bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical expression of Bcl‐2 and Ki‐67 in oral lichen planus and leukoplakia with different degrees of dysplasia
Authors: Pigatti Fernanda Mombrini , Taveira Luís Antônio de Assis , Soares Cléverson Teixeira 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectivesOral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause. Malignant transformation in OLP lesions may be favored by changes in the expression of proteins that regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate these issues by immunohistochemical staining for Bcl‐2 and Ki‐67 and by correlating histopathological findings in samples from lesions of OLP and leukoplakia with epithelial dysplasia.MethodsData for patients with OLP or leukoplakia with moderate or severe epithelial dysplasia recorded during 2006–2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The study samples represented 37 subjects with OLP (n = 14), leukoplakia with moderate (n = 8) or severe (n = 6) epithelial dysplasia, and normal buccal mucosa (controls, n = 9). New sections were subjected to histological examination and immunohistochemistry for Bcl‐2 and Ki‐67 in the basal layer, suprabasal layer, and inflammatory infiltrate, respectively.ResultsAll basal layer sections stained either negative or positive in <10% of cells for Bcl‐2 in OLP (92.9% and 7.1%, respectively) and control (77.8% and 22.2%, respectively) samples. In leukoplakia, 85.7% of sections indicated positivity in <10% of cells, and 14.3% indicated positivity in 10–26% of cells. Most OLP (42.9%) and leukoplakia (64.3%) sections stained positive for Ki‐67 in >50% of cells. All suprabasal sections stained either negative or positive in <10% of cells for Bcl‐2 in OLP (92.9% and 7.1%, respectively), leukoplakia (42.9% and 57.1%, respectively), and control (88.9% and 11.1%, respectively) samples. Suprabasal staining for Ki‐67 was negative or positive in <10% of cells in OLP (14.3% and 85.7%, respectively), leukoplakia (7.1% and 92.9%, respectively), and controls (88.9% and 11.1%, respectively). Staining for Bcl‐2 in inflammatory infiltrate in OLP was positive in 92.9% of sections.ConclusionsExpression of Bcl‐2 may play a dual role in tumor development and progression. Increased cell proliferation in the epithelium may present a predisposition to cancer in OLP. The expression of Ki‐67 can be considered as an adjunct marker for proliferative activity in lesions with malignant potential. The prognostic value of these immunomarkers in the evaluation of precancerous oral lesions requires further investigation.
Review of accessory tragus with highlights of its associated syndromes
Authors: Bahrani Bahar , Khachemoune Amor 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAccessory tragus is a developmental defect involving malformation of part of the external ear. It is a moderately rare congenital condition reported in 1858 by Birkett for the first time. Histological features of accessory tragus include a thin layer of stratum corneum with a rugated epidermis, presence of eccrine glands, and irregular spatial positioning of vellus hair follicles accompanied by sebaceous glands. Accessory tragus is commonly a limited deformity; however, it can be a sign of associated congenital syndromes. It has been shown to be associated with Goldenhar syndrome, Townes–Brocks syndrome, Treacher‐Collins syndrome, VACTERL syndrome, and Wolf–Hirschhron syndrome. Surgical excision, the most common form of management of accessory tragus lesions, typically leads to a positive outcome. An extensive search was performed using pubmed.gov, Embase, MedLine, and Googlescholar.com using key words: accessory tragus, congenital malformations of ear, first branchial arch, and embryology. In this paper, we review the clinical and histological presentation, associated syndromes, management, and outcome of accessory tragus.
Membrane and soluble Toll‐like receptor 2 in patients with psoriasis treated by Goeckerman therapy
Authors: Kondelkova Katerina , Krejsek Jan , Borska Lenka , Fiala Zdenek , Hamakova Kveta , Ettler Karel , Andrys Ctirad 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundToll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 belongs to the large TLR receptor family comprised of at least 10 members with different roles in innate immunity. Psoriasis is recognized as a T‐cell driven immune‐mediated systemic inflammatory disease with a skin manifestation. An effective therapeutic approach to treat psoriasis is Goeckerman therapy (GT). The aim of this study was to assess both the kinetics of the expression of TLR2 on blood cells and the concentration of soluble (s)TLR2 in serum of patients with psoriasis and to examine the effect of GT on both TLR2 expression and sTLR2 level.MethodsBoth membrane and sTLR2 were determined in 20 patients and 20 healthy controls. sTLR2 was evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry method was used to determine the expression of membrane TLR2 of monocytes and granulocytes.ResultsThe serum level of sTLR2 was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in patients both before and after GT compared to the control group. Compared to the membrane expression of TLR2 on monocytes of healthy blood donors, TLR2 expression was significantly higher in patients both before and after GT (P = 0.0001). Similarly, TLR2 expression on granulocytes was significantly higher in patients both before (P = 0.0061) and after (P < 0.0001) therapy than in control.ConclusionsMembrane and soluble TLR2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Both remained unchanged by GT.
Treatment of pseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic, and micaceous balanitis with topical photodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhu Hui , Jiang Yong , Watts Matthew , Kong Fanrong 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundPseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic, and micaceous balanitis (PKMB) is an extremely rare condition occurring over the glans in older men who undergo circumcision late in life. Its exact etiology is unknown.ObjectivesWe report a patient with PKMB that involved the meatus and led to urinary obstruction.MethodsA 57‐year‐old, circumcised man presented with partial urinary obstruction caused by a thick, nail‐like covering on the skin of his glans penis. Based on histology, PKMB was diagnosed. There was no cytological atypia. The patient was treated successfully with topical 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic therapy (PDT).ResultsThere was no recurrence after 18 months of follow‐up. Treatment with ALA–PDT seems to be effective and well tolerated in PKMB.ConclusionsThis case indicates that ALA–PDT may be an effective treatment option for plaque‐stage PKMB and thus warrants further investigation.
Microstructure and Electric Properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 Multilayer Capacitors
Authors: Löhnert Romy , Bartsch Heike , Schmidt Rainer , Capraro Beate , Töpfer Jörg 
Published: September 2014

In a three‐step development process CaCu3Ti4O12‐based bulk ceramic pellets, tape‐casted multilayer ceramic laminates, and multilayer ceramic capacitors with cofired electrodes were fabricated. The sintering behavior, microstructure, electrical resistivity, and dielectric properties were studied. At a firing temperature of 1050°C, an effective permittivity of about ε′ = 60 000 and 10 000 was observed for sintered pellets and multilayer laminates, respectively. The typical grain growth observed in pellets is suppressed in multilayer laminates. Impedance spectroscopy was employed to show that the bulk grain resistivity is similar in pellets and multilayer laminates, but the grain‐boundary resistivity is higher in pellets. Tapes were processed into multilayer capacitors with Ag/Pd electrodes and cofired at 1050°C. All three types of samples, pellets, laminates, and capacitors were also processed with a glass additive, in which case they can be cofired at a lower temperature of 900°C. In glass‐containing pellets, the temperature dependence of permittivity is weak and exhibits X7R characteristics for frequencies below ≈ 60 kHz. Our results demonstrate the high potential of CaCu3Ti4O12 for application in monolithic as well as in integrated multilayer capacitors.
Measuring Preparedness for Mammography in Women with Intellectual Disabilities: A Validation Study of the Mammography Preparedness Measure
Authors: Wang Claire Tienwey , Greenwood Nechama , White Laura F. , Wilkinson Joanne 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundWomen with intellectual disabilities have similar breast cancer rates as the general population, but lower rates of regular mammography and higher breast cancer mortality rates. Although prior qualitative work demonstrates that women with intellectual disabilities face unique, disability‐specific barriers to mammography, the present authors lack standardized, validated instruments for measuring knowledge of breast cancer screening in this population. In addition, much research related to adults with intellectual disabilities focuses on family or carer perspectives, rather than involving women with intellectual disabilities, themselves.MethodsThe present authors first pilot tested a general population instrument measuring breast cancer knowledge, and found that it did not perform adequately in women with intellectual disabilities. In response, the present authors developed the Mammography Preparedness Measure (MPM), a direct short interview tool to measure knowledge and preparedness in women with intellectual disabilities, themselves, rather than relying on caregiver or other reports, and using inclusive methodology. The present authors validated the MPM by assessing test–retest reliability.ResultsAverage test–retest per cent agreement of 84%, ranging from 74 to 91% agreement per item, with an overall kappa of 0.59.ConclusionThe MPM appears to be a valid instrument appropriate for measuring mammography preparedness in women with intellectual disabilities. The success of this innovative tool suggests that direct, rather than informant‐directed tools can be developed to measure health knowledge and cancer screening readiness in adults with intellectual disabilities, an important measure in studying and reducing disparities.
Of peaks and valleys: testing the roles of orogeny and habitat heterogeneity in driving allopatry in mid‐elevation frogs (Aromobatidae: Rheobates) of the northern Andes
Authors: Muñoz‐Ortiz Astrid , Velásquez‐Álvarez Álvaro Andrés , Guarnizo Carlos E. , Crawford Andrew J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThe frog genus Rheobates (Anura: Aromobatidae) is endemic to mid‐elevations in the Colombian Andes. Our aim was to evaluate the role of the northern Andean high peaks and the low Magdalena Valley in creating barriers to dispersal and promoting vicariance within Rheobates.LocationThree disjunct mid‐elevation flanks of the northern Colombian Andes: the eastern and western flanks of the Eastern Cordillera, separated by high mountain peaks, and the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera, separated from the Eastern Cordillera by the arid Magdalena Valley.MethodsWe analysed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences from 37 individuals of Rheobates to infer their phylogenetic relationships, divergence times and ancestral areas. We used species distribution models to test the role of climatic variables in determining the present geographical boundaries of the species.ResultsThe phylogeny of Rheobates is largely predicted by geography, with one population from the eastern flank of the Eastern Cordillera sharing a most recent common ancestor with all other Rheobates 21 million years ago (Ma; 95% credible interval 31–10 Ma). Populations in the Central Cordillera were monophyletic, isolated across the Magdalena Valley with a divergence time estimated at 13 Ma (19–7 Ma). We also detected one recent crossing of the Eastern Cordillera, along with unanticipated latitudinal phylogeographical structure within the western flank of the Eastern Cordillera. Environmental niche tests indicated that the Magdalena Valley and the high peaks of the Eastern Cordillera are significant environmental barriers for Rheobates populations.Main conclusionsDiversification in Rheobates coincided with the early Miocene uplift of Colombia's Eastern Cordillera and the hypothesized onset of aridity in the Magdalena Valley during the middle Miocene. Our study offers broad support for the classic mountain orogeny model of vicariant divergence, but suggests that lowland habitat heterogeneity also played a long‐term role in promoting vicariance, despite a long history of palaeoclimatic fluctuations.
Mechanotransduction in intervertebral discs
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Ting , Cheng Chao‐Min , Chen Chien‐Fu , Lai Po‐Liang 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMechanotransduction plays a critical role in intracellular functioning—it allows cells to translate external physical forces into internal biochemical activities, thereby affecting processes ranging from proliferation and apoptosis to gene expression and protein synthesis in a complex web of interactions and reactions. Accordingly, aberrant mechanotransduction can either lead to, or be a result of, a variety of diseases or degenerative states. In this review, we provide an overview of mechanotransduction in the context of intervertebral discs, with a focus on the latest methods of investigating mechanotransduction and the most recent findings regarding the means and effects of mechanotransduction in healthy and degenerative discs. We also provide some discussion of potential directions for future research and treatments.
Association of the variants in the PPARG gene and serum lipid levels: a meta‐analysis of 74 studies
Authors: Li Qing , Chen Rong , Bie Lizhan , Zhao Dandan , Huang Chunkai , Hong Jiang 
Published: September 2014

AbstractConsiderable studies have been carried out to investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms of PPARG (Pro12Ala, C161T and C1431T) and serum lipid levels, but the results were inconclusive. Hence, we conducted a meta‐analysis to clarify the association. MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically. The subgroup analysis was performed based on ethnicity. Seventy‐four studies with 54,953 subjects were included in this meta‐analysis. In Pro12Ala, the group with the ‘PP’ (C/C genotype) genotype group had lower levels of total cholesterol (TC) (mean difference, MD: −0.02, P < 0.00001; I2 = 28%), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) (MD: −0.02, P < 0.00001; I2 = 30%) and higher levels of triglyceride (TG) (MD: 0.06, P < 0.00001; I2 = 30%) than the combined ‘PA+AA’ (PA = C/G genotype, AA = G/G genotype) genotype group in Asian population, and the group with the ‘PP’ genotype had higher levels of TG (MD: 0.07, P < 0.02; I2 = 67%) than the combined ‘PA+AA’ genotype group in non‐Asian population. No statistically significant differences in the levels of TC, TG, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL‐C were detected between different genotypes in C161T(Asian or non‐Asian) and C1431T(Asian) polymorphisms. This meta‐analysis was a renewed and confirmed study to assess the association between PPARG polymorphisms and serum lipid levels in Asian and non‐Asian populations. There is a prominent association between Pro12Ala polymorphism and the levels of TC, LDL‐C and TG in Asian population. No statistically significant differences in serum lipid levels were detected between different genotypes in C161T and C1431T polymorphisms.
Consensus on performing skin biopsies, laboratory workup, evaluation of tissue samples and reporting of the results in patients with suspected cutaneous graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Hillen U. , Häusermann P. , Massi D. , Janin A. , Wolff D. , Lawitschka A. , Greinix H. , Meyer R. , Ziemer M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundHistopathological diagnosis including selection of lesions, the determination of the best point of time for biopsy and workup is not trivial in cutaneous graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD).ObjectivesTo develop interdisciplinary recommendations on performing, the laboratory work up and reporting of the results of skin biopsies in patients with suspected cutaneous GvHD.MethodsA working group consisting of dermatopathologists, dermatologists, transplant‐physicians and transplant‐pathologists prepared recommendations for performing skin biopsies, laboratory workup and evaluation of tissue samples, and reporting of the results in patients with cutaneous GvHD. After achieving a consensus within the working group, a survey that comprised the core issues of the recommendations was electronically sent out to 72 alloHSCT centres within Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and their Departments of Pathology. The answers were discussed in a Consensus Conference and final recommendations were established.ResultsTwenty‐five centres responded to the clinical and 17 centres to the histopathological survey. Questions addressed to the clinicians comprised the indication for skin biopsy in chronic GvHD (cGvHD) and acute GvHD (aGvHD) and the appropriate point of time for skin biopsy. Eighty‐eight per cent agreed that the skin biopsy is generally indicated in patients with suspected cGvHD lacking diagnostic features. In contrast, with suspected aGvHD, only 62% of respondents felt that skin biopsy was necessary even if GvHD had not been confirmed in another organ. Although restricted due to the fact that immunosuppression is often applied in an emergency setting most centres supported skin biopsies before initiation of topical or systemic immunosuppression. The majority of pathologists agreed that in non‐sclerotic GvHD a punch biopsy is adequate, whereas in sclerotic GvHD a scalpel biopsy is preferred.ConclusionWhile a consensus on the need for biopsies in cGvHD was reached the value of skin biopsies in aGvHD and subsequent biopsies during therapy requires further evaluation.
An improved Peltier effect‐based instrument for critical temperature threshold measurement in cold‐ and heat‐induced urticaria
Authors: Magerl M. , Abajian M. , Krause K. , Altrichter S. , Siebenhaar F. , Church M.K. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundCold‐ and heat‐induced urticaria are chronic physical urticaria conditions in which wheals, angioedema or both are evoked by skin exposure to cold and heat respectively. The diagnostic work up of both conditions should include skin provocation tests and accurate determination of critical temperature thresholds (CTT) for producing symptoms in order to be able to predict the potential risk that each individual patient faces and how this may be ameliorated by therapy.ObjectiveTo develop and validate TempTest® 4, a simple and relatively inexpensive instrument for the accurate determination of CTT which may be used in clinical practice.MethodsTempTest® 4 has a single 2 mm wide 350 mm U‐shaped Peltier element generating a temperature gradient from 4 °C to 44 °C along its length. Using a clear plastic guide placed over the skin after provocation, CTT values may be determined with an accuracy of ±1 °C. Here, TempTest® 4 was compared with its much more expensive predecessor, TempTest® 3, in inducing wheals in 30 cold urticaria patients.ResultsBoth TempTest® 4 and TempTest® 3 induced wheals in all 30 patients between 8 ° and 28 °C. There was a highly significant (P < 0.0001) correlation between the instruments in the CTT values in individual patients.ConclusionThe TempTest® 4 is a simple, easy to use, licensed, commercially available and affordable instrument for the determination of CTTs in both cold‐ and heat‐induced urticaria.
Combining propensity score‐based stratification and weighting to improve causal inference in the evaluation of health care interventions
Authors: Linden Ariel 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWhen a randomized controlled trial is not feasible, a key strategy in observational studies is to ensure that intervention and control groups are comparable on observed characteristics and assume that the remaining unmeasured characteristics will not bias the results. In the past few years, propensity score‐based techniques such as matching, stratification and weighting have become increasingly popular for evaluating health care interventions. Recently, marginal mean weighting through stratification (MMWS) has been introduced as a flexible pre‐processing approach that combines the salient features of propensity score stratification and weighting to remove imbalances of pre‐intervention characteristics between two or more groups under study. The weight is then used within the appropriate outcome model to provide unbiased estimates of treatment effects. In this paper, the MMWS technique is introduced by illustrating its implementation in three typical experimental conditions: a binary treatment (treatment versus control), an ordinal level treatment (varying doses) and nominal treatments (multiple independent arms). These methods are demonstrated in the context of health care evaluations by examining the pre‐post difference in hospitalizations following the implementation of a disease management program for patients with congestive heart failure. Because of the flexibility and wide application of MMWS, it should be considered as an alternative procedure for use with observational data to evaluate the effectiveness of health care interventions.
Interpreting zirconium‐in‐rutile thermometric results
Authors: Taylor‐Jones K. , Powell R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAt first sight, experimental results and observations on rocks suggest that the Zr content in rutile, where equilibrated with quartz and zircon, should be a useful thermometer for metamorphic rocks. However, diffusion data for Zr in rutile imply that thermometry should not, for plausible rates of cooling, give the high temperatures commonly observed in high‐grade metamorphic rocks. It is suggested here that such observations can be accounted for by high‐T diffusive closure of Si in rutile, causing the interior of rutile grains to become insensitive to the thermometer equilibrium well above the temperature of Zr diffusive closure. Paired with comparatively slow grain boundary diffusion and problematic zircon nucleation, this allows for cases of Zr retention in rutile through temperatures where Zr is still diffusively mobile within rutile grains. Other observations that may be accounted for in this context are large inter‐grain ranges of rutile Zr contents uncorrelated with rutile grain size, and flat Zr profiles across individual rutile grains, counter to what would be expected from diffusive closure. A consequence is that it is unlikely that Zr‐in‐rutile thermometry will be useful for estimating rock cooling rates.
Childhood nephrotic syndrome in the 21st century: What's new?
Authors: Metz David Kieran , Kausman Joshua Yehuda 
Published: September 2014

AbstractChildhood nephrotic syndrome is a condition managed by general paediatricians and paediatric nephrologists. Whether treating a first presentation or a relapse, the clinician requires expertise in order to minimise the risk of serious complications and optimise long‐term care. Indeed, many children suffer a difficult relapsing course in their disease, warranting consideration of second‐line therapies. The last two decades have witnessed a growing knowledge of the condition and increased complexity of diagnostic and therapeutic options, which poses a challenge for the general paediatrician, given the condition's relative rarity in daily practice. This review aims to familiarise the reader with some of the most important recent developments and particularly to provide an insight into what management options are available and when it may be appropriate to seek advice from a nephrologist.