bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of Erwinia asparaginase therapy in childhood ALL in the Nordic countries
Authors: Albertsen Birgitte Klug , Schrøder Henrik , Jakobsen Preben , Müller Hans‐Joachim , Carlsen Niels T. , Schmiegelow Kjeld 
Published: March 2003

Aims  Evaluation of l‐asparaginase therapy in the NOPHO‐92 ALL‐protocol (treatment protocol of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, initiated in 1992) after intravenous and intramuscular administration of Erwinia asparaginase during induction and re‐induction therapy.
Methods
Forty children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia received Erwinia asparaginase (30 000 IU/m2 i.v. or i.m.) during induction therapy (every day for 10 days), and 19 children received Erwinia asparaginase (30 000 IU/m2 i.v. or i.m.) during re‐induction therapy (twice a week for 2 weeks). Within the treatment periods asparaginase trough activity (using a spectrophotometric assay) was determined on specific days. The goal of therapy is complete l‐asparagine depletion, which asparaginase activities above 100 IU l−1 have been shown to ensure. Therefore determination of l‐asparagine (using a h.p.l.c. method) was performed only in plasma samples with asparaginase activities below 100 IU l−1.Results  During induction therapy 92.2% of the trough enzyme activities were above 500 IU l−1 for the i.v.‐treated patients, and 92.4% of the trough enzyme activities were above 500 IU l−1 for the i.m.‐treated patients. During re‐induction therapy 64.7% of the trough enzyme activities were below 100 IU l−1 in the i.v.‐treated group, and 73.3% of the trough enzyme activities were below 100 IU l−1 in the i.m.‐treated group. For trough enzyme activities below 100 IU l−1l‐asparagine depletion was complete in two thirds of the samples.Conclusions  In the NOPHO‐92 ALL‐protocol l‐asparaginase treatment during induction therapy was unnecessarily intense, but during the re‐induction phase it appeared inadequate.
Population pharmacokinetics of amphotericin B in children with malignant diseases
Authors: Nath Christa E. , McLachlan Andrew J. , Shaw Peter J. , Gunning Robyn , Earl John W. 
Published: March 2003

Aims  To construct a population pharmacokinetic model for the antifungal agent, amphotericin B (AmB), in children with malignant diseases.Methods  A two compartment population pharmacokinetic model for AmB was developed using concentration‐time data from 57 children aged between 9 months and 16 years who had received 1 mg kg−1 day−1 doses in either dextrose (doseform=1) or lipid emulsion (doseform=2). P‐Pharm (version 1.5) was used to estimate the basic population parameters, to identify covariates with significant relationships with the pharmacokinetic parameters and to construct a Covariate model. The predictive performance of the Covariate model was assessed in an independent group of 26 children (the validation group).Results  The Covariate model had population mean estimates for clearance (CL), volume of distribution into the central compartment (V) and the distributional rate constants (k12 and k21) of 0.88 l h−1, 9.97 l, 0.27 h−1 and 0.16 h−1, respectively, and the intersubject variability of these parameters was 19%, 49%, 55% and 48%, respectively. The following covariate relationships were identified: CL (l h−1) = 0.053 + 0.0456 weight0.75 (kg) + 0.242 doseform and V (l) = 7.11 + 0.107 weight (kg). Our Covariate model provided unbiased and precise predictions of AmB concentrations in the validation group of children: the mean prediction error was 0.0089 mg l−1 (95% confidence interval: −0.0075, 0.0252 mg l−1) and the root mean square prediction error was 0.1245 mg l−1 (95% confidence interval: 0.1131, 0.1349 mg l−1).Conclusions  A valid population pharmacokinetic model for AmB has been developed and may now be used in conjunction with AmB toxicity and efficacy data to develop dosing guidelines for safe and effective AmB therapy in children with malignancy.
Limitation of the in vitro whole blood assay for predicting the COX selectivity of NSAIDs in clinical use
Authors: Blain Hubert , Boileau Christelle , Lapicque Françoise , Nédélec Emmanuelle , Lœuille Damien , Guillaume Cécile , Gaucher Alain , Jeandel Claude , Netter Patrick , Jouzeau Jean‐Yves 
Published: March 2003

Aims  To assess if the inhibitory potency of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on cyclooxygenase (COX) isoenzymes, when given therapeutically in humans, can be predicted from their in vitro concentration‐response curves using the whole blood assay.Methods  Twenty‐four healthy male volunteers aged 20–27 years were recruited. Inhibition of blood COX isoenzymes was determined in vitro before any drug intake and ex vivo after single and repeated intake of either 7.5 mg meloxicam once, 400 mg ibuprofen three times daily or 75 mg diclofenac SR once, taken in a randomized cross‐over design. Production of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) during clotting and of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) during endotoxin exposure served as indicators of platelet COX‐1 and monocyte COX‐2 activity, respectively. Drugs were determined in plasma by h.p.l.c., with a chiral separation of ibuprofen and free fractions after equilibrium dialysis.Results  Intra‐subject variation for COX‐1 and COX‐2 at baseline was at 26±18% and 18±13% respectively, and intersubject variation at 39% and 36%, respectively. The ratios of IC50s and, at best, of IC80s revealed diclofenac and meloxicam as selective COX‐2 inhibitors and ibuprofen as a preferential COX‐1 inhibitor in vitro. However, after oral intake, ibuprofen inhibited ex vivo COX‐2 by 80% whereas diclofenac inhibited COX‐1 by 70%. Meloxicam inhibited COX‐1 from 30 to 55% depending on the repetition of the dose and increase in plasma concentrations. Using in vitro dose–response curves, the in vivo inhibitory potency of diclofenac was estimated adequately from its circulating concentration ([−0.18, 0.21] for COX‐1 and [−0.13, −0.03] for COX‐2) but this was not the case for ibuprofen on COX‐2 ([−0.14, 0.27]) and meloxicam on COX‐1 ([0.31, 1.05]). The limited predictability of the system was not improved through considering the unbound fraction of the drugs or the variable chiral inversion of ibuprofen.Conclusions  Assessment of COX‐2 selectivity based on in vitro studies and pharmacological modelling has a limited clinical relevance. There is a need to investigate COX selectivity at therapeutic plasma concentrations of NSAIDs using the ex vivo whole blood assay.
Prior flea beetle herbivory affects oviposition preference and larval performance of a potato beetle on their shared host plant
Authors: Wise Michael J. , Weinberg Abigail M. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract 1. The herbaceous plant Solanum carolinense (L.) (Solanaceae) is host to a number of specialist insects, including the leaf‐feeding beetles Epitrix fuscula (Crotch) and Leptinotarsa juncta (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Potted individuals of S. carolinense were subjected to one of two treatments: exposure to herbivory by E. fuscula or exclusion of all herbivores. The effects of E. fuscula herbivory on larval performance and oviposition preference of L. juncta were investigated.2. Although the masses of the L. juncta pupae did not differ between the two treatments, larvae feeding on damaged plants developed more slowly than those feeding on undamaged plants.3. In both paired leaf choice trials and whole plant choice trials, larvae of L. juncta showed no preference for undamaged versus damaged hosts.4. In a field transplant experiment, adult L. juncta females showed slight feeding preferences and strong oviposition preferences for undamaged plants versus plants that had been fed on by E. fuscula.5. The results are discussed with reference to their implications for plant‐mediated competition among herbivores and constraints on the evolution of plant resistance.
Spatial patterns, temporal variability, and the role of multi‐nest colonies in a monogynous Spanish desert ant
Authors: Cerdá Xim , Dahbi Abdallah , Retana Javier 
Published: March 2003

Abstract1. The colonies of the Spanish desert antCataglyphis ibericaare polydomous. This study describes the temporal and spatial patterns of the polydomy in this species at two different sites, and presents analyses of its role in reducing the attacks of the queen over sexual brood, and in allowing better habitat exploitation.2. The spatial distribution of nests was clumped while colonies were distributed randomly. Mean nearest neighbour distance ranged from 3.4 to 7.0 m for nests and from 12.3 to 14.1 m for colonies. Distance of foragers searching for food varied among nests: mean values were between 6.1 and 12.6 m.3. At both sites, the maximum number of nests per colony occurred in summer, during the maximum activity period of the species. Colonies regrouped at the end of this period but overwintered in several nests.4. Nest renewal inC. ibericacolonies was high and showed great temporal variability: nests changed (open, close, re‐open) continuously through the activity season and/or among years. The lifetime of up to 55% of nests was only 1–3 months.5. Polydomy inC. ibericamight decrease the interactions between the queen and the sexual brood. In all colonies excavated just before the mating period, the nest containing the queen did not contain any virgin female. Females were in the queenless nests of the colony.6. The results also suggest that polydomousC. ibericacolonies may enhance habitat exploitation because foraging activity per colony increases with nest number. The relationship between total prey input and foraging efficiency and number of nests per colony attains a plateau or even decreases after a certain colony size (four to six nests). This value agrees with the observed mean number of nests per colony inC. iberica.
The effect of corona discharge on Der p 1
Authors: Goodman N. , Hughes J. F. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground  Reduction of house dust mite allergens in the domestic environment can play an important part in reducing sensitization and in the amelioration of symptoms in atopic individuals. Chemical and physical methods have been tried with varied levels of success. The present paper presents a novel electrostatic way of destroying Der p 1, the major mite allergen.Objective  To assess the efficacy of negative Trichel, negative continuous glow, positive pulse and positive continuous glow corona in destroying Der p 1. To determine whether ozone has any effect on the integrity of Der p 1 in the experimental conditions present.Methods  A simple point‐to‐plane apparatus was used to irradiate samples of Der p 1 for periods of 1, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min. Controls were exposed to the atmosphere with no corona products present for the equivalent time. The effect of the corona by‐product ozone was investigated alone by exposing samples of Der p 1 to molecular ozone for 60 min. Der p 1 concentration was quantified by two‐site monoclonal antibody ELISA.Results  High current negative glow resulted in a 67.37% reduction in Der p 1 concentration after 300 min compared with a 50.5% reduction from a low current Trichel regime. High current positive glow corona gave a reduction of 25.22% while a low current positive pulse corona caused a 13.72% reduction after 300 min. All these reductions were statistically significant (P < 0.05) compared with unexposed controls. Negative corona always gave greater percentage reductions in Der p 1 concentration for each time exposure investigated. The pattern of percentage reduction follows an exponential rise to maximum relationship in respect to time. Samples of Der p 1 were not affected by exposure to molecular ozone.Conclusion  These data indicate corona products to be a powerful new method of destroying Der p 1 allergen that is not dependent on the presence of the oxidizing corona product ozone.
Prevalence and predictors of atopy among young Danish adults
Authors: Von Linstow M.‐L , Porsbjerg C , Ulrik C. S , Nepper‐Christensen S , Backer V 
Published: March 2003

SummaryBackground  The prevalence of atopic diseases is increasing in western countries, and environmental exposures in childhood may influence development of atopic sensitization.Objective  To investigate the prevalence and predictors of atopy among young Danish adults.Methods  Of 940 invited subjects, aged 19–29 years, complete data were obtained from 525 (56%) subjects. All completed a questionnaire concerning asthma, rhinitis, preschool nursery care, smoking habits, family size, education and employment. A skin prick test was performed, and pulmonary function was measured using standard techniques. Atopy was defined as a positive skin prick test.Results  The frequency of atopy was 32% (males 43% vs. females 23%, P < 0.001). We found a positive association between atopy and atopic dermatitis (P < 0.05), rhinitis (P < 0.001), itching when eating nuts (P < 0.001) and current asthma (P < 0.001). There was an inverse relation between atopy and having furred pets in childhood (P < 0.05), passive smoking in childhood (P < 0.01) and current passive smoking (P < 0.05). An increasing number of siblings was inversely related to atopy to grass (P < 0.05); however, only an increasing number of older siblings seemed to protect from atopy to grass (P < 0.05). Subjects who had never attended a day‐care centre had significantly more atopy to grass (P < 0.05). No significant association was found between atopy and airway infections requiring hospitalization before the age of 5 years, or between atopy and bedroom sharing in childhood.Conclusion  Atopy is common among young Danish adults, especially in males. Participants were less likely to be atopic, especially to grass allergen, if they came from large families, had kept furred pets as children, and had been exposed to tobacco smoke.
Modulation of the expression of the Cip/Kip family of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors in foetal developing lungs of hamsters
Authors: Ikoma T. , Ito T. , Okudela K. , Hayashi H. , Yazawa T. , Kitamura H. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.We examine the cell proliferation activity and expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors of the Cip/Kip family, p21Cip1, p27Kip1 and p57Kip2, in foetal hamster lungs to determine the expression patterns of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors and to clarify the relationship between expression of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors and lung development. Foetal hamster lungs on gestational days 12.5–16 (the day of birth) and adult lungs were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Frozen sections were immunostained for the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors, and examined by immunostaining for Ki‐67 and bromodeoxyuridine to determine the proliferation activity of the foetal lungs. During the foetal period, cell proliferation activity, as analysed by Ki‐67 or bromodeoxyuridine labelling, decreased with development of the lung. In contrast to the gradual decrease of cell proliferation activity, cells with p27Kip1 immunoreactivity increased with development. On the other hand, p21Cip1‐positive cells were most prominent around gestational day 14.5, while after birth positive cells decreased markedly. A few p57Kip2‐positive cells were detected in the bronchiolar epithelium on gestational day 14.5. Western blotting analyses confirmed these immunostaining patterns. Thus, the levels of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors of the Cip/Kip family are modulated in the lungs during the foetal period, and each shows a unique expression pattern. The cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors may play roles not only in regulating cell proliferation activity but also in regulating other functions such as differentiation in the lung during the foetal period.
Perils and pitfalls of lumbar puncture in the emergency department
Authors: Holdgate Anna , Cuthbert Karyn 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLumbar Puncture is a procedure commonly performed in the emergency department. It provides important diagnostic information but has a significant number of limitations and complications. This article reviews the role of lumbar puncture in the emergency department based on an extensive review of the current literature, focusing on the recognized contraindications and complications of the procedure and how they can be minimized. The interpretation of diagnostic tests performed on cerebrospinal fluid is also examined, highlighting those tests most commonly ordered from the emergency department.
COSTS OF MOBILE SCREENING FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: A PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK FOR RURAL POPULATIONS
Authors: Lee Sue J. , McCarty Catherine A. , Taylor Hugh R. , Keeffe Jill E. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:Australia’s rural and remote residents experience considerably higher hospitalisation and death rates due to diabetes than their metropolitan counterparts. There is clearly a need for improved diabetes care services in these areas and interventions that target conditions associated with diabetes will yield beneficial results for the community. All people with diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss and blindness. Although vision loss and blindness due to diabetes is nearly 100% preventable through regular eye examinations, 35% of Victoria’s rural population with diabetes do not have their eyes examined on a regular basis. A pilot, mobile screening program for the early detection of diabetic eye disease was conducted in rural Victoria and proved to be a successful model of adjunct eye care for people with diabetes. Actual costs from the pilot screening were applied to a permanent model for rural eye care. At A$41 per participant, costs for mobile screening were competitive with Medicare rebate costs for eye examinations. The model addresses barriers of accessibility and availability, targets a portion of the rural population with diabetes that is not otherwise having eye examinations, and is cost‐saving to the Government.
Predation on Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) spawn by birds in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Authors: Bishop Mary A. , Green S. Patrick 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe examined bird diets in areas with Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) spawn at northern Montague Island in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Diets of the five most abundant bird species consisted primarily of herring spawn. Using a bioenergetics model, we estimated that in spring 1994 the five‐bird species ate 857.1 metric tons (mt), representing 31% of the estimated spawn deposition. The two most numerous consumers, glaucous‐winged gull (Larus glaucescens) and mew gull (Larus canus) consumed 26% and 3%, respectively, of the estimated spawn deposition. Surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata), surfbirds (Aphriza virgata), and black turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) together consumed 2% of the spawn deposition. In years with low spawn biomass, such as 1994, the number of herring larvae produced could be significantly affected by normal rates of avian predation. The high consumption by gulls, shorebirds, and surf scoters underscores the importance of herring spawn in the annual cycle of these species and requires further investigation.
Genetic improvement in the presence of genotype by environment interaction
Authors: LIN Ching Y. , TOGASHI Kenji 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAlthough the underlying mechanisms for triggering genotype–environment (GE) interaction are poorly understood, the potential impacts of GE interaction on genetic improvement are well recognized. Genotype–environment interaction may be classified into three levels: breed, individual and gene–environment interactions. Three measures of GE interaction (genetic correlation, interaction correlation, and commonality of individuals selected between environments) are discussed. Three options are currently available to deal with GE interaction: environmental, breeding and marker‐assisted approaches. Three possible selection strategies for improving global net merit were outlined: (i) selection of a specific genotype for each environment; (ii) selection in a single environment alone for overall response across environments; and (iii) global optimum index selection for high stability and average performance across environments. Global optimum index should be the method of choice from the standpoint of global marketing. Because of the complexity of GE interaction, it is impossible to develop a general strategy to deal with different types of GE interaction. Each type of interaction requires its own solution, depending upon a combination of the following six factors: (i) the intensity of GE interaction; (ii) relative economic weights among environments; (iii) the size of environments; (iv) the nature of environments; (v) the nature of GE interaction; and (vi) selection intensity. Profitability is a major concern in animal production. Extra genetic gain does not necessarily mean extra profit. Does additional genetic gain justify the associated costs of dealing with GE interaction? This is a fundamental issue that needs to be considered before a specific breeding strategy for GE interaction is developed.
Relationship between mineral availabilities and dietary phytate in animals
Authors: MATSUI Tohru 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTA large amount of phosphorus (P) in corn and soybean meal is in the form of phytate that is poorly available to monogastric animals. It leads to the presence of large amounts of P in manure, which contributes to the P pollution problem. The fermentation of soybean meal with Aspergillus usamii almost completely degraded phytate and improved P availability in chicks. Although dietary yeast phytase increased P absorption and availability in pigs, its efficacy was less than that of Aspergillus niger phytase. It was suggested that the lesser efficacy of yeast phytase resulted from its lower stability against pepsin. Phytate suppresses zinc availability in monogastric animals. Zinc availability was improved by the substitution of regular soybean meal with fermented soybean meal and by the supplementation with Aspergillus niger phytase in pigs. It has been considered that phytate is easily degraded in the rumen and the availability of phytate P is high in ruminants. However, 20% of phytate in oilseed meals was not degraded in the rumen of sheep. Additionally, heating and formaldehyde treatments with oilseed meals suppressed ruminal degradation of phytate and approximately half of phytate escaped from ruminal degradation in the treated oilseed meals.
Prolactin gene expression in mouse pancreatic islets
Authors: HARIGAYA Toshio , KOMORI Michiko , WATANABE Harumi , WATANABE Satoshi , MATSUI Takuji 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTMouse prolactin (mPRL) is a single‐chain polypeptide hormone, that is generally secreted from the prolactin cells of the anterior pituitary gland into the blood. However, recent studies have reported the ectopic gene expression of prolactin in several tissues, including the mammary gland, mammary tumors, lymphocytes, brain and decidua. In the present study, PRL gene expression was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) followed by Southern blot analysis and the nucleotide sequence analysis of the amplified complementary DNA (cDNA) . In situ hybridization was also performed to determine the localization of mPRL mRNA in the pancreas of adult male and female mice during pregnancy and lactation. Total ribonucleic acid (RNA) extracted from the pancreas was reverse transcribed, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers specific for a part of the mPRL cDNA. An amplified product was detected in all samples from the pancreas. This product hybridized specifically to a probe overlapping the entire mPRL cDNA sequence in Southern blot analysis. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that the amplified product was completely identical to the pituitary PRL cDNA sequence. Moreover, PRL mRNA was observed in the pancreatic islets by in situ hybridization. These results suggest that PRL mRNA is expressed in mouse pancreatic islets and that PRL may have some autocrine and/or paracrine roles in these tissues.