bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is ‘class effect’ relevant when assessing the benefit/risk profile of a biologic agent?
Authors: Sterry W. , van de Kerkhof P. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPsoriasis is a chronic, genetically predisposed skin disorder, characterised by thickened scaly plaques. Although no therapy is recognised as curative, therapies aimed at symptom control include biologic agents that are generally designed to block molecular activation of cellular pathways of a pathogenic immune response. Although biologics are often described as a class, they can be further sub‐classified according to properties including structure and molecular target. For example, the two main groups of biologics for the treatment of psoriasis are those targeting cytokines and those targeting T‐cells or antigen‐presenting cells. Agents that inhibit cytokines can be broadly split into anti‐p40 agents, which target the p40 subunit of IL‐12 and IL‐23 (such as ustekinumab), and anti‐TNF agents. Anti‐TNF agents may then be further divided into soluble receptors (etanercept) and monoclonal antibodies (adalimumab and infliximab). Even within the same subclass, agents may display variations in structure, function, route of administration and pharmacokinetics, which are reflected in their clinical profiles. For example, of the TNF antagonists, infliximab, provides a rapid onset of response, high efficacy, high peak serum concentrations, anti‐granulomatous activity, potential for tuberculosis reactivation and frequent antibody formation; adalimumab provides a fast response, high efficacy, potential for tuberculosis reactivation and the possibility of antibody formation; and etanercept provides a slower response, good efficacy, rare antibody formation and is rarely linked to tuberculosis cases. This suggests that biologic agents exhibit unique properties, which appear to be more relevant than a ‘class effect’ in assessing risk‐benefit profiles for this diverse group of drugs. With a range of agents available, studying the immunogenesis of psoriasis is likely to be useful in profiling individuals best suited to the characteristics of particular drugs. It should also be noted that because differences between agents may affect safety profiles, long‐term patient registries are an important tool to assess tolerability and develop guidelines for the most effective use of these drugs.
Treatment of severe psoriasis
Authors: Puig L. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDespite the great advances brought about by biologic therapies, treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis often represents a challenge. Associated comorbidities may hamper the use of ciclosporin or methotrexate at effective doses, and obesity or heavy weight reduce the therapeutic expectations of systemic treatments, especially with regard to optimal response, which should be the ultimate goal of therapy.Combination therapy has been recognized to be an effective way of improving therapeutic response, and methotrexate at low doses seems especially well suited for combination with biologics, by improving response rates and reducing drug clearance and development of anti‐drug antibodies. Secondary lack of response to biologics does occur in a small percentage of patients, and accounts in part for reduced drug survival in dermatology patients. In some cases, especially when the presence of anti‐drug antibodies can be demonstrated, switching to another biologic agent in the same class may be effective, but some patients appear to be prone to developing anti‐drug antibodies against several agents. In some cases, switching to another class of biologics (e.g. anti‐p40 antibodies) can prove to be a very effective alternative, with an excellent safety profile.The present case report illustrates the optimization of therapeutic response to biologics using combination therapy and achieving long‐lasting clearance of psoriasis following switching to ustekinumab in a patient who had shown secondary loss of response to several biologics.
Case presentation of moderate‐severe psoriasis
Authors: Salmhofer W. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe use of biologic agents has greatly improved psoriasis treatment. However, some individuals fail to respond to treatment or loose initial efficacy, and it may be difficult to find the optimal treatment for these patients. We present a patient with long‐standing, moderate–severe plaque psoriasis, who had received UVB therapy as well as classical systemic therapies without sufficient response previously. Alefacept only gave a moderate response with quick recurrence after the end of treatment. Adalimumab was working for some time, but finally the patient experienced a slow loss of efficacy and was especially hampered by severe involvement of his hands. This caused him great distress as his work involved a high level of customer contact. The decision was taken to change therapy to ustekinumab. After one injection of ustekinumab psoriasis was greatly improved and it was almost completely resolved after the second injection, and arthritis was no longer active. The efficacy of ustekinumab treatment could be maintained up to now; there is only minimal disease activity and the patient is extremely satisfied. In conclusion, the decision to change to another biologic with different mode of action proved to be successful, and it helped the patient to forget his disease for most of the time and to fulfil the responsibilities of his job.
Two novel mutations of the NCSTN gene in Chinese familial acne inverse
Authors: Zhang C. , Wang L. , Chen L. , Ren W. , Mei A. , Chen X. , Deng Y. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Acne inversa (AI; MIM 142690), or hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), is a type of autosomal‐dominant genodermatosis caused by mutations in γ‐secretase. The complex of γ‐secretase is a transmembrane protease that catalyses the cleavage of a set of membrane proteins and is comprised of four subunits encoded by four genes, including PSEN1, PSENEN, NCSTN and APH1. However, mutations associated with AI vary significantly, and it is important to define the specific mutation with a particular AI patient.Objective  To determine specific mutations in the γ‐secretase gene associated with two Chinese AI families.Methods  Two families of three generations with apparent AI symptoms were examined through proband analysis. Genomic DNAs of the family members and a cohort of 100 healthy individuals were isolated and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing.Results  Two heterozygous missense mutations, c.647A>C (p.Q216P) in the exon 6, and c.223G>A (p.V75I) in the exon 3 of the NCSTN gene, were identified in the two families respectively. No mutations were found in 100 healthy individuals.Conclusions  We have identified two novel mutations within the NCSTN gene associated with AI.
High discordance between punch biopsy and excision in establishing basal cell carcinoma subtype: analysis of 500 cases
Authors: Wolberink E.A.W. , Pasch M.C. , Zeiler M. , van Erp P.E.J. , Gerritsen M.J.P. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequently occurring cancer in humans. Worldwide incidences rise about 10% each year, increasing the burden on dermatologists, general practitioners and pathologists as well as increasing costs for the health care system. Increasingly non‐surgical treatment options are used in the treatment of BCC, without histological confirmation of BCC subtype, potentially resulting in under‐treatment.Objective  We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a punch biopsy for the BCC histological subytpe in a primary BCC and the prevalence of biopsy‐based under‐diagnosis of aggressive subtypes. Accuracy of a punch biopsy was defined as concordance of the diagnosis of subtype of BCC at punch biopsy and excision.Methods  A retrospective chart‐review was performed of primary BCC, which were proven by punch biopsy and subsequently treated by excision. The first 100 consecutive BCCs per year during the years 2004–2009 were included, yielding a total of 500 evaluated BCCs.Results  The overall accuracy of punch biopsy for BCC subtype at excision was 69%, in single‐type BCC 83% (n = 343) and in mixed‐type BCC 37% (n = 157). Accuracy varied substantially according to BCC subtype, being highest in the superficial subtype (84%) and subsequently in infiltrative (69%), nodular (63%) and micronodular subtype (38%). In 11% of all cases, an unsuspected more aggressive subtype was present.Conclusion  Punch biopsy has a high accuracy in single‐type BCCs and a considerably lower accuracy in mixed‐type BCCs for establishing BCC subtype compared to excision. The presence of an unsuspected aggressive subtype could explain therapy failure of non‐surgical treatments like imiquimod or photodynamic therapy.
Quality of life in alopecia areata: a disease‐specific questionnaire
Authors: Fabbrocini G. , Panariello L. , De Vita V. , Vincenzi C. , Lauro C. , Nappo D. , Ayala F. , Tosti A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease affecting about 2% of the population, which has a considerable impact on quality of life (QoL). There are no disease‐specific questionnaires to assess QoL in patients suffering from AA.Objective  To validate a new disease‐specific questionnaire for AA, named AA‐QLI, and to compare the consequent Quality of Life Index (QLI) with the commonly known Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to verify if it can provide a more comprehensive tool for patients.Methods  A total of 50 patients affected by AA were administered both the AA‐QLI, created by us, and the well‐known DLQI. With the aim to detect suitable QLI, we propose to use two multivariate analyses:
a principal component analysis approach on the data collected with both questionnaires to compare their capability to measure the QoL;
a structural equation modelling on our AA‐QLI to identify which category of symptoms mostly affects the QoL.
Results  The scores of both the questionnaires are quite close, except for a few cases. Statistical analysis shows a higher specificity of the AA‐QLI for evaluating QoL. Among the three areas in which AA‐QLI is divided, ‘Relationship’ has a major impact on the QLI, followed by ‘Subjective symptoms’; ‘Objective signs’ has a lower weight on the QLI.Conclusion  AA‐QLI is a good instrument to evaluate the real impact of AA on QoL. It can be helpful both for the physician and for the patient.
Nasal septal and craniofacial form in European‐ and African‐derived populations
Authors: Holton Nathan E. , Yokley Todd R. , Figueroa Aaron 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAs a component of the chondrocranium, the nasal septum influences the anteroposterior dimensions of the facial skeleton. The role of the septum as a facial growth center, however, has been studied primarily in long‐snouted mammals, and its precise influence on human facial growth is not as well understood. Whereas the nasal septum may be important in the anterior growth of the human facial skeleton early in ontogeny, the high incidence of nasal septal deviation in humans suggests the septum’s influence on human facial length is limited to the early phases of facial growth. Nevertheless, the nasal septum follows a growth trajectory similar to the facial skeleton and, as such, its prolonged period of growth may influence other aspects of facial development. Using computed tomography scans of living human subjects (n = 70), the goal of the present study is to assess the morphological relationship between the nasal septum and facial skeleton in European‐ and African‐derived populations, which have been shown to exhibit early developmental differences in the nasal septal–premaxillary complex. First we assessed whether there is population variation in the size of the nasal septum in European‐ and African‐derived samples. This included an evaluation of septal deviation and the spatial constraints that influence variation in this condition. Next, we assessed the relationship between nasal septal size and craniofacial shape using multivariate regression techniques. Our results indicate that there is significant population variation in septal size and magnitude of septal deviation, both of which are greater in the European‐derived sample. While septal deviation suggests a disjunction between the nasal septum and other components of the facial skeleton, we nevertheless found a significant relationship between the size of the nasal septum and craniofacial shape, which appears to largely be a response to the need to accommodate variation in nasal septal size.
Predictive modelling of leopard predation using contextual Global Positioning System cluster analysis
Authors: Pitman R. T. , Swanepoel L. H. , Ramsay P. M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractApex predators are essential for the viability of healthy ecosystems. By studying carnivoran feeding ecology, we can obtain a better understanding of the ecological limits, resilience and predator–prey dynamics that govern these populations. However, monitoring elusive predators – like the leopard Panthera pardus – is often fraught with logistical and financial constraints, particularly in inaccessible terrain.In this study, we identified clusters of Global Positioning System (GPS) points from four GPS‐collared leopards and investigated them in the field for potential kills. Environmental data from cluster sites were gathered alongside spatial and temporal data collected via GPS cluster analysis to develop statistical models capable of predicting the occurrence of leopard predatory events.Our results demonstrate that leopard predation can be accurately modelled either by using a combination of field data (i.e. collected at cluster sites) and remote data (i.e. obtained via GPS analysis), or simply remote data alone. Kills were more likely to be present at clusters where leopards exhibited longer handling times, at sites with dense vegetation cover, when leopards were more active 12 h before the cluster than 12 h after, where more tree refugia were present, in areas of higher elevation, at sites containing low levels of shrub cover, and when clusters began during diurnal or crepuscular hours.By using this modelling approach, comprehensive predation studies are not only efficient and cost‐effective but also logistically feasible across a range of different habitats and may even be applied to other carnivorans. It provides a detailed analytical means of studying broader aspects of carnivoran feeding ecology, such as predation habits, carrying capacity, ecological hunting requirements and species interactions, which are important aspects of carnivoran management.
Dynamical patterns of human postural responses to emotional stimuli
Authors: Perakakis Pandelis E. , Idrissi Sofia , Vila Jaime , Ivanov Plamen CH. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPostural displacements in response to emotional activation have recently been proposed as a direct and objective index of approach–avoidance behavior in humans. Here, we present the results of an experiment designed to assess spontaneous postural responses to discrete affective pictures, briefly presented in random order of valence. Our findings question the interpretation of phasic postural responses to emotional stimuli as approach–avoidance behavior. Further, we identify a robust dynamical pattern, characterized by specific features indicating that attentional processes may play a role in human postural responses to emotional stimuli.
Pakistani labour migration and masculinity: industrial working life, the body and transnationalism
Authors: QURESHI KAVERI 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn this article, I examine the narratives of migrant Pakistani men in their fifties and sixties, who became chronically ill over the course of their working lives in London. The men's life histories show that the body, and in particular the labouring body, needs more sustained attention in migration studies. Their narratives tell of how the physical toll of industrial labour resulted in chronic ill health, unemployment and various forms of ‘redundant masculinities’. Moreover, the impoverishment that frequently followed from ill health ate away at local social status and transnational relationships. I argue that the existing work on transnationalism has normalized the experiences of an entrepreneurial migrant elite and obscured those of migrants who are bound to one place by force of circumstance. Chronic ill health is not merely the experience of a minority who fall between the cracks of epidemiological studies on ‘healthy migrants’, as some have recently suggested, but rather, common to industrial labour migration.
Transnational issue networks in real and virtual space: the case of women, peace and security
Authors: CARPENTER R. CHARLI , JOSE BETCY 
Published: July 2012

AbstractTo what extent do online issue networks serve as a proxy for their real‐space counterparts in structure and substance? This question is significant because a number of scholars have begun to study transnational advocacy networks through their representations online. We explored whether this assumption is valid by comparing the network composition and agenda composition of the advocacy network around ‘women, peace and security’, as operationalized through a web‐based survey of actual activists, and the network's online representations of itself, as measured through advocacy websites. Two specific concerns drove the study. First, how closely does the structure of issue networks, as represented on the World Wide Web, correspond with actual advocates' understanding of the players within a specific issue domain? Second, to what extent does the online issue agenda correlate with the most prominent issues described by real‐space advocates within a transnational network? Our findings yielded a high correlation between the online issue agenda and activists’ interpretations of the agenda. However, we found that while hyperlink analysis is an effective tool for identifying the ‘hubs’ or ‘gatekeepers’ within a specific issue network, the nature of the World Wide Web makes it is a blunt tool with which to capture the broader network. This suggests that while the web poses important opportunities as a data source, scholars of transnational networks must pay closer attention to the methodological assumptions implicit in their reliance on this and other new media.
Transnational mobility and rootedness: the upper middle classes in European cities
Authors: ANDREOTTI ALBERTA , LE GALÈS PATRICK , MORENO FUENTES FRANCISCO JAVIER 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSome authors argue that ‘mobilities’ form the distinctive feature of late modern societies and represent a new social cleavage between cosmopolitan mobile élites and urban residents more rooted in their local neighbourhoods. One assumption in contemporary discourses of rootedness is that this new transnational or global society entails an ongoing process of uprooting individuals and a mainly mobile élite packing up and relocating. In this article, we draw on empirical comparative research to examine the patterns and dynamics of mobility and belonging across European borders among upper‐middle‐class managers in four cities – Paris, Madrid, Milan and Lyon. We suggest that these new urban upper‐middle‐class managers display flight responses, or ‘partial exit’ strategies, which operate at various levels to enable them to protect and control their interests while holding onto the reins of power in their local communities. Our study adopts a micro‐level perspective to explore individual experiences, strategies, motivations and values based on interviews with 480 managers in these cities.
Transforming polygamy: migration, transnationalism and multiple marriages among Muslim minorities
Authors: CHARSLEY KATHARINE , LIVERSAGE ANIKA 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn Europe, polygamy is often portrayed as emblematic of unchanging patriarchal traditions among Muslims. In contrast, based on research with Pakistanis in Britain and Turks in Denmark, we explore ways in which polygamy is transformed in the context of migration and transnationalism. Migration‐related polygamy features in accounts of the pioneer generations of Pakistani and Turkish migrants to Europe, but there is also evidence of great variety in contemporary practices of multiple marriage, and new permutations of polygamy arising due to the specific conditions of transnational migration. Coexisting legal systems within and between nations; the opportunities of spousal settlement; multiple marital aspirations; and both transnational connections and geographical distance combine to create opportunities and motivations for a range of polygamous situations, including some in which ‘technical’ polygamy masks monogamy in practice.
Esophageal foreign bodies in dogs: 34 cases (2004–2009)
Authors: Thompson Holly C. , Cortes Yonaira , Gannon Kristi , Bailey Dennis , Freer Sean 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize the clinical and radiographic signs, endoscopic findings, treatment, and outcome for dogs that present with esophageal foreign bodies (EFBs), and to identify factors associated with the severity of secondary esophagitis and length of hospitalization (LOH).DesignRetrospective case series.SettingPrivate referral veterinary center.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs.InterventionsNone.MeasurementsMedical records for 34 client‐owned dogs withEFBs that had esophageal radiographs and that had undergone esophagoscopy were evaluated retrospectively. Information regarding clinical history, radiographic signs, findings at esophagoscopy, and outcome were recorded.ResultsThe most commonEFBs were bone (29.7%) and rawhides (29.7%). The median duration of clinical signs prior to initial presentation was 2.75 hours. Radiographically,EFBs were identified definitively in 30 dogs and questionably in 1. The most common location was in the caudal esophagus (59.3%). Esophagitis was not identified in 6 dogs; and was assessed as mild in 14, moderate in 9, and severe in 4. In 1 dog the degree of esophagitis could not be determined due to the presence of contrast agent. Dogs with longer duration of clinical signs and longer anesthesia times were more likely to have moderate or severe esophagitis. MedianLOHwas 19 hours. Dogs with longer duration of clinical signs,EFBs located in the caudal esophagus, and moderate or severe esophagitis had longer hospital stays. No dogs experienced long‐term complications. Complication rate was 82.5% with 8 patients having more than 1 complication.ConclusionsWhile long‐term prognosis is excellent, early intervention helps reduce short‐term esophagitis andLOH.
Updates in theAmericanHeartAssociation guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and potential applications to veterinary patients
Authors: Maton Barbara L. , Smarick Sean D. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo review the updates in theAmericanHeartAssociation (AHA) guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and identify potential applications to veterinary patients.EtiologyCardiopulmonary arrest is common in veterinary emergency and critical care, and consensus guidelines are lacking. Human resuscitation guidelines are continually evolving as new clinical and experimental studies support updated recommendations. Synthesis of human, experimental animal model, and veterinary literature support the potential for updates and advancement in veterinaryCPRpractices.TherapyThis review serves to highlight updates in theAHAguidelines forCPRand evaluate their application to small animal veterinary patients. Interventions identified will be evaluated for trans‐species potential, raise questions regarding best resuscitation recommendations, and offer opportunities for further research to continue to advance veterinaryCPR.PrognosisThe prognosis for any patient undergoing cardiopulmonary arrest remains guarded.