bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tinea capitis in schoolchildren in a rural area in southern Ethiopia
Authors: Leiva‐Salinas Maria , Marin‐Cabanas Irene , Betlloch Isabel , Tesfasmariam Abraham , Reyes Francisco , Belinchon Isabel , Ramos José Manuel 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivesSkin diseases, especially tinea capitis, represent some of the most frequent causes of morbidity in developing countries. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalences of fungal infections in schoolchildren in a primary school located in a rural area in southern Ethiopia and to perform an analysis of the risk factors associated with tinea capitis.MethodsThis school‐based, prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted in October 2012 in Gambo School, Kore, West Arsi, Oromya Region, Ethiopia. Detailed interviews and dermatological examinations were performed. No laboratory examinations were conducted.ResultsA total of 647 students were interviewed and examined. The mean age of these children was 10 years (range: 4–14 years). Of the children examined, 236 had some type of dermatophytosis (prevalence: 36.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 32.8–40.3), which represented the most frequent type of skin problem. The prevalence of dermatophytoses was more common in males than in females (42.2% and 30.5%, respectively; P = 0.002), and among pupils aged 5–7 years (46.9%; P < 0.001). A total of 159 (prevalence: 24.6%, 95% CI 21.3–28.1) children had tinea capitis, 56 (8.7%) had tinea pedis, 50 (7.7%) had tinea corporis, and six (0.9%) had tinea unguium. In multivariate analysis, the risk factors for tinea capitis were: age (odds ratio [OR] 0.75, 95% CI 0.69–0.84; P < 0.001), and male gender (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.69–13.39; P = 0.002).ConclusionsFungal dermatoses, especially tinea capitis, are common in primary schoolchildren in rural areas of southern Ethiopia, especially in young boys.
The Atopic Dermatitis Antecubital Severity score: validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change in patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Baek Ji Hwoon , Park Chun Wook , Choi Kyung Min , Yang Yoon Seok , Lee Soo Yun , Koh Jae Sook , Chung Bo Young , Kim Hye One , Park Gyeong‐Hun 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe Atopic Dermatitis Antecubital Severity (ADAS) score is a new objective scale for the assessment of the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD). It is calculated by multiplying the intensity of inflammatory signs by the size of an antecubital eczema lesion.AimTo test the validity, reliability, and sensitivity to changes of the ADAS score compared with those of the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score.MethodsForty patients with AD were enrolled and treated with a moisturizer. At baseline, and in weeks 1 and 2, two independent evaluators measured the ADAS score, the EASI score, and the investigator's global assessment score rated on a six‐point scale.ResultsThe ADAS score showed a higher validity than the EASI score. The superiority of the ADAS to the EASI was prominent in mild AD. Inter‐evaluator reliability was excellent in both the ADAS score and the EASI. The sensitivity to changes was higher in the ADAS score than in the EASI score.ConclusionsThe ADAS score may be used as a simple scoring system with good validity, reliability, and sensitivity to changes, especially in patients with mild‐to‐moderate AD.
Recalcitrant psoriatic uveitis and anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α monoclonal antibodies: experience from a psoriasis referral center
Authors: Fotiadou Christina , Lazaridou Elizabeth , Kemanetzi Christina , Kyrmanidou Eirini , Ioannides Demetris 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe incidence of non‐infectious uveitis on a background of psoriasis is estimated to be 7–20%. The use of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) inhibitors as a treatment for refractory uveitis is emerging.MethodsThe psoriasis outpatient database at our referral center was searched for patients with concurrent diagnoses of psoriasis and uveitis. The medical records of the patients identified were reviewed for the use of TNF‐α inhibitors.ResultsFive patients (three women and two men) were identified. All of them suffered moderate to severe psoriasis and chronic, bilateral uveitis. The patient with the most severe ocular inflammation was the only patient positive for human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA‐B27) and the only one to suffer from psoriatic arthritis. All patients had received treatment with adalimumab and had been evaluated at three and six months. Their psoriasis had responded excellently, and in four patients, uveitis had shown the complete remission of inflammation at six months. The fifth patient (HLA‐B27+) exhibited improved uveitis activity but not complete remission at six months.ConclusionsUveitis is an entity that should be considered when evaluating psoriasis patients with ocular complaints, even in the absence of arthritis. Anti‐TNF‐α monoclonal antibodies and adalimumab in particular seem to represent a promising therapeutic avenue for the treatment of refractory psoriatic uveitis. Larger randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm our conclusions.
The experience of urostomists who do not have access to pre‐operative and post‐operative stoma care nursing intervention
Authors: Senol Celik Sevilay , Tuna Zahide , Yildirim Meral 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTSurgical outcomes due to cystectomy continue to improve, but this is not enough to eliminate all physical, psychological and social problems that patients experience after discharge and that continue to impact their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study is to determine the QOL and problems experienced by urostomy patients. The data of this cross‐sectional and descriptive study were gathered from 17 patients who underwent first and elective radical cystectomy and ileal conduit in one university hospital in Turkey between March 9, 2009, and September 5, 2010. Data were collected by using two forms and the ‘Short Form‐36 Quality of Life Scale (SF‐36)’. Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, t‐test and anova were used for data analysis. The mean age of patients was 64·76 ± 8·81. The majority of the patients in the study were male (94·1%). It was found that many patients experienced constipation (82·4%), problems related to incision site (64·7%), fatigue (58·8%), myalgia, limitation of movement and difficulties with changing stoma pouch (52·9%). The patients who experienced problems generated lower mean QOL scores than patients who did not experience any post‐discharge problems. In conclusion, urostomy patients experienced many physical and psychological problems after discharge which affected the patients' QOL. It is recommended that specialist stoma care nurse services are established in each hospital in Turkey to give comprehensive discharge training pre‐operatively and post‐operatively in order to prepare the patient for post‐operative recovery and adjustment to an ostomy, to continue counselling during home follow‐ups for decreasing psychologically and physically problems related to stoma and for improving patients' physical, psychological and social well‐being, and the QOL.
Estimating Corporation Income Tax Under‐Reporting Using Extreme Values from Operational Audit Data
Authors: Bloomquist Kim Michael , Hamilton Stuart , Pope Jeffrey 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEffective tax policy requires periodically assessing how well taxpayers, including corporations, comply with existing tax law. For the largest corporations, such assessments typically rely on data from operational audits, as opposed to random audits, owing to the difficulty of constructing a representative sample for this relatively small group of heterogeneous firms. However, the possibility of selection bias arises when a non‐randomly selected sample is used to infer characteristics about a population. This paper introduces an alternative approach for estimating tax under‐reporting by corporations. The methodology relies on data from operational audits but derives an estimate of total non‐compliance using a fundamental theorem of extreme value (EV) theory, which holds that the largest observations of a stochastic process are Pareto–Zipf distributed. The methodology is demonstrated using operational audit data from the US.
The Investment Effect of Taxation: Evidence from a Corporate Tax Kink
Authors: Brockmeyer Anne 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper exploits bunching of firms at a tax kink as quasi‐experimental variation to identify the effect of a tax rate change on investment (reported capital allowances). The idea is that firms with a taxable income slightly above the kink have an incentive to reduce their income to bunch at the kink, and increasing investment is one possible strategy for that. This means that bunching of firms should be accompanied by a spike in investment at the kink. Building on the standard bunching framework, I estimate the frequency distribution of firms around the kink and the share of bunchers with excess investments at the extensive and intensive margins.I apply this approach to administrative tax return data for the universe of UK firms from 2001 to 2007 and show that investment by small firms responds significantly to a tax rate change. I find large and significant spikes in the share of capital investors and median capital costs at the £10,000 kink. The spikes are larger in 2002–05, when the kink is larger, and for quickly depreciating capital items, which yield larger tax reductions. Different pieces of evidence suggest that the investment spikes are at least partly driven by avoidance and evasion behaviour such as misreporting and claiming capital allowances for personal‐use items.
The Second Wave of Incorporation in Latin America: A Conceptualization of the Quest for Inclusion Applied to Argentina
Authors: Rossi Federico M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBetween 1996 and 2009, a process of struggle for and (after 2002) partial achievement of the second incorporation of the popular sectors took place in Argentina. This process involved a combination of routine and contentious political dynamics that reformulated state-society relations in the postcorporatist period. As a continuation of the first incorporation (1943–55), the second incorporation displayed some similar features; other attributes were specific to this second process, mainly that it was not corporatist but territorial and that the central agents of transformation were not trade unions but the disincorporated popular sectors, which were territorially organized into a “reincorporation movement.” This article conceptualizes these dynamics and analyzes the role played by the main political actor related to this historical process, thepiquetero(picketer) movement.
Antibacterial Effect of Various Essential Oils against Pathogens and Spoilage Microorganisms in Fresh Produce
Authors: Hyun Jeong‐Eun , Bae Young‐Min , Song Hana , Yoon Jae‐Hyun , Lee Sun‐Young 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial effect of various essential oils (EOs) against pathogens and fresh produce spoilage bacteria using the agar disc diffusion method and 96‐well dilution method. Moreover, the antibacterial effect of EOs to reduce the level of total mesophilic microorganisms in fresh leaf lettuce and radish sprouts was determined by dipping method. Furthermore, membrane damage of two pathogens before and after treatment with effective EOs was determined using the fluorescent dye propidium iodide (PI) staining method. The results showed that thyme‐1, thyme‐2 and tea tree‐2 oils demonstrated the strongest antibacterial effect against 18 strains of pathogens, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in the agar disc diffusion method. Thyme‐1 oil showed the strongest antibacterial effect against spoilage bacteria. The dipping treatment results showed that oregano‐2 oil was the most effective at maintaining reduced levels of total mesophilic microorganisms in fresh produce compared with control, although it affected the quality of both vegetables after treatment. The results showed that treatment with clove bud, cinnamon‐2 and oregano‐2 oils led to PI values significantly greater than that of untreated cell.Practical ApplicationsNatural essential oil solutions can be used for the disinfection of fresh produce as an alternative to chlorine, and oregano oil could be used as an alternative to synthetic sanitizers, classically applied in fresh produce.
Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial Activity and Mechanism of Action of Essential Oil from the Leaves of Macleaya Cordata (Willd.) R. Br
Authors: Li Chun‐Mei , Yu Jian‐Ping 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe essential oil from the leaves of Macleaya cordata R. Br. obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Sixty‐eight compounds consisting up to 92.53% of the essential oil were identified by GC and GC/MS analysis. The antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oil against several pathogens were evaluated. The results showed that bacteria had different sensitivities to essential oil of M. cordata with diameters of inhibition zones ranging from 8.5 ± 0.6 to 18.6 ± 1.9 mm and MIC values from 125 to 500 μg/mL. Among these bacteria, Ralstonia solanacearum was the most sensitive to essential oil. In addition, kill‐time assay also showed that the essential oil had a significant effect on the growth rate of surviving R. solanacearum. We concluded that the mechanism of action of the essential oil against R. solanacearum might be described as essential oil acting on membrane integrity according to the results of the leakage of electrolytes, the losses of content (proteins and reducing sugars) assays and electron microscopy observation. The treated cell membranes were severely damaged. The results presented here indicate that the essential oil of M. cordata may be a potential source of antimicrobial agents in the future.Practical ApplicationsCrop diseases, food poisoning and food spoilage caused by microorganisms are still the most important issues facing the food industry and consumers. Today, essential oils with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities are ideal resources in the field of research on food and feed additives. The chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves of Macleaya cordata was analyzed. The essential oil showed antimicrobial activities. In addition, kill‐time assay also showed that the essential oil had a significant effect on the growth rate of surviving Ralstonia solanacearum. We concluded that the mechanism of action of the essential oil against R. solanacearum might be described as essential oil acting on membrane integrity according to the results of the leakage of electrolytes, the losses of proteins and reducing sugars, and electron microscopy observation. Hence, the essential oil of M. cordata may be suggested as a new potential source of natural antimicrobial agent.
Depressive Symptoms, Cardiovascular Disease Severity, and Functional Status in Older Adults with Coronary Heart Disease: The Heart and Soul Study
Authors: Sin Nancy L. , Yaffe Kristine , Whooley Mary A. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectivesTo compare the contributions of depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease (CVD) severity to functional decline in individuals with coronary heart disease.DesignLongitudinal.SettingTwelve outpatient clinics in the San Francisco Bay area.ParticipantsOlder adults (N = 960; mean age 67) with stable coronary heart disease recruited between September 2000 and December 2002.MeasurementsAt baseline, depressive symptoms and angina pectoris were assessed according to self‐report, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and exercise capacity were evaluated using echocardiography and exercise treadmill testing. Difficulty performing activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living was assessed at baseline and annually for the next 5 years. Covariates included demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, cognitive function, social support, and health behaviors. Five years later, 658 participants returned for follow‐up assessments.ResultsHigher baseline depressive symptoms predicted greater risk of functional decline over 5 years, whereas higher baseline exercise capacity was associated with lower risk of functional decline. In 658 participants who returned for follow‐up, 5‐year changes in depressive symptoms and exercise capacity were associated with 5‐year changes in functional status. Angina pectoris frequency and LVEF were not associated with functional decline or change in functional status, after adjusting for covariates and other predictors.ConclusionIn older adults with coronary heart disease, depressive symptoms and lower exercise capacity predicted functional decline over 5 years. In contrast, other traditional measures of CVD severity (LVEF and angina pectoris) were not independently predictive of subsequent functional status. These findings suggest that efforts to ameliorate depressive symptoms may be as important as treating CVD severity to enhance functional status.
The extracellular fragment of GPNMB (Glycoprotein nonmelanosoma protein B, osteoactivin) improves memory and increases hippocampal GluA1 levels in mice
Authors: Murata Kenta , Yoshino Yuta , Tsuruma Kazuhiro , Moriguchi Shigeki , Oyagi Atsushi , Tanaka Hirotaka , Ishisaka Mitsue , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Fukunaga Kohji , Hara Hideaki 
Published: December 2014

AbstractGlycoprotein nonmelanoma protein B (GPNMB, alias osteoactivin), a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, is cleaved by extracellular proteases, resulting in release of an extracellular fragment (ECF). GPNMB is widely expressed by neurons within the CNS, including the hippocampus; however, its function in the brain remains unknown. Here, we investigated the role of GPNMB in memory and learning by using transgenic (Tg) mice over‐expressing GPNMB (Tg mice on a BDF‐1 background) and ECF‐treated mice. In the hippocampus of both wild‐type and Tg mice, GPNMB was highly expressed in neurons and astrocytes. Tg mice exhibited memory improvements in two types of learning tasks but were impaired in a passive‐avoidance test. In Tg mice, the hippocampus displayed increased levels of the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate receptor subunit GluA1. Intracerebroventricular administration of ECF (50 ng) to Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice also improved memory in a passive‐avoidance test and increased hippocampal GluA1 levels 24 h after treatment. In Tg mice and ECF (0.25 μg/mL)‐treated hippocampal slices, long‐term potentiation was promoted. These findings suggest that GPNMB may be a novel target for research on higher order brain functions.
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Glycoprotein nonmelanoma protein B (GPNMB) is widely expressed in neurons. We investigated the role of GPNMB on memory by using transgenic mice over‐expressing GPNMB (Tg) and GPNMB extracellular fragment (ECF)‐treated mice. Both mice exhibited memory improvement. In Tg mice, protein levels of phosphorylated α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate (AMPA) receptor subunit GluA1, CaMK2 (Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase 2), and GSK3β (glycogen synthase kinase 3β) were increased. Tg mice and ECF‐treated hippocampus promoted LTP. These findings suggest that GPNMB might become a novel target for research on higher order brain functions.
Lipocalin‐2 enhances angiogenesis in rat brain endothelial cells via reactive oxygen species and iron‐dependent mechanisms
Authors: Wu Limin , Du Yang , Lok Josephine , Lo Eng H. , Xing Changhong 
Published: December 2014

AbstractInflammation is a key part of central nervous system pathophysiology. However, inflammatory factors are now thought to have both beneficial and deleterious effects. Here, we examine the hypothesis that lipocalin‐2 (LCN2), an inflammatory molecule that can be up‐regulated in the distressed central nervous system, may enhance angiogenesis in brain endothelial cells. Adding LCN2 (0.5–2.0 μg/mL) to RBE (Rat brain endothelial cells). 4 rat brain endothelial cells significantly increased matrigel tube formation and scratch migration, and also elevated levels of iron and reactive oxygen species. Co‐treatment with a radical scavenger (U83836E), a Nox inhibitor (apocynin) and an iron chelating agent (deferiprone) significantly dampened the ability of LCN2 to enhance tube formation and scratch migration in brain endothelial cells. These findings provide in vitro proof of the concept that LCN2 can promote angiogenesis via iron‐ and reactive oxygen species‐related pathways, and support the idea that LCN2 may contribute to the neurovascular recovery aspects of inflammation.
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Angiogenesis is an important part of stroke recovery. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that lipocalin‐2 (LCN2) may enhance angiogenesis in brain endothelial cells. LCN2 promoted tube formation and migration via iron and ROS‐related pathways in rat brain endothelial cells. ROS scavengers, Nox inhibitors and iron chelators all dampened the ability of LCN2 to enhance in vitro angiogenesis. These findings support the idea that LCN2 that is released by damaged neurons may act as a ‘help me’ signal that promotes neurovascular recovery after stroke and brain injury.
Impact of overnight oximetry findings on cardiac autonomic modulation in women during second trimester of uncomplicated pregnancy
Authors: Watanabe Minako , Shinohara Hitomi , Kodama Hideya 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimAlthough sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) might impose an underlying health threat upon some pregnant women, the influence of SDB on the health status of most pregnant women is not discernible. In order to find out which pregnant women should be evaluated for clinically meaningful SDB during the second trimester, the present study aimed to determine which overnight oximetry findings significantly affect maternal resting cardiac autonomic modulations.Material and MethodsOvernight arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was monitored at home using pulse oximetry by 64 women with uncomplicated pregnancy between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. We then determined the impact of the findings on maternal resting heart rate variability (HRV) using 5‐min photoplethysmography.ResultsA relatively increased oxygen desaturation index (number of oxygen desaturation events where SaO2 fell >3% below the baseline saturation/h) of ≥3.0 in five women did not significantly impact HRV. On the other hand, events associated with profound oxygen desaturation (minimum SaO2 ≤ 90%) in three women were associated with decreased HRV, including high‐ and low‐frequency powers.ConclusionParasympathetic activities of cardiac autonomic modulations might be attenuated in women who experience profound night‐time oxygen desaturation, even if the incidence of significant events is quite low. The oximetry finding of minimum SaO2 ≤ 90% might be a valuable criterion for clinically meaningful sleep‐disordered breathing among women with early uncomplicated pregnancy.
Mirror syndrome associated with fetal leukemia
Authors: Lee Ji Yeon , Hwang Jong Yun 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMirror syndrome describes the association of fetal and placental hydrops with maternal edema. This case is the first reported case of mirror syndrome relative to fetal leukemia. We suggest that fetal leukemia can have a major impact on mirror syndrome, and provide a brief review of the literature related to this syndrome.