bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic relationships between ferralsols, podzols and white kaolin in Amazonia
Authors: Ishida D. A. , Montes C. R. , Lucas Y. , Pereira O. J. R. , Merdy P. , Melfi A. J. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryWhite kaolin has frequently been observed to be associated with ferralsol‐podzol soil systems in Amazonia. In order to evaluate whether such systems favour kaolin genesis and to identify the associated genetic processes, we studied soil organization, mineralogy and groundwater properties of a ferralsol‐podzol soil system with white kaolin located in the High Rio Negro Basin, Brazil. We found that the kaolin was situated near the ferralsol‐podzol transition and that its thickness was related to the depth of landscape incision by regressive erosion. The kaolin was characterized by silicon, iron and titanium (Ti) leaching and aluminium (Al) absolute accumulation. The groundwater that percolates from the podzol to the kaolin can enhance kaolinite precipitation, by supplying Al originating from kaolinite dissolution in the overlying Bh, and kaolin bleaching, by low pH and Eh of the percolating waters favouring iron reduction. The system dynamics imply that the quartz dissolution rate in the kaolin is of at least the same order of magnitude as the kaolinite dissolution rate in the overlying Bh. Within the whole system, Ti appeared to be very mobile.
Self‐harm in people with epilepsy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Meyer Nicholas , Voysey Merryn , Holmes Jane , Casey Deborah , Hawton Keith 
Published: July 2014

SummaryObjectivesLittle is known about self‐harm in people with epilepsy, despite suicide being recognized as a leading cause of mortality in this population. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of self‐harm in people with epilepsy, and associated demographic and psychosocial factors.MethodsPatients presenting to hospital following self‐harm between 1994 and 2008 were identified from the Oxford Monitoring System for Self‐Harm. Epilepsy diagnosis was confirmed through review of medical records. Demographic features, patient, and self‐harm characteristics of 132 people with epilepsy and 9,778 self‐harm patients without epilepsy were compared using a regression model, adjusting for age, sex, and repetition. Patients presenting between 1998 and 2008 were followed up for all‐cause mortality to the end of 2011.ResultsThe rate of self‐harm per individual with epilepsy was 2.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85–2.25) times that of the comparison group, and time between first and second self‐harm events was shorter (hazard ratio 1.86; 1.46–2.38). People with epilepsy were significantly more likely to use antiepileptic medication in overdose, although overall methods of self‐harm were similar in the two groups. No significant differences in suicide intent scores or the proportion of patients who died by suicide were found. Previous outpatient psychiatric treatment, longer duration of unemployment, experience of violence, and housing problems were associated with self‐harm in people with epilepsy.SignificancePeople with epilepsy who self‐harm do so more frequently than other self‐harm patients. Clinicians should be aware of this and pay attention to contributory factors as these may enhance risk in this population.A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Cerebral glucose hypometabolism is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with intractable epilepsy and cortical dysplasia
Authors: Tenney Jeffrey R. , Rozhkov Leonid , Horn Paul , Miles Lili , Miles Michael V. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryObjectivesMetabolic imaging studies, such as positron emission tomography (PET), allow for an assessment of physiologic functioning of the brain, and [18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose (FDG)–PET is now a commonly used technique in presurgical epilepsy evaluations. Focal interictal decreases in glucose consumption are often but inconsistently concordant with the ictal onset area, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The current study tests the hypothesis that areas of glucose hypometabolism, determined by FDG‐PET, are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with medically intractable epilepsy associated with isolated focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).MethodsMeasures of electron transport chain (ETC) functioning and mitochondrial abnormalities (ETC complex biochemistry, protein kinase B subtype 1 (Akt1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)) were assessed in surgical resection specimens that had hypometabolic abnormalities and those that were normal on FDG‐PET. Determination of FDG‐PET abnormalities was based on coregistration of statistical parametric mapping (SPM) results with postsurgical images.ResultsTwenty‐two patients (11 male, 11 female; mean age at the time of surgery 10.5 ± 4.4 years), with pathologically confirmed FCD, were included in this retrospective review. Complex IV function was found to be significantly reduced in areas of hypometabolism (p = 0.014), whereas there was a trend toward a significant reduction in complex II and III function in areas of hypometabolism (p = 0.08, p = 0.059, respectively). These decreases were independent of cortical dysplasia severity (p = 0.321) and other clinical epilepsy measures.SignificanceThis study suggests an association between glucose hypometabolism and reduced mitochondrial complex IV functioning, which is independent of the degree of cortical dysplasia. This supports the role of cellular energy failure as a potential mechanism for intractable epilepsy.
The Effect of Human Presence and Human Activity on Risk Assessment and Flight Initiation Distance in Skinks
Authors: McGowan Marilyn M. , Patel Priya D. , Stroh Jolie D. , Blumstein Daniel T. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAntipredator behavior and risk assessment of many species are affected by the presence of humans and their activities. Previous studies have largely been conducted on birds and mammals and relatively less is known about human impacts on reptiles. We used flight initiation distance (FID) as a measure of risk assessment in inland blue‐tailed skinks (Emoia impar) and tested the direct and indirect effects of humans on risk assessment. We first examined the effects of varying levels and types of human disturbance and activity on skink FID. We found that skinks flushed at significantly longer distances in areas with the least human activity. We then tested the degree to which skinks are able to discriminate different numbers of humans by comparing FID across three different types of approaches. Skinks did not significantly differentiate between a single approacher and a single approacher coming from a group of two other people, but did flush at greater distances when approached by three people simultaneously. Although skinks are not directly harvested or harassed by humans, they have refined human discrimination abilities. Overall, skinks habituate to a variety of human activities and perceive a larger threat when the number of human approachers is greater.
The development of scales to measure childhood cancer survivors' readiness for transition to long‐term follow‐up care as adults
Authors: Klassen Anne F. , Rosenberg‐Yunger Zahava R.S. , D'Agostino Norma M. , Cano Stefan J. , Barr Ronald , Syed Iqra , Granek Leeat , Greenberg Mark L. , Dix David , Nathan Paul C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPurposeTo develop and validate scales to measure constructs that survivors of childhood cancer report as barriers and/or facilitators to the process of transitioning from paediatric to adult‐oriented long‐term follow‐up (LTFU) care.MethodsQualitative interviews provided a dataset that were used to develop items for three new scales that measure cancer worry, self‐management skills and expectations about adult care. These scales were field‐tested in a sample of 250 survivors aged 15–26 years recruited from three Canadian hospitals between July 2011 and January 2012. Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT) analysis was used to identify the items that represent the best indicators of each scale using tests of validity (i.e. thresholds for item response options, item fit statistics, item locations, differential item function) and reliability (Person Separation Index). Traditional psychometric tests of measurement performance were also conducted.ResultsRMT led to the refinement of a 6‐item Cancer Worry scale (focused on worry about cancer‐related issues such as late effects), a 15‐item Self‐Management Skills scale (focused on skills an adolescent needs to acquire to manage their own health care), and a 12‐item Expectations scale (about the nature of adult LTFU care). Our study provides preliminary evidence about the reliability and validity of these new scales (e.g. Person Separation Index ≥ 0.81; Cronbach's α ≥ 0.81; test–retest reliability ≥ 0.85).ConclusionThere is limited knowledge about the transition experience of childhood cancer survivors. These scales can be used to investigate barriers survivors face in the process of transition from paediatric to adult care.
Community pharmacy type 2 diabetes risk assessment: demographics and risk results
Authors: Twigg Michael J , Wright David J , Thornley Tracey , Haynes Lisa 
Published: July 2014

Abstract

Objectives
To determine the demographics and risk results of patients accessing a community pharmacy diabetes risk assessment service.

Method
Participating patients underwent an assessment using a validated questionnaire to determine their 10-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Patients were given appropriate lifestyle advice or referred to their general practitioner if necessary.

Key findings
In total, 21 302 risk assessments were performed. Nearly one-third (29%) of 3427 risk assessments analysed yielded a result of moderate or high chance of developing the condition.

Conclusions
Community pharmacies can identify a significant number of patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years. Further follow-up work needs to be done to determine the cost-effectiveness of such a service and the consequences of receiving a risk assessment.
The sensory neurone membrane protein SNMP1 contributes to the sensitivity of a pheromone detection system
Authors: Pregitzer P. , Greschista M. , Breer H. , Krieger J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractMale moths detect female‐released sex pheromones with extraordinary sensitivity. The remarkable sensory ability is based on a cooperative interplay of pheromone binding proteins in the lymph of hair‐like sensilla trichodea and pheromone receptors in the dendrites of sensory neurones. Here we examined whether in Heliothis virescens the so‐called ‘sensory neurone membrane protein 1’ (SNMP1) may contribute to responsiveness to the pheromone component, (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal (Z11‐16:Ald). By means of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization we demonstrated that SNMP1 is in fact present in cells expressing the Z11‐16:Ald receptor HR13 and the dendrites of sensory neurones. To assess a possible function of SNMP1 we monitored the responsiveness of cell lines that expressed HR13 alone or the combination SNMP1/HR13 to stimulation with Z11‐16:Ald by calcium imaging. It was found that SNMP1/HR13 cells were 1000‐fold more sensitive to pheromone stimulation compared with HR13 cells. In contrast, cells that expressed HR13 and the non‐neuronal SNMP2‐type showed no change in pheromone sensitivity. Overall, our reconstitution experiments demonstrate that the presence of SNMP1 significantly increases the HR13‐based responsiveness of cells to Z11‐16:Ald, suggesting that SNMP1 also contributes to the response of the antennal neurones and thus to the remarkable sensitivity of the pheromone detection system.
Dental fear and expected effectiveness of destructive coping as predictors of children's uncooperative intentions in dental settings
Authors: Crego Antonio , Carrillo‐Diaz María , Armfield Jason M. , Romero Martín 
Published: July 2014

AimTo explore the mechanisms by which some children select disruptive behaviours to cope with stressful dental events. In particular, the relationships between dental fear, expected effectiveness of destructive coping, and intentions of displaying uncooperative behaviours were analysed.DesignParticipants were 170 children who filled out a questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics by gender and group age as well as comparisons of means were calculated. Spearman's rho correlation coefficients and binary logistic regression analysis were used to test hypotheses of the relationships among variables.ResultsBoth dental fear and the expected effectiveness of destructive coping strategies were significantly associated with children's uncooperative intentions at the dentist. In addition, children who strongly endorsed the effectiveness of destructive coping strategies had a higher probability of uncooperative intentions as dental fear increased. In contrast, this relationship was not statistically significant among children who did not expect negative behaviours to be effective.ConclusionsChildren's expectations about the effectiveness of destructive coping behaviours can help explain variations in the use of these strategies in stressful dental situations. Dental fear as well as children's inadequate expectancies about coping alternatives should be explored and targeted to prevent and modify uncooperative behaviour intentions at the dentist.
Comparison of Calcipotriol and Coal Tar in Conjunction with Sun Exposure in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kaur Inderjeet , Saraswat Abir , Kumar Bhushan 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThis study was a left‐right comparison of the efficacy of 0.005% calcipotriol ointment and 5% coal tar ointment in conjunction with sun exposure in 10 patients with stable plaque psoriasis. After four weeks of therapy, the calcipotriol treated site showed a significantly faster fall in PASI compared to the coal tar treated site. At eight weeks, this difference was not significant with both sides showing comparable improvement in lesions, as shown by PASI values. There were no significant side effects from either therapy. We conclude that both calcipotriol and coal tar ointments have comparable efficacy in treating stable plaque psoriasis when used simultaneously with sun exposure, although the initial response to calcipotriol is faster.
Vitiligo: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Treatment Modalities in 500 Patients
Authors: Handa Sanjeev , Pandhi Roma , Kaur Inderjeet 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe major non‐surgical re‐pigmenting therapies for vitiligo include psoralens and corticosteroids, used both topically and systemically. In an attempt to determine the best therapeutic option, we compared the efficacy of various treatment regimens used in our department for the treatment of vitiligo. We report herein our results with six different regimens used in our clinic. Data from five hundred vitiligo patients who attended the pigmentary disorders clinic at the Nehru Hospital, PGI, Chandigarh, was analysed. For the purpose of analysis, patients were arbitrarily divided into two groups based upon the body surface area (BSA) involved: Group A (<10% BSA involved) and B (>10% BSA involved). Group A was further divided into three subgoups of patients depending upon what treatment they received: R‐I {topical clobetasol propionate+sun exposure}; R‐II {topical psoralen+sun exposure (topical PUVASOL)}; R‐III {topical psoralen+UVA (topical PUVA)}. Group B was also subdivided into three subgroups of patients who received: R‐IV {oral dexamethasone pulse therapy + sun exposure}; R‐V {systemic psoralen + sun exposure (systemic PUVASOL)}; R‐VI {systemic psoralen + UVA (systemic PUVA)}. Patients who had undergone, one of the above mentioned regimens and had a regular monthly follow up until total re‐pigmentation or for at least one year, whichever was earlier, were included in the final assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of that regimen. At the end of the study in Group A, 207 (89%) patients out of 232 on R‐I; 73 (93%) out of 78 on R‐II, and 15 (79%) out of 19 patients on R‐III showed moderate to excellent re‐pigmentation, respectively. In group B, 45 (81%) patients out of 55 on R‐IV, 48 (84%) out of 57 on R‐V, and 22 (84%) patients out of 26 on R‐VI showed moderate to excellent re‐pigmentation. Statistically, in Group A, R‐I & II were significantly better than R‐III. However in Group B, there was no significant difference in the responses to R‐IV, V, and VI. A positive family history of vitiligo did not seem to affect the response rate. Potent topical steroids used along with sun exposure and topical PUVASOL were the most effective forms of therapy for localised vitiligo. For the generalised form of the disease, we concluded that all the systemic modalities, oral steroids, PUVASOL and PUVA, are equally efficacious over a period of one year. Phototoxic reactions were, however, more common with PUVASOL.
Treating Ingrown Toenails by Nail Splinting with a Flexible Tube: An Indian Experience
Authors: Gupta Somesh , Sahoo Bijaylaxmi , Kumar Bhushan 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIngrown toenail is a common problem, and currently available treatments are either quite invasive or associated with unacceptably high recurrence rate. Recently a new non‐invasive therapy, “Nail splinting”, has been introduced. In this procedure, the nail is splinted with a longitudinally incised plastic tube. We conducted the present study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure in fifty patients (68 nail edges in 61 nails) with ingrown toenails at all stages. The pain disappeared almost immediately, and inflammation subsided in about one week in all nail edges. Thirty‐nine patients came for regular follow‐up for six months after removal of the tube. Eight (20.5%) of these patients showed recurrence of the problem. No serious side effects were noted.
Comparative Efficacy of Ketoconazole and Fluconazole in the Treatment of Pityriasis Versicolor: A One Year Follow‐up Study
Authors: Bhogal Charanjeet Singh , Singal Archana , Baruah Manik Chander 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPityriasis versicolor can be treated by a single or multiple dosage regime of ketoconazole as well as by fluconazole. The therapeutic efficacy of these two drugs has not been compared. One hundred and eighty patients with moderate to extensive pityriasis versicolor confirmed by KOH and Wood's lamp examination were randomly assigned to one of the four oral antifungal regimes: Ketoconazole 400 mg single dose (Category I), Ketoconazole 200 mg daily for 10 days (Category II), Fluconazole 400 mg single dose (Category III) or Fluconazole 150 mg per week for 4 weeks (Category IV). Follow up was done at 2 and 4 weeks and then at 3, 6 and 12 months after the treatment in each group. KOH and Wood's lamp examinations were repeated each time. After four weeks of treatment, clinical cure was observed in 66.6% (Category I), 73.3% (Category II), 80% (Category III) and 59.9% (Category IV) of patients. Mycological cure after four weeks of treatment was observed in 53.3% (Category I), 73.3% (Category II), 82.2% (Category III) and 64.4% (Category IV) of patients. After twelve months of follow‐up, maximum relapses were observed with Category I. No relapse was seen in Category III patients. The time period of relapse varied from three to ten months. In conclusion, single dose 400 mg oral fluconazole provided the best clinical as well as mycological cure rate with no relapse during twelve months of follow‐up.
Clinical Spectrum of Behçet's Disease
Authors: Bang Dongsik 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBehçet's disease is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease involving mucous membranes, skin, eyes, the gastrointestinal tract, joints, blood vessels, and the neurologic system. Behçet's disease occurs endemically in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. It is also distributed in the Central and Far Eastern Asian countries including Korea, Japan, and China. With the volume of clinical information obtained from over 5,000 patients who visited the Behçet's Disease Specialty Clinic, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, informative and educational viewpoints of Behçet's disease including dermatologic and other systemic manifestations were introduced.
Bullous Pemphigoid: End of the Century Overview
Authors: Liu Zhi , Diaz Luis A. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBullous pemphigoid (BP) was first described by Lever in 1953 as a subepidermal blistering disease. Immunohistological features of BP include dermal‐epidermal junction separation with an inflammatory cell infiltrate in the upper dermis, and autoantibodies in patients' circulation and bound to the basement membrane zone (BMZ). These autoantibodies show a linear staining at the dermal‐epidermal junction (DEJ) and recognize two major hemidesmosomal proteins, the BP230 (BPAG1) and BP180 (BPAG2). An IgG passive transfer mouse model of BP was developed, that recapitulates the key features of human BP. Using this in vivo model system, key cellular and molecular events leading to BP disease phenotype are identified, including IgG binding to its target, complement activation, mast cell degranulation, neutrophil infiltration and activation. Proteinases and reactive oxygen species released by neutrophils work together to damage BMZ, causing DEJ separation. T cells from BP patients show a specific proliferative response to recombinant BP180 NC16A. These NC16A‐responding T lymphocytes express alpha/beta T cell receptors and CD4 memory T cell surface markers and exhibited a Th1/Th2 mixed cytokine profile. After almost a half‐century of studies, we have learned a great deal about IgG‐mediated tissue injury and begin to understand the autoimmune responses leading to pathogenic IgG production in BP.
Austria and Japan: Early Relations in Dermatology An “Imperial” Connection in Historical Perspective
Authors: Holubar Karl , Fatović‐Ferenčić Stella 
Published: July 2014

SummaryThe early relations in dermatology between imperial Japan of the beginning Meiji era and Imperial Austria‐Hungary are reviewed. Keizo Dohi, the pioneer of Western dermatology in Japan, trained in Austria under Moriz Kaposi in Vienna. Emphasis is also given to dermatological iconography, to early connections in medicine, and the Japanology in Austria, in general. Today, Japan has developed into one of three centers of investigative dermatology, (USA, Europe, Japan). The country has moved herself from the position of a pupil into that of a master.
Fulminant and Relentless Cutaneous Necrosis with Excruciating Pain Caused by Calciphylaxis Developing in a Patient Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Sato Noriko , Teramura Tomoko , Ishiyama Takeshi , Tagami Hachiro 
Published: July 2014

AbstractA 50‐year‐old Japanese female with chronic renal failure who had been on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis developed fulminant systemic cutaneous necrosis that began as painful livedo reticularis‐like skin lesions on her thighs. Because of disseminated vascular calcification within the muscular layer of her lower limbs, we eventually diagnosed her with calciphylaxis. The skin necrosis progressed rapidly, and she died of sepsis and pneumonia on the 53rd hospital day. In addition to her long‐lasting severe hyperparathyroidism and extremely elevated serum phosphorus and calcium levels, mechanical, frictional stimulation inflicted on the local skin and administration of corticosteroids were suspected to have precipitated the calciphylaxis. Our lack of awareness of this disease in its early stages resulted in our missing the chance to do a parathyroidectomy that might have changed the course. It is important to know the clinical features of this rare disease in order to make a diagnosis as early as possible.