bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic transformation of pigeonpea with rice chitinase gene
Authors: Kumar S. M. , Kumar B. K. , Sharma K. K. , Devi P. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWith a long‐term plan to develop transgenic pigeonpea with resistance to fungal disease, the transfer of a rice chitinase gene to pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is reported here. The rice chitinase gene harboured in the plasmid pCAMBIA 1302:RChit was delivered via the Agrobacterium‐mediated method to the cotyledonary node explants followed by subsequent regeneration of complete plants on selection media containing hygromycin. Putative transformed pigeonpea plants were recovered with stringent selection pressure and confirmed using molecular techniques. Stable integration and expression of the chitinase gene has been confirmed in the T0 and T1 transgenics through molecular analysis.
Additive effects of dexamethasone in nebulized salbutamol or l‐epinephrine treated infants with acute bronchiolitis
Authors: Kuyucu Semanur , Unal Selma , Kuyucu Necdet , Yi̇lgor Esat 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: Although it is the most common lower respiratory infection of infancy, the optimal treatment for acute bronchiolitis is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the early and late effects of nebulized l‐epinephrine (EPI) and intramuscular dexamethasone (DEX) combination therapy with nebulized salbutamol (SAL) and dexamethasone combination and bronchodilators alone in outpatients with acute bronchiolitis.
Methods
: A total of 69 infants aged 2−21 months who were admitted to the Pediatrics Department of the Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, with acute bronchiolitis were included in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, prospective trial study. Patients were assigned to receive either nebulized l‐epinephrine (3 mg) or salbutamol (0.15 mg/kg) and 15 min later, either dexamethasone 0.6 mg/kg or placebo (PLA), intramuscularly, in a double‐blind randomized fashion. The study groups were: epinephrine + dexamethasone group (group 1, n = 23), salbutamol + dexamethasone group (group 2, n = 23), epinephrine + placebo group (group 3, n = 11), and salbutamol + placebo group (group 4, n = 12). The outcome measures were heart rate, respiratory rate and Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (RDAI) score determined at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min, 24 h, and 5 days after the first therapy. Patients were then followed‐up during the subsequent 2 months for the prevalance of respiratory complaints regarding bronchial hyperreactivity.
Results
: There were no significant differences between the outcome variables of the four groups within the first 120 min and at 24 hours, or between the rates of requirement of a second dose of the same bronchodilator. However, fifth day RDAI score values of both DEX groups were significantly lower than that of SAL + PLA group (P = 0.000 and P = 0.01, respectively). The fifth day score value of group 1 was also significantly better than that value of EPI + PLA group but not different from group 2.
Conclusions
: A single dose of intramuscular dexamethasone added to nebulized l‐epinephrine, or salbutamol therapies resulted in better outcome measures than bronchodilators alone in the late phase (fifth day) of mild to moderate degree bronchiolitis attack. However, effects of EPI + DEX combination was not different from SAL + DEX combination.
Effects of leptin and dexamethasone on long and short leptin receptor mRNA
Authors: Liu Zheng‐Juan , Endoh Akira , Li Renshan , Ohzeki Takehiko 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: Leptin exerts its effects by using both long (OB‐Rb) and short (OB‐Ra) receptors. Although leptin resistance or insensitivity is reported to be a cause of human obesity, there have not been enough studies to clarify regulation of leptin receptors.
Methods
: The authors studied leptin receptor regulation by leptin and dexamethasone in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HepG2). Using a quantitative RT‐PCR technique, the authors demonstrate expression of OB‐Ra and OB‐Rb mRNA after the incubation for 24 h with leptin or dexamethasone at various concentrations (10‐9−10‐6 M).
Results
: Leptin (10‐7−10‐6 M) significantly inhibited expression of OB‐Rb mRNA, with maximum inhibition (43% of control) at 10−6 M. Expression of OB‐R219.1 and OB‐R219.3, two short isoforms of leptin receptor, were also reduced in cells treated with leptin most remarkably at 10−7 M for OB‐R219.1 (44% of the control) and at 10−6 M for Ob‐R219.3 (49% of the control). In contrast, dexamethasone (10‐8−10‐6 M) significantly increased OB‐Rb mRNA levels, with a maximum increase (204% of the control) at 10−7 M, and OB‐R219.1 and OB‐R219.3 mRNA expression was also markedly increased at 10‐9−10‐6 M. The peak values were 254% of the control for OB‐R219.1 and 246% of the control for OB‐R219.3 at 10−7 M.
Conclusions
: In HepG2 cells, leptin inhibits and dexamethasone increases OB‐Ra and OB‐Rb mRNA expression. It is suggested that glucocorticoids as well as leptin itself contribute to regulatory effects of leptin through changes in gene expression of leptin receptors.
Non‐specific host response markers in the differentiation between pneumococcal and viral pneumonia: What is the most accurate combination?
Authors: Korppi Matti 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: Serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), blood white cell count (WBC), serum procalcitonin (PCT) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured in 132 children hospitalized for community‐acquired pneumonia. Serological evidence for viral infection was found in 38 cases and for pneumococcal infection in 41 cases, and the infiltrate was alveolar in 46 cases and interstitial in 86 cases. The aim of the present paper was to determine if there is a combination of these four host response markers and chest radiograph findings suitable for differentiating pneumococcal from viral etiology of pneumonia.
Methods
: The 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles of CRP, WBC, ESR and PCT in the total group of 132 patients were calculated. By using these cut‐off limits, the likelihood ratios of a positive test result were calculated for the possible combinations of CRP, WBC, ESR and PCT, and the likelihood ratio was 1.50 or more for six combinations.
Results
: The highest likelihood ratio (1.74) was achieved with the combination CRP > 90th (80 mg/L) or WBC > 75th (17.0 × 109/L) or PCT > 75th (0.84 µg/L) or ESR > 90th (63 mm/h) percentile. For this combination, the sensitivity was 61% and the specificity 65%. When the 90th percentile cut‐off limit was applied also for WBC (>22 × 109/L) and PCT (>1.8 µg/L), the specificity increased to 76%, but the sensitivity decreased to 37%. When the presence of an alveolar infiltration was included in the combination, the likelihood ratio was 1.89; the specificity was as high as 82% and the sensitivity as low as 34%.
Conclusions
: CRP, PCT, WBC and ESR have only limited value in differentiating pneumococcal or other bacterial pneumonia from viral pneumonia. If there was a high value in at least one of the markers (CRP > 80 mg/L, PCT > 1.8 µg/L, WBC > 22 × 109/L or ESR > 60 mm/h), viral infections were rare. There was no combination of these markers which was sufficiently sensitive and specific to be used in clinical pediatric practice.
Rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis by using multiplex PCR and real time PCR
Authors: Uzuka Rina , Kawashima Hisashi , Hasegawa Daisuke , Ioi Hiroaki , Amaha Masahiro , Kashiwagi Yasuyo , Takekuma Kouji , Hoshika Akinori , Chiba Katsumi 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: The purpose of the present study was to improve a method for a rapid identification of bacteria in bacterial meningitis by using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Methods
: Ten species of bacteria which cause meningitis in children were investigated, and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with purulent meningitis was studied. The ribosomal RNA genes of bacteria are essential, and are highly conserved in the bacterial kingdoms with consensus region. The 23S rRNA region shows a larger variation among species than in the 16S rRNA region. The authors set primers in the universal region and specific region of 23S rRNA, then amplified these regions by multiplex PCR and real‐time PCR.
Results
: All species of bacteria showed one band by PCR using universal primer. Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae showed two bands by multiplex PCR using a combination of universal primers and specific primers. The authors detected H. influenzae within 15 min by using real‐time PCR.
Conclusion
: It was possible to identify clinically significant bacterial species in cerebrospinal fluid by multiplex PCR, and to identify H. influenzae by real‐time PCR within a short period.
Effect of total attending period on infection episode rate in a child‐care center
Authors: YalçIn S. Songül , Tuğrul Belma , Çeti̇nkaya Semra , Çakir Banu , Yilmaz Ayşe 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: Attendance to a child‐care facility is known to be associated with increased rate of episodes of infectious diseases in children. This retrospective cohort study investigates the infection episode rate and the effect of total attending period on infection episode rates in a child‐care center (Gülveren Child‐Care Center, Ankara, Turkey), at a stable environmental condition, over a 7‐year follow‐up period.
Methods
: During the study period, 288 children attended the center and enrolled. Sex, total duration of breastfeeding, starting age at the center, total duration of attendance, and the type and frequency of infections diseases were recorded. Episode rates were calculated for each child.
Results
: The mean starting age at the child care center was 4.1 ± 0.7 years (range: 2.5–5.8 years); the mean total duration of attendance at the center was 20.4 ± 9.9 months. Over the study period, 1000 infection episodes were detected. The general infection episode rate was calculated as 2.04/child per year. In bivariate analysis, children with longer attendance period (≥12 months), and a younger starting age at the center (<4 years of age) had lower ‘moderate general infection’ (≥3 episode/child per year) episode rates than those of other groups. In multiple logistic regression analysis, only total attending period in the center was significantly associated with ‘moderate’ level general infection episode rate. The presence of asthma slightly increased the lower respiratory tract infections episode rate in bivariate analysis, and was the only significant predictor of LRTI episode rate in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions
: The results of the present study show that among children attending a single facility, longer periods of attendance at the facility was associated with a decreased risk of general infection episode, regardless of starting age at the center. Additional cohort studies are needed to determine whether this reduction in general infection episode rate extends into school‐age years and whether children moving between different centers affects the incidence of infectious episodes.
Serum leptin concentrations in children with mild protein‐energy malnutrition and catch‐up growth
Authors: Büyükgebiz Benal , Öztürk Yesim , Yilmaz Sebnem , Arslan Nur 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between changing nutritional anthropometric data and serum leptin concentrations during the catch‐up growth process in children.
Methods
: Thirty children with mild protein‐energy malnutrition (PEM) were followed for 6 months and their anthropometric measurements and serum leptin concentrations were recorded during follow up.
Results
: Twenty‐two (73.3%) of the 30 children showed catch‐up growth. All parameters and serum leptin concentrations increased during the period of catch‐up growth. In the remaining eight children, weight for height, percentage standard body mass index, percentage standard body height and mean serum leptin concentrations did not show any significant increase at the 6 month follow‐up. Mean serum leptin concentration was higher in children with catch‐up growth than in the controls.
Conclusion
: During recovery from malnutrition, leptin concentrations increase in relation to fat mass if the fat mass reaches a critical point, and leptin might trigger catch‐up growth with its regulator effects on growth. Although weight gain was noted in both groups, an increase in leptin concentration was observed only in children who showed catch‐up growth. More interestingly, the mean leptin concentration was much higher in children with PEM who had catch‐up growth compared to the control group and in children who failed to have catch‐up growth. In children with catch‐up growth, the higher serum leptin concentrations compared to healthy children and to children without catch‐up growth despite significant weight gain suggests that leptin affects nutritional status in catch‐up growth as a dynamic process, rather than merely being an index of body fat content.
Effects of bifidobacterium breve supplementation on intestinal flora of low birth weight infants
Authors: Li Yudong , Shimizu Toshiaki , Hosaka Atsuto , Kaneko Noritsugu , Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Yamashiro Yuichiro 
Published: October 2004

AbstractBackground: It is known that the bifidobacteria flora play important roles in mucosal host defense and can prevent infectious diseases. Because bacterial populations develop during the first day of life, the authors examined whether the early administration of bifidobacteria has a positive effect on the health of low birth weight infants.Methods: The effects of oral administration ofBifidobacterium breve (B. breve)supplements were studied in a controlled trial with low birth weight infants (average birth weight 1489 g). The infants were divided into three groups: Group A and B received a dose of 1.6 × 108cells ofB. brevesupplement twice a day, commencing either from several hours after birth (group A) or 24 h after birth (group B). Group C, the control group, received no supplement.Results: There were no significant differences in birth weight, treatment with antibiotics, and the starting time of breast‐feeding among the three groups. ABifidobacterium‐predominant flora was formed at an average of 2 weeks after birth in group A and at an average of 4 weeks after birth in group B, while noBifidobacteriumwas isolated in eight out of 10 infants in group C during the observation period of 7 weeks. In comparison between group A and B,Bifidobacteriumwas detected significantly earlier in group A, and the number ofEnterobacteriaceaepresent in the infants at 2 weeks after birth was significantly lower in group A.Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that very early administration ofB. breveto low birth weight infants is useful in promoting the colonization of theBifidobacteriumand the formation of a normal intestinal flora.
Combined therapy of enalapril and losartan attenuates histologic progression in immunoglobulin A nephropathy
Authors: Tanaka Hiroshi , Suzuki Koichi , Nakahata Tohru , Tsugawa Koji , Konno Yuki , Tsuruga Kazushi , Ito Etsuro , Waga Shinobu 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: It has been reported that combined therapy of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker significantly decreases proteinuria in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. However, histologic alterations following the therapy have not been reported.
Methods
: A total of nine Japanese children with severe proteinuric IgA nephropathy who received a prompt immunosuppressive therapy were enrolled the study, four of whom received a combined therapy of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril and angiotensin receptor blocker, losartan (Group A), while the remaining five did not (Group B). All underwent renal biopsy before and approximately 12 months after the first renal biopsy.
Results
: At presentation, urine protein excretion and the histologic indices of mean activity index, mean chronicity index and tubulointerstitial scores did not show a statistical difference between the two groups: Group A (2.6 ± 0.6 g/day; mean activity index, 5.0 ± 1.0; mean chronicity index, 5.0 ± 1.0; tubulointerstitial scores, 4.3 ± 1.0) and Group B (2.2 ± 0.6 g/day; mean activity index, 4.8 ± 0.8; mean chronicity index, 4.8 ± 1.3; tubulointerstitial scores, 3.6 ± 0.5, respectively). All had normal blood pressure and renal function. Urine protein excretion and the activity index decreased at the second renal biopsy, while the chronicity index and the tubulointerstitial scores slightly increased or remained unchanged. In comparison with Group B, a significant suppression in increasing the chronicity index and the tubulointerstitial scores obtained at the second renal biopsy were observed in Group A [Group A: 4.3 ± 1.2 and 3.0 ± 0.0, respectively, vs Group B: 6.0 ± 0.7 and 4.4 ± 0.9, respectively (P < 0.05)]. One patient in Group B developed chronic renal insufficiency thereafter.
Conclusions
: Although only a small number of patients were examined, these clinical findings suggest that a combined therapy of enalapril and losartan may attenuate histologic progression in at least a proportion of patients with severe proteinuric IgA nephropathy.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease beyond infancy
Authors: Lin Yu‐Cheng , Ni Yen‐Hsuan , Chang Mei‐Hwei 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: Children beyond infancy (>12 months of age) rarely have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Underlying diseases may contribute to the persistence of GERD from infancy to childhood. This study compares the clinical course of children with GERD with and without underlying diseases.
Methods
: The authors studied the role of underlying diseases responsible for GERD in children beyond infancy by a retrospective analysis. From 1985 to 2000, GERD was confirmed in 34 children beyond infancy in the National Taiwan University (median age 2.5 years, range 1.1–9.7 years), according to the inclusion criteria of reflux symptoms and the fraction of pH < 4 above 5% in the 24‐h esophageal pH study. The patients were divided into two groups: those without underlying diseases (n = 10) and those with underlying diseases (n = 24). The follow‐up duration was 0.5–17.1 years (median 4.5 years).
Results
: The underlying diseases responsible for GERD in 24 children included neurological impairment (n = 14), repaired esophageal atresia (n = 2), hiatal hernia (n = 3), repaired congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n = 2), and congenital heart disease (n = 3). At the end of the study, 9 of 10 children with GERD beyond infancy and without underlying diseases were free of symptoms without any need for further medical treatment. In contrast, 10 of 14 children with neurological disorders had persisting reflux symptoms (Kaplan–Meier analysis, P = 0.02, log‐rank test).
Conclusions
: Neurological impairment and esophageal or diaphragmatic anatomic abnormalities were frequently associated with GERD beyond infancy. Children with underlying diseases, especially with neurological impairment, ran a refractory course, while those without underlying diseases enjoyed a longer symptom‐free life.
Abnormal steroidogenesis in three patients with Antley–Bixler syndrome: Apparent decreased activity of 17α‐hydroxylase, 17,20‐lyase and 21‐hydroxylase
Authors: Adachi Masanori , Asakura Yumi , Tachibana Katsuhiko , Shackleton Cedric 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
: Antley–Bixler syndrome (ABS) is characterized mainly by abnormal skeletal morphonogenesis such as craniosynostosis and radiohumeral synostosis, and by ambiguous genitalia in some cases. The mechanisms resulting in these deformities have not been determined.
Methods
: The adrenal and gonadal function of three Japanese ABS patients were evaluated. Patient 1 (17‐year‐old‐male) had bilateral cryptoorchidism, delayed puberty and symptoms of glucocorticoid deficiency. Patient 2 (14‐year‐old male) and patient 3 (4‐year‐old female) presented with emaciation. Additionally, patient 3 had partial labial fusion and common urogenital sinus. In each patient, blood sampling for steroid analysis before and after rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation was carried out. Additionally, urinary steroids were quantified. Molecular analysis of CYP17 and CYP21A2 were also performed.
Results
: All patients showed elevated basal 17α‐deoxysteroid levels. Although the 17α‐deoxysteroid levels further increased after rapid ACTH stimulation, 17α‐hydroxysteroids including cortisol did not respond, suggesting impaired 17α‐hydroxylation. Patient 1 and patient 2 showed low adrenal androgen blood levels both before and after rapid ACTH stimulation. Patient 3 showed lower than normal excretions of urinary androgens. Additionally, a prolonged ACTH stimulation in patient 3 failed to elicit significant increase of adrenal androgens. These findings suggested impaired 17,20‐lyase activity. In contrast to attenuated 17α‐hydroxycorticosteroids, notably cortisol, elevated 17α‐hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) levels were observed, not only in pubertal patients (1 and 2) but also in prepubertal patient 3, indicating impaired 21‐hydroxylation. This assumption was supported by increased urinary 21‐deoxycortisol metabolite excretion in patients 2 and 3. With the exception of a heterozygous mutation of CYP17 in one of the patients, other mutations of this gene or CYP21A2 were identified in any of the patients.
Conclusion
: Combined decreased 17α‐hydroxylation, 17,20‐lyase activity and 21‐hydroxylation was detected in three ABS patients. Considering that the enzymes responsible are all cytochrome P450 enzymes and that another cytochrome P450 enzyme, lanosterol 14α‐demethylase, has recently been shown to be impaired in an ABS patient, we speculate that dysfunction of a system which commonly regulates cytochrome P 450 activity may be responsible for the ABS phenotype.
Toxic Ethics: Environmental Genomics and the Health of Populations
Authors: Robert Jason Scott , Smith Andrea 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTDealing primarily with implications rather than foundations, and focusing downstream at the expense of upstream prevention, mainstream bioethics is at a toxic watershed. Through an extended analysis of the Environmental Genome Project (EGP), we offer new tools from the philosophy of science and from critical epidemiology to help bioethics to move ahead. Our aim in this paper is not to resolve the moral and conceptual problems we reveal, but rather to outline ways to prevent such problems from arising in future research.
A Framework for Diagnosing Board Effectiveness
Authors: Nicholson Gavin J. , Kiel Geoffrey C. 
Published: October 2004

Pressure on boards to improve corporate performance and management oversight has led to a series of inquiries and reports advocating governance reform. These reports largely reflect an agency perspective of governance and seek to ensure greater board independence from and control of management.While board independence is important to good governance, we contend that frameworks, models and advice centred on one element of governance ignore the complexity of how boards work. We develop a holistic board framework based upon the concept of board intellectual capital to address this concern.Our framework proposes a series of inputs (e.g. company history, company constitution, legal environment) that lead to a particular mix of board intellectual capital. We contend that the balance of the different elements of board intellectual capital will lead to a series of board behaviours. Further, the board needs to mobilise its intellectual capital to carry out a series of roles. The exact nature of these roles will depend on the company's requirements. Thus, the governance outputs of organisational performance, board effectiveness and director effectiveness will depend on the match between the board's intellectual capital and the roles required of it.We conclude by demonstrating the benefits of this framework as a diagnostic tool. We outline how boards wishing to improve their governance systems can diagnose common governance problems by evaluating their own board's capabilities in relation to the different components of the framework.