bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bifonazole Cream in the Treatment of Superficial Candidosis
Authors: Lalošević J. , Rojas R. , Astorga E. , Gip L.
Published: October 2009

This is the summary of a prospective, randomized, double-blind study comparing four therapeutic regimens: bifonazole cream applied once or twice daily, clotrimazole and placebo twice daily during 4 weeks for the treatment of cutaneous candidosis. The study is multicentric and was accomplished in four centres of different climate: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Sweden and Yugoslavia. The trial was carried out with approximately identical numbers of patients: 275 in total. The duration of treatment was 4 weeks and the check-ups were done before, during and 2 weeks after the end of the therapy. The results have shown the great efficacy of bifonazole cream (65–75%) in comparison to placebo (19.4%). There was no significant difference in applying bifonazole cream once or twice daily. So the reasonable therapy with bifonazole as to apply it only once a day, is confirmed. The excellent tolerance and absence of side-effects in such an extended study have once more proved the value of this antimycotic in topical treatment of cutaneous candidosis.
Treatment of Tinea pedis interdigitalis with Bifonazole, 1% Gel
Authors: Galimberti R.L. , Belli L. , Negroni R. , Castro J.M. , Rohwedder R. , Tuculet M.A.
Published: October 2009

329 adult patients with tinea pedis interdigitalis, which clinical diagnosis was confirmed by positive direct microscopic examinations and cultures of organisms from the lesions, were enrolled in this open and multicentric study. Informed consent was requested and obtained in each case. The bifonazole, 1% gel, tested was applied topically once daily for 3 weeks. Weekly clinical controls were performed during the treatment period and, at least, two clinical mycological posttreatment assessments were carried out. The evaluation criteria were based on the clinical and mycological findings at the end of the second posttreatment week. According to these criteria, the results obtained were: very good (clinical cure, negative mycology) 276 (84.0%); good (clinical improvement, negative mycology) 32 (9.5%); moderate (clinical improvement, positive mycology) 20 (6.0%), and failure (no clinical and mycological changes) 1 (0.5%). Tolerance was excellent, side effects were not observed in any case.
‘Composites’ – an Aberrant Structure of the Collagen Fibril
Authors: Mensing Hartwig , Schaeg Gertrud
Published: October 2009

Ultrastructural investigations are presented concerning the ‘composite’-like collagen changes in different kinds of connective tissue diseases. Most impressing findings were observed in processes causing an extensive elastotic degeneration. The morphology of the ‘composite’-like collagen changes is described, and some hypotheses are discussed with regard to the pathomechanism of their generation.
Morphological Study of the Reticular Erythematous Mucinosis Syndrome
Authors: Vanuytrecht-Henderickx D. , Dewolf-Peeters C. , Degreef H.
Published: October 2009

Histopathological studies were conducted on skin biopsies of 4 patients with the reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM) syndrome. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the clinical picture in 3 of the cases and from histological characteristics in the 4th. These morphological studies were done parallel with a study of skin biopsies with quite a similar histological picture but in which the clinical picture clearly indicated differing entities. The nosologic place of REM syndrome is questioned and the impression arises that there is a clear-cut histogenetical connection with several inflammatory skin diseases.
Skin, Hair and Nail Changes in a Case of Citrullinemia with Late Manifestation
Authors: Bonafe J.L. , Pieraggi M.T. , Abravanel M. , Benque A. , Abravanel G.
Published: October 2009

We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with a history of episodes of vomiting and coma. Hyperammoniemia, hypouremia, hypercitrullinemia and the decreased arginino-succinic synthetase activity on skin fibroblast cultures permitted us to diagnose citrullinemia. We think that the skin changes, i.e. atrophy of the epidermis, thin and short collagen bundles, dystrophic elastic fibers, increased fundamental matrix, were due to the undernutrition state and were not specific. The dosage of the amino acids of the total skin showed a decreased hydroxylation of lysine in the insoluble fraction, and the presence of pro-line and hypdroxyproline in the soluble fraction. These metabolic changes were not specific and evidenced the disorganization and the lysis of the connective tissue due to the undernutritional state. The nail changes, i.e. clubbed fingers and ‘half-and-half nail’ syndrome, were not specific either. The hair changes mentioned by other authors in newborns and young children, i.e. sparse and brittle blond hair, presence of transverse opaque bands (‘irregularly banded hair’), were not present in our case. We only found changes in the cuticle and some trichorrhexis which were not specific of the disease either.
Preliminary Report on the Therapeutic Effect of Khellin in Psoriasis
Authors: Abdel-Fattah Aly , Aboul-Enein Nabil , Wassel Gamila , El-Menshawi Bassem
Published: October 2009

A double-blind study has been performed to search for the possible effect of khellin in psoriasis. 10 patients were treated orally with khellin and subsequently exposed to sunlight for 4 months; a total of 8 cases responded positively with variable degrees of clearance. None of 10 controls had any response. A relapse-free duration of 3 years was recorded for 6 out of the 8 responders. This study would introduce the nonpsoralen compound khellin as a possible agent for the therapy of psoriasis.
Acantholytic Dyskeratosis on Both Legs
Authors: Ujihara Mayumi , Ozaki Motoaki
Published: October 2009

A 33-year-old woman developed pruritic lesions on both legs. There were brownish-red keratotic papules, whose biopsy specimen showed acantholysis and benign dyskeratosis. The duration was approximately 8 years. We considered her as a case of persistent acantholytic dermatosis with atypical distribution.
Pseudolumina und Stroma-Phagozytose beim ekkrinen Spiradenom
Authors: Seifert Heinz Werner
Published: October 2009

2 cases of eccrine spiradenoma were analyzed histologically and electron microscopically. In neither case true glandular structures could be found. On the submicroscopic level, ‘lumina’, as seen by light microscopic method, were found to be stroma islands containing fibrillar material, or cavities probably formed by cell decay. In case 2, submicroscopic examination revealed a considerable degree of cell and tissue alteration as intercellular edema, cellular shrinkage and phagocytic phenomenons. A striking finding was a marked dissociation of the stroma resulting in the formation of small units which were sometimes found to be phagocytized within tumor cells. These alterations are interpreted as a sign of regressive transformation of the tumor.
Un cas de leishmaniose cutanée atypique du dos
Authors: Crosti C. , Sala F. , Menni S. , Bencini P.L.
Published: October 2009

The authors describe a case of atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis of the back in a 41-year-old man with a history of renal tuberculosis and nephrectomy. The dubious diagnosis was clarified with the cultural test in NNN medium.
Selection of the Acceptor Medium in in vitro Measurements of Drug Release from Dermatological Ointments
Authors: Gloor M. , Shabafrouz H.
Published: October 2009

Comparative measurements of in vitro agent release using hydrophilic, intermediate, and lipophilic acceptor phases and in vivo measurements of the blanching effect with triamcinolone acetonide are reported. White petrolatum, wool alcohols ointment, and polyethylene glycol ointment served as donator phases. The results demonstrate that the lipophilic acceptor phase (isopropyl palmitate) is most representative for the in vivo acceptor phase. Conclusions cannot be drawn regarding in vivo effectiveness from measurements of agent release to the hydrophilic (phosphate buffer, pH 6) and intermediate (n-octanol) acceptor phases. In vitro measurements of agent release have a screening character and must usually be supplemented by very elaborate penetration models of the human skin for a definitive evaluation of an ointment.
A Study on Cell-Mediated Immunity in Polymorphic Light Eruption
Authors: Horkay Irene , Krajczár J. , Bodolay E. , Debreczeni M. , Bégány A.
Published: October 2009

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) can be defined as a delayed abnormal response to sunlight. In this paper some features of the presumable immune response were studied in 55 patients with PLE and the results were compared with the findings available in 58 cases with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). The mean intracutaneous reactivity index measured by skin tests of delayed type was normal in both diseases. The number of the active and total E-rosette-forming peripheral lymphocytes was significantly lower in the active stage of PLE whereas in remission normal values were found. In active PCT only the number of the total E-rosette-forming cells was decreased. The percentage of lymphocytes with so-called dot-like α-naphthyl acetate esterase enzyme reaction was reduced significantly in the active stage of PLE whereas in remission their number was normal. Changes observed in PLE seem to be functional and suggest the involvement of T lymphocytes in some phases of the hypersensitive cutaneous reaction induced by sunlight.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Palm
Authors: Weinrauch L. , Peled I. , Goldberg L.H. , Wexler M.R.
Published: October 2009

A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the palm is presented. Malignant growths of the dorsum of the hand are common but palmar involvement by squamous cell carcinoma is highly unusual.
Sclérœdème de Buschke et dysglobulinémie monoclonale: à propos de 3 observations
Authors: Clerici T. , Faure M. , Chouvet B. , Perrot H. , Hermier C.
Published: October 2009

A monoclonal gammopathy was observed in 3 adult patients with long-term and widespread scleredema (Buschke’s disease). There was no evidence of multiple myeloma in any patient. The monoclonal immunoglobulin was in every case of the IgG-ĸ type. Bence Jones proteinuria was noted in 1 case (ĸ). Deposition of monoclonal lgG-ĸ in the skin was not detected by immunofluorescence microscopy. These findings and previous reports of 5 cases suggest that diffuse scleredema may be frequently associated with paraproteinemia, but the role of monoclonal immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of the disease remains to be clarified.
Precautions for Personnel Applying Topical Nitrogen Mustard to Patients with Mycosis fungoides
Authors: Thestrup-Pedersen K. , Christiansen J.V. , Zachariae H.
Published: October 2009

An increased awareness among staff personnel of the potential damaging effects of cytostatic drugs has lead us to take specific precautions when nitrogen mustard is used as topical therapy in mycosis fungoides. This report deals with the risks involved in using nitrogen mustard, and how to take steps against such risks. The exposure of healthy staff personnel to potential risks from cytostatic drugs can, and should, be avoided.
Orale Photochemotherapie bei aktinischem Retikuloid
Authors: Hunziker T. , Knecht Y. , Krebs A.
Published: October 2009

The successful oral photochemotherapy (PUVA) of 2 patients suffering from actinic reticuloid is reported.
Dermatitis plantaris sicca
Authors: Kint A. , Van Hecke E. , Leys G.
Published: October 2009

In 22 children with dermatitis plantaris sicca no or insufficient arguments were found to relate the condition to atopy, contact allergy or mycologic infection. Successful therapeutic results with urea creams and salicylic acid ointments rather point to dehydration by external factors as an important cause.
In vitro Models Reflecting the Action of Strong Acids on Integumental Tissue
Authors: Weiner Murray
Published: October 2009

The discoloration of white rat hair by acid preparations has been employed as a model reflecting local tissue destruction by intravital fixation as contrasted to tissue dissolution. Nitrate reduction products in equilibrium with nitrite ion in moderately strong acid result in much more rapid tissue fixation than is accomplished by acid preparations alone. Parallel differences were found in the color reaction of normal skin to different acid preparations. The rapid fixing capacity demonstrated by these models may be useful for sharply localized destruction of topical lesions clinically.
Double-Blind Study of Variables Influencing the Clinical Effects of Solcoderm
Authors: Weiner M. , Semah D. , Schewach-Millet M.
Published: October 2009

Double-blind clinical studies of pairs of lesions were initiated to evaluate several components of Solcoderm treatment. The superiority of Solcoderm over plain nitric acid was as evident with plastic as with wooden applicators. A mixture of oxalic and nitric acid had effects similar to Solcoderm, while acetic and nitric acid was similar in effect to plain nitric acid.
Differential Aspects of Solcoderm Therapy as a Function of Dermatologic Diagnoses
Authors: Binet O. , Césarini J.-P. , Bruley C. , Aron-Brunetière R.
Published: October 2009

Experience with 265 Solcoderm-treated lesions in 131 patients followed for 1 year is the basis of delineating the preferred methods of treating skin tumors with this new caustic agent. General principles and diagnosis-specific suggestions are presented.
Lipodystrophia centrifugalis abdominalis juvenilis
Authors: Lee Sungnack , Houh Won , Kim Young Keun , Chun Soo Ill , Cho Baik Kee
Published: October 2009

8 Korean children exhibited well-defined depressed lesions of the skin accompanied by slight redness of the surrounding area. First these lesions appeared in the inguinal area and then spread peripherally to the navel region and the ipsilateral vulval area. In these 8 cases, 7 occurred in girls and 1 in a boy. The age of onset ranged from 2 to 9 years. Biopsy specimens taken from the well-depressed area showed a decrease in or absence of, subcutaneous fat and a mild inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes in the lower dermis and subcutis. These 8 cases are the first, to our knowledge, to be reported outside Japan and considering the age of onset of the dermatosis it is not confined to infants. Therefore, we would like to describe this entity under the title of lipodystrophia centrifugalis abdominalis juvenilis instead of lipodystrophia centrifugalis abdominalis infantilis.
Dyskeratotic Process of Hyperkeratosis lenticularis perstans (Flegel)
Authors: Tezuka Tadashi
Published: October 2009

The dyskeratotic changes in the lesions of hyperkeratosis lenticularis perstans were examined electron microscopically and histochemically. Under electron microscopy, the formation of keratohyalin granules was reduced and there was a lack of lamellar granule formation. In addition, the catabolic processes were disturbed, and ribosomal and mitochondrial structures remained, and lipid crystal-like structures were seen in the stratum corneum. The structure of the desmosomes of the stratum corneum was identical to that seen in the stratum spinosum. Staining with thiol-specific, fluorescent reagent, N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methyl-coumarinyl) maleimide (DACM) demonstrated strong fluorescence in the cytoplasm of the stratum corneum and granulosum without reduction by 2-mercaptoethanol. With reduction, moderate fluorescence was only seen at the periphery of the stratum corneum cells. These results indicate that there is a cystine-rich protein in the stratum corneum cells.
Etude histo-pathologique de la dermatite périorale
Authors: Ramelet A.-A. , Delacrétaz J.
Published: October 2009

38 biopsies of perioral dermatitis have been examined. The following has consistently been observed: follicular hyperkeratosis; vasodilatation and oedema (sometimes very pronounced) of the papillary dermis; peri vascular and parafollicular infiltrates consisting predominantly of lymphocytes, histiocytes and polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Occasionally, there have been epithelioid or giant cells, sarcoid-like infiltrates or vasculitis of the leucoclastic type. Demodexfolliculorum was observed in only two sections and the follicles that contained them were not inflamed. This histological picture is very similar to that of acne rosacea.
Cutaneous Calculus – Its Pathogenesis
Authors: Tezuka Tadashi
Published: October 2009

The cutaneous calculus of 11 patients were examined. Histologically they were classified into three types: the first type, seen in an early lesion, consisted of a basophilic mass; the second type consisted of a mass and various-sized granules; and the third type consisted entirely of granules. Histochemically, the mass contained acid mucopolysaccharides. In the granules neutral mucopolysaccharides were found. There were numerous, vacuolated mast cells and various-sized, calcified amorphous areas evident with electron microscopic examination of an early lesion.
A New Case of Eosinophilic Fasciitis
Authors: Laso F.J. , Aparicio M. , Díez-Jarilla J.L. , González-Macías J.
Published: October 2009

A new case of Shulman’s disease is reported. The patient shows skin induration in both arms and legs, and morphea plaques without visceral involvement. Onset of the disease followed an unusual physical effort. An important blood eosinophilia and a mild hypergammaglobulinemia are present. The histopathologícal studies show a typical eosinophilic fasciitis. The use of steroids had no effect in the treatment of the disease.
Trials with Xanthine Derivatives in Systemic Treatment of Psoriasis
Authors: Iancu L. , Shneur A. , Cohen H.
Published: October 2009

The psoriatic epidermis is more active metabolically and its rate of proliferation is faster, showing incomplete differentiation as a result of the imbalance between the low level of cyclic AMP and the high level of cyclic GMP. The low cyclic AMP levels are due to hyperactivity of the phosphodiesterase which hydrolyzes cyclic AMP. Xanthine derivatives are found to be potent phosphodiesterase inhibitors. 15 psoriatic patients were treated with tablets of xanthine derivatives (dyphylline, aminophylline). The obtained results are discussed.
Percutaneous Absorption of Chlorquinaldol (Sterosan®)
Authors: Degen P.H. , Moppert J. , Schmid K. , Weirich E.G.
Published: October 2009

The percutaneous absorption of chlorquinaldol from three different preparations for skin treatment (Sterosan-hydrocortisone ointment and cream, Sterosan ointment) was evaluated by measuring the cumulative urinary excretion of chlorquinaldol and was compared to that found after an equivalent oral dose. In the blood the concentrations were below the detection limit of the analytical procedure, i.e., smaller than 0.02 μg/ml. The study was carried out in 3 healthy volunteers using a four-period change-over design. The topical preparations were applied under occlusive dressings. Following epicutaneous application of the three topicals in quantities containing 30 mg chlorquinaldol each, the mean urinary excretion of the drug amounted to 11.1 ± 6.6, 19.5 ± 3.5 and 13.0 ± 2.5% of the applied dose. When the same dose of chlorquinaldol was administered orally, 67.6 ± 9.5% of the dose was excreted in the urine. Taking the urinary elimination as the minimal amount of drug absorbed, the extent of percutaneous absorption from the three dermatological preparations varied between 4.2 and 23.5% of the applied dose. There was no difference in the pattern of urinary excretion products among the three topicals and the oral formulation. The bulk of chlorquinaldol (mean: 98.0 ± 0.1%) was excreted as glucuronide, and only small fractions were excreted as sulfate (mean: 1.3 ± 0.3%) or unchanged drug (mean• 0.8 ± 0.1%).
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis in Nigerians
Authors: Jacyk W.K. , Subbuswamy S.G.
Published: October 2009

An analysis of the clinical and pathologic characteristics of 12 Nigerian patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is presented. Two morphological variants have been observed, typical wart-like flat-topped papules and larger confluent plaques. Seborrhoeic keratoses were observed in patients with the second morphological variety of EV. Solar elastosis was found in biopsies taken from EV lesions in this subgroup of patients. A particular rarity of seborrhoeic keratosis in Africans is emphasized as no single African case of seborrhoeic keratosis was found apart from patients with EV. No malignant epithelial skin tumours were found in the whole group. Factors underlying an apparently more benign course of EV in Africans are discussed, and the literature on EV in Africa is reviewed.
Percutaneous Absorption of Clioquinol (Vioform®)
Authors: Degen P.H. , Moppert J. , Schmid K. , Weirich E.G.
Published: October 2009

The percutaneous absorption of clioquinol from three different preparations for skin treatment (Vioform cream, Locacorten-Vioform cream and Vioform-Hydrocortisone cream) was evaluated. After topical dosages corresponding to 30 mg clioquinol, concentrations in the blood were below the detection limit of the analytical procedure, i.e., smaller than 0.02 μg/ml; therefore the percutaneous absorption was evaluated by measuring cumulative urinary excretion of clioquinol and was compared to that found after an equivalent oral dose. The study was carried out in 4 healthy volunteers. The topical preparations were applied under occlusive dressings. Following epicutaneous application of the three topicals in quantities containing 30 mg clioquinol each, the urinary excretion of the drug was between 1.2 and 3.6% of the applied dose. When the same dose of clioquinol was administered orally to two volunteers, 52.4 and 92.9% of the dose was excreted in the urine. Taking the urinary elimination as the minimal amount of drug absorbed, the extent of percutaneous absorption from the three dermatological preparations amounted to 1.2–3.6% of the applied dose. There was no difference in the pattern of urinary excretion products among the three topicals and the oral formulation. The bulk of clioquinol was excreted as glucuronide (mean: 96 ± 3%) and only a small fraction was excreted as sulfate (mean: 3.8 ± 3%). A small amount of free clioquinol (1.1%) was measured in 1 subject only after the oral dose.
Les otomycoses
Authors: Grigoriu D. , Bambule J. , Delacrétaz J. , Savary M.
Published: October 2009

Otomycosis is a relatively frequent disorder (21.7% of the cases of external otitis) of fungal origin. Otomycoses can be discriminated from bacterial otitis by the following symptoms: itching, absence of otalgy, discharge and negative response to different local antibiotic therapies. Our study involves 148 cases of otomycosis and their therapy. Recovery was obtained in approximately 10 days.
Topical Treatment of Kaposi’s Sarcoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma and Solar Keratosis with Ointment of BCG and Cord Factor
Authors: Cohen Haim A. , Bekierkunst Adam
Published: October 2009

4 patients with Kaposi’s sarcoma and 1 patient with basal cell carcinoma and solar keratosis were successfully treated with topical application of an ointment containing killed BCG and cord factor.
Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides
Authors: van der Harst-Oostveen C.J.G.R. , van Vloten W.A.
Published: October 2009

Cell-mediated immune reactivity was studied in 23 patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary’s syndrome by a semi-quantitative 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) sensibilization test and the reaction to intracutaneous microbial antigens. Anergy to DNCB was observed in 8 patients, 5 had a markedly depressed DNCB score, 6 showed negative reactions to the microbial antigens. A defect in antigen recognition is suggested.
Sterile eosinophile Pustulose
Authors: Orfanos C.E. , Sterry W.
Published: October 2009

‘Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis’, first described by Ofuji and co-workers in 1970, is obviously a new entity, not only confined to Japan. Recently, there was a case reported from Sweden; we present here the first observation in the FRG. The disease is characterized by eruptions of aggregated pustules, containing numerous eosinophils, and by blood eosinophilia. In our patient the disease first appeared on the scalp, leading to scarring alopecia. Since in our and in some other patients the lesions were not limited to the follicles, we feel that the term ‘sterile eosinophilic pustulosis’ is more appropriate to reflect the clinical picture. For differential diagnosis Morbus Duhring and M. Sneddon-Wilkinson have to be considered. ‘Sterile eosinophilic pustulosis’ differs from these mainly because of the eosinophilic infiltrations deep in the dermis. Immunofluorescence tests are negative. Treatment with DADPS may be helpful.
Nahrungsmittel-Allergen-Testung bei Acne vulgaris
Authors: Wüthrich B. , Much T.
Published: October 2009

120 patients with acne vulgaris had to undergo an intracutaneous allergen test with 23 of the most important food allergens. The skin test results of 83 patients (69.2%) were negative, only 9 (7.4%) showed a distinct immediate reaction on four or more food extracts. Almonds showed the most positive reactions (11.6%), then malt (10%), cheese, mustard, red pepper (8.3% each), and wheaten flour (7.5%). Thereupon the patients were instructed to either keep no diet at all, or to follow an acne diet, or a special elimination diet based on the results of the skin test. Moreover, all the patients had to undergo the same mild acne local therapy. After 3 months treatment (with monthly controls) 45 patients could be evaluated. No statistical difference was found within the three groups with regard to the success of treatment. Diet prescriptions for acne vulgaris are generally not very significant, although they are possibly useful in individual cases.
Furosemide as an Adjunct in the Therapy of Bromism and Bromoderma
Authors: Millns John L. , Rogers III Roy S.
Published: October 2009

A patient had bromism and associated bromoderma, with the clinical appearance of pyoderma gangrenosum. The therapy of bromoderma is best approached by the rapid promotion of bromide excretion in conjunction with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, in this case, prednisone.
Sebaceous Carcinoma
Authors: Pérez Hernández , Baños E.
Published: October 2009

Metastasizing sebaceous carcinoma are rare. Two cases are now reported, both in old males, with axillary lymph nodes metastasis. The pertinent literature is reviewed.
Prognostic Values of C-Reactive Protein Levels on Clinical Outcome After Implantation of Sirolimus-Eluting Stents in Patients on Hemodialysis
Authors: Ishii Hideki , Toriyama Takanobu , Aoyama Toru , Takahashi Hiroshi , Amano Tetsuya , Hayashi Mutsuharu , Tanaka Miho , Kawamura Yoshihiro , Yasuda Yoshinari , Yuzawa Yukio , Maruyama Shoichi , Matsuo Seiichi , Matsubara Tatsuaki , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: October 2009

Background—

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using drug-eluting stents significantly reduces the risk of restenosis in the general population. However, in patients on hemodialysis, adverse cardiac events are frequently seen even if treated with drug-eluting stents. Recent studies suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) reflects vascular wall inflammation and can predict adverse cardiac events. We evaluated possible prognostic values of CRP on outcomes in patients on hemodialysis undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stents.

Methods and Results—

A total of 167 patients undergoing PCI with sirolimus-eluting stents for stable angina (322 lesions) were enrolled. They were divided into tertiles according to serum CRP levels. We analyzed the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events including cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization after PCI as well as quantitative coronary angiographic data. The mean follow-up was 31 months (SD, 14). Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 11 patients (19.6%) of the lowest tertile, in 22 patients (39.3%) of the middle tertile, and in 28 patients (50.9%) of the highest tertile during follow-up period (
P
=0.0009). There was a progressive increase in neointimal growth after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation during follow-up because preprocedural CRP levels were higher, despite similar angiographic data just after PCI. Angiographic restenosis at 6 to 8 months after PCI was seen in 10.6% in the lowest tertile, 17.9% in the middle tertile, and 32.0% in the highest tertile (
P
=0.0007).

Conclusions—

Increased preprocedural serum CRP levels would predict higher major adverse cardiac events and restenosis rates after sirolimus-eluting stents implantation in patients on hemodialysis.
Temporal Trends in Patient-Reported Angina at 1 Year After Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization in the Stent Era
Authors: Venkitachalam Lakshmi , Kip Kevin E. , Mulukutla Suresh R. , Selzer Faith , Laskey Warren , Slater James , Cohen Howard A. , Wilensky Robert L. , Williams David O. , Marroquin Oscar C. , Sutton-Tyrrell Kim , Bunker Clareann H. , Kelsey Sheryl F.
Published: October 2009

Background—

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has witnessed rapid technological advancements, resulting in improved safety and effectiveness over time. Little, however, is known about the temporal impact on patient-reported symptoms and quality of life after PCI.

Methods and Results—

Temporal trends in post-PCI symptoms were analyzed using 8879 consecutive patients enrolled in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–sponsored Dynamic Registry (wave 1: 1997 [bare metal stents], wave 2: 1999 [uniform use of stents], wave 3: 2001 [brachytherapy], wave 4, 5: 2004, 2006 [drug eluting stents]). Patients undergoing PCI in the recent waves were older and more often reported comorbidities. However, fewer patients across the waves reported post-PCI angina at one year (wave 1 to 5: 24%, 23%, 18%, 20%, 20%;
P
trend
<0.001). The lower risk of angina in recent waves was explained by patient characteristics including use of antianginal medications at discharge (relative risk [95% CI] for waves 2, 3, 4 versus 1: 1.0 [0.9 to 1.2], 0.9 [0.7 to 1.1], 1.0 [0.8 to 1.3], 0.9 [0.7 to 1.1]). Similar trend was seen in the average quality of life scores over time (adjusted mean score for waves 1 to 5: 6.2, 6.5, 6.6 and 6.6;
P
trend
=0.01). Other factors associated with angina at 1 year included younger age, female gender, prior revascularization, need for repeat PCI, and hospitalization for myocardial infarction over 1 year.

Conclusion—

Favorable temporal trends are seen in patient-reported symptoms after PCI in routine clinical practice. Specific subgroups, however, remain at risk for symptoms at 1 year and thus warrant closer attention.
Test Scaling and Value-Added Measurement
Authors: Ballou Dale
Published: October 2009

Conventional value-added assessment requires that achievement be reported on an interval scale. While many metrics do not have this property, application of item response theory (IRT) is said to produce interval scales. However, it is difficult to confirm that the requisite conditions are met. Even when they are, the properties of the data that make a test IRT scalable may not be the properties we seek to represent in an achievement scale, as shown by the lack of surface plausibility of many scales resulting from the application of IRT. An alternative, ordinal data analysis, is presented. It is shown that value-added estimates are sensitive to the choice of ordinal methods over conventional techniques. Value-added practitioners should ask themselves whether they are so confident of the metric properties of these scales that they are willing to attribute differences to the superiority of the latter.
The Sensitivity of Value-Added Modeling to the Creation of a Vertical Score Scale
Authors: Briggs Derek C. , Weeks Jonathan P.
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of growth and value-added modeling to the way an underlying vertical score scale has been created. Longitudinal item-level data were analyzed with both student- and school-level identifiers for the entire state of Colorado between 2003 and 2006. Eight different vertical scales were established on the basis of choices made for three key variables: the item response theory modeling approach, the calibration approach, and the student proficiency estimation approach. Each scale represented a methodological approach that was psychometrically defensible. Longitudinal values from each scale were used as the outcome in a commonly used value-added model (the “layered model” popularized by William Sanders) as a means of estimating school effects. Our findings suggest that while the ordering of estimating school effects is insensitive to the underlying vertical scale, the precision of such value-added estimates can be quite sensitive to the combinations of choices made in the creation of the scale.
Impediments to the Estimation of Teacher Value Added
Authors: Ishii Jun , Rivkin Steven G.
Published: October 2009

This article considers potential impediments to the estimation of teacher quality caused primarily by the purposeful behavior of families, administrators, and teachers. The discussion highlights the benefits of accounting for student and school differences through a value-added modeling approach that incorporates a student's history of family, school, and community influences. Unfortunately, the value-added framework does not address all potential impediments to the consistent estimation of teacher quality of instruction, even when focused solely on within-school differences. Of particular importance is the nonrandom assignment of students to classrooms on the basis of unobservable characteristics and parental and school responses to teacher quality. Evidence from studies that take extensive measures to mitigate the influence of purposeful classroom assignment nonetheless supports the existence of substantial within-school variation in the quality of instruction.
Student Sorting and Bias in Value-Added Estimation: Selection on Observables and Unobservables
Authors: Rothstein Jesse
Published: October 2009

Nonrandom assignment of students to teachers can bias value-added estimates of teachers' causal effects. Rothstein (2008, 2010) shows that typical value-added models indicate large counterfactual effects of fifth-grade teachers on students' fourth-grade learning, indicating that classroom assignments are far from random. This article quantifies the resulting biases in estimates of fifth-grade teachers' causal effects from several value-added models, under varying assumptions about the assignment process. If assignments are assumed to depend only on observables, the most commonly used specifications are subject to important bias, but other feasible specifications are nearly free of bias. I also consider the case in which assignments depend on unobserved variables. I use the across-classroom variance of observables to calibrate several models of the sorting process. Results indicate that even the best feasible value-added models may be substantially biased, with the magnitude of the bias depending on the amount of information available for use in classroom assignments.
Measuring the Negotiation Burden of Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Authors: Muñoz Miquel , Thrasher Rachel , Najam Adil
Published: October 2009

The Global Environmental Governance (GEG) system has grown significantly since the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. In this paper we analyze ten leading Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), reviewing various quantitative indicators (related to time, resources and commitment) to chart their evolution and to measure the “negotiation burden” that the burgeoning GEG system is imposing on states and secretariats. We find that these representative MEAs have not only grown in size but also have become busier over time, although there are indications that as the GEG system “matures,” it may also be stabilizing. Among other things, we find that the reported budget for these ten MEA secretariats has grown nine-fold in sixteen years, from US$ 8.18 million in 1992 to US$ 75.83 million in 2007. Counting only the most important of meetings, and using the number of meeting days as an indicator of the “negotiation load,” we find that the negotiation load for the leading MEAs has stabilized, averaging around 115 meeting days per year. Decisions also seem to plateau at about 185 per year.
Glottalization and Lenition in Nuu-chah-nulth
Authors: Kim Eun-Sook , Pulleyblank Douglas
Published: October 2009

This article examines glottalization and lenition in Nuu-chah-nulth. These processes involve features introduced via affixation, features that are sometimes compatible with the final segment of the stem and sometimes incompatible. An understanding of the intricacies of these patterns requires a focus on featural representations, with lexical representations involving floating features and variable specifications for features. Both of these properties follow from the postulation of a rich base, with features freely combining in inputs. The analysis argues for covert features, for constraints holding more strongly in small domains than large domains, and for the importance of a markedness scale on glottalizability.
Breaking Agreements: Distinguishing Agreement and Clitic Doubling by Their Failures
Authors: Preminger Omer
Published: October 2009

In this article, I propose a novel way to distinguish between agreement and clitic doubling. The innovation lies in examining what happens when the relation between the relevant agreement morphology and the full noun phrase fails to obtain: whether the agreement morpheme still shows up, bearing default φ-features, or disappears altogether.

The workings of the proposed diagnostic are demonstrated using a family of constructions in “substandard” Basque (Etxepare 2006). Besides supporting the proposed diagnostic, the analysis of Basque provides a new perspective on the typological status of the Basque agreement system, as well as evidence against the traditional analysis of unergatives in Basque as being underlyingly transitive.
Themes, Cumulativity, and Resultatives: Comments on Kratzer 2003
Authors: Williams Alexander
Published: October 2009

According to Kratzer (2003), the thematic relation Theme, construed very generally, is not a “natural relation.” She says that the “natural relations” are “cumulative” and argues that Theme is not cumulative, in contrast to Agent. It is therefore best, she concludes, to remove Theme from the palette of semantic analysis. Here I oppose the premises of Kratzer's argument and then introduce a new challenge to her conclusion, based on the resultative construction in Mandarin. The facts show that Theme and Agent are on equal footing, insofar as neither has the property that Kratzer's conjecture requires of a natural relation.
Hearkening to Thalia: Toward the Rebirth of Comedy in Continental Philosophy
Authors: Freydberg Bernard
Published: October 2009

This paper discloses and furthers the rebirth of comedy in Continental philosophy in three stages. The first treats Greek comedy, bringing forth the comic contours in Plato and exploring the philosophical content of Aristophanic comedy. The second examines certain German encounters with comedy, from the staid Wieland translations of Aristophanes through the thoughtful discussions of Schiller, Hegel, and Nietzsche. The third investigates twentieth-century American comedy and its connection to American Continental philosophy, and includes a close analysis of the Marx Brothers' Horsefeathers. The latter serves as a bridge to some surprising developments regarding comedy, poetry, and philosophy.
Visual Vestiges of Travel: Persian Windows on European Weaknesses
Authors: Babaie Sussan
Published: October 2009

The increased presence of Europeans in Safavid Persia and especially in the capital city of Isfahan during the seventeenth century would imply the production of a kaleidoscope of observations of the foreigners. The scarcity of written Persian views on their European guests in contrast to the abundance of European chronicles about Safavid society has further fueled the expectation of 'oriental' apathy in modern historiography. In contrast to the discursive sources, Persian pictorial evidence of the European presence in Persia is surprisingly rich. This article focuses on a genre of Persian painting in which figural subject matter alludes to a sexual peculiarity of Europeans as observed by the people of Isfahan. The social agency of such pictures and their efficacy as historical sources allow us to tease out the different ways Safavid urban society observed the Europeans and lodged a cultural critique on aspects of their sexual behavior even before the emergence of Persian polemics on the Christian practice of celibacy.
The Journey of Master Anthony Jenkinson to Persia, 1562-1563
Authors: Meshkat Kurosh
Published: October 2009

The article provides an account of Anthony Jenkinson's journey to Persia, and assesses the faithfulness of his narrative by examining it in a broader literary context consisting of his diplomatic instructions, the oral sources informing his narrative, and extracts from the Persian chronicles where possible. The second part of the article compares E. Delmar Morgan's nineteenth-century interpretation and presentation of Jenkinson's narrative with its reception in England when it was first published by Richard Hakluyt in the late sixteenth-century.
Die sog. “Règlements” als Werk des Pachomianers Horsiese († nach 386)
Authors: Joest Christoph
Published: October 2009

Since Jerome's Latin translation of the monastic rules attributed to Pachomius (287-347) these have never vanished from the memory and the tradition of Western monasticism. This contrasts strongly with a cluster of rules written in Coptic. These were not published until the 19th century, and in accordance with the edition of Louis-Théophile Lefort they are usually called the 'règlements' (regulations) of Horsiese. This attribution has, however, been questioned. The present article aims to offer a sound basis for the view that Horsiese is indeed the author of these rules.
Duplex Ultrasound Scanning (DUS) Versus Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) in the Follow-Up After EVAR
Authors: Badri Hassan , El Haddad Mohammed , Ashour Hamdy , Nice Colin , Timmons Grace , Bhattacharya Vish
Published: October 2009

Introduction: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is the gold standard follow-up modality after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). A potential alternative noninvasive and less expensive modality is duplex ultrasound scanning (DUS). Methods: We studied 314 follow-up paired scans (DUS and CTA) in 59 patients with EVAR. Results: Endoleak—Endoleak was detected in 23.7% patients. The sensitivity and specificity rates of DUS were 54% and 95.3%, respectively. All 9 endoleaks that needed secondary intervention were detected on DUS. Eight of those were identified within a year after EVAR. Sac size—The mean difference in maximum diameter between the DUS and CTA was ≤5 mm in 84.5% of cases and ≤10 mm in 97.1%. Graft patency—There was 100% agreement between CTA and DUS. Conclusions: Duplex ultrasound scanning was reliable as it detected all the leaks that needed reintervention after EVAR. Duplex ultrasound scanning showed similar results to CTA in detecting sac size and patency.
Serum Leptin Levels in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bountouris Ioannis , Paraskevas Kosmas I. , Koutouzis Michael , Tzavara Vassiliki , Nikolaou Nikolaos , Nomikos Alexandros , Barbatis Calypso , Andrikopoulos Vassilios , Mikhailidis Dimitri P. , Andrikopoulou Maria , Kyriakides Zenon S. , Georgopoulos Sotirios , Michail Panagiotis O. , Bastounis Elias
Published: October 2009

Introduction: Elevated serum leptin levels are associated with cardiovascular events. We investigated the role of serum leptin in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: A total of 74 patients (55 men; 38 symptomatic and 36 asymptomatic; mean age 66.9 ± 8.2 years) undergoing CEA for >70% carotid artery stenosis were enrolled. Results: Serum leptin levels were lower in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients (7.1 ± 1.3 vs 14.4 ± 4.7 ng/dL; P < .001). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were higher in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients (4.3 ± 1.7 vs 3.3 ± 1.1 pg/dL; P = .017). Symptomatic patients had more intense macrophage accumulation (0.7% ± 0.1% vs 0.3% ± 0.1%; P < .001). Serum leptin and serum IL-6 levels were independently associated with the presence of symptoms in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Serum leptin levels were decreased in symptomatic carotid artery disease. This finding requires further investigation in larger studies.
Students’ Group and Member Attachment to Their University: A Construct Validity Study of the University Attachment Scale
Authors: France Megan K. , Finney Sara J. , Swerdzewski Peter
Published: October 2009

This study examined the psychometric properties of scores from the University Attachment Scale, a measure that operationalizes group and member attachment as two separate dimensions of attachment to a university. A two-factor model was championed over a one-factor model providing evidence of a distinction between university attachment and member attachment. Relationships with external criteria provided further support for this distinction and construct validity evidence. As predicted, ‘‘involved’’ students had practically and statistically significantly higher group attachment than ‘‘noninvolved’’ students. Furthermore, transfer students had practically and statistically significantly lower member attachment than nontransfer students. Additionally, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between students’ perceived cohesion to the university and both group and member attachment. Overall, the authors believe that this is a promising new measure of university attachment.
Compression After Impact Testing of Sandwich Composites for Usage on Expendable Launch Vehicles
Authors: Nettles Alan , Jackson Justin
Published: October 2009

Composite material usage is necessary on NASA’s future launch vehicles in order to obtain a low mass vehicle. While aircraft and launch vehicles that utilize load-bearing composite components have many similar damage tolerance requirements, the distinct differences between a part that has a lifetime of ∼500 s (one launch) and can be inspected in detail before use and one that has a lifetime of many tens of thousands of flight hours and can only undergo a ‘walk around’ inspection before each flight (commercial transport) needs to be taken into account. This article presents these differences and uses data from the ARES I composite interstage as an example of how to arrive at preliminary compression after impact strength values for the sandwich structure in the acerage of this part using residual strength curves. Results show that if severity of damage can be quantified by a nondestructive method (other than dent depth), the mass of the structure can be reduced due to better characterization of the damage.
Odontoblast TRP Channels and Thermo/Mechanical Transmission
Authors: Son A.R. , Yang Y.M. , Hong J.H. , Lee S.I. , Shibukawa Y. , Shin D.M.
Published: October 2009

Odontoblasts function as mechanosensory receptors because of the expression of mechanosensitive channels in these cells. However, it is unclear if odontoblasts direct the signal transmission evoked by heat/cold or osmotic changes. This study investigated the effects of heat/cold or osmotic changes on calcium signaling and the functional expression of the thermo/mechanosensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in primary cultured mouse odontoblastic cells, with the use of RT-PCR, fluorometric calcium imaging, and electrophysiology. TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, and TRPM3 mRNA was expressed, but TRPM8 and TRPA1 mRNA was not. The receptor-specific stimulation of TRPV1-3 (heat-sensing receptors) and TRPV4/ TRPM3 (mechanic receptors) caused increases in the intracellular calcium concentration. Moreover, the channel activities of TRPV1-4 and TRPM3 were confirmed by a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. These results suggest that primary cultured mouse odontoblasts express heat/mechanosensitive TRP channels and play a role in the underlying mechanisms of thermo/mechanosensitive sensory transmission.