically examined. Apart from two false‐positive cases most of them were diagnosed as generally and severely language disabled. According to the nurses’ observations attention deficit was common among the referred boys, which was later confirmed by the speech therapist in two‐thirds of them. Agreement between nurses and parents was poor and only half of the parents were concerned about their child’s language development. In the light of this result, continued application of the screening and the use of parent questionnaires is discussed.
Sleep problems in primary school children: comparison between mainstream and special school children
Authors: Quine L 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis paper reports on a study of the prevalence and social correlates of dyssomnias, features associated with obstructive sleep apnoea, and parasomnias in primary school children aged 4–12. Head teachers of schools selected randomly from lists of local primary and special schools were contacted by telephone and asked to distribute a questionnaire package to the parents of all pupils aged 4–12 years. In all, 890 parents of children from mainstream schools and 300 from special schools were approached. The response rates were 64.7% and 60%, respectively. The results showed that significantly higher proportions of children in special schools than in mainstream schools presented four of the five dyssomnias investigated and all of the features associated with obstructive sleep apnoea. In contrast, only two of the seven parasomnias were presented by higher proportions of the children in special schools. Age and gender differences for the two groups of children are presented. Finally, multiple correlations were computed between a range of child, family, and environmental characteristics and the three problems most frequently reported: frequency of settling problems; sleeping in the parents' bed; and night waking. The findings are discussed with reference to other studies of children's sleep problems, and the implications for treatment are considered.
A psychosocial follow‐up study of deaf preschool children using cochlear implants
Authors: Preisler G. , Tvingstedt A.‐L. , Ahlström M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe aim of the study was to explore patterns of communication between 22 children with cochlear implants (CI) and their parents, teachers and peers in natural interactions over a 2‐year period. The children, between 2 and 5 years old when implanted, had used the implant between 1 and 3.5 years at the end of the study. Analyses of videorecorded interactions showed that meaningful oral communication was more easily obtained in the home setting than in the preschool setting. Patterns of communication between parent–child, content and complexity of dialogues, quality of peer interactions, communicative styles of adults, and the use of sign language in communication turned out to be important factors when explaining the result of the CI on the individual child's development. The children with the best oral skills were also good signers.
Coping with chronic disease from the perspective of children and adolescents – a conceptual framework and its implications for participation
Authors: Schmidt S. , Petersen C. , Bullinger M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn medical and health psychology, efforts have increasingly been made to assess coping of children and adolescents with chronic conditions. In contrast to the study of coping in adults, approaches to define and assess adaptational processes in children pose a number of problems because coping and development are inherently connected with each other. Issues arising when applying theoretical concepts from developmental psychology to the area of coping in children and adolescents are highlighted. The most prominent approaches to conceptualize and assess coping with chronic disease in childhood and adolescence are illustrated. In future research, there is a need to focus the situational context and content of coping rather than to assess the effort employed and level of a particular coping strategy. Coping is not only a way of regulating emotions, but has an interpersonal meaning, depending on its interactional context. In the medical field, coping has a mediating function for participation and shared medical decision‐making in health care processes.
Olive pollen allergy: searching for immunodominant T‐cell epitopes on the Ole e 1 molecule
Authors: CÁrdaba  , Del Pozo  , Jurado  , Gallardo  , Cortegano  , Arrieta  , Del Amo  , TramÓN  , Florido  , Sastre  , Palomino  , Lahoz  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe amino‐acid and nucleotide sequence of Ole e 1 (the major antigen of olive pollen) has been described and the IgE antibody response to this major allergen was associated with DR7/DQ2 antigens. With this previous data we try to define the T‐cell epitopes implicated in Ole e 1 reactivity.ObjectivesTo study the recognition of T cells (derived from allergic and non‐allergic Ole e 1 patients) to Ole e 1 synthetic peptides in order to define immunodominant T‐cell epitopes.MethodsWe have compared the proliferative response of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Ole e 1 sensitized patients vs. non‐sensitized controls, induced by 14 Ole e 1 synthetic peptides. Thirty subjects were classified in two groups: group 1 (non‐responders against Ole e 1, n = 16) and group 2 (Ole e 1 responders, n = 14), according to their clinical parameters and the presence or not in their sera of the significant Ole e 1 IgE antibody levels.ResultsOur results shown that it is possible to find T cells reactive to Ole e 1 peptides in patients with and without significant levels of Ole e 1 IgE antibodies. However, the percentage of response was higher in patients with IgE antibodies 71.4% vs 25%), and the recognition profile was different: the control group showed a broad reactivity pattern, in contrast, the response by the ‘Ole e 1 responders’ group was mainly directed against three peptides of the carboxi‐terminal region, peptides 10 (91–102), 12 (109–120) and 13 (119–130), with a response frequency of 35.7, 28.5 and 28.5%, respectively. By direct and inhibition test no antibody response was found against the synthetic peptides.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the regions between 91 and 102 and 109–130 amino‐acids on the Ole e 1 molecule are immunodominant T‐cell epitopes. These epitopes are not recognized by IgE antibodies.
Increased interleukin‐6 production during the acute phase of the syndrome of episodic angioedema and hypereosinophilia
Authors: Tillie‐Leblond  , Gosset  , Janin  , Salez  , Prin  , Tonnel  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe Gleich syndrome is rare and associates recurrent angioedema, urticaria, fever, weight gain and blood hypereosinophilia, underlying systemic and local inflammation. The pathogenesis of those symptoms remains unclear.ObjectiveWe wanted to address the possible implication of Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in the development of those clinical features, and to identify the cells involved in its production.MethodsA 26‐year‐old man suffering of this disease was referred in hospital. During an acute attack with weight gain, fever and a diffuse oedema, a marked increase in eosinophils count (42700/mm3 was observed. Serum ECP was elevated at 47 μg/L (normal less than 16). Corticosteroid therapy administrated on the 7th day was followed by a rapid remission. Blood samples were collected (before, during the attack and under corticosteroid therapy) for measurements of serum IL‐6 (ELISA, Immunotech, Marseille, France) and plasma histamine (RIA, Immunotech, Marseille, France). Blood monocytes and eosinophils were isolated and a skin biopsy was performed during the attack.ResultsThe plasma histamine level was within normal range. The level of IL‐6 in sera peaked to 74 pg/mL, concomitant with the peak of eosinophilia at the acute phase phase of the attack. Under corticosteroids, we observed a drop in the IL‐6 serum level to 29 pg/mL, concomitant with the clinical remission. During the attack, an increase in IL‐6 production was observed in 24 h blood monocyte supernatants (11.103 pg/mL compared with 2.4 ± 0.8.103 pg/mL for BM from controls) as well as in skin endothelial cells but not in the blood and skin eosinophils. In vitro, when endothelial cells were incubated in eosinophils supernatants of the patient, liberation of IL‐6 was observed (3.3 103 pg/mL compared with controls: 2.1 103 pg/mL)ConclusionSerum IL‐6 elevation may be related to an increased production by blood monocytes and endothelial cells, possibly stimulated by eosinophil mediator during the acute phase of the disease, and might participate in the inflammatory reaction of this syndrome.
Regulation of interleukin‐8 binding and function by heparin and α2‐macroglobulin
Authors: Ramdin  , Perks  , Sheron  , Shute  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundIncreased expression of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), a potent neutrophil chemoattractant, is associated with a number of inflammatory diseases. Interleukin‐8 binds to the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) heparin and the protease inhibitor α2‐macroglobulin, molecules which regulate the function of a number of cytokines. Heparan sulphate was previously shown to enhance neutrophil chemotactic responses to IL‐8.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of heparin, heparan sulphate and α2‐macroglobulin on IL‐8 binding to neutrophils and subsequent functional effects in vitro.MethodsThe binding of 125I‐IL‐8 to normal neutrophils at 4 °C was studied and the IL‐8 induced neutrophil chemotactic response was investigated using micro‐Boyden chambers. Complexation of IL‐8 with α2‐macroglobulin was confirmed using gel filtration chromatography.ResultsHeparin, but not heparan sulphate, inhibited the binding of 125I‐IL‐8 to neutrophils (IC50 = 26 μg/mL) and IL‐8 induced neutrophil chemotactic responses (IC50 = 4 μg/mL). The specific inhibitory effect of heparin was apparently due to an interaction with IL‐8 which was charge‐dependent, since dextran sulphate had a greater inhibitory effect on chemotactic responses (IC50 = 2 μg/mL) and FITC‐heparin did not bind to neutrophils. The heparin‐induced inhibition of IL‐8 binding and chemotactic responses was reversed in a dose‐dependent manner in the presence of α2‐macroglobulin. The binding of 125I‐IL‐8 to neutrophils in the presence of α2‐macroglobulin appears to be, in part, through the specific IL‐8 receptor.ConclusionThese results point to an anti‐inflammatory role for heparin and a novel, potentially, pro‐inflammatory role for α2‐macroglobulin which together indicate the importance of cytokine‐binding macromolecules in determining net cytokine function.
Airborne house dust particles and diesel exhaust particles as allergen carriers
Authors: Ormstad  , Johansen  , Gaarder  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundIndoor suspended particulate matter (SPM) consists of many different types of particles, the vast majority of which are less than 2.5 μm in diameter. The question arises how these particles may contribute to asthma and respiratory symptoms. One possibility is that airborne dust particles act as carriers of allergens into the airways, as several allergens have been found to be associated with inhalable airborne dust particles.ObjectiveWe studied the presence of three different allergens on the surface of SPM, i.e. Can f 1 (dog), Bet v 1 (birch pollen) and Der p 1 (house dust mite). We also examined the ability of diesel exhaust particulates (DEP) to attach these allergens and Fel d 1 (cat) in vitro.MethodsSPM was collected on polycarbonate filters and an immunogold labelling technique was used to detect the allergens on the particles. The specimens were examined in the backscatter mode of a scanning electron microscope. The same technique was used to examine the binding of the allergens to DEP, after exposing DEP to either crude allergen extracts or partly purified allergens.ResultsBoth Can f 1 and Bet v 1 allergens were detected on the surface of the soot particles in SPM mixtures, although to a lesser degree than previously found with Fel d 1. Der p 1 (house dust mite), however, did not show any significant binding to SPM particles. Furthermore, DEP had the ability to adsorb all four allergens in vitro, although to a varying extent.ConclusionSoot particles in airborne house dust may act as carriers of several allergens in indoor air. Furthermore, DEP has the ability to bind all the four allergens investigated under aqueous conditions in vitro.
Reciprocal age‐related patterns of allergen‐specific T‐cell immunity in normal vs. atopic infants
Authors: Prescott  , Macaubas  , Smallacombe  , Holt  , Sly  , Loh  , Holt  
Published: March 2003

By adulthood there is almost universal immunological memory to aeroallergens, and the presence of allergic disease appears to be related to the nature of the underlying T‐helper (Th) cell cytokine responses. The hypothesis of this study is that adult patterns of allergen specific Th‐cell memory (Th‐2 polarized in atopics vs. Th1 in non‐atopics) can be determined in early infancy. Mononuclear cell cytokine responses to house‐dust mite were measured at 6‐monthly intervals from birth to 2 years of age, using ELISA (IL‐10, IL‐13, IFN‐γ) and sqRT/PCR (IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐9, IFN‐γ) in normal infants (n = 14) with no family history or allergic symptoms, and infants with a family history and definite atopy by 2 years (n = 16). Both normals and atopics showed low‐level Th2 skewed allergen‐specific responses at birth with little accompanying IFN‐γ. The Th2 responses to house‐dust mite were higher in normal newborns, who then show a rapid downregulation of these responses in the first year of life. Atopic infants instead show a consolidation of their neonatal patterns of Th2 polarized allergen specific immunity. Earlier studies indicate that neonates at high risk of atopy display diminished capacity for production of the Th1 cytokine IFN‐γ. The present study suggests for the first time that neonates who subsequently develop atopy also initially have reduced capacity to mount Th2 responses. However, in contrast to non‐atopics who selectively downregulate their fetal Th2 polarized allergen‐specific responses, atopic children display age‐associated upregulation of Th2 immunity.
Mizolastine: antihistaminic activity from preclinical data to clinical evaluation
Authors: Simons F.E.R. 
Published: March 2003

Mizolastine, a new H1‐receptor antagonist, is highly selective for histamine H1 receptors and has no anticholinergic, antiadrenergic, or antiserotonin activity. It is rapidly absorbed after oral ingestion, with peak plasma concentrations occurring at 1.5 h. The distribution and terminal elimination half‐life values are 2 and 13 h, respectively, in healthy young adult volunteers. Half‐life values are longer in the elderly and in subjects with chronic renal insufficiency; however, the differences are not large enough to be clinically relevant or to necessitate a dose adjustment in these populations. Mizolastine produces prompt, sustained, peripheral blockade of histamine H1 receptors in the skin. Suppression of the histamine‐induced wheal and flare begins 40–60 min after ingestion of a 10‐mg dose, peaks at 3–4 h, lasts for at least 24 h, and does not decrease during regular once‐daily dosing. The amount of wheal suppression is comparable to that produced by other leading new H1‐receptor antagonists. These pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of mizolastine provide its clinical pharmacology ‘signature’. They also provide the scientific rationale for recommending a once‐daily 10‐mg dose and suggest that the efficacy and effectiveness of mizolastine will be widely confirmed in allergic disorders, especially rhinitis and urticaria.
Expression of histidine decarboxylase messenger RNA and histamine N‐methyltransferase messenger RNA in nasal allergy
Authors: HIRATA  , TAKEUCHI  , UKAI  , SAKAKURA  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundHistamine is an important chemical mediator in allergic rhinitis. Histamine is synthesized by l‐histidine, catalysed by
l‐histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and metabolized mainly by histamine N‐methyltransferase (HMT). The patients with allergic rhinitis may have altered histamine metabolism in the nasal tissue.ObjectiveThe objective was to compare the expression of HDC mRNA and HMT mRNA in nasal mucosa with normal individuals and patients with allergic rhinitis.MethodsWe extracted RNA from scrapings of inferior turbinate mucosa of 11 patients with allergic rhinitis and from 11 normal subjects and from surgically dissected inferior turbinate mucosa of 11 patients. HDC, HMT and β‐actin mRNA were amplified by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).ResultsThe mean ± sd of HDC/β‐actin ratios were 0.58 ± 0.28 for the scrapings of normal subjects, 0.93 ± 0.38 for the scrapings of the patients with allergic rhinitis and 1.41 ± 0.26 for the inferior turbinates of the patients with allergic rhinitis. The mean ± sd of HMT/β‐actin ratios were 1.66 ± 0.27 for the scrapings of normal subjects, 0.93 ± 0.20 for the scrapings of the patients with allergic rhinitis and 0.65 ± 0.28 for the inferior turbinates of the patients with allergic rhinitis. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant.ConclusionsIncreased HDC mRNA expression and decreased HMT mRNA expression may be playing some role in the hyperresponsiveness of patients with allergic rhinitis.