bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and severity of pruritus in cutaneous T cell lymphoma
Authors: Vij Alok , Duvic Madeleine 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  The most common types of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) are mycosis fungoides (MF) and its leukemic variant, Sézary syndrome (SS). One of the hallmarks of MF and SS is pruritus that rarely responds to treatment. Little is known about the prevalence and severity of pruritus in MF and SS.Objectives  A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the prevalence and severity of pruritus in MF and SS.Methods  This study compared self‐reported pruritus in early‐stage (stage Ia–IIa) and late‐stage (stage IIb–IVb) disease, and in MF and SS, in patients presenting at our CTCL clinic between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2010.Results  Of the 551 eligible patients, 486 reported baseline pruritus values. Overall, 373 patients had early‐stage disease, 113 had late‐stage disease, and 72 had SS. The prevalence of pruritus was 66% in all patients, 62% in patients with early‐stage disease, 83% in those with late‐stage disease, 61% in those with MF, and 94% in those with SS. Mean pruritus values out of 10 were: 4.2 [standard error of the mean (SEM) = 0.18] in all patients; 3.4 (SEM = 0.19) in patients with early‐stage disease; 6.6 (SEM = 0.36) in those with late‐stage disease; 3.6 (SEM = 0.18) in MF patients, and 7.7 (SEM = 0.37) in SS patients. Differences between early‐ and late‐stage disease, and MF and SS, were statistically significant (P < 0.001).Conclusions  Pruritus affects a large proportion of patients with CTCL and is significantly more severe in late‐ than in early‐stage disease and in SS than in MF. Little information exists on the full range of the symptom burden on the patient. This aspect of patient care requires further exploration.
A peptide carrier for the delivery of elastin into fibroblast cells
Authors: Nasrollahi Saman Ahmad , Fouladdel Shamileh , Taghibiglou Changiz , Azizi Ebrahim , Farboud Effat Sadat 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Transmembrane delivery of active peptides and proteins, including skin delivery of cosmeceutical proteins such as collagen and elastin, has been a challenging issue. Amphipathic cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been proposed as carrier peptides to mediate cellular uptake of proteins without covalent binding.Materials and methods  In this study, we have used a short peptide, Pep‐1, as our CPP to transport elastin into fibroblast cells. Different ratios of Pep‐1/elastin complexes were produced by using a fixed amount of elastin and different molar ratio of Pep‐1. The ability of transduction into cells was determined by fluorescence microscopy. The characteristics of Pep‐1/elastin complexes were monitored using scanning electron microscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy.Results  No cellular toxicity was observed in cells treated with Pep‐1/elastin complex. Finally, we determined a Pep‐1 : elastin ratio of 10 : 1 as the most effective ratio in cellular delivery of elastin.Conclusion  Pep‐1 mediated fast and effective delivery of elastin as a cosmetic protein into fibroblast cells in the treatment of skin‐aging symptoms.
Reticular erythematous mucinosis – a review
Authors: Thareja Sumeet , Paghdal Kapila , Lien Mary H. , Fenske Neil A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractReticular erythematous mucinosis (REM) is a rare cutaneous condition often referred to as plaque‐like mucinosis and midline mucinosis. Although the exact etiology remains undefined, efforts to elucidate pathogenesis, disease associations, and prospective treatment modalities have been encouraging. Induction of the disease has been associated with viral processes, solar irradiation, specific cell lines, and cytokines such as Interleukin (IL)‐1β. Clinically, patients typically develop erythematous macules and papules that coalesce into reticulated patterns on the midline of the chest or back. The lesions have a tendency to respond to systemic antimalarial therapy, but novel therapeutic approaches with ultraviolet A1 light (UVA1) and pulse dye laser (PDL) have been promising. Histologically, REM is associated with a mild, predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate with variable deep perivascular extension. Mucin may be seen in the upper and mid dermis and is prominent around the infiltrate and appendages. IgM deposits may be visualized under direct immunoflourescence along the basal layer. Because of the similarities between REM and tumid lupus, the two disease processes have often been grouped together. The remarkable overlap between the two diseases suggests that the two conditions may actually be the same disease.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis and rickettsial African tick‐bite fever: a combination of exotic traveler’s diseases in the same patient
Authors: Schwartz Robert A. , Kapila Rajendra , McElligott Sean C. , Atkin Suzanne H. , Lambert W. C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Cutaneous leishmaniasis and rickettsial African tick‐bite fever are two zoonoses increasingly diagnosed in industrialized nations due to more international travel to endemic areas.Methods  A 52‐year‐old American nurse was evaluated for a 0.5 cm well‐demarcated, tender, shallow ulcer on her wrist, nonproductive cough, fever, chills, and night sweats, all of which began three weeks after travel to Botswana and a visit to a game reserve, where she reported being scratched on the ankle by a cheetah.Results  This cutaneous finding was strongly suggestive of leishmaniasis, but the systemic symptoms were perplexing. Although excisional biopsy showed only nonspecific changes, a specimen sent to the United States Centers for Disease Control revealed leishmania promastigotes of L. tropica. Initial Rickettsia typhi titers and many other serologic tests were negative. However, four weeks after admission, R. typhi IgG titer was 1 : 64 and R. rickettsii IgG was 1 : 1024.Conclusion  Thus, our patient had two tropical diseases simultaneously.
In vivo pressure sore‐healing efficacy of β‐cyclodextrin/polyethyleneimine/silk fibroin xerogel
Authors: Seo Seung Ree , Lee Mi Sun , So Byung Pil , Kim Jin‐Chul 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  β‐Cyclodextrin (βCD) xerogel containing silk fibroin (SF) was prepared, and the efficacy of the xerogel for a pressure sore developed on the back of an ICR mouse was investigated.Materials and methods  Tosyl βCD was conjugated to polyethyleneimine (PEI), and the βCD residues were cross‐linked in an aqueous phase using epichlorohydrin as a cross‐linker in the presence of SF. The xerogel composed of βCD, PEI, and SF (βCD/PEI/SF xerogel) was prepared by freeze drying the hydrogel. The in vivo pressure sore‐healing efficacy of the xerogel was estimated through the skin appearance, skin thickness, hyperplasia of the epidermis, and number of neutrophils in the skin tissue.Results  The animal group treated with βCD/PEI/SF xerogels showed a better sore‐healing efficacy than the group without treatment and the group treated with over‐the‐counter products through the determination of the reduction of hyperplasia of the epidermis and the number of neutrophils in skin tissue. We also got the same result by macroscopic evaluation.Conclusions  βCD/PEI/SF xerogel exhibited a high wound‐healing efficacy for pressure sores developed on the back of an ICR mouse and left no scar.
The evolution of size of the uropygial gland: mutualistic feather mites and uropygial secretion reduce bacterial loads of eggshells and hatching failures of European birds
Authors: Soler J. J. , Peralta‐Sánchez J. M. , Martín‐Platero A. M. , Martín‐Vivaldi M. , Martínez‐Bueno M. , Møller A. P. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPotentially, pathogenic bacteria are one of the main infective agents against which a battery of chemical and physical barriers has evolved in animals. Among these are the secretions by the exocrine uropygial gland in birds. The antimicrobial properties of uropygial secretions may prevent colonization and growth of microorganisms on feathers, skin and eggshells. However, uropygial gland secretions also favour the proliferation of feather mites that feed on secretions and microorganisms living on feathers that would otherwise reach eggshells during incubation if not consumed by feather mites. Therefore, at the interspecific level, uropygial gland size (as an index of volume of uropygial secretion) should be positively related to eggshell bacterial load (i.e. the risk of egg infection), whereas eggshell bacterial loads may be negatively related to abundance of feather mites eating bacteria. Here, we explore these previously untested predictions in a comparative framework using information on eggshell bacterial loads, uropygial gland size, diversity and abundance of feather mites and hatching success of 22 species of birds. The size of the uropygial gland was positively related to eggshell bacterial loads (mesophilic bacteria andEnterobacteriaceae), and bird species with higher diversity and abundance of feather mites harboured lower bacterial density on their eggshells (EnterococcusandStaphylococcus), in accordance with the hypothesis. Importantly, eggshell bacterial loads of mesophilic bacteria,EnterococcusandEnterobacteriaceaewere negatively associated with hatching success, allowing us to interpret these interspecific relationships in a functional scenario, where both uropygial glands and mutualistic feather mites independently reduce the negative effects of pathogenic bacteria on avian fitness.
Early life programming of cardiometabolic disease in the Western Australian pregnancy cohort (Raine) study
Authors: Huang Rae‐Chi , Mori Trevor A , Beilin Lawrence J 
Published: July 2012

Summary

The Raine study (http://www.rainestudy.org.au, accessed 18 June 2012) is a longitudinal Australian birth cohort that has serially assessed the offspring of 2900 pregnant women from 18 weeks gestation in utero to 17 years of age.
The Raine study data have shown that low birth weight is a surrogate for poor in utero growth from 18 weeks gestation.
A U‐shaped relationship between birth size and cardiometabolic risk exists in this Western Australian cohort, implying that both low and high birth weight are associated with increased risk.
High birth weight is a risk factor for cardiometabolic risk, particularly for females.
Lifetime adiposity trajectories are better at predicting metabolic risk of the offspring than birth size or current body mass index. Therefore, early life programming is an ongoing process, starting in utero and undergoing at least some level of modification in parallel with changes in adiposity during early childhood.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal obesity, hypertension and diabetes increase the risk for metabolic risk in the offspring. Breast feeding is protective for cardiometabolic risk in this Australian cohort.
Evaluation of reference genes for the analysis of serum miRNA in patients with prostate cancer, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Sanders Imke , Holdenrieder Stefan , Walgenbach‐Brünagel Gisela , von Ruecker Alexander , Kristiansen Glen , Müller Stefan C , Ellinger Jörg 
Published: July 2012

Objectives:  To identify an appropriate reference gene for the analysis of circulating micro‐ribonucleic acid in patients with urological malignancies.Methods:  Serum from patients with prostate cancer (n = 24), bladder cancer (n = 24), renal cell carcinoma (n = 24) and control subjects (n = 48) was spiked with cel‐miR‐39, and then ribonucleic acid was isolated. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the levels of candidate reference genes (RNU1‐4, RNU6‐2, SNORD43, SNORD44, SNORD48, SNORA74A, miR‐let‐7a‐1, miR‐106a). Reference gene stability was determined using the NormFinder, geNorm and comparative delta‐Ct algorithm. The effect of normalization was tested with miR‐21 as the target gene, as this was previously suggested to be upregulated in cancer patients' serum.Results:  Recovery of cel‐miR‐39 (mean 11.6%, range 1–56%) was similar in control subjects and cancer patients. SNORD44 and SNORD74A levels were around the detection limit of the assay and were thus omitted. All remaining candidates showed satisfying stability; SNORD43 was the most stable reference gene using all three algorithms. A combination of two genes (SNORD43, RNU1‐4) increases the stability somewhat. The level of miR‐21 was similar in cancer patients and healthy controls, irrespective of the normalization strategy.Conclusions:  SNORD43 is a suitable reference gene for the analysis of circulating micro‐ribonucleic acid in patients with urological malignancies. Our study questions the suitability of miR‐21 as a biomarker for uro‐oncological patients.
Adrenal myelolipoma associated with hyperandrogenemia
Authors: Su Heng‐Chuan , Huang Xin , Dai Jun , Sun Fu‐Kang 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAdrenal myelolipoma associated with hyperandrogenemia is extremely rare. We present such a case here. The patient was a 34‐year‐old Chinese woman with a history of growth retardation, virilization and lumbago. Adrenal imaging showed a circular soft tissue mass in the right adrenal gland. Endocrine examinations showed increased levels of plasma testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, significantly lower levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, with other biochemical parameters being basically normal. After a histopathological study confirming the mass to be an adrenal myelolipoma, the patient was managed with a right adrenalectomy and then recovered. A search of the English and Japanese language literature suggests this is the first detailed and documented case of adrenal myelolipoma associated with hyperandrogenemia.
Establishment of exotic parasites: the origins and characteristics of an avian malaria community in an isolated island avifauna
Authors: Ewen John G. , Bensch Staffan , Blackburn Tim M. , Bonneaud Camille , Brown Ruth , Cassey Phillip , Clarke Rohan H. , Pérez‐Tris Javier 
Published: July 2012

AbstractKnowledge of the processes favouring the establishment of exotic parasites is poor. Herein, we test the characteristics of successful exotic parasites that have co‐established in the remote island archipelago ofNewZealand, due to the introduction of numerous avian host species. Our results show that avian malaria parasites (AM; parasites of the genusPlasmodium) that successfully invaded are more globally generalist (both geographically widespread and with a broad taxonomic range of hosts) thanAMparasites not co‐introduced toNewZealand. Furthermore, the successfulAMparasites are presently more prevalent in their native range thanAMparasites found in the same native range but not co‐introduced toNewZealand. This has resulted in an increased number and greater taxonomic diversity ofAMparasites now inNewZealand.
Viral infection of Phaeocystis globosa impedes release of chitinous star‐like structures: quantification using single cell approaches
Authors: Sheik A. R. , Brussaard C. P. D. , Lavik G. , Foster R. A. , Musat N. , Adam B. , Kuypers M. M. M. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryPhaeocystis globosa is an ecologically important bloom‐forming phytoplankton, which sequesters substantial amounts of inorganic carbon and can form carbon‐enriched chitinous star‐like structures. Viruses infecting P. globosa (PgVs) play a significant regulatory role in population dynamics of the host species. However, the extent to which viruses alter host physiology and its carbon assimilation on single cell level is still largely unknown. This study demonstrates for the first time the impact of viral infection on carbon assimilation and cell morphology of individual axenic P. globosa cells using two single cell techniques: high resolution nanometre‐scale Secondary‐Ion Mass Spectrometry (nanoSIMS) approach and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Up until viral lysis (19 h post infection), the bulk carbon assimilation by infected P. globosa cultures was identical to the assimilation by the non‐infected cultures (33 µmol C l−1). However, single cell analysis showed that viral infection of P. globosa impedes the release of star‐like structures. Non‐infected cells transfer up to 44.5 µmol C l−1 (36%) of cellular biomass in the form of star‐like structures, suggesting a vital role in the survival of P. globosa cells. We hypothesize that impediment of star‐like structures in infected P. globosa cells may inactivate viral infectivity by forming flocculants after cell lysis. Moreover, we show that substantial amounts of newly produced viruses (∼ 68%) were attached to P. globosa cells prior to cell lysis. Further, we speculate that infected cells become more susceptible for grazing which provides potential reasons for the sudden disappearance of PgVs in the environment. The scenarios of enhanced grazing is at odds to the current perspective that viral infections facilitates microbial mediated processes by diverting host material away from the higher trophic levels.
Transrectal sonoelastography in the detection of prostate cancers: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Teng Jingfei , Chen Ming , Gao Yi , Yao Yacheng , Chen Lu , Xu Danfeng 
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)Level of Evidence 3aWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?The accuracy of transrectal sonoelastography (TRSE) in the detection of prostate cancer is variable, with a sensitivity ranging from 51.1 to 91.7% and specificity ranging from 62.2 to 86.8%.This is the first meta‐analysis to assess the overall accuracy of TRSE in the detection of prostate cancer.OBJECTIVE
To assess the overall accuracy of transrectal sonoelastography (TRSE) targeted biopsy in the diagnosis of patients suspected of having prostate cancer (PCa).
METHODS
A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase and The Cochrane Library, and manual bibliography searches were performed.
All relevant studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of TRSE in PCa detection were included in our meta‐analysis.
The data were pooled and sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), positive likelihood ratio (LR) and negative LR were calculated.
RESULTS
Pooled patient data analysis: the pooled (95% confidential intervals [95% CI]) sensitivity of TRSE targeted biopsy in patients suspected of having PCa was 62 (55–68) %; specificity was 79% (74–84%); AUC was 0.7696; positive LR was 2.92 (2.28–3.74); and negative LR was 0.49 (0.41–0.59).
Pooled core data analysis: pooled (95% CI) sensitivity, specificity, positive LR and negative LR were 34% (30–38%), 93% (91–95%), 5.07 (3.91–6.57) and 0.71 (0.66–0.75), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Transrectal sonoelastography is a promising technique in PCa detection and can be considered to be a valuable supplemental method to systemic biopsy.
Superficial tunica albuginea excision, using geometric principles, for the correction of congenital penile curvature
Authors: Kuehhas Franklin Emmanuel , Egydio Paulo Henrique 
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Therapy (practise pattern survey)Level of Evidence 3bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Congenital penile deviation has become a relatively frequent finding due to a greater awareness of the problem among patients and physicians. Since the first surgical correction for congenital penile curvature was performed, many modifications have been implemented to overcome the disadvantages of the standard procedure and to improve functional results. Among the possible side effects of the original technique are postoperative erectile dysfunction, the development of painful nodules at the suture sites (‘dog ears’), alteration of cutaneous sensibility and significant penile shortening.This study presents a novel approach for the correction of congenital penile curvature. We modified the conventional Nesbit technique by applying superficial tunica albuginea excisions, according to the geometric principles of the Egydio technique.OBJECTIVE
To report our experience with a new technique for the correction of congenital penile curvature based on geometric principles.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between January 2006 and March 2011, 211 men with congenital penile curvature underwent our modified Nesbit technique.
The technique consists of an objectivation of the degree of curvature and distribution of the bending force by multiple, small, superficial, elliptical excisions of the tunica albuginea.
RESULTS
The overall success rate was 99.1%.
A residual curvature of less than 20° was reported in 5% (n= 11) of the cases; none of these patients opted for further surgical correction.
Residual curvature of up to 30° was observed in 0.9% (n= 2); these patients underwent a reoperation.
Acquiring or regaining the ability to perform sexual intercourse brought major relief and high rates of satisfaction and self‐esteem.
No recurrence of a ventral curvature occurred.
CONCLUSIONS
Our modified Nesbit technique, consisting of superficial tunica albuginea excision according to the geometric principles of the Egydio technique, leads to rapid and excellent results due to an objectivation of the curvature.
It is a safe and valid alternative for the treatment of congenital ventral or ventro‐lateral penile deviation.
Prediction of survival benefit using an automated bone scan index in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Mitsui Yozo , Shiina Hiroaki , Yamamoto Yasushi , Haramoto Masuo , Arichi Naoko , Yasumoto Hiroaki , Kitagaki Hajime , Igawa Mikio 
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?A bone scan index (BSI) can quantify the extent of bone involvement and response to treatment, but it has not been widely accepted, because of its time‐consuming nature.The study is the first to demonstrate that automated BSI calculated with a computer‐assisted diagnosis system is effective in judging the chemotherapeutic response of bone metastatic lesions in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer.OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the value of an automated bone scan index (aBSI), calculated using a computer‐assisted diagnosis system, to indicate chemotherapy response and to predict prognosis in patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with bone metastasis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Forty‐two consecutive CRPC patients underwent taxane‐based chemotherapy between November 2004 and March 2011 at our institution.
The aBSIs were retrospectively calculated at the diagnosis of CRPC and 16 weeks after starting chemotherapy.
Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to multivariate analyses with and without aBSI response in addition to the basic model.
Based on the difference in the concordance index (c‐index) between each model, the prognostic relevance of adding the aBSI response was determined.
RESULTS
A decrease in aBSI was found in 28 patients (66.7%), whereas a response was shown by bone scan in only 23.8% of patients.
Patients with a reduction in aBSI had longer overall survival (OS) in comparison with the other patients (P= 0.0157).
Multivariate analysis without aBSI response showed that performance status (P= 0.0182) and PSA response (P= 0.0375) were significant prognosticators.
By adding the aBSI response to this basic model, the prognostic relevance of the model was improved with an increase in the c‐index from 0.621 to 0.660.
CONCLUSIONS
The aBSI reflected the chemotherapy response in bone metastasis.
The index detected small changes of bone metastasis response as quantified values and was a strong prognostic indicator for patients with CRPC.