bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with hyperleukocytosis
Authors: Lowe Eric J. , Pui Ching‐Hon , Hancock Michael L. , Geiger Terrence L. , Khan Raja B. , Sandlund John T. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBackgroundThe optimal management of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with hyperleukocytosis is unclear, largely because the risk of leukostasis‐related complications is poorly characterized.ProcedureWe reviewed the presenting characteristics, initial management, and frequency and type of complications in all children seen at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with previously untreated ALL and an initial leukocyte count >200 × 109/L.ResultsA total of 178 children, representing 8% of all children with ALL, had an initial leukocyte count >200 × 109/L; 67 patients had a leukocyte count >400 × 109/L. Sixteen patients (9%) had neurological complications with 12 of these patients experiencing symptoms at presentation. Four patients (2%), all with initial leukocyte counts >400 × 109/L, suffered a CNS hemorrhage. Pulmonary leukostasis occurred in 11 patients (6%). The degree of hyperleukocytosis was significantly predictive of neurological (P = 0.006) and respiratory (P = 0.014) complications. The majority of complications occurred at presentation. Cytoreduction (94 patients) decreased the leukocyte count but delayed initiation of chemotherapy (P = 0.013).ConclusionsSerious leukostasis‐related complications are relatively uncommon in childhood ALL and most occur at presentation. Their incidence increases in proportion to the leukocyte count. A large subset of cases can be managed successfully without cytoreduction. Cytoreduction may be considered for patients with leukocyte counts >400 × 109/L or patients who have complications at presentation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2005; 45:10–15. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Studies on physico‐mechanical properties and thermal characteristics of polypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposites
Authors: Parija S. , Nayak S. K. , Verma S. K. , Tripathy S. S. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractPolypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared from base polymer (10 MFI) and octadecylamine modified montmorillonite (1.30P nanomer), melt compounded with and without compatibilizer, i.e., maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (Epolene‐G3015). Physico‐mechanical properties of the virgin PP and nanocomposites with different nanomer percentages and compatibilizer loadings were studied and compared. Thermal characteristics of nanocomposites were also compared with those of the virgin polymer. TEM analysis of the nanocomposites was carried out to study the dispersion of nanomer in the resulting hybrids. The nanocomposites showed improved mechanical properties over those of the virgin polymer with a marginal increase in specific gravity. Addition of compatibilizer further enhanced the mechanical properties of nanocomposites because of the compatibilization of the clay and host polymer interface. The uncompatibilized nanocomposites showed an increase in thermal stability and a higher melting point. However, the compatibilized nanocomposites showed delayed crystallization due to the presence of an oligomeric fraction of the added Epolene. Polym. Compos. 25:646–652, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Aspirin use for prevention of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Baldeweg SE , Hurel SJ 
Published: November 2004

AbstractCardiovascular events represent the major cause of death in diabetes. In 2004 the American Diabetes Association has re‐issued recommendation that diabetic adults with an additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease should be treated with aspirin. Similar guidelines exist from the Joint British Societies. Previous studies have demonstrated a low prescribing rate of aspirin in those patients.We aimed to assess the use of aspirin in our diabetes outpatient department and to identify methods with which to increase its use.The notes of 100 patients attending the diabetes clinic were randomly selected on three occasions (six, 12 and 18 months). Information on risk factors and aspirin use was collected. Following the first review we raised awareness on this issue.Our data demonstrate that physicians were aware of the need for secondary cardiovascular prevention in patients with diabetes. However, prescribing for primary prevention was low. After raising awareness through further education, aspirin prescribing increased. This improvement was sustained at 18 months.Simple education measures within a local team as part of an audit cycle, have led to a significant improvement in numbers of aspirin prescriptions. This should, especially in view of the recently published meta‐analysis on trials of antiplatelet therapy, translate into a long‐term improvement in vascular outcome in this patient group. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic delays in diabetic Charcot arthropathy
Authors: Gill GV , Hayat H , Majid S 
Published: November 2004

AbstractCharcot Arthropathy in the diabetic foot can result in permanent deformity if not diagnosed and treated promptly. We report four diabetic patients in whom the diagnosis of neuropathy was delayed by up to six months, with misdiagnoses including deep venous thrombosis, cellulitis, gout and ankle sprain. In all cases, the clinical scenario and appearances were typical of charcot arthropathy. Fortunately, only minor deformity occurred in one patient. A higher index of suspicion for the possibility of charcot foot is needed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of core–shell microspheres with active hydroxyl groups by two‐stage precipitation polymerization
Authors: Bai Feng , Yang Xinlin , Zhao Yuzeng , Huang Wenqiang 
Published: November 2004

AbstractMonodisperse micrometer microspheres having active hydroxyl groups with a dense core and a lightly crosslinked functional shell were prepared by two‐stage precipitation polymerization in the absence of any stabilizer. Commercial divinylbenzene (DVB), containing 80 % of DVB was polymerized by precipitation in acetonitrile without any stabilizer as the first stage polymerization and used as the core. When the conversion of DVB was about 60 % in the first stage, hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) were introduced into the reaction system and copolymerized with unreacted DVB on the core surface to form a lightly crosslinked functional shell with hydroxyl groups formed on the surface during the second stage precipitation polymerization. Both the crosslinking degree and the thickness of the shell layer depend on HEMA loading. The kinetic study demonstrated that the conversion of HEMA increased slightly with increasing HEMA loading. Higher HEMA loading and AIBN concentration increased the reaction rate significantly and formed more soluble oligomers, which resulted in secondary initiation with high HEMA loading. The resulting core–shell polymer particles were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and FTIR. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Misoprostol use in developing countries: results from a multicountry study
Authors: Sherris J. , Bingham A. , Burns M.A. , Girvin S. , Westley E. , Gomez P.I. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractObjective: To identify information and service delivery needs for obstetric/gynecologic uses of misoprostol in developing countries. Methods: The study included a survey of reproductive health providers in 23 countries and a qualitative study of misoprostol use in four developing countries. Researchers used purposive sampling methods for the survey and qualitative study and conducted a descriptive statistical analysis of survey data and computer‐assisted text‐based content analysis of qualitative data. Results: In some developing countries, women frequently access misoprostol through pharmacies and self‐medicate to induce early abortion. Some clinicians expressed concern about this use of misoprostol, but many stated that its availability had reduced serious complications resulting from unsafe abortions. Conclusion: Although misoprostol is routinely used for a range of off‐label obstetric/gynecologic indications, evidence‐based, up‐to‐date information about safety, effectiveness, and appropriate regimens is not widely available. This information is requested by providers, including pharmacists. Women need information and guidance about its use.
Correlates of diet quality in the Quebec population
Authors: Huot Isabelle , Paradis Gilles , Receveur Olivier , Ledoux Marielle 
Published: November 2004

AbstractObjective:To determine the correlates of a high-fat diet in urban, suburban and rural areas of Quebec, Canada.Design:A secondary analysis of data collected as part of a 5-year multi-factorial, multi-setting, community-intervention project.Setting:Urban, suburban and rural settings of the province of Quebec, 1997.Subjects:Data were analysed from a sample of 5214 participants (2227 males, 2987 females). A food-frequency questionnaire was completed and a global index of food quality was calculated. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of a diet high in total fats, saturated fat and cholesterol.Results:In both genders, lower level of education, smoking status, French and English languages compared with other languages spoken at home, and a rural environment were associated with poor diet quality. Having no intention to eat low-fat dairy products more often was associated with a high-fat diet. In men, obesity (body mass index >30 kg m−2) and absence of reported health problems were correlates of a high-fat diet, while, in women, lower physical activity was a correlate.Conclusions:Future health interventions in Quebec should target people with low education, smokers and those living in a rural environment. Obese men and sedentary women should have access to specific dietetic resources.
Differences in food habits and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Native Americans with and without diabetes: the Inter-Tribal Heart Project
Authors: Archer SL , Greenlund KJ , Valdez R , Casper ML , Rith-Najarian S , Croft JB 
Published: November 2004

AbstractObjective:To examine differences in food habits among Native Americans with and without diabetes.Design:A cross-sectional epidemiological study in which participants underwent a physical examination and answered an extensive interviewer-administered questionnaire to assess differences in food servings, preparation and eating habits.Setting/participants:Participants aged ≥25 years were randomly selected from three reservations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. There were 990 persons without diabetes, 294 with a prior diagnosis of diabetes, and 80 with fasting glucose >125 mg dl−1but no prior diabetes diagnosis.Results:Persons with prior diabetes diagnosis were less likely than those without diabetes to report eating fast-food meals two or more times per week, eat visible fat on meat or the skin on poultry, eat fried chicken or fried fish, to add fat to cooked vegetables and drink whole milk. Persons with previously undiagnosed diabetes were more likely than previously diagnosed persons to report eating fast-food meals two or more times per week, eat visible fat on meat and the skin on poultry, drink whole milk and eat fried fish, but were less likely to drink low-fat milk. Previously undiagnosed persons were more likely than either diagnosed persons or persons without diabetes to consume lard from cooked foods and use it when cooking.Conclusion:Persons with diagnosed diabetes showed healthier eating patterns than those without diabetes, while undiagnosed persons showed some less favourable patterns. Because virtually all persons with diabetes in these communities receive nutrition education, the results suggest that nutrition education programmes for diabetics may be associated with healthier eating patterns.
Motherhood meets epidemiology: measuring risk factors for breast–feeding cessation
Authors: Peat Jennifer K , Allen Jane , Nguyen Nguyen , Hayen Andrew , Oddy Wendy H , Mihrshahi Seema 
Published: November 2004

AbstractObjective:To examine statistical models that have been used to predict the cessation of breast–feeding.Setting:In nutritional epidemiology, a knowledge of risk factors that lead to breast-feeding cessation is essential to promote optimal infant health by increasing or sustaining breast–feeding rates. However, a number of methodological issues complicate the measurement of such risk factors. It is important when building multivariate models that variables entered into the model are not intervening variables, factors on the causal pathway or surrogate outcomes. Inclusion of these types of variable can lead to inaccurate models and biased results. A factor often cited to predict breast–feeding is ‘intention to breast–feed’ prior to the birth of the infant, although this factor is directly on the causal decision–making pathway. Another factor often cited is the age of introduction of formula feeding, which is actually part of the outcome variable because formula feeding defines the difference between full, complementary and no breast-feeding. Rather than include these as risk factors in multivariate models, factors removed from the causal pathway such as influences of educational practices, including advice to complementary feed, and beliefs and attitudes of families and health-care practitioners should be measured.Conclusions:The accurate quantification of modifiable risk factors is essential for designing public health education campaigns that are effective in sustaining or increasing breast–feeding duration.
The first observation of carbon nanotubes by spherical aberration corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Tanaka Nobuo , Yamasaki Jun , Kawai Tomoyuki , Pan Huayong 
Published: November 2004

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of multi-wall carbon nanotubes using a spherical aberration correction of the objective lens has shown a new possibility for the observation of nanometre-sized tubular materials. Improvement of the image resolution along a direction parallel to that of electron incidence enables one to obtain some information on the local height of the tubes, and in lateral directions better than 0.14 nm at 200 kV accelerating voltage, the possibility of direct determination of the chirality of the tubes and the observation of finer atomic structures of carbon atoms such as ‘hexagon’ ones is suggested. Spherical aberration corrected HRTEM begins a new stage of the structural study of nano-tubular materials.
Phosphatidylethanol in Human Organs and Blood: A Study on Autopsy Material and Influences by Storage Conditions
Authors: Aradóttir Steina , Seidl Stephan , Wurst Friedrich M. , Jönsson Bo A.G. , Alling Christer 
Published: November 2004

Objective: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an abnormal phospholipid that is formed and accumulated in mammalian cells that have been exposed to ethanol. PEth has been proposed as a marker of ethanol abuse. This study was conducted to investigate the concentration of PEth in blood and organs obtained during the autopsy of alcoholics. In addition, we performed experiments on rat tissues and human blood to evaluate the effect of various storage conditions on PEth concentrations.Methods: Human tissues and blood from alcoholics and controls were obtained at autopsy and frozen at −20°C until extraction. Blood from healthy donors was incubated with ethanol for 24 hr and thereafter either extracted directly or stored at room temperature, stored at 4°C, frozen at −20°C, or frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C before extraction. Rats were given intraperitoneal injections of ethanol and then killed, either while still intoxicated or when sober. Rat organs were homogenized and extracted directly, after a period of storage, and/or after freezing at −20°C. PEth concentration was analyzed using HPLC and verified by mass spectrometry.Results: In all rat organs studied, PEth was formed during freezing at −20°C with ethanol present. PEth concentrations of 9 to 205 μmol/liter were observed in the blood obtained at autopsy. The highest value was found in the case with the highest blood alcohol concentration (114 mmol/liter) at the time of death. In the experiments on human blood stored with ethanol present, PEth concentrations were not affected after 72 hr at 4°C or after freezing in liquid nitrogen and storage at −80°C for up to 144 hr but were slightly elevated after 24 hr at room temperature and at −20°C. PEth was found in all organs obtained from the cadavers of alcoholics. Storage of organs at 4°C for 24 hr with ethanol present had no effect on the PEth concentration. The PEth concentration was unaffected when no ethanol was present at the time of freezing.Conclusions: The rat experiments indicated that the very high PEth concentrations found in the organs of the alcoholics were probably largely formed while the organs were frozen at −20°C. Our data suggest that tissue material from bodies that were exposed to ethanol must be stored properly to obtain reliable results from subsequent analysis for PEth. Tissue should not be frozen at −20°C but instead stored refrigerated until extraction, preferably within hours of autopsy, or frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C. Blood samples that contain ethanol can be stored refrigerated for up to 72 hr or frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80°C without affecting PEth levels.
Confirmation and Genetic Dissection of a Major Quantitative Trait Locus for Alcohol Preference Drinking
Authors: Ruf Cathy , Carosone‐Link Phyllis , Springett Justin , Bennett Beth 
Published: November 2004

Objective: In previous work, we created congenic strains that carry the DBA/2IBG (D2) region for alcohol preference on chromosome 2, on an otherwise C57BL/6IBG (B6) background. Here, we report construction and testing of interval‐specific congenic recombinant strains (ISCRSs) for the purpose of narrowing the quantitative trait loci (QTL) interval.Methods: ISCRSs were derived by identifying mice that carry recombination events in the D2 interval, during the backcrossing for congenics. Recombinant mice were backcrossed to B6, and progeny that carry the reduced chromosome 2 region were tested for its effect on the alcohol preference phenotype.Results: We developed multiple ISCR strains, which spanned the QTL interval. Three of these showed the D2 phenotype of reduced alcohol consumption. The overlap of two of these strains reduced the QTL interval from 66.8 to 3.5 Mb. A third positive ISCRS suggests the possibility of a second, linked QTL.Conclusions: Use of ISCRSs can narrow a QTL region to a few Mb. This reduced interval size will facilitate identification of candidate genes, through bioinformatics, gene expression, and DNA sequencing strategies. Potential difficulties, including reduced power as a result of variable phenotypes or small effect size, are discussed.
Octanol Modulation of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Single Channels
Authors: Zuo Yi , Yeh Jay Z. , Narahashi Toshio 
Published: November 2004

Background: We have previously shown that alcohols exert a dual action on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), with short‐chain alcohols potentiating and long‐chain alcohols inhibiting acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced whole‐cell currents. At the single‐channel level, ethanol increased the channel open probability and prolonged the channel open time and burst duration. In this study, we examined the detailed mechanism of the inhibitory action of the long‐chain alcohol n‐octanol on the neuronal nicotinic AChR.Methods: Single‐channel currents induced by application of 30 nm ACh were recorded with the patch‐clamp technique from human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing the human α4β2 AChR.Results: Several single‐channel parameters were markedly changed by octanol. At least two conductance‐state currents were induced by low concentrations of ACh, and octanol increased the proportion of the low‐conductance‐state current relative to the high‐conductance‐state current without changing the current amplitude. Major analyses of temporal properties of single‐channel currents were performed on the high‐conductance‐state currents. Octanol decreased the burst duration and duration of openings within burst and prolonged the mean closed time. All of these changes contributed to the decrease in the open probability in a concentration‐dependent manner.Conclusions: Several aspects of octanol action on neuronal AChRs at the single‐channel level are compatible with an atypical open channel block model reported with muscle nicotinic AChRs. The potentiating action of short‐chain alcohols and the inhibitory action of long‐chain alcohols on the neuronal nicotinic AChR are mediated through different mechanisms.
The Dopamine D1 Antagonist Reduces Ethanol Reward for C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Price Kimber L. , Middaugh Lawrence D. 
Published: November 2004

Background: Dopamine D1 antagonist effects on behaviors related to obtaining and consuming ethanol remain unclear. The highly selective D1 antagonist ecopipam (SCH 39166), which has no effect on the serotonin system, was used to evaluate the role of D1 receptors in ethanol reward and its potential for treating alcohol abuse by determining its effect on several measures of ethanol reward in C57BL/6 (B6) mice.Methods: Ecopipam (0.025–0.2 mg/kg) effects on instrumental and contingent consummatory responses and on noncontingent consummatory responses for ethanol and water reward were determined in food‐restricted male mice trained to lever‐respond for 12% ethanol delivered on a fixed ratio‐4 reinforcement schedule. The mice were tested for 15‐min sessions under preprandial (high‐hunger and low‐thirst) and postprandial (low‐hunger and high‐thirst) test conditions.Results: Ecopipam dose‐dependently reduced instrumental and consummatory responses for ethanol and ethanol intake when tested under hunger‐ or thirst‐motivated conditions with free access to water. Under thirst motivation with no access to an alternate fluid source, lever responses for ethanol and water were similar; however, ecopipam reduced responding for ethanol more than responding for water reward. When given concurrent free access to the same fluid delivered for lever pressing, animals made more contacts for ethanol than for water; ecopipam reduced free ethanol but not water contacts.Conclusions: Ecopipam attenuated ethanol reward at doses that did not affect water reward, indicating an effect independent of reductions in motor system function or general motivation and arousal. Ecopipam also reduced ethanol reward to the same degree under hunger, thirst, or sated conditions, again indicating that it affected ethanol reward at doses that did not grossly affect general motivational states. These data suggest that ecopipam may reduce ethanol reward with few side effects and that it warrants further investigation as a pharmacological tool for treating alcohol abuse.