bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Classification of hand eczema
Authors: Agner T. , Aalto‐Korte K. , Andersen K.E. , Foti C. , Gimenéz‐Arnau A. , Goncalo M. , Goossens A. , Le Coz C. , Diepgen T.L. ,   the European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundClassification of hand eczema (HE) is mandatory in epidemiological and clinical studies, and also important in clinical work.ObjectivesThe aim was to test a recently proposed classification system of HE in clinical practice in a prospective multicentre study.MethodsPatients were recruited from nine different tertiary referral centres. All patients underwent examination by specialists in dermatology and were checked using relevant allergy testing. Patients were classified into one of the six diagnostic subgroups of HE: allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, atopic HE, protein contact dermatitis/contact urticaria, hyperkeratotic endogenous eczema and vesicular endogenous eczema, respectively. An additional diagnosis was given if symptoms indicated that factors additional to the main diagnosis were of importance for the disease.ResultsFour hundred and twenty‐seven patients were included, 379 (89%) of the patients could be classified directly into one of the six diagnostic subgroups, with irritant and allergic contact dermatitis comprising 249 patients (58%). For 32 (7%) more than one of the six diagnostic subgroups had been formulated as a main diagnosis, and 16 (4%) could not be classified. 38% had one additional diagnosis and 26% had two or more additional diagnoses. Eczema on feet was found in 30% of the patients, statistically significantly more frequently associated with hyperkeratotic and vesicular endogenous eczema.ConclusionWe find that the classification system investigated in the present study was useful, being able to give an appropriate main diagnosis for 89% of HE patients, and for another 7% when using two main diagnoses. The fact that more than half of the patients had one or more additional diagnoses illustrates that HE is a multifactorial disease.
Fragile X syndrome: economic burden and health‐related quality of life of patients and caregivers in France
Authors: Chevreul K. , Berg Brigham K. , Brunn M. , des Portes V. ,   BURQOL‐RD Research Network
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundFragile X syndrome (FXS) is the main hereditary cause of intellectual disability. Although the associated burden appears to be considerable, to date no study has comprehensively assessed the cost incurred because of FXS, including its specific impact on health‐related quality of life and the burden on caregivers using standardised quantitative tools. The aim of this article is to provide data in order to increase awareness of the repercussions of FXS on patients and caregivers as well as on the health and social care systems in France.MethodsA retrospective cross‐sectional study was carried out on 145 patients recruited through Le Goëland X‐Fragile and Mosaïques, the French FXS patient associations. Data on their demographic characteristics and resource use were obtained from an online questionnaire, and costs were estimated by a bottom‐up approach. The EQ‐5D health questionnaire was used to measure patients' and caregivers' health‐related quality of life. Perceived burden of care was measured using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. The Barthel index, a non‐utility‐based assessment, was used to measure patients' level of dependence.ResultsThe annual total direct cost of FXS was estimated at €25 800 per patient. The main contributors were informal care provided by the main caregiver (€10 500) and social services (€8400). Healthcare costs, estimated at €2700, represented only a minor share. Mean EQ‐5D utility scores were 0.49 for patients and 0.75 for caregivers. The mean burden for caregivers as measured by the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview was 39.9.ConclusionsFragile X syndrome requires significant resources that are mainly of a non‐medical nature and are higher for children than for adults. Compared with related diseases, it constitutes a particularly high burden for caregivers. Using a bottom‐up approach and a wide range of standardised measures, this study underscores the need for greater awareness of the burden of FXS as well as an assessment of new and existing interventions to address it.
Study of two tungstates Ca0.5Cd0.5WO4 and Ca0.2Cd0.8WO4 by transmission electron microscopy
Authors: TAOUFYQ A. , PATOUT L. , GUINNETON F. , BENLHACHEMI A. , BAKIZ B. , VILLAIN S. , LYOUSSI A. , NOLIBE G. , GAVARRI J.‐R. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryTo better understand the role of crystal structures and local disorder in the photonic properties of the system (1 − x)CaWO4 − xCdWO4 with 0 < x < 1, two specific phases with compositions x = 0.5 (scheelite phase) and 0.8 (wolframite phase) have been studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopies. High‐resolution electron microscopy images and image simulations, associated with X‐ray diffraction data, allowed confirming the lattices and space groups I41/a and P2/c of the two scheelite and wolframite phases, at the local scale. The electron microscopy data show the existence of a high degree of crystallization associated with statistical distribution of Ca or Cd atoms on a Ca1−xCdx site in each lattice.
Inline electron holography and VEELS for the measurement of strain in ternary and quaternary (In,Al,Ga)N alloyed thin films and its effect on bandgap energy
Authors: MÁNUEL J.M. , KOCH C.T. , ÖZDÖL V.B. , SIGLE W. , VAN AKEN P.A. , GARCÍA R. , MORALES F.M. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryWe present the use of (1) dark‐field inline electron holography for measuring the structural strain, and indirectly obtaining the composition, in a wurtzite, 4‐nm‐thick InAlGaN epilayer on a AlN/GaN/AlN/GaN multinano‐layer heterosystem, and (2) valence electron energy‐loss spectroscopy to study the bandgap value of five different, also hexagonal, 20–50‐nm‐thick InAlGaN layers. The measured strain values were almost identical to the ones obtained by other techniques for similarly grown materials. We found that the biaxial strain in the III‐N alloys lowers the bandgap energy as compared to the value calculated with different known expressions and bowing parameters for unstrained layers. By contrast, calculated and experimental values agreed in the case of lattice‐matched (almost unstrained) heterostructures.
Menstrual blood contains immune cells with inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory properties
Authors: Hosseini Samira , Shokri Fazel , Tokhmechy Reihaneh , Savadi‐Shiraz Elham , Jeddi‐Tehrani Mahmood , Rahbari Marjaneh , Zarnani Amir‐Hassan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimSuccessful pregnancy requires balanced regulation of immune cells at the feto‐maternal interface. Systemic monitoring of the immune system cannot precisely outline local immune status in the uterus. In this survey, endometrial immune milieu was investigated using a non‐invasive method of analysis of menstrual blood (MB). The results were compared with peripheral blood (PB).MethodPB and MB of healthy fertile women (n = 15) were collected simultaneously on the second day of their menstrual cycle. T and natural killer T cell subpopulations were immunophenotyped by flow cytometry.ResultsAmong examined cell populations, the frequency of CD4 + Foxp3+, CD4 + Foxp3 + CD25‐, CD4 + Foxp3 + CD25+ and IL17+ T cells (P = 0.022, 0.028, 0.017 and 0.005, respectively) and TCRαβ+, CD45RO+, CD16‐, IFNγ + and IL17+ NKT (CD56 + CD3+) cells (P = 0.010, 0.037, 0.038, 0.015 and 0.021, respectively) were significantly higher in MB compared with PB. Conversely, PB contained a higher percentage of CD16+ T cells (P = 0.025) in comparison with MB.ConclusionMB contains cells of an inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory nature, implying the existence of finely tuned cell homeostasis during menstruation. Our results imply that MB could be viewed as an easy‐to access specimen for monitoring endometrial immune cells, especially those that have preferential endometrial localization.
Use of dienogest over 53 weeks for the treatment of endometriosis
Authors: Sugimoto Kouhei , Nagata Chie , Hayashi Hiroshi , Yanagida Satoshi , Okamoto Aikou 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimTo evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of Dienogest (DNG) over 53 weeks for the treatment of endometriosis.MethodsDNG was administered to 75 patients with endometriosis over a period of 53 weeks. Medical charts were retrospectively examined on the efficacy and side effects. Reduction rates of ovarian chocolate cyst, adenomyosis and changes in serum estradiol and cancer antigen 125 concentration were measured. Adverse effects, patient evaluation of their symptoms and willingness to continue taking DNG were assessed by a questionnaire.ResultsThe median duration of treatment was 87 weeks, with the longest follow‐up duration being 120 weeks. Ovarian chocolate cysts were initially reduced; however, upon cessation of DNG treatment, an increase in size was observed. Adenomyosis lesions were reduced to some extent after 53 weeks of DNG treatment. In terms of adverse events, more than 60% (61.3%, 46/75) of patients experienced atypical genital bleeding. However, this did not prove to be a cause of discontinuation. We ceased DNG treatment in two cases because of lower abdominal pain and shoulder discomfort.ConclusionsLong term DNG treatment beyond one year for endometriosis proved to be effective and safe. Ovarian chocolate cysts were markedly reduced by short‐term use of DNG, while a longer duration was required to reduce the size of adenomyosis. The decision regarding the choice of therapy lies with the individual clinician, considering a balance of efficacy with expense and adverse effects.
Clinicopathologic and survival analyses of synchronous primary endometrial and epithelial ovarian cancers
Authors: Sozen Hamdullah , Vatansever Dogan , Iyibozkurt Ahmet Cem , Topuz Samet , Ozsurmeli Mehmet , Salihoglu Yavuz , Guzelbey Burcu , Berkman Sinan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to describe clinicopathologic characteristics, survival outcomes and the factors associated with recurrence in patients diagnosed with synchronous primary endometrial and epithelial ovarian cancers.Material and MethodsIn this retrospective study, 50 patients who were diagnosed with synchronous primary endometrial and epithelial ovarian cancers and underwent surgery between 1998 and 2010 were reviewed.ResultsIn our study, the median age at the time of diagnosis was 53 years (range 28–79). The most common presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding with a ratio of 36%. Fifty‐four percent of the patients had endometrioid type endometrial cancer and endometrioid type ovarian cancer. All patients were surgically staged and the majority of the patients were in stage I for both endometrial cancer (58%) and ovarian cancer (60%). Nearly one‐third (32%) of the patients had a recurrence during the follow‐up period and by Cox regression analysis the level of cancer antigen 125 (P = 0.023) at diagnosis, serous or clear‐cell histopathologic type ovarian cancer (P = 0.029) and stage of endometrial cancer above I (P = 0.048) were found to be independent risk factors associated with development of recurrence. Patients with endometrioid type endometrium histology and endometrioid type ovarian histology had favorable prognosis with 120.00 months mean disease‐free survival and 92% disease‐free survival rate at 36 months.ConclusionIn our cohort, we found that endometrioid/endometrioid type synchronous primary endometrial and ovarian cancer had different clinical histopathologic characteristics and favorable prognosis compared to the other histologic types of these cancers. Histopathologic type of the ovarian cancer component, stage of endometrial cancer and level of cancer antigen 125 at diagnosis were observed to have a great influence on the development of recurrence and survival of synchronous primary carcinomas of the endometrium and ovary.
The effect of culture on pain sensitivity
Authors: Al‐Harthy M. , Ohrbach R. , Michelotti A. , List T. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryCross‐cultural differences in pain sensitivity have been identified in pain‐free subjects as well as in chronic pain patients. The aim was to assess the impact of culture on psychophysical measures using mechanical and electrical stimuli in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and pain‐free matched controls in three cultures. This case–control study compared 122 female cases of chronic TMD pain (39 Saudis, 41 Swedes and 42 Italians) with equal numbers of age‐ and gender‐matched TMD‐free controls. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and tolerance (PPTo) were measured over one hand and two masticatory muscles. Electrical perception threshold and electrical pain threshold (EPT) and tolerance (EPTo) were recorded between the thumb and index fingers. Italian females reported significantly lower PPT in the masseter muscle than other cultures (P < 0·001) and in the temporalis muscle than Saudis (P = 0·003). Swedes reported significantly higher PPT in the thenar muscle than other cultures (P = 0·017). Italians reported significantly lower PPTo in all muscles than Swedes (P ≤ 0·006) and in the masseter muscle than Saudis (P < 0·001). Italians reported significantly lower EPTo than other cultures (P = 0·01). Temporomandibular disorder cases, compared to TMD‐free controls, reported lower PPT and PPTo in all the three muscles (P < 0·001). This study found cultural differences between groups in the PPT, PPTo and EPTo. Overall, Italian females reported the highest sensitivity to both mechanical and electrical stimulation, while Swedes reported the lowest sensitivity. Mechanical pain thresholds differed more across cultures than did electrical pain thresholds. Cultural factors may influence response to type of pain test.
Bond Strength of Resin Cements to Zirconia Ceramic Using Adhesive Primers
Authors: Stefani Ariovaldo , Brito Rui Barbosa , Kina Sidney , Andrade Oswaldo Scopin , Ambrosano Gláucia Maria Bovi , Carvalho Andreia Assis , Giannini Marcelo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the influence of adhesive primers on the microshear bond strength of resin cements to zirconia ceramic.Materials and MethodsFifty zirconia plates (12 mm × 5 mm × 1.5 mm thick) of a commercially available zirconium oxide ceramic (ZirCad) were sintered, sandblasted with aluminum oxide particles, and cleaned ultrasonically before bonding. The plates were randomly divided into five groups of 10. Three resin cements were selected (RelyX ARC, Multilink Automix, Clearfil SA Cement self‐adhesive resin cement), along with two primers (Metal‐Zirconia Primer, Alloy Primer) and one control group. The primers and resin cements were used according to manufacturers’ recommendations. The control group comprised the conventional resin cement (RelyX ARC) without adhesive primer. Test cylinders (0.75 mm diameter × 1 mm high) were formed on zirconia surfaces by filling cylindrical Tygon tube molds with resin cement. The specimens were stored in distilled water for 24 hours at 37°C, then tested for shear strength on a Shimadzu EZ Test testing machine at 0.5 mm/min. Bond strength data were analyzed statistically by two‐way ANOVA and Dunnett's test (5%).ResultsThe bond strength means in MPa (± s.d.) were: RelyX ARC: 28.1 (6.6); Multilink Automix: 37.6 (4.5); Multilink Automix + Metal‐Zirconia Primer: 55.7 (4.0); Clearfil SA Cement: 46.2 (3.3); and Clearfil SA Cement + Alloy Primer: 47.0 (4.1).ConclusionMetal‐Zirconia Primer increased the bond strength of Multilink Automix resin cement to zirconia, but no effect was observed for Alloy Primer using Clearfil SA Cement. RelyX ARC showed the lowest bond strength to zirconia.
Natural Tooth Color Estimation Based on Age and Gender
Authors: Gómez‐Polo Cristina , Montero Javier , Gómez‐Polo Miguel , de Parga Juan Antonio Martínez Vázquez , Celemin‐Viñuela Alicia 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPurposeAssessment of the predictability of tooth color coordinates according to the CIELab system to estimate the color of the maxillary central incisor based on patient age and gender.Material and MethodsThe tooth color of one of the maxillary central incisors of 1361 Caucasian Spanish individuals aged 16 to 89 years, male and female, was measured using the Easyshade compact spectrophotometer. Color coordinates L*, C*, h*, a*, and b* were recorded according to age and gender.ResultsThe results obtained show that differences in age account for 45% of the total variation of the L (lightness) coordinate; 21% of the variation in coordinate a*, and 17% of the variation in coordinate b* is due to the same reason. At a confidence level of 95% it may be proposed that the mean estimated color difference (ΔEab*) between real natural color and that predicted by the linear regression model is between 6.4 and 6.9 units.ConclusionsIn this sample of Caucasians from Spain, teeth became darker yellow and more reddish with increasing age. The L* coordinate is most strongly related to tooth color in aging.
Complete Edentulism and Comorbid Diseases: An Update
Authors: Felton David A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe relationship between complete edentulism, which is the terminal outcome of a multifactorial oral disease process and other comorbid diseases, was first reported in 2009. Although the relationship between edentulism and a multitude of systemic diseases was reported, none of the publications studied could determine causality of tooth loss on the incidence of any comorbid disease. Since that publication, there has been a renewed interest in this relationship, and a plethora of new articles have been published. This article will provide an update on articles published since 2008 on the relationship between edentulism and comorbid diseases, and will include the relationship between complete edentulism and such comorbid conditions as malnutrition, obesity, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary diseases (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cancer, and even mortality.
Dietary overlap and seasonality in three species of mormoopid bats from a tropical dry forest
Authors: Salinas‐Ramos Valeria B. , Herrera Montalvo L. Gerardo , León‐Regagnon Virginia , Arrizabalaga‐Escudero Aitor , Clare Elizabeth L. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCompeting hypotheses explaining species’ use of resources have been advanced. Resource limitations in habitat and/or food are factors that affect assemblages of species. These limitations could drive the evolution of morphological and/or behavioural specialization, permitting the coexistence of closely related species through resource partitioning and niche differentiation. Alternatively, when resources are unlimited, fluctuations in resources availability will cause concomitant shifts in resource use regardless of species identity. Here, we used next‐generation sequencing to test these hypotheses and characterize the diversity, overlap and seasonal variation in the diet of three species of insectivorous bats of the genus Pteronotus. We identified 465 prey (MOTUs) in the guano of 192 individuals. Lepidoptera and Diptera represented the most consumed insect orders. Diet of bats exhibited a moderate level of overlap, with the highest value between Pteronotus parnellii and Pteronotus personatus in the wet season. We found higher dietary overlap between species during the same seasons than within any single species across seasons. This suggests that diets of the three species are driven more by prey availability than by any particular predator‐specific characteristic. P. davyi and P. personatus increased their dietary breadth during the dry season, whereas P. parnellii diet was broader and had the highest effective number of prey species in all seasons. This supports the existence of dietary flexibility in generalist bats and dietary niche overlapping among groups of closely related species in highly seasonal ecosystems. Moreover, the abundance and availability of insect prey may drive the diet of insectivores.
Borrelia burgdorferi HtrA: evidence for twofold proteolysis of outer membrane protein p66
Authors: Coleman James L. , Toledo Alvaro , Benach Jorge L. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryIn prokaryotes, members of the High Temperature Requirement A (HtrA) family of serine proteases function in the periplasm to degrade damaged or improperly folded membrane proteins. Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, codes for a single HtrA homolog. Two‐dimensional electrophoresis analysis of B. burgdorferi B31A3 and a strain that overexpresses HtrA (A3HtrAOE) identified a downregulated protein in A3HtrAOE with a mass, pI and MALDI‐TOF spectrum consistent with outer membrane protein p66. P66 and HtrA from cellular lysates partitioned into detergent‐resistant membranes, which contain cholesterol‐glycolipid‐rich membrane regions known as lipid rafts, suggesting that HtrA and p66 may reside together in lipid rafts also. This agrees with previous work from our laboratory, which showed that HtrA and p66 are constituents of B. burgdorferi outer membrane vesicles. HtrA degraded p66 in vitro and A3HtrAOE expressed reduced levels of p66 in vivo. Fluorescence confocal microscopy revealed that HtrA and p66 colocalize in the membrane. The association of HtrA and p66 establishes that they could interact efficiently and their protease/substrate relationship provides functional relevance to this interaction. A3HtrAOE also showed reduced levels of p66 transcript in comparison with wild‐type B31A3, indicating that HtrA‐mediated regulation of p66 may occur at multiple levels.
Long‐term outcome of severe acute kidney injury survivors followed by nephrologists in a developing country
Authors: Ponce Daniela , Dias Dayana Bitencourt , Nascimento Ginivaldo Ribeiro , Silveira Liciana Vaz de Arruda , Balbi André Luís 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimThis study aimed to evaluate the long‐term outcome of patients after a severe episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) on survival and progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to identify risk factors associated with these outcomes.MethodsWe performed a prospective study that evaluated the long‐term outcome of 509 AKI stage 3 patients who were followed by nephrologists in a Brazilian University Hospital from 2004 to 2013.ResultsAge was 60.2 years (47.5–71) and the follow‐up time was 25 months (12–44). The late mortality was 38.1% and age (HR 2.89, 95%CI=1.88 to 4.46, P < 0.0001), diabetes (HR 1.46, 95%CI=1 0.02 to 2.16, P < 0.047), liver disease (HR 2.95, 95%CI=1.19 to 7.3, P = 0.02) and creatinine (Cr) at the time of hospital discharge (HR 1.21, 95%CI=1.04 to 1.41, P = 0.01) were associated with poor long‐term survival. At the moment of hospital discharge, 52.1% of patients had complete recovery of renal function, 39.7% had partial recovery and 8.3% had not recovered renal function. After 36 months, 43.5% of patients progressed to CKD, and 5.3% needed for chronic dialysis. Factors associated with progression to CKD were age (HR 1.02, 95%CI=1.008 to 1.035, P = 0.009), CKD (HR 1.05 95% CI=1.007 to 1.09, P = 0.04), diabetes (HR 1.12, CI 1.008‐1.035, P = 0.009) and number of AKI episodes (HR 1.65, 95%CI=1.19 to 2.2, P = 0.0023).ConclusionThis study showed that AKI patients have high mortality after hospital discharge and age, diabetes, liver disease, and Cr value at the time of discharge were factors associated with long‐term mortality. The risk factors for this progression to CKD were age, the presence of diabetes and the number of AKI episodes.