bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early treatment with rutoside and ascorbic acid is highly effective for progressive pigmented purpuric dermatosis
Authors: Schober Sarah M. , Peitsch Wiebke K. , Bonsmann Gisela , Metze Dieter , Thomas Kai , Goerge Tobias , Luger Thomas A. , Schneider Stefan W. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryBackground and ObjectivesProgressive pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPPD, Schamberg disease) is a rare benign, but chronic dermatosis frequently misdiagnosed as vasculitis or bleeding disorder. Although affected patients experience significant impairment in quality of life no effective treatment has been established. The aim of our two center case series was to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of the antioxidants rutoside and ascorbic acid as combination treatment for PPPD.Patients and MethodsA retrospective review was performed on 35 patients with PPPD treated with 2 × 50 mg rutoside and 1 000 mg ascorbic acid daily between 2004 until 2011. The mean treatment duration was 8.2 months.Results71.4 % of the participants experienced complete clearance and 20.0 % an improvement of more than 50 %, accompanied by increased quality of life. Nine participants (25.1 %) relapsed after discontinuation. In seven, rutoside and ascorbic acid was re‐initiated, and all responded again. Only three participants reported mild adverse effects. Participants with shorter disease duration showed better therapeutic success, shorter time to response and lower risk of recurrence.ConclusionOral rutoside and ascorbic acid may be an efficient and well tolerated treatment for PPPD. Early treatment is recommended to achieve best clinical outcome.
Sonographic diagnostics in dermatology
Authors: Ulrich Jens , Schwürzer‐ Voit Markus , Jenderka Klaus‐Vitold , Voit Christiane 
Published: December 2014

SummaryUltrasonography non‐invasively visualizes changes within the skin, skin appendages, subcutaneous tissue, subcutaneous (regional) lymph nodes and peripheral vessels. Thus it is an established diagnostic tool in dermatology. Compared to X‐ray, MRI and PET, ultrasonography has some advantages; however, it is more dependent on the individual experience of the investigator. Therefore a structured education and continuous training are necessary. This review describes the physical and technical basics, the administrative requirements and the main indications in dermatology.
Sonographische Diagnostik in der Dermatologie
Authors: Ulrich Jens , Schwürzer‐Voit Markus , Jenderka Klaus‐Vitold , Voit Christiane 
Published: December 2014

ZusammenfassungDie Sonographie als nichtinvasives bildgebendes Verfahren zur Darstellung von Veränderungen der Haut und ihrer Anhangsgebilde, der Subkutis, der subkutanen (regionären) Lymphknoten sowie der peripheren Gefäße gehört fest zum diagnostischen Armamentarium des Dermatologen. Sie besitzt gegenüber anderen Schnittbildverfahren (Röntgen, CT, MRT, PET) eine ganze Reihe von Vorteilen, ist aber mehr als die vorgenannten von der individuellen Erfahrung des Untersuchers abhängig. Eine strukturierte Aus‐ und Weiterbildung sowie eine ständige Fortbildung sind deshalb für die Ultraschalldiagnostik unerlässlich.Die nachfolgende Übersicht beschreibt neben den physikalisch‐gerätetechnischen und administrativen Grundlagen die wichtigsten Indikationen für die Sonographie in der Dermatologie.
Skin cancer induced by natural UV‐radiation as an occupational disease – Requirements for its notification and recognition
Authors: Diepgen Thomas L. , Brandenburg Stephan , Aberer Werner , Bauer Andrea , Drexler Hans , Fartasch Manigé , Malte John Swen , Krohn Steffen , Palfner Stefanie , Römer Wolfgang , Schuhmacher‐Stock Uta , Elsner Peter 
Published: December 2014

SummaryIn Germany over 2.5 million employees have an increased risk of skin cancer due to their occupational exposure to natural UV‐irradiation. The medical consultation board “Occupational diseases” of the Ministry of Labor and Social affairs has investigated the association between occupational UV‐irradiation and skin cancer risk and recommends to add the following new occupational disease into the appendix1 of the German ordinance on occupational diseases: “Squamous cell carcinoma and multiple actinic keratosis due to natural UV‐irradiation”.In this article we report in the view of the German Society of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (ABD) and the German Statutory accident insurance (DGUV), whose criteria have to be fulfilled for the notification and recognition of an occupational skin cancer due to natural UV‐irradiation.
Bacterial spectrum colonizing chronic leg ulcers: A 10‐year comparison from a German wound care center
Authors: Jockenhöfer Finja , Chapot Valérie , Stoffels‐ Weindorf Maren , Körber Andreas , Klode Joachim , Buer Jan , Küpper Bernhard , Roesch Alexander , Dissemond Joachim 
Published: December 2014

SummaryBackground and ObjectivesChronic wounds are colonized by many different bacteria.Patients and MethodsWe analyzed microbiological swabs from chronic leg ulcers from 2012/2013 and matched the results with those from 2002/2003 and 2007/2008 from the same institution.ResultsResults from 100 patients from our specialized wound care center were evaluated retrospectively. The etiologies were broadly variable with chronic venous insufficiency being the most common. As the most common bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was found in 53 % of patients; 9 % of patients were positive for methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in 25 % of patients. Different fecal bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were found in 49 % of the patients; 11 % of the swabs were sterile. The detection rate for S. aureus has regressed by 17.1 % over the past decade and in the case of MRSA by 12.5 %. In contrast, colonization with gram‐negative bacteria species significantly increased by 11.7 %. This tendency was also seen in 2007/2008, but with a higher count of P. aeruginosa.ConclusionAlthough S. aureus is still the most frequently detected bacterium in our wound care center, there has been a shift in the bacterial spectrum from gram‐positive towards gram‐negative bacteria over the last decade.
Bakterielles Spektrum der Kolonisation des chronischen Ulcus cruris: 10‐Jahres‐Vergleichsstudie Eines Deutschen Wundbehandlungszentrums
Authors: Jockenhöfer Finja , Chapot Valérie , Stoffels‐ Weindorf Maren , Körber Andreas , Klode Joachim , Buer Jan , Küpper Bernhard , Roesch Alexander , Dissemond Joachim 
Published: December 2014

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und Ziel der StudieChronische Wunden werden von verschiedenen bakteriellen Erregerspezies kolonisiert.Patienten und MethodenWir analysierten mikrobiologische Abstriche chronischer Ulcera crura aus den Jahren 2012/2013 und verglichen diese mit entsprechenden Daten derselben Institution aus den Jahren 2002/2003 und 2007/2008.ErgebnisseDie Ergebnisse von 100 Patienten unseres spezialisierten Wundzentrums wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet. Die Ätiologie zeigte eine große Variationsbreite, wobei chronisch venöse Insuffizienz die häufigste Ursache war. Als häufigstes Bakterium wurde Staphylococcus aureus bei 53 % der Patienten gefunden; 9 % der Patienten waren positiv für Methicillin‐resistente S. aureus (MRSA). Pseudomonas aeruginosa wurde bei 25 % der Patienten nachgewiesen, verschiedene Fäkalkeime und Enterobakterien bei 49 % der Patienten, während 11 % der Abstriche steril waren. Die Nachweisrate für S. aureus ist im letzten Jahrzehnt um 17,1 % zurückgegangen, im Fall von MRSA um 12,5 %. Im Gegensatz dazu hat die Kolonisation mit gramnegativen Erregern signifikant um 11,7 % zugenommen. Dieser Trend war 2007/2008 bereits sichtbar, jedoch mit einer höheren Nachweisrate für P. aeruginosa.SchlußfolgerungenObwohl S. aureus weiterhin der in unserem Wundzentrum am häufigsten nachgewiesene Erreger bleibt, ist im letzten Jahrzehnt eine Veränderung des bakteriellen Spektrums vom grampositiven in den gramnegativen Bereich zu verzeichnen.
Variable Irrigation District Action in Water Trading
Authors: Ghimire Narishwar , Griffin Ronald C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIrrigation districts (IDs) in the American west are highly diverse in their economic attributes and local water scarcity circumstances. This diversity may affect reallocative action via water transactions as scarcity rises. The institutional background defining and constraining IDs is described here. For a Texas study region the progress of permanent water right transfers involving IDs is documented and examined. An econometric analysis of multiple decades of ID water transfer activities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley finds that IDs with larger initial water right holdings and higher populations in nearby cities are more likely to participate in agricultural‐to‐municipal water transfer activities. The findings suggest that consolidation of smaller water right holding IDs may be an avenue for quickening the pace of reallocation, especially in more populated areas.
Segment Disclosure and Cost of Capital
Authors: Blanco Belen , Garcia Lara Juan M. , Tribo Josep A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe investigate whether segment disclosure influences cost of capital. Improved segment reporting is expected to decrease cost of capital by reducing estimation risk. However, in a competitive environment segment disclosure may also generate uncertainties about future prospects and lead to a larger cost of capital. Asset‐pricing tests confirm that segment disclosure is a priced risk factor. Also, segment disclosure reduces ex‐ante estimates of cost of equity capital and other measures connected to risk. These results suggest a negative relation between segment disclosure and cost of capital. Our results also show that competition reduces, but does not eliminate, the previous relationship.
Involvement of the −420C>G RETN polymorphism in myocardial fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hernández‐Romero D. , Orenes‐Piñero E. , García‐Honrubia A. , Climent V. , Romero‐Aniorte A. I. , Martínez C. M. , García‐Bautista M. , Martínez M. , Feliu E. , González J. , Cánovas S. , Montero‐Argudo J. A. , Valdés M. , Marín F. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimsHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis. HCM is an autosomal‐dominant disease caused by more than 400 mutations in sarcomeric genes. Changes in nonsarcomeric genes contribute to its phenotypic heterogeneity. Cardiac fibrosis can be studied using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated the potential role of two polymorphisms in nonsarcomeric genes on interstitial fibrosis in HCM.Materials and methodsTwo polymorphisms in nonsarcomeric genes [ACE (deletion of 287 bp in the 16th intron) and RETN (−420C>G)] were analysed in 146 HCM patients. Cardiac fibrosis was assessed using LGE to determine the number of affected segments.ResultsAllelic frequencies in ACE and RETN polymorphisms were consistent with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (both P > 0.05). We found that the presence of the polymorphic allele in the −420C>G RETN polymorphism was independently associated with the number of affected segments of LGE (P = 0.038). Increased circulating resistin concentration, measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, was associated with a higher degree of cardiac fibrosis. Myocardial fibrosis, assessed by Masson's trichrome staining, was associated with the −420C>G RETN polymorphism in 46 tissue samples obtained by septal myectomy (P = 0.044).ConclusionsThe −420C>G RETN polymorphism was independently associated with the degree of cardiac fibrosis, assessed by LGE, in patients with HCM. In addition, there was an association between the polymorphism and the circulating resistin levels as well as with myocardial fibrosis in tissues obtained by myectomy. Investigating the physiological implication of the RETN polymorphism in HCM in combination with the use of imaging technologies might help to establish the severity of disease in patients with HCM.
Intraspecific diversity and distribution of the cosmopolitan species Pseudo‐nitzschia pungens (Bacillariophyceae): morphology, genetics, and ecophysiology of the three clades
Authors: Kim Jin Ho , Park Bum Soo , Kim Joo‐Hwan , Wang Pengbin , Han Myung‐Soo 
Published: December 2014

Three clades of Pseudo‐nitzschia pungens, determined by the internal transcribed space (ITS) region, are distributed throughout the world. We studied 15 P. pungens clones from various geographical locations and confirmed the existence of the three clades within P. pungens, based on ITS sequencing and described the three subgroups (IIIaa, IIIab, and IIIb) of clade III. Clade III (clade IIIaa) populations were reported for the first time in Korean coastal waters and the East China Sea. In morphometric analysis, we found the ultrastructural differences in the number of fibulae, striae, and poroids that separate the three clades. We carried out physiological tests on nine clones belonging to the three clades growing under various culture conditions. In temperature tests, only clade III clones could not grow at lower temperatures (10°C and 15°C), although clade I and II clones grew well. The estimated optimal growth range of clade I clones was wider than that of clades II and III. Clade II clones were considered to be adapted to lower temperatures and clade III to higher temperatures. In salinity tests, clade II and III clones did not grow well at a salinity of 40. Clade I clones were regarded as euryhaline and clade II and III clones were stenohaline. This supports the hypothesis that P. pungens clades have different ecophysiological characteristics based on their habitats. Our data show that physiological and morphological features are correlated with genetic intraspecific differentiation in P. pungens.
DNA sequencing, anatomy, and calcification patterns support a monophyletic, subarctic, carbonate reef‐forming Clathromorphum (Hapalidiaceae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Adey Walter H. , Hernandez‐Kantun Jazmin J. , Johnson Gabriel , Gabrielson Paul W. 
Published: December 2014

For the first time, morpho‐anatomical characters that were congruent with DNA sequence data were used to characterize several genera in Hapalidiaceae—the major eco‐engineers of Subarctic carbonate ecosystems. DNA sequencing of three genes (SSU, rbcL, ribulose‐1, 5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit gene and psbA, photosystem II D1 protein gene), along with patterns of cell division, cell elongation, and calcification supported a monophyletic Clathromorphum. Two characters were diagnostic for this genus: (i) cell division, elongation, and primary calcification occurred only in intercalary meristematic cells and in a narrow vertical band (1–2 μm wide) resulting in a “meristem split” and (ii) a secondary calcification of interfilament crystals was also produced. Neopolyporolithon was resurrected for N. reclinatum, the generitype, and Clathromorphum loculosum was transferred to this genus. Like Clathromorphum, cell division, elongation, and calcification occurred only in intercalary meristematic cells, but in a wider vertical band (over 10–20 μm), and a “meristem split” was absent. Callilithophytum gen. nov. was proposed to accommodate Clathromorphum parcum, the obligate epiphyte of the northeast Pacific endemic geniculate coralline, Calliarthron. Diagnostic for this genus were epithallial cells terminating all cell filaments (no dorsi‐ventrality was present), and a distinct “foot” was embedded in the host. Leptophytum, based on its generitype, L. laeve, was shown to be a distinct genus more closely related to Clathromorphum than to Phymatolithon. All names of treated species were applied unequivocally by linking partial rbcL sequences from holotype, isotype, or epitype specimens with field‐collected material. Variation in rbcL and psbA sequences suggested that multiple species may be passing under each currently recognized species of Clathromorphum and Neopolyporolithon.
Intra‐thallus differentiation of fatty acid and pigment profiles in some temperate Fucales and Laminariales
Authors: Schmid Matthias , Stengel Dagmar B. 
Published: December 2014

Intra‐thallus variation in fatty acid and pigment contents and profiles was investigated in five species of Laminariales (Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Laminaria hyperborea, Saccharina latissima, and Saccorhiza polyschides), and three Fucales (Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus serratus, and Himanthalia elongata). Significant variation occurred across all species and compounds examined. Total fatty acids were generally higher in the fronds, with highest levels and largest variability observed in A. nodosum (1.5% of dry weight (DW) in the base, 6.3% of DW in frond tips). Percentages of the omega‐3 fatty acids 18:4 n‐3 and 20:5 n‐3 were generally higher in more distal parts, while 20:4 n‐6 exhibited a contrasting pattern, with higher levels in basal structures and holdfasts. Trends for pigments were similar to those for fatty acids in Laminariales. In the Fucales, highest levels were detected in the mid‐fronds, with lower concentrations in meristematic areas. Highest levels and greatest variability in pigments (e.g., chl a) was observed in F. serratus (1.07 mg · g−1 DW in the base, 3.04 mg · g−1 DW in the mid frond). Intra‐thallus variability was attributed to physiological functions of the respective thallus sections, e.g., photosynthetic activity, meristematic tissue, and to variations in physical attributes of the structures investigated. Regarding potential commercial nutritional applications, fronds appeared to represent most suitable source materials, due to higher levels of pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and more preferable omega‐3/omega‐6 ratios.
Development of new strategies for early diagnosis of mucormycosis from bench to bedside
Authors: Walsh Thomas J. , Skiada Anna , Cornely Oliver A. , Roilides Emmanuel , Ibrahim Ashraf , Zaoutis Theoklis , Groll Andreas , Lortholary Olivier , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. , Petrikkos George 
Published: December 2014

SummaryEarly diagnosis and initiation of amphotericin B (AmB) for treatment of mucormycosis increases survival from approximately 40% to 80%. The central objective of a new study of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) Zygomycosis Working Group is to improve the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of mucormycosis. The diagnostic tools generated from this study may help to significantly improve survival from mucormycosis worldwide. The study has three major objectives: to conduct a prospective international registration of patients with mucormycosis using a well‐established global network of centres; to construct a predictive risk model for patients at risk for mucormycosis; and to establish an international archive of specimens of tissues, fluids, and organisms linked from the patients enrolled into the registry that will be used for development of leading edge molecular, proteomic, metabolic and antigenic systems for mucormycosis.
Tree diversity alters the structure of a tri‐trophic network in a biodiversity experiment
Authors: Staab Michael , Blüthgen Nico , Klein Alexandra‐Maria 
Published: December 2014

Species and processes in ecosystems are part of multi‐trophic interaction networks. Plants represent the lowest trophic level in terrestrial ecosystems, and experiments have shown a stabilizing effect of plant diversity on higher trophic levels. Such evidence has been mainly collected in experimental grasslands. Forests are structurally more complex than grasslands and support the majority of the global biodiversity, but studies on multi‐trophic interaction networks are missing in experimental tree diversity gradients. In a forest diversity experiment in southeast China, we examined how tree diversity affects the structure of trophobiotic networks. Trophobioses are tri‐trophic interactions between plants, sap‐sucking Hemiptera and honeydew‐collecting ants that can be subdivided into a largely mutualistic Hemiptera–ant and an antagonistic plant–Hemiptera network. We inspected almost 7000 trees in 146 plots ranging from monocultures to 16 tree species mixtures and found 194 trophobioses consisting of 15 tree, 33 Hemiptera and 18 ant species. We found that tree diversity increased the proportion of trees harboring trophobioses. Consistent with the prediction that mutualistic and antagonistic networks respond differently to changing environments, we found that the generality index of the mutualistic Hemiptera–ant but not the antagonistic plant–Hemiptera network increased with tree diversity. High generality, maintained by high tree diversity, might correspond to higher functional stability. Hence, our results indicate that tree diversity could increase via bottom–up processes the robustness of ant–Hemiptera associations against changing environmental conditions. In turn, the plant–Hemiptera network was highly complementary, suggesting that host‐specific Hemiptera species may be vulnerable to co‐extinction if their host plants disappear. Based on our results, we provide possible future research directions to further disentangle the bottom–up effect of tree diversity on the structure of trophobiotic networks.SynthesisIt is now widely accepted that plant diversity promotes ecosystem functionality and stability. However, it is still largely unknown how plant diversity affects interactions between trophic levels and if different interaction types are affected differently. Using a tri‐trophic study system consisting of plants, sap‐sucking Hemiptera, and ants we provide evidence that increasing local plant diversity stabilizes the mutualistic Hemiptera–ant but not the antagonistic plant–Hemiptera networks. Our results suggest that bottom–up effects of plant diversity on trophic interactions might generally depend on the type of interaction (mutualistic versus antagonistic) considered.
Childhood body mass index and wheezing disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mebrahtu Teumzghi F. , Feltbower Richard G. , Greenwood Darren C. , Parslow Roger C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundIt has been claimed that overweight/obesity, childhood asthma and wheezing disorders are associated, although the results of observational studies have remained inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate this.MethodsAn online search of published papers linking childhood asthma and wheezing with overweight/obesity up to May 2014 using EMBASE and MEDLINE medical research databases was carried out. Summary odds ratios (OR) were estimated using random‐effects models. Subgroup meta‐analyses were performed to assess the robustness of risk associations and between‐study heterogeneity.ResultsA total of 38 studies comprising 1,411,335 participants were included in our meta‐analysis. The summary ORs of underweight (<5th percentile), overweight (>85th to <95th percentile) and obesity (≥95th percentile) were 0.85 (95% CI: 0.75 to 0.97; p = 0.02), 1.23 (95% CI: 1.17 to 1.29; p < 0.001) and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.36 to 1.57, p < 0.001), respectively. Heterogeneity was significant and substantial in all three weight categories, and not accounted for by pre‐defined study characteristics.ConclusionOur results suggest that underweight is associated with a reduced risk of childhood asthma, and overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma. Although our findings assert that overweight/obesity and childhood asthma are associated, the causal pathway and temporal aspects of this relationship remain unanswered and deserve further epidemiological investigation.