bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perianal Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Benzocaine – a Case Report
Authors: Gergovska Malena , Semkova Kristina , Kazandjieva Jana , Tsankov Nikolay 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
A large number of contact allergic reactions to benzocaine have been reported since its introduction to the pharmaceutical market as an active ingredient in different over-the-counter anesthetic ointments. Benzocaine is used as a key ingredient in many pharmaceuticals, such as products for oral ulcers, wound and burn preparations, sunburn remedies, hemorrhoidal preparations, oral and gingival products, sore throat sprays/lozenges, callous and wart remedies, creams for treatment of poison ivy dermatitis, tooth ache and denture irritation products. We present a 56-year-old Caucasian male with chronic rash, accompanied by intense itching in the perianal area. The lesions occurred two months earlier and the patient was treated with a wide range of topical antifungals, antibiotics and corticosteroids, with temporary improvement. The skin lesions were consistent with chronic allergic contact dermatitis. The patient denied using any topical preparations other than those prescribed by his dermatologist. Patch testing with the European baseline series was performed. A strongly positive reaction to benzocaine was identified on reading days 2 and 3. Targeted history showed intermittent use of benzocaine anti-hemorrhoidal cream to treat concomitant hemorrhoids. Benzocaine was discontinued and treatment with methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1% was initiated, resulting in significant improvement. No relapse was observed at 3-month follow-up. In conclusion, patients with confirmed benzocaine allergy should pay special attention to product labels and avoid products that contain benzocaine and its related substances. All products labelled as “anaesthetic” or “caine” should be suspected of containing benzocaine or related compounds. Patient education and awareness are critical to avoid further episodes and relapses.
Common Biases in Density Estimation Based on Home Range Overlap with Reference to Pumas in Patagonia
Authors: Rinehart Kurt A. , Elbroch L. Mark , Wittmer Heiko U. 
Published: April 2014

Density estimates are critical to proper population management and conservation, yet difficult to obtain for many wide‐ranging or cryptic species. One proven method used to quantify carnivore density, especially species difficult to individually identify from photos taken by camera traps, utilizes overlapping home ranges of individual animals in the study area. This method, however, may be particularly prone to residency and extrapolation biases. Residency bias occurs when the reference area for the density estimate is incorrect, and extrapolation bias occurs when scaling a density to a different spatial extent than that of the study area upon which the estimate was based. We used a simulation approach based on GPS locations to diagnose potential biases in published densities of pumas Puma concolor from Patagonia, where Franklin et al. 1999 (Biol. Conserv. 90: 33–40) reported ‘minimum’ densities of 6 and 30 pumas per 100 km2, and Elbroch and Wittmer 2012a (Mammal. Biol. 77: 377–384) reported densities of 3.4 pumas per 100 km2. Using GPS data from the latter study we tested methods described in Franklin et al. (1999) and compared their outcomes. Our results showed that density estimates that do not account for residency bias resulted in severely inflated density estimates. Our findings also indicated that actual densities from Franklin et al. (1999) might have been an order of magnitude lower than reported, and therefore consistent with puma densities reported across the range of the species. Both studies introduced extrapolation bias by translating linearly their estimates to new spatial extents, although the magnitude of this bias was much less than that of residency bias. Our results underscore the need for rigorous accounting of residential space in estimating population density, and highlight the scale‐dependency of density estimates.
Long-term disease and neurological outcomes in patients with pediatric intramedullary spinal cord tumors
Authors: Ahmed Raheel , Menezes Arnold H. , Awe Olatilewa O. , Torner James C. 
Published: April 2014

Object
Radical resection is recommended as the first-line treatment for pediatric intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs), but it is associated with morbidity, including risk of neurological decline and development of postoperative spinal deformity. The authors report long-term data on clinical and treatment determinants affecting disease survival and neurological outcomes.

Methods
Case records for pediatric patients (< 21 years of age at presentation) who underwent surgery for IMSCTs at the authors' institution between January 1975 and January 2010 were analyzed. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics (including baseline neurological condition), the treatment they received, and their disease course were reviewed. Long-term disease survival and functional outcome measures were analyzed.

Results
A total of 55 patients (30 male and 25 female) were identified. The mean duration of follow-up (± SEM) was 11.4 ± 1.3 years (median 9.3 years, range 0.2–37.2 years). Astrocytomas were the most common tumor subtype (29 tumors [53%]). Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 21 (38%) of the 55 patients. At the most recent follow-up, 30 patients (55%) showed neurological improvement, 17 (31%) showed neurological decline, and 8 (15%) remained neurologically stable. Patients presenting with McCormick Grade I were more likely to show functional improvement by final follow-up (p = 0.01) than patients who presented with Grades II–V. Kaplan-Meier actuarial tumor progression-free survival rates at 5, 10, and 20 years were 61%, 54%, and 44%, respectively; the overall survival rates were 85% at 5 years, 74% at 10 years, and 64% at 20 years. On multivariate analysis, GTR (p = 0.04) and tumor histological grade (p = 0.02) were predictive of long-term survival; GTR was also associated with improved 5-year progression-free survival (p = 0.01).

Conclusions
The prognosis for pediatric IMSCTs is favorable with sustained functional improvement expected in a significant proportion of patients on long-term follow-up. Long-term survival at 10 years (75%) and 20 years (64%) is associated with aggressive resection. Gross-total resection was also associated with improved 5-year progression-free survival (86%). Hence, the treatment benefits of GTR are sustained on extended follow-up.
Hoarding symptoms and prediction of poor response to limbic system surgery for treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Gentil Andre F. , Lopes Antonio C. , Dougherty Darin D. , Rück Christian , Mataix-Cols David , Lukacs Teagan L. , Canteras Miguel M. , Eskandar Emad N. , Larsson K. Johan , Hoexter Marcelo Q. , Batistuzzo Marcelo C. , Greenberg Benjamin D. , Miguel Euripedes C. 
Published: April 2014

Object
Recent findings have suggested a correlation between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom dimensions and clinical outcome after limbic system surgery for treatment-refractory patients. Based on previous evidence that the hoarding dimension is associated with worse outcome in conventional treatments, and may have a neural substrate distinct from OCD, the authors examined a large sample of patients undergoing limbic surgery (40 with capsulotomy, 37 with cingulotomy) and investigated if symptom dimensions, in particular hoarding, could influence treatment outcome.

Methods
Data from 77 patients from 3 different research centers at São Paulo (n = 17), Boston (n = 37), and Stockholm (n = 23) were analyzed. Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS; São Paulo) or Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist scores (Boston and Stockholm) were used to code the presence of 4 well-established symptom dimensions: forbidden thoughts, contamination/cleaning, symmetry/order, and hoarding. Reductions in YBOCS scores determined clinical outcome.

Results
Mean Y-BOCS scores decreased 34.2% after surgery (95% CI 27.2%–41.3%), with a mean follow-up of 68.1 months. Patients with hoarding symptoms had a worse response to treatment (mean Y-BOCS decrease of 22.7% ± 25.9% vs 41.6% ± 32.2%, respectively; p = 0.006), with no significant effect of surgical modality (capsulotomy vs cingulotomy). Patients with forbidden thoughts apparently also had a worse response to treatment, but this effect was dependent upon the co-occurrence of the hoarding dimension. Only the negative influence of the hoarding dimension remained when an ANOVA model was performed, which also controlled for preoperative symptom severity.

Conclusions
The presence of hoarding symptoms prior to surgery was associated with worse clinical outcome after the interventions. Patients with OCD under consideration for ablative surgery should be carefully screened for hoarding symptoms or comorbid hoarding disorder. For these patients, the potentially reduced benefits of surgery need to be carefully considered against potential risks.
Prognostic value of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness for postoperative peripheral visual field recovery in optic chiasm compression
Authors: Garcia Tony , Sanchez Stéphane , Litré Claude Fabien , Radoi Corina , Delemer Brigitte , Rousseaux Pascal , Ducasse Alain , Arndt Carl 
Published: April 2014

Object
The authors' objective was to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative axonal loss for peripheral visual field recovery after surgery for optic chiasm compression.

Methods
Consecutive patients with optic chiasm compression in the period from October 2010 through August 2012 were retrospectively studied. Time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) had been performed before surgery. Kinetic automated perimetry had been performed before and after surgical decompression. The area of the peripheral isopter (square degrees [deg2]) was assessed. Postoperative improvement was defined as an increase of 25 deg2 or more.

Results
Sixty-eight eyes in 34 patients were included in the analysis. In 44 eyes the visual field improved after surgery, and in 24 eyes it was unchanged or worse. Nasal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was a good prognostic factor for peripheral visual field recovery (OR 1.56 per 15 μm, p = 0.041).

Conclusions
Peripheral visual field recovery after surgery for optic chiasm compression is predicted by nasal RNFL thickness, which is in accordance with the retinotopy of retinal ganglion cells, as nasal axons decussate at the optic chiasm.
Characterization of intratumor magnetic nanoparticle distribution and heating in a rat model of metastatic spine disease
Authors: Zadnik Patricia L. , Molina Camilo A. , Sarabia-Estrada Rachel , Groves Mari L. , Wabler Michele , Mihalic Jana , McCarthy Edward F. , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Ivkov Robert , Sciubba Daniel 
Published: April 2014

Object
The goal of this study was to optimize local delivery of magnetic nanoparticles in a rat model of metastatic breast cancer in the spine for tumor hyperthermia while minimizing systemic exposure.

Methods
A syngeneic mammary adenocarcinoma was implanted into the L-6 vertebral body of 69 female Fischer rats. Suspensions of 100-nm starch-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (micromod Partikeltechnologie GmbH) were injected into tumors 9 or 13 days after implantation. For nanoparticle distribution studies, tissues were harvested from a cohort of 36 rats, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and histopathological studies with Prussian blue staining were used to analyze the samples. Intratumor heating was tested in 4 anesthetized animals with a 20-minute exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) at a frequency of 150 kHz and an amplitude of 48 kA/m or 63.3 kA/m. Intratumor and rectal temperatures were measured, and functional assessments of AMF-exposed animals and histopathological studies of heated tumor samples were examined. Rectal temperatures alone were tested in a cohort of 29 rats during AMF exposure with or without nanoparticle administration. Animal studies were completed in accordance with the protocols of the University Animal Care and Use Committee.

Results
Nanoparticles remained within the tumor mass within 3 hours of injection and migrated into the bone at 6, 12, and 24 hours. Subarachnoid accumulation of nanoparticles was noted at 48 hours. No evidence of lymphoreticular nanoparticle exposure was found on histological investigation or via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The mean intratumor temperatures were 43.2°C and 40.6°C on exposure to 63.3 kA/m and 48 kA/m, respectively, with histological evidence of necrosis. All animals were ambulatory at 24 hours after treatment with no evidence of neurological dysfunction.

Conclusions
Locally delivered magnetic nanoparticles activated by an AMF can generate hyperthermia in spinal tumors without accumulating in the lymphoreticular system and without damaging the spinal cord, thereby limiting neurological dysfunction and minimizing systemic exposure. Magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia may be a viable option for palliative therapy of spinal tumors.
Adhesive arachnoiditis after percutaneous fibrin glue treatment of a sacral meningeal cyst
Authors: Hayashi Kazunori , Nagano Junji , Hattori Satoshi 
Published: April 2014

The authors present the case of a 64-year-old woman who was referred for severe sacral pain. She reported that her pain had been longstanding, and had greatly increased after percutaneous fibrin glue placement therapy for a sacral meningeal cyst 2 months earlier at a different hospital. An MRI scan obtained immediately after fibrin glue placement at that hospital suggested that fibrin glue had migrated superiorly into the subarachnoid space from the sacral cyst to the level of L-4. On admission to the authors' institution, physical examination demonstrated no abnormal findings except for perianal hypesthesia. An MRI study obtained at admission demonstrated a cystic lesion in the peridural space from the level of S-2 to S-4. Inhomogeneous intensity was identified in this region on T2-weighted images. Because the cauda equina and nerve roots appeared to be compressed by the lesion, total cyst excision was performed. The cyst cavity was filled with fluid that resembled CSF, plus gelatinous material. Histopathological examination revealed that the cyst wall was composed of hyaline connective tissue with some calcification. No nervous tissue or ganglion cells were found in the tissue. The gelatinous material was acellular, and appeared to be degenerated fibrin glue. Sacral pain persisted to some extent after surgery. The authors presumed that migrated fibrin glue caused the development of adhesive arachnoiditis.
The risk of adhesive arachnoiditis should be considered when this therapy is planned. Communication between a cyst and the subarachnoid space should be confirmed to be sufficiently narrow to prevent the migration of injected fibrin glue.
Waldbauliche Massnahmen für das Auerhuhn im Sonderwaldreservat Amden: ein erstes Fazit
Authors: Bircher Nicolas , Bugmann Harald , Bollmann Kurt 
Published: April 2014

Silvicultural habitat restoration measures for the capercaillie in the special forest reserve of Amden: a first review
As a threatened forest grouse species, the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) depends on conservation actions in core areas of its Alpine distribution. In this study, we looked at the species' response to silvicultural measures in the special forest reserve of Amden in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Here, silvicultural measures were taken between 2006 and 2009 in stands that had previously been classified as less or not suitable for capercaillie. In summer 2010, we investigated how stands used by the species differed from unused ones by relating indirect evidence of species presence with forest structural and compositional variables. Evidence of species' habitat use was found in 12 out of 33 surveyed stands. Used stands showed a significantly higher share of bilberry in the ground vegetation layer, a higher proportion of coniferous trees and a lower canopy cover. Furthermore, the proportion of suitable habitat in immediate vicinity of the treated forest stand was higher in used stands. Our results support that habitat restoration by logging is a promising method to improve capercaillie habitat, in particular in fir-spruce forests, where the effectivity of restoration measures was higher compared to fir-beech forests. Hence, managing guidance for the future selection of stands for restoration should be based on habitat suitability of the stand itself and on an appropriate habitat quality of adjacent forest stands.
A comparison of 16 DNA regions for use as phylogenetic markers in the pleurocarpous moss genus Plagiothecium (Hypnales)
Authors: Wynns Justin T. , Lange Conny B. Asmussen 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Within the Hypnales—the most derived and species‐rich order of pleurocarpous mosses — phylogenies at or below the family level often show poor resolution. In preparation for a phylogeny of the genus Plagiothecium, we wished to identify the DNA markers best suited for evolutionary reconstruction in this group of hypnalean pleurocarps.• Methods: For each of 25 collections of Plagiothecium and associated taxa, 16 DNA regions were sequenced: nuclear ITS and 26S, and plastid rps4, rps4‐trnL, trnL‐F, trnK (matK)‐psbA, psbA‐trnH, trnM‐V, trnD‐T, rbcL, atpB‐rbcL, psbT‐H, rpoC1 exon 2 (partial), the trnG intron, the rpl16 intron and the plastid ribosomal spacer DNA (cpITS). Each region was evaluated on the basis of its ability to resolve clades, the amount of homoplasy present in the data set, and the relative ease of obtaining the data. Descriptive statistics for each region are given.• Key results: Under‐utilized plastid markers for bryophytes such as trnK‐psbA, rps4‐trnL, and trnD‐T outperformed more traditional markers such as trnL‐F and rps4. Individual plastid topologies were similar, suggesting that only a limited amount of plastid data are needed to recover a backbone phylogeny. Adding a small amount of nuclear ribosomal data to a large plastid matrix restructured the recovered topology, emphasizing the importance of sampling multiple genomes and the need for new low‐copy nuclear markers in bryophyte systematics.• Conclusions: Future genus‐level phylogenies of pleurocarpous mosses should target under‐utilized plastid markers such as trnK‐psbA and rps4‐trnL in conjunction with low‐copy nuclear markers.
Gelatinous fibers and variant secondary growth related to stem undulation and contraction in a monkey ladder vine, Bauhinia glabra (Fabaceae)
Authors: Fisher Jack B. , Blanco Mario A. 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Some of the most striking stem shapes occur in species of Bauhinia (Fabaceae) known as monkey ladder vines. Their mature stems are flattened and develop regular undulations. Although stems have variant (anomalous) secondary growth, the mechanism causing the undulations is unknown.• Methods: We measured stem segments over time (20 mo), described stem development using light microscopy, and correlated the changes in stem shape with anatomy.• Key results: Growing stems are initially straight and bear tendrils on short axillary branches. The inner secondary xylem has narrow vessels and lignified fibers. As stems age, they become flattened and increasingly undulated with the production of two lobes of outer secondary xylem (OX) with wide vessels and only gelatinous fibers (G‐fibers). Similar G‐fibers are present in the secondary phloem and the cortical sclerified layer. In transverse sections, the concave side of each undulation has a greater area and quantity of G‐fibers than the opposite convex side. Some older stems are not undulated and have less lobing of OX. Undulation causes a shortening of the stem segments: up to 28% of the original length.• Conclusions: Uneven distribution of G‐fibers produces tensions that are involved in the protracted development of undulations. While young extending shoots attach by lateral branch tendrils, older stems may maintain their position in the canopy using undulations and persistent branch bases as gripping devices. Flattened and undulated stems with G‐fibers produce flexible woody stems.
Freezing regime and trade‐offs with water transport efficiency generate variation in xylem structure across diploid populations of Larrea sp. (Zygophyllaceae)
Authors: Medeiros Juliana S. , Pockman William T. 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: The impact of changing temperature regime on plant distributions may depend on the nature of physiological variation among populations. The arid‐land genus Larrea spans habitats with a range of freezing frequency in North and South America. We hypothesized that variation in xylem anatomy among populations and species within this genus is driven by plasticity and trade‐offs between safety from freeze–thaw embolism and water transport efficiency.• Methods: We measured vessel density and diameter distributions to predict freeze–thaw embolism and water transport capacity for high and low latitude populations of three Larrea species grown in the field and a greenhouse common garden.• Key results: Among field‐grown L. divaricata, low latitude plants had larger mean vessel diameter and greater predicted freeze–thaw embolism, but higher water transport capacity compared with high latitude plants. Though high latitude L. tridentata and L. nitida had abundant smaller vessels, these plants also produced very large vessels and had semi ring‐porous wood structure. Thus, their predicted embolism and water transport capacity were comparable to those of low latitude plants. Differences among field‐grown and common‐garden‐grown plants demonstrate that plasticity contributes to population differentiation in xylem characters, though high latitude L. divaricata exhibited relatively lower plasticity.• Conclusions: Our results indicate that a trade‐off between transport safety and efficiency contributes substantially to variation in xylem structure within the genus Larrea. In addition, we suggest that xylem plasticity may play a role in negotiating these trade‐offs, with implications for responses to future climate change.
Characterization of microsatellite loci in the Himalayan lichen fungus Lobaria pindarensis (Lobariaceae)
Authors: Devkota Shiva , Cornejo Carolina , Werth Silke , Chaudhary Ram Prasad , Scheidegger Christoph 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite loci were developed for the rare, Himalayan, endemic haploid lichen fungus, Lobaria pindarensis, to study its population subdivision and the species’ response to forest disturbance and fragmentation.• Methods and Results: We developed 18 polymorphic microsatellite markers using 454 pyrosequencing data and assessed them in 109 individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 11 with an average of 6.9. Nei's unbiased gene diversity, averaged over loci, ranged from 0.514 to 0.685 in the three populations studied. The cross‐amplification success with related species (L. chinensis, L. gyrophorica, L. isidiophora, L. orientalis, L. pulmonaria, L. spathulata, and Lobaria sp.) was generally high and decreased with decreasing relationship to L. pindarensis.• Conclusions: The new markers will allow the study of genetic diversity and differentiation within L. pindarensis across its distribution. Moreover, they will enable us to study the effects of forest management on the genetic population structure of this tree‐colonizing lichen and to carry out population genetic studies of related species in East Asia.