bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 7172 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sanliurfa, between 2001 and 2008
Authors: Yemisen Mucahit , Ulas Yilmaz , Celik Hakim , Aksoy Nurten 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sanliurfa is still a public health problem. In this study, we report the epidemiological, clinical, and demographic properties from Sanliurfa.Materials and Methods  7172 patients followed up in the Sanliurfa Leishmaniasis Treatment Center between January 2001 and December 2008.Results  The rates of male and female patients were 46% and 54% of the 7172 cases, respectively. The incidence of ACL showed a typical trend of an increase between November and May and a decrease in the summer. The face and extremities were the most involved parts of the body. Clinical appearance and Giemsa smear were most used diagnostic tools and intralesional pentavalent antimony compounds were the first choice of treatment.Conclusion  The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sanliurfa is still low but not zero.
Mucocutaneous manifestation of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in relation to degree of immunosuppression: a study of a West African population
Authors: Umoru Dominic , Oviawe Osawaru , Ibadin Michael , Onunu Abel , Esene Hendrith 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Mucocutaneous lesions occur at one point or the other during the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. These lesions can be the initial presenting features but could also be a pointer to the presence of immunosuppression.Aim and objectives  This study was carried out to determine the pattern of mucocutaneous manifestation in children who have human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in relation to their level of immunosuppression.Methods  One hundred children who were HIV seropositive aged 18 months to 16 years were evaluated for mucocutaneous lesions, and their degree of immunosuppression was also determined using total CD4+ count or CD4+ percentage. Another group of age and gender matched 100 HIV‐negative children were also examined for mucocutaneous lesions.Results  The mucocutaneous manifestations were more common among the subjects compared to controls (P = 0.000). The overall prevalence among the seropositive and seronegative subjects was 64% and 12% respectively. The prevalence of mucocutaneous findings in children with severe, moderate, and no immunosuppression were 93.8%, 55.2%, and 46.2%, respectively. The lesions were significantly more common among those with moderate and severe immunosuppression compared to those with no immunosuppression (P = 0.000). Multiple lesions were more frequent among those with severe immunosuppression. Oral thrush was the most frequent lesion (25.6%) among the subjects followed by pruritic papular eruption (20.7%) and dermatophytosis (14.1%). Severe and atypical forms of dermatophytosis and herpes ulcer were also observed among the subjects.Conclusion  This study shows that mucocutaneous lesions are common in children with HIV/AIDS and could be an early indicator of immune suppression. It is important to recognize them early in order to enhance early case detection and treatment.
Propylthiouracil‐induced ANCA‐positive erythema nodosum treated with thalidomide
Authors: Wan Pengjie , Zhao Xiaoqing , Hunasehally Ranganna Y. P. , Shi Ruofei , Zheng Jie 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Propylthiouracil (PTU), one of the mainstays of antithyroid therapy drugs, can lead to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity and skin lesions. PTU‐induced ANCA‐positive vasculitis is rare and even more rare is erythema nodosum.Objective  To report a case of a 57‐year‐old woman with hyperthyroidism who developed myeloperoxidase (MPO)‐ANCA erythema nodosum after PTU treatment for 11 months.Methods  Skin biopsy demonstrated septal panniculitis without vasculitis. PTU‐induced ANCA‐positive erythema nodosum was made.Results  With discontinuation of PTU and initiation of thalidomide, skin lesions resolved completely in three weeks, and after three months, the titers of MPO‐ANCA and perinuclear‐ANCA (p‐ANCA) had decreased remarkably. At 14‐month follow‐up, the patient was asymptomatic, but low levels of ANCA titers persisted.Conclusions  This report indicated that ANCA positive erythema nodosum could develop following PTU treatment. Thalidomide has been proven to be helpful and averted the adverse effects from systemic corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs in this patient.
Solitary subungual neurofibroma in the right first finger
Authors: Huajun Jiang , Wei Qu , Ming Lu , Chongyang Fu , Weiguo Zhang , Decheng Lv 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Neurofibromas may occur as part of neurofibromatosis or as a solitary tumor. Solitary subungual neurofibroma appears to be a rare condition. Up until now, less than 10 case reports of solitary subungual neurofibroma have been documented. Solitary subungual neurofibroma is difficult to diagnose, particularly as it is often small and without obvious symptoms. Awareness of the diagnosis is emphasized to prevent unnecessary delay in treatment. So, understanding the differentiation and diagnosis of solitary subungual neurofibroma has a great value.Methods  A 32‐year‐old woman presented with a two‐year history of painless thickening and elevation of the nail plate of the right first finger. She was treated with complete surgical excision of the tumor, and we performed pathological examination of the biopsy specimen.Results  The final diagnosis of the tumor was solitary neurofibroma. After surgery, the nail regrew with a good cosmetic result. After 10 months of follow‐up, there were no signs of recurrence of the tumor.Conclusion  Solitary subungual neurofibroma appears to be a rare condition, and immunohistochemistry is the key to the diagnosis. Complete surgical excision should be considered as the curative treatment of choice for them.
Etanercept use for psoriasis in Taiwan: a case series study
Authors: Chiu Hsien‐Yi , Wang Ting‐Shun , Cho Yung‐Tsu , Tsai Tsen‐Fang 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  The reported efficacy and safety of some biologic agents for psoriasis vary between Caucasians and Asians. Few reports of etanercept exist in psoriasis patients within the Asia‐Pacific region.Objectives  The study aims to report our clinical experience of etanercept in the treatment of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis in Taiwan.Methods  A retrospective analysis of 59 patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis who received etanercept was conducted in a tertiary referral center.Results  Etanercept therapy resulted in a reduction of mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 47% at week 12 and 61% at week 24. After 12 weeks of treatment, 48%, 26%, and 3.4% of the patients achieved at least PASI50, 75 and 90 response, respectively. At week 24, the proportion of patients achieving at least PASI50, 75 and 90 response was 59%, 37%, and 14%, respectively. Etanercept efficacy in achieving PASI75 improvement was, however, lower than that reported in previous pivotal placebo‐controlled trials. No cases of active tuberculosis, viral hepatitis or malignancies were observed during the observation period.Conclusion  Our case series demonstrated the efficacy and safety of etanercept for the management of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis in Taiwan.
Potential efficacy of imiquimod on immunity‐related cytokines in murine skin in vivo and in human Langerhans cells in vitro
Authors: Miao Xu , Luo Dan , Min Wei , Lin Xiangfei , Wang Daguang , Xu Yang , Wu Di 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIntroduction  Imiquimod, an immune‐response modifier, has been proven to be clinically effective in the treatment of viral infections and skin cancers, but its mechanism of action remains poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the effects of imiquimod on the expression of three immunity‐related cytokines, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6.Materials and methods  Female BALB/C mice were treated for seven days with topical 1% imiquimod cream; they were then killed and skin samples were snap‐frozen. In the in vitro studies, both purified LCs and HaCaT cells were incubated with 5 μg/ml imiquimod for four hours. In all samples, the mRNA levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 were then detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and the secretion levels were determined by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results  Imiquimod upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 in the skin of imiquimod‐treated BALB/C mice and in human LCs, compared with untreated controls (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the expression of these cytokines in imiquimod‐treated and untreated HaCaT cells.Conclusions  These findings indicate that imiquimod increased the expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 in skin and that the target cell of imiquimod may be the LCs but is unlikely to be the epidermal keratinocytes.
Varicella zoster virus meningoencephalitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Suzuki J. , Ashizawa M. , Okuda S. , Wada H. , Sakamoto K. , Terasako K. , Sato M. , Kimura S.‐I. , Kikuchi M. , Nakasone H. , Kako S. , Yamazaki R. , Oshima K. , Nishida J. , Kanda Y. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAlthough the reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a common complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), VZV meningoencephalitis is a rare life‐threatening infectious disease after HSCT. We describe here a patient who developed VZV meningoencephalitis 2 years after human leukocyte antigen‐matched unrelated HSCT for acute myeloblastic leukemia. She developed chronic graft‐versus‐host disease, and cyclosporine (CSA) was continued until 17 months after HSCT. Low‐dose acyclovir (ACV) at 200 mg/day was administered to prevent the reactivation of VZV from day −7 to the termination of CSA. At 22 months, she suddenly developed fever, loss of consciousness, and seizure, with generalized skin rash. A high level of VZV DNA was detected in her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). She was diagnosed to have VZV meningoencephalitis. Intravenous ACV at 30 mg/kg/day was given for 2 months. Although loss of consciousness was quickly resolved, some neurologic symptoms persisted. She did not have any known risk factors for VZV reactivation. Therefore, we should keep in mind that any HSCT recipient may develop VZV meningoencephalitis, and examination of CSF for VZV infection with an empiric administration of ACV may be recommended for HSCT recipients with central nervous system symptoms, even in the absence of skin manifestations.
Audit on the usage of plasma derived/recombinant coagulation factor concentrates at a German University Hospital
Authors: Strobel J. , Jörns H. , Weisbach V. , Ganslandt T. , Zimmermann R. , Eckstein R. 
Published: February 2012

Background  There is a lack of data on the usage of plasma derived/recombinant coagulation factor concentrates (PD/RCFC) regarding diagnostic categories. An audit of PD/RCFC and blood component usage at a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern Bavaria was conducted.Study design and methods  All blood components and PD/RCFC transfused at a university hospital (Erlangen, Germany) during the year 2006 were analysed. Transfused blood products were listed by major diagnostic categories (MDC) formed from principal diagnoses of recipients according to the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision and German modification.Results  Blood component usage has markedly increased since last surveyed in 1994 through 1996. The diagnostic categories responsible for most transfusions have not changed since. Antithrombin is the PD/RCFC used most, whereas most money for PD/RCFC was spent on FVIII concentrates. Polytrauma patients need most fibrinogen, whereas most of FXIII is needed in patients with malignancies. Patients with prolonged artificial ventilation receive PCC most often. Altogether, three MDCs (Pre, 17, 05) accounted for 80·5% of costs created by PD/RCFC transfusion.Conclusion  This study provides for the first time combined data on blood component and PD/RCFC usage in a German university hospital. It shows that the MDCs responsible for most of the costs in transfusion therapy with blood components and with PD/RCFC are few, and are the same. At the same time, blood bank information software should be further improved in order to be able to identify new trends in hemotherapy in more detail.
Rhizobacteria modify plant–aphid interactions: a case of induced systemic susceptibility
Authors: Pineda A. , Zheng S. ‐J. , van Loon J. J. A. , Dicke M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBeneficial microbes, such as plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, may have a plant‐mediated effect on insects aboveground. The plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens can induce systemic resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana against several microbial pathogens and chewing insects. However, the plant‐mediated effect of these beneficial microbes on phloem‐feeding insects is not well understood. Using Arabidopsis as a model, we here report that P. fluorescens has a positive effect on the performance (weight gain and intrinsic rate of increase) of the generalist aphid Myzus persicae, while no effect was recorded on the crucifer specialist aphid Brevicoryne brassicae. Additionally, transcriptional analyses of selected marker genes revealed that in the plant–microbe interaction with M. persicae, rhizobacteria (i) prime the plant for enhanced expression of LOX2, a gene involved in the jasmonic acid (JA)‐regulated defence pathway, and (ii) suppress the expression of ABA1, a gene involved in the abscisic acid (ABA) signalling pathway, at several time points. In contrast, almost no effect of the plant–microbe interaction with B. brassicae was found at the transcriptional level. This study presents the first data on rhizobacteria‐induced systemic susceptibility to an herbivorous insect, supporting the pattern proposed for other belowground beneficial microbes and aboveground phloem feeders. Moreover, we provide further evidence that at the transcript level, soil‐borne microbes modify plant–aphid interactions.
Irritant bullous contact dermatitis caused by a rove beetle: An illustrated clinical course
Authors: McGrath Lindsay , Piliouras Peter , Robertson Ivan 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTA 26‐year‐old Australian female traveller in Sierra Leone presented with an irritant bullous contact dermatitis consistent with paederus dermatitis. The lesions were treated with a potent topical corticosteroid with good effect. The affected area resolved in 6 weeks and hyperpigmention persisted for months until complete resolution. This dermatitis occurs when beetles of the genus Paederus (rove beetles) are crushed on the skin, releasing pederin. The same dermatitis ensues with Australian Paederus species. Serial clinical photographs are presented which will aid Australian dermatologists in the diagnosis of this dermatitis, which presents in regional Australian patients and returned overseas travellers.
Impact of obesity on exercise performance and pulmonary rehabilitation
Authors: DREHER MICHAEL , KABITZ HANS‐JOACHIM 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTWhile the impact of obesity on respiratory function has been extensively studied, and several definitive conclusions have emerged, its impact on exercise performance is complex, with the available data sometimes providing contradictory or inconclusive information.Based on the literature discussed, it appears that resting alterations in lung volumes and gas exchange become attenuated during exercise in the obese, while oxygen cost of breathing and dyspnoea are increased. Respiratory muscle function also seems to be impaired, such that inspiratory muscle strength is reduced and respiratory drive is increased. Furthermore, while there is no reduction in the absolute values of maximal oxygen uptake compared with normal‐weight subjects, oxygen uptake at a given workload is increased and maximal workload is reduced in the obese, caused by increases in body mass and/or basal metabolic rate. To date, obesity has not been listed as an indication for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), hence the reason why conclusive data on the impact of obesity per se on PR are lacking. The majority of evidence discussed is based on comparative data from obese versus normal‐weight patients, with respiratory disorders currently established as indications for PR. The best evidence currently available regarding the impact of obesity on PR is for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); here, it appears that obesity per se has no negative impact on PR. Otherwise, there are no conclusive data on the impact of obesity on PR in respiratory disorders other than COPD, and this remains to be investigated in the future.
Non‐smoking‐related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A neglected entity?
Authors: ZENG GUANGQIAO , SUN BAOQING , ZHONG NANSHAN 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it has been strongly correlated to tobacco smoking. While a number of studies have concentrated on smokers only, recent published data demonstrate that at least one fourth of patients with COPD are non‐smokers, and that the burden of COPD in non‐smokers is also higher than previously believed. Risk factors of COPD in non‐smokers may include genetic factors, long‐standing asthma, outdoor air pollution (from traffic and other sources), environmental smoke exposure (ETS), biomass smoke, occupational exposure, diet, recurrent respiratory infection in early childhood, tuberculosis and so on. In Asian region, indoor/outdoor air pollution and poor socioeconomic status may play important roles in the pathogenesis of non‐smoking‐related COPD. The prevalence of COPD among never smokers varies widely across nations. Such a variation may arise from several aspects, including study design, definition of COPD, diagnostic criteria, age and gender distribution of the studied population, local risk factors and socioeconomic status. More investigations and efforts are required to elucidate the involved factors and their shared contributions to non‐smoking‐related COPD so as to achieve better estimation and reduction of the burden of this neglected entity worldwide.
Effects of prophylactic indomethacin on renal and intestinal blood flows in premature infants
Authors: Maruyama Kenichi , Fujiu Tohru 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  Prophylactic indomethacin reduces severe intraventricular hemorrhage and symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prophylactic low‐dose indomethacin on renal and intestinal blood flow.Methods:  Subjects were 19 extremely low‐birthweight infants admitted to our hospital and enrolled in a multicenter randomized control trial to study the efficacy and complications of prophylactic low‐dose indomethacin in the reduction of severe intraventricular hemorrhage and patent ductus arteriosus (indomethacin and placebo groups, ten and nine infants, respectively). We measured blood flow velocity in the right renal artery (right RA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with pulsed Doppler ultrasound before and after the administration of the first dose of 0.1 mg/kg indomethacin or placebo.Results:  End‐diastolic blood flow velocity (EDV) in the right RA and SMA increased significantly after the administration of indomethacin (P = 0.0414 and 0.0284, respectively), although the time‐averaged mean blood flow velocity (TAV) did not change significantly in either artery. In the placebo group, the pre‐ and postadministration values for TAV and EDV in the right RA and SMA did not differ. Neither group showed a significant change in the relative vascular resistance (mean blood pressure/TAV) in the right RA or SMA. EDV in the left pulmonary artery was significantly reduced only after the administration of indomethacin (P = 0.0284).Conclusions:  Prophylactic low‐dose indomethacin increases the diastolic blood flow in the RA and SMA via a reduction in the ductal shunt volume, with no change in the regional vascular resistance.
Recruitment and PEEP level influences long‐time aeration in saline‐lavaged piglets: an experimental model
Authors: Hanson Angela , Göthberg Sylvia , Nilsson Krister , Hedenstierna Göran 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectives: To evaluate aeration/ventilation in saline‐lavaged piglets during a 3‐h follow‐up after a recruitment maneuver (RM)/PEEP titration compared with PEEP 10 cmH2O without a RM.Background: Lung recruitment and PEEP titration are used to find a PEEP preventing repetitive opening/collapsing of lung.Methods: Twenty‐one lung‐lavaged piglets, mean age 7 weeks and mean weight 10 kg; a RM‐group and a PEEP10‐group, were ventilated at PEEP 5 cmH2O (baseline) followed by zero PEEP ventilation. In the RM‐group, tidal elimination of CO2and dynamic compliance (Cdyn) guided recruitment and PEEP titration, respectively. A final 3‐h ventilation followed using PEEP 2 cmH2O above the first decline of Cdyn and end‐inspiratory pressure (EIP) for a target tidal volume (VT) of 10 ml·kg−1. In the PEEP10‐group, PEEP 10 cmH2O without a RM was used during the final 3‐h ventilation. CT scans and blood gases were repeated every 30 min. Airway pressures, Cdyn and hemodynamics were continuously recorded.Results: Aeration improved without differences between groups. The RM‐group PEEP level of 10 ± 0.6 cmH2O did not differ from the PEEP10‐group. Compared to baseline EIP was lower in the RM‐group after 3‐h ventilation. In both groups, driving pressure (DP) was lower and Cdyn higher than baseline. In the RM‐group, final EIP and DP were lower and Cdyn higher than in the PEEP10‐group.Conclusions: Both RM/PEEP titration and PEEP elevation resulted in improved aeration without differences between groups at the end point. Lung aeration was achieved at lower EIP and DP and higher Cdyn in the RM‐group than in the PEEP10‐group.
Third eyelid dermoid in a horse
Authors: Greenberg Shari M. , Plummer Caryn E. , Brooks Dennis E. , Craft Serena L. , Conway Julia A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAn 8‐year‐old Gypsy Vanner gelding presented to the University of Florida Ophthalmology service for the evaluation of chronic, recurrent corneal ulcers behind the third eyelid of the right eye. On ophthalmic examination, a cluster of aberrant hairs was identified growing along the margin of the third eyelid. This portion of third eyelid was surgically excised, and histopathology identified the haired tissue as a dermoid. Chronic keratitis secondary to a third eyelid dermoid was diagnosed, and excision appeared curative at 6 months post‐operative follow‐up.