bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychosomatic services for melanoma patients in tertiary care
Authors: Körner Annett , Fritzsche Kurt 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground  Individuals diagnosed with malignant melanoma face significant practical and psychological challenges, including existential fears and pain and discomfort associated with treatment. To enhance psychological adjustment, patients receive psychosomatic–psychotherapeutic consultation–liaison services (CLS) within the general medical hospital. However, little is known about the use of these services in routine clinical care.Methods  This study includes all patients referred to the CLS of a large German tertiary care hospital between 2005 and 2008 (n = 3658). Data were recorded using the CL‐BaDo form – a multicenter documentation form for the assessment of clinical characteristics of patients and CLS delivery. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to compare patients with melanomas and patients with other dermatological diseases.Results  Dermatologists requested CLS more often for other dermatology patients than for patients with melanoma. These two groups also differed in the reasons for referral: patients with melanoma were referred more often for acute coping issues; other dermatology patients were referred more often for unexplained physical symptoms. Additionally, the latter group was diagnosed with more and different mental and behavioral disorders. Patients with melanomas received more psychotherapeutic interventions while admitted to hospital but fewer recommendations for further psychosocial treatment after their hospital stay.Conclusion  These findings highlight the need for professional psychosocial support in individuals diagnosed with melanoma – especially when first diagnosed or experiencing a recurrence. Dermatologists play a crucial role in identifying their patients’ needs and in navigating them toward available support services.
The clinical profile of Merkel cell carcinoma in mainland China
Authors: Song Philip I. , Liang Hao , Wei Wen‐Qiang , Jiang Yi‐Qun , Smith Jennifer S. , Qiao You‐Lin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy, but little is known about the presence or characteristics of MCC in mainland China. A retrospective chart review was conducted to describe the clinical profile of MCC in China.Materials and methods  At 18 cancer or dermatology hospitals in metropolitan centers from the six geographical regions of mainland China, approximately 3,100,000 pathology database and medical records were searched for cases that had a pathological diagnosis of MCC between 1970 and 2009. A case series was compiled from retrospective chart reviews of identified patients with MCC.Results  Eight out of 18 participating hospitals reported at least one record of a patient with a pathological diagnosis of MCC, and a total of 22 cases were identified. The median age of patients was 65.5 years, and 59% were female. The median time from the appearance of a lesion to the time of biopsy was six months, and the most common location of lesions was the head and neck. The most common treatment used was surgery alone.Conclusions  Merkel cell carcinoma appears to be uncommon in mainland China. Patients in this series are elderly, often had lesions on the head/neck region, and most commonly received surgery alone as treatment. In contrast with MCC in Western countries, the current series’ patients were all of Asian ethnicity, had larger lesions at presentation, and none was documented as having HIV or other forms of immunosuppression.
Cutaneous manifestations of filovirus infections
Authors: Nkoghe Dieudonné , Leroy Eric Maurice , Toung‐Mve Médard , Gonzalez Jean Paul 
Published: August 2012

AbstractEbolavirus and Marburgvirus, two filoviruses belonging to the Filoviridae family, are among the most virulent pathogens for humans and non‐human primates, causing outbreaks of fulminant hemorrhagic fever (HF) in Central African countries with case fatality rates of up to 90%. Fruit bats are the likely reservoir, and human infection occurs through contact with bats or infected large‐animal carcasses or by person‐to‐person contact (through body fluids, medical care, and burial practices). Schematically, clinical manifestations occur in three successive phases and include general, gastrointestinal, and mucocutaneous disorders. Death usually results from hemorrhagic complications. Cutaneous manifestations rarely make a major contribution to disease severity but can assist with the diagnosis. Rash, the main cutaneous disorder, is nonspecific and cannot guide the differential diagnosis. Immunohistochemical examination of skin biopsy or necropsy specimens can confirm the diagnosis.
Systemic PUVA vs. narrowband UVB in the treatment of vitiligo: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Sapam Ranjeeta , Agrawal Sudha , Dhali Tapan K. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractVitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder having disfiguring consequences. Many treatments have been attempted with varying reports of success. A parallel‐group, assessor blinded, randomized, controlled trial was designed to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of narrowband UVB (NBUVB) with oral psoralen UVA (PUVA) therapy in the treatment of vitiligo. Patients aged 13–70 years with vitiliginous lesions involving more than 5% body surface area were eligible for the study. In total, 56 patients were randomized in a 1 : 1 ratio to oral PUVA or NBUVB phototherapy groups. Patients were assessed for the percentage of repigmentation over the depigmented areas as the primary outcome measure at each visit during the first three months and then monthly within the next three months. The incidence of adverse effects was also noted during the study period as the secondary outcome measure. The median repigmentation achieved at the end of the six‐month therapy course was 45% in the NBUVB group and 40% in the oral PUVA group. Focal vitiligo had the best response in both treatment groups. There were lesser adverse effects within the NBUVB (7.4%) than in the PUVA (57.2%) group. Two PUVA patients discontinued therapy due to severe dizziness. There was no significant difference in the mean degree of repigmentation; however, NBUVB carried a greater response rate and might be superior to oral PUVA with better tolerance and color match with the surrounding normal skin, as well as fewer side effects in the treatment of vitiligo.
Attenuated Bordetella pertussis BPZE1 protects against allergic airway inflammation and contact dermatitis in mouse models
Authors: Li R. , Cheng C. , Chong S. Z. , Lim A. R. F. , Goh Y. F. , Locht C. , Kemeny D. M. , Angeli V. , Wong W. S. F. , Alonso S. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundWe previously reported that prior nasal administration of highly attenuated Bordetella pertussis BPZE1 provides effective and sustained protection against lethal challenge with influenza A viruses. The protective effect was mediated by suppressing the production of major pro‐inflammatory mediators. To further explore the anti‐inflammatory properties of BPZE1, we investigated the effect of BPZE1 nasal pretreatment on two mouse models of allergic disease, allergic airway inflammation, and contact hypersensitivity (CHS).MethodsAllergic reactions were induced in mice nasally pretreated with live attenuated BPZE1 bacteria using the ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced allergic airway inflammation and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)‐induced CHS models.ResultsPrior BPZE1 nasal treatment suppressed OVA‐induced lung inflammation and inflammatory cell recruitment and significantly reduced IgE levels and cytokine production. Similarly, BPZE1 nasal pretreatment markedly inhibited ear swelling, skin inflammation, and production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the DNCB‐induced CHS model. For both models, we showed that BPZE1 pretreatment does not affect the sensitization phase. Upon challenge, BPZE1 pretreatment selectively reduced the level of cytokines whose production is increased and did not affect the basal level of other cytokines. Together, our observations suggest that BPZE1 pretreatment specifically targets those cytokine‐producing effector cells that are recruited and involved in the inflammatory reaction.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the broad anti‐inflammatory properties of the attenuated B. pertussis BPZE1 vaccine candidate and supports its development as a promising agent to prevent and/or treat allergic diseases.
Costimulation blockade in pig artery patch xenotransplantation – a simple model to monitor the adaptive immune response in nonhuman primates
Authors: Ezzelarab Mohamed B. , Ekser Burcin , Echeverri Gabriel , Hara Hidetaka , Ezzelarab Corin , Long Cassandra , Bajona Pietro , Garcia Bertha , Murase Noriko , Ayares David , Cooper David K. C. 
Published: August 2012

Ezzelarab MB, Ekser B, Echeverri G, Hara H, Ezzelarab C, Long C, Bajona P, Garcia B, Murase N, Ayares D, Cooper DKC. Costimulation blockade in pig artery patch xenotransplantation – a simple model to monitor the adaptive immune response in nonhuman primates. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 221–232. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  CD154 blockade‐based immunosuppression successfully prevents both humoral and cellular adaptive immune responses in baboons receiving α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene‐knockout (GTKO) pig organs. Using a GTKO pig artery transplantation model in baboons, we evaluated the efficacy of CD28/B7 costimulatory pathway blockade in comparison with CD154 blockade.Methods:  Baboons received artery patch grafts from GTKO pigs, with no (Group1), anti‐CD154mAb‐based (Group2), or CTLA4‐Ig‐based (Group3) immunosuppressive therapy. Anti‐pig IgM and IgG antibody and cellular responses were monitored. Xenografts were immunohistologically evaluated for antibody and complement deposition, and cellular infiltration.Results:  Group1 baboons developed increased IgM and IgG antibody and cellular responses against GTKO antigens. In Group2, anti‐CD154mAb alone prevented the development of both IgM and IgG antibody and cellular responses,but not cellular infiltration of the graft. In the single baboon that received anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) + anti‐CD154mAb, cellular infiltration of the graft was not seen. In Group3, CTLA4‐Ig with ATG + MMF inhibited the cellular proliferative response to pig antigens but did not prevent the IgG response or cellular infiltration.Conclusions:  (i) Artery patch transplantation is a simple model to monitor the adaptive immune response to xenografts; (ii) anti‐CD154mAb prevents sensitization but not cellular infiltration (but, without anticoagulation, may result in early thrombosis of a pig xenograft); (iii) although in only one baboon, the addition of ATG and MMF prevents cellular infiltration and (iv) replacement of anti‐CD154mAb by CTLA4‐Ig (at the doses used), even in combination with ATG and MMF, prevents the cellular proliferative response to GTKO pig antigens but is insufficient to prevent the development of anti‐pig antibodies.
The experimental evolution of herbicide resistance in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii results in a positive correlation between fitness in the presence and absence of herbicides
Authors: Vogwill T. , Lagator M. , Colegrave N. , Neve P. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryPleiotropic fitness trade‐offs will be key determinants of the evolutionary dynamics of selection for pesticide resistance. However, for herbicide resistance, empirical support for a fitness cost of resistance is mixed, and it is therefore also questionable what further ecological trade‐offs can be assumed to apply to herbicide resistance. Here, we test the existence of trade‐offs by experimentally evolving herbicide resistance in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Although fitness costs are detected for all herbicides, we find that, counterintuitively, the most resistant populations also have the lowest fitness costs as measured by growth rate in the ancestral environment. Furthermore, after controlling for differences in the evolutionary dynamics of resistance to different herbicides, we also detect significant positive correlations between resistance, fitness in the ancestral environment and cross‐resistance to other herbicides. We attribute this to the highest levels of nontarget‐site resistance being achieved by fixing mutations that more broadly affect cellular physiology, which results in both more cross‐resistance and less overall antagonistic pleiotropy on maximum growth rate. Consequently, the lack of classical ecological trade‐offs could present a major challenge for herbicide resistance management.
An experimental test of the role of predators in the maintenance of a genetically based polymorphism
Authors: Calsbeek R. , Cox R. M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPolymorphisms provide one of the most useful tools for understanding the maintenance of genetic and phenotypic variation in nature. We have previously described a genetically based polymorphism in dorsal patterning that is expressed by female brown anole lizards, Anolis sagrei, which occur in Bar, Diamond and intermediate Diamond–Bar morphs. Previous studies of island populations in The Bahamas support a role for selection in maintaining the polymorphism, but the agents responsible for this selection remain unclear. We tested two main hypotheses regarding the importance of predation as a selective agent that maintains the polymorphism within populations. First, we tested whether correlational selection favours different combinations of morph, locomotor performance and escape behaviour by measuring morph‐specific natural selection on sprint speed, running endurance and the propensity of females to either ‘freeze’ or ‘run’ in response to attempted capture. Morphs did not differ in any of these traits, nor did correlational selection consistently favour any particular combinations of morph and antipredator behaviour. Second, we experimentally excluded bird and snake predators from two entire island populations, allowed these predators access to two additional islands and then measured subsequent differences in natural selection on morphs in each population. Predators reduced the survival of Bar and Diamond females, but not of genetically intermediate Diamond–Bar females. These results provide limited evidence that predation may play a role in maintaining this polymorphism, although the functional traits that could account for differential susceptibility to predation remain unclear.
Developmental Competence and Embryo Quality of Small Oocytes from Pre‐pubertal Goats Cultured in IVM Medium Supplemented with Low Level of Hormones, Insulin–Transferrin–Selenium and Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Hammami S , Morató R , Romaguera R , Roura M , Catalá MG , Paramio MT , Mogas T , Izquierdo D 
Published: August 2012

ContentsThe aim of this study was to test the effect of insulin–transferrin–selenium (ITS) and L‐ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation and the hormonal level during in vitro maturation (IVM) of small oocytes from pre‐pubertal goat on the blastocyst yield and quality. Concretely, we used four maturation media: conventional IVM medium (CM), growth medium (GM: CM+ITS+AA and low level of hormones), modified CM (mCM: CM with low level of hormones) and modified GM (mGM: CM+ITS+AA and normal level of hormones). Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were classified into two categories according to oocyte diameter: <125 μm and ≥125 μm. Large oocytes were matured 24 h in CM (Treatment A). Small oocytes were matured randomly in six experimental groups: Treatment B: 24 h in CM; Treatment C: 12 h in GM and 12 h in CM; Treatment D: 24 h in mGM; Treatment E: 12 h in mGM and 12 h in CM; Treatment F: 12 h in mCM and 12 h in CM; and Treatment G: 12 h in GM and 12 h in mGM. After IVM, oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 8 days. The blastocyst quality was assessed by the survival following vitrification/warming and the mean cell number. When different maturation media were combined, the blastocyst rate did not improve. The large oocytes produced the highest blastocysts yield. However, the culture of small oocytes in GM (53.3%) enhanced the post‐warming survival of blastocysts compared to large oocytes matured in CM (35.7%). In conclusion, IVM of pre‐pubertal goat small oocytes in GM would be useful to improve the quality of in vitro‐produced blastocysts.
Pregabalin versus gabapentin in the treatment of neuropathic pruritus in maintenance haemodialysis patients: A prospective, crossover study
Authors: SOLAK YALCIN , BIYIK ZEYNEP , ATALAY HUSEYIN , GAIPOV ABDUZHAPPAR , GUNEY FIGEN , TURK SULEYMAN , COVIC ADRIAN , GOLDSMITH DAVID , KANBAY MEHMET 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Pruritus is common in dialysis patients. Peripheral neuropathy is also prevalent in this patient population. However, the role of neuropathy in the genesis of uraemic itch has not been adequately studied to date. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of gabapentin and pregabalin on uraemic pruritus along with neuropathic pain in patients receiving haemodialysis.Methods:  This is a 14 week long randomized, prospective, cross‐over trial. Haemodialysis patients with established neuropathy and/or neuropathic pain were included. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to gabapentin 300 mg after each haemodialysis session and pregabalin 75 mg daily. After 6 weeks of treatment, cross‐over was performed and patients received the other drug for another 6 weeks. Short Form of McGill Pain Questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale were used to evaluate pain and pruritus, respectively. At each week's visit, patients were interrogated in terms of adverse effects of study drugs. Baseline laboratory data and demographic characteristics were recorded from patient charts.Results:  Forty (12 males, 28 females) out of 50 patients completed the study. Mean age was 58.2 ± 13.7. Overall, 29 out of 40 patients (72.5%) had pruritus symptoms at baseline evaluation. Fifteen patients (37.5%) were diabetic. Thirty‐one out of 40 patients (77.5%) had electromyography (EMG)‐proven peripheral neuropathy. Twenty three patients (57.5%) had both EMG‐proven neuropathy and pruritus. Gabapentin and pregabalin improved both neuropathic pain and pruritus significantly. There was no difference between the study drugs in terms of efficacy against pain and pruritus.Conclusion:  Treatment of neuropathic pain with either pregabalin or gabapentin effectively ameliorates uraemic itch.
Elastic hysteresis in human eyes is an age‐dependent value
Authors: Ishii Kotaro , Saito Kei , Kameda Toshihiro , Oshika Tetsuro 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground:  The elastic hysteresis phenomenon is observed when cyclic loading is applied to a viscoelastic system. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate elastic hysteresis in living human eyes against an external force.Design:  Prospective case series.Participants:  Twenty‐four eyes of 24 normal human subjects (mean age: 41.5 ± 10.6 years) were recruited.Methods:  A non‐contact tonometry process was recorded with a high‐speed camera. Central corneal thickness, corneal thickness at 4 mm from the centre, corneal curvature and anterior chamber depth were measured. Intraocular pressure was also measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry and dynamic contour tonometer.Main Outcome Measures:  Energy loss due to elastic hysteresis was calculated and graphed.Results:  The mean central corneal thickness was 552.5 ± 36.1 µm, corneal curvature was 7.84 ± 0.26 mm and anterior chamber depth was 2.83 ± 0.29 mm. The mean Goldmann applanation tonometry‐intraocular pressure was 14.2 ± 2.7 mmHg and dynamic contour tonometer‐intraocular pressure was 16.3 ± 3.5 mmHg. The mean energy loss due to elastic hysteresis was 3.90 × 10−6 ± 2.49 × 10−6 Nm. Energy loss due to elastic hysteresis correlated significantly with age (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.596, P = 0.0016). There were no significant correlations between energy loss due to elastic hysteresis and other measurements.Conclusion:  Energy loss due to elastic hysteresis in the eyes of subjects was found to positively correlate with age, independent of anterior eye structure or intraocular pressure. Therefore, it is believed that the viscosity of the eye increases with age.
Cross‐sectional validation study of patient‐reported outcomes in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
Authors: Weitz I. , Meyers G. , Lamy T. , Cahn J.‐Y. , Uranga M. T. , García Vela J. A. , Sanz M. A. , Severino B. , Kelly R. J. , Hillmen P. , Hill A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundParoxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired, clonal haemopoietic stem cell disorder that causes chronic intravascular haemolysis, increases the risk of thrombosis and results in significant patient morbidity and mortality. The symptoms of PNH may have a major impact on patient quality of life.AimsTo assess patient fatigue and health‐related quality of life in 29 patients with PNH using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue subscale version 4 (FACIT‐Fatigue) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire‐C30, version 3 (EORTC QLQ‐C30).MethodsFollowing completion of the questionnaires, patients were interviewed to assess the validity, clarity, relevance and comprehensiveness of the assessments.ResultsOverall, patients considered both the FACIT‐Fatigue and EORTC QLQ‐C30 instruments to be relevant and adequate in assessing the level of PNH‐associated fatigue and other quality‐of‐life measures. The FACIT‐Fatigue questionnaire was considered to be clear and to comprehensively cover PNH‐related fatigue. The EORTC QLQ‐C30 instrument was considered to be easy to understand, but of an overall lower relevance, although some differences between countries were observed. Patients suggested additional questions that could be incorporated into future EORTC QLQ‐C30 versions to make it more relevant to PNH.ConclusionsThis study confirms the validity of the FACIT‐Fatigue and the EORTC QLQ‐C30 questionnaires in this patient population and their routine use should be considered in the management of patients with PNH.