bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dermatoses affecting desmosomes in animals: a mechanistic review of acantholytic blistering skin diseases
Authors: Olivry Thierry , Linder Keith E. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractFailure of desmosomal adhesion with ensuing keratinocyte separation – a phenomenon called acantholysis – can result from genetic, autoimmune or infectious proteolytic causes. Rare hereditary disorders of desmosomal formation have been identified in animals. Familial acantholysis of Angus calves and hereditary suprabasal acantholytic mechanobullous dermatosis of buffaloes appear to be similar to acantholytic epidermolysis bullosa of human beings. A genetic acantholytic dermatosis resembling human Darier disease has been rarely recognized in dogs. In autoimmune blistering dermatoses, circulating autoantibodies bind to the extracellular segments of desmosomal proteins and induce acantholysis. Autoantibodies against desmoglein‐3 are found in canine pemphigus vulgaris and paraneoplastic pemphigus. Autoantibodies against desmoglein‐1 have been rarely detected in dogs with pemphigus foliaceus. When circulating autoantibodies target desmogleins‐1 and ‐3, mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris develops in dogs. Finally, several infectious agents can release proteases that cleave desmosomal bonds. In superficial pustular dermatophytosis of dogs and horses, Trichophyton hyphae colonize the stratum corneum, and acantholysis presumably develops because of proteases secreted by the dermatophytes. In exudative epidermitis of piglets, Staphylococcus bacteria – usually Staphylococcus hyicus– release exfoliatin toxins that bind to and specifically cleave desmoglein‐1. Any of the above mechanisms can result in impairment of desmosomal function with subsequent acantholysis. The end point of adhesion failure is identical among these diseases: there is cleft formation where desmosomes are affected. The similarity of mechanisms explains why clinical and microscopic skin lesions overlap between entities, thus leaving clinicians and dermatopathologists with the conundrum of determining whether the acantholysis is of genetic, autoimmune or infectious origin.
Survivin expression in canine epidermis and in canine and human cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Bongiovanni Laura , Colombi Isabella , Fortunato Carmine , Salda Leonardo Della 
Published: December 2009

AbstractSurvivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, is ubiquitously expressed during tissue development, undetectable in most normal tissues, but re‐expressed in most cancers, including skin malignancies. Expression of survivin was evaluated retrospectively in 19 canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs; one in situ; 16 well differentiated; one invasive, one lymph node metastasis) and 19 well differentiated SCCs from human beings. Seven specimens of normal canine skin were included. Immunohistochemical expression of full‐length survivin was determined using a commercially available antibody. In addition, apoptotic rate [Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin‐dUTP Nick End Labelling index (TUNEL) index] and mitotic index (MI), counting mitoses in 10 high power fields (HPF), were determined. Scattered survivin positive nuclei were identified in the epidermal basal cell layer of normal canine skin. Nuclear survivin expression was identified in 18 of 19 human and in all canine SCCs, mainly along the base of the tumour cell population. Cytoplasmic survivin expression was rarely observed in human SCCs and in 84.2% of canine SCCs. The TUNEL index ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 in human beings and from 7.5 to 69.4 in dogs, while MIs ranged from 0 to 4 in human beings and dogs. No correlation was found between survivin expression and apoptotic or mitotic rates. Canine and human tumours showed similar nuclear survivin expression, indicating similar functions of the molecule. We demonstrated survivin expression in normal adult canine epidermis. Increased nuclear survivin expression in pre‐neoplastic and neoplastic lesions demonstrates a possible association of survivin with development of SCCs in human beings and dogs.
Indolent cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma presenting as cutaneous lymphocytosis in dogs
Authors: Affolter Verena K. , Gross Thelma Lee , Moore Peter F. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractCutaneous lymphoproliferative diseases encompass a spectrum of lesions, ranging from self‐limiting, reactive infiltrates to high‐grade lymphomas. In humans, cutaneous lymphocytosis (CL) refers to self‐limiting or slowly progressive monomorphic lymphocytic infiltrates of mostly unknown cause. It morphologically mimics cutaneous lymphoma. CL in cats also is a slowly progressive disease. Immunophenotyping and clonality testing of feline CL support an indolent lymphoma for the majority of cases studied. This study reports CL in dogs. Erythematous, scaly and alopecic macules, patches or plaques were present in eight dogs. Breed predilection was not observed; six of eight dogs were females; and ages ranged from 5 to 14 years. Diffuse monomorphic non‐epitheliotropic infiltrates of CD3+ (eight of eight), CD45− (four of eight) or CD45+/− (four of eight) and CD45RA− (seven of eight) T lymphocytes were present in the superficial and mid‐dermis. Further immunophenotyping of five cases revealed TCR‐γδ+ T cells (one of five) or TCR‐αβ+ (four of five) T cells. TCR‐αβ+ populations were either CD8+ (two of four) or CD4−CD8− (2/4). Clonality testing found clonal (seven of eight) or pseudoclonal (one of eight) rearrangement of the TCR‐gamma locus of the lesional T cells. Prednisone, prednisolone and methylprednisolone acetate were the most commonly administered drugs. The lesions remained stable for long periods up to 6 years. Five dogs were euthanized due to progression of the skin lesions (three of five), peripheral lymphadenopathy of unknown origin (one of five) or high‐grade lymphoma (one of five). One dog was lost for follow‐up and two dogs are still alive (17 and 9 months after diagnosis). Canine CL is best considered an initially indolent lymphoma, with slow progression and a potential for progression to high‐grade lymphoma.
Effects of dexamethasone and hydroxyzine treatment on intradermal testing and allergen‐specific IgE serum testing results in horses
Authors: Petersen Annette , Schott Harold C. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractTo determine whether dexamethasone or hydroxyzine affect intradermal testing (IDT) and allergen‐specific IgE serum testing (ASIST) results in horses, these tests were performed serially in five horses without signs of atopic dermatitis before and after treatment with the drugs. IDT consisted of saline, histamine (1:100,000 w/v) and eight commercial extracts; results were evaluated as subjective scores by comparison to saline (0) and histamine (4) and as objective measurement of wheal diameter (mm). After baseline testing, dexamethasone (20 mg) was administered intramuscularly daily for 7 days. Testing was repeated 3–4 h, 7 days, and 14 days after the final dose of dexamethasone. Hydroxyzine (500 mg) was subsequently administered orally twice daily for 7 days. Testing was performed 3–4 h, 3 days, and 7 days after the final dose of hydroxyzine. No differences were found between pre‐ and post‐treatment subjective IDT scores for either drug. However, wheal diameter for histamine and house dust, dust mite mix, and black ant extracts decreased (P < 0.05) at all times post‐injection for IDT performed 3–4 h after the final dose of both medications. Wheal diameter returned to pre‐treatment levels 14 days after discontinuation of dexamethasone and 7 days after discontinuation of hydroxyzine. No significant changes in ASIST results were found. In conclusion, treatment of horses with dexamethasone or hydroxyzine for 7 days had no effect on ASIST results but did decrease IDT wheal diameters. Based on findings of this study, withdrawal times of 14 and 7 days for dexamethasone and hydroxyzine, respectively, prior to IDT can be recommended.
Is season important for the diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma in southern Brazil? A 10‐year hospital‐based study
Authors: Bakos Lucio , Masiero Nathália C. M. S. , Burttet Renata M. , Moreira Laura M. , Santos Karla O. , Brunetto Leticia T. , Benzano Daniela 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground  Exposure to sunlight is an important etiologic factor in cutaneous melanoma (CM). In several countries, more cases of CM are diagnosed in summer than in winter.Aim  To analyze whether there is seasonal variation in the diagnosis of CM in southern Brazil.Methods  Data were collected from a hospital‐based registry, including all cases of CM diagnosed between 1996 and 2005. Summer to winter and spring to fall ratios were used for the analysis, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using Poisson regression.Results  Two hundred and eighty‐one patients were diagnosed in this period. Although some months were shown to have higher absolute numbers of diagnosed melanomas (April, July, and January), there was no statistically significant seasonal variation in most of the melanomas in terms of either the summer to winter ratio [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09; 95% CI, 0.77–1.44] or spring to autumn ratio (OR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.71–1.43). Only the number of lentigo maligna melanomas (LMMs) diagnosed in summer was higher than that in winter (OR = 2.83; 95% CI, 1.07–8.78).Conclusions  In southern Brazil, CMs do not seem to be more frequently diagnosed in summer than in winter. Darkening of melanocytic lesions and increased awareness of skin lesions during the summer could be possible explanations for LMMs being more frequently diagnosed in summer than in winter in this sample.
Vitiligo in an urban academic setting*
Authors: Paravar Taraneh , Lee Delphine J. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground  Vitiligo is a depigmenting disease of unknown etiology. A more complete understanding of vitiligo and associated conditions will provide better insight into the etiology and potential treatment options for this condition. We sought to gather information regarding associated conditions and other epidemiologic data on vitiligo.Methods  A retrospective chart review was performed of 135 patients with vitiligo seen between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2005 at an academic medical center. Epidemiologic characteristics were recorded.Results  The patient population consisted of 80 women and 55 men with mean age of presentation of 36.8 years and average disease duration of 5.7 years. Vitiligo vulgaris was the predominant type of vitiligo and hypothyroidism was the most common co‐morbidity. Anti‐thyroid peroxidase and anti‐thyroglobulin antibodies were found in 37% and 18% of patients, respectively. The highest proportion of thyroid abnormalities was found in age of onset category 21–30. Anti‐nuclear antibodies were found in 33% of patients.Conclusion  The prevalence of anti‐nuclear and anti‐thyroid peroxidase antibodies was higher in our vitiligo study than that reported elsewhere. In addition, autoimmune thyroid disease may be more common in adult‐onset vitiligo.
Glucagonoma syndrome and necrolytic migratory erythema
Authors: Lobo Inês , Carvalho André , Amaral Cláudia , Machado Susana , Carvalho Rui 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe glucagonoma syndrome is a rare disorder, characterized by necrolytic migratory erythema, elevated serum glucagon levels, abnormal glucose tolerance, weight loss, and anemia in association with a glucagon‐secreting alpha‐cell tumor of the pancreas. We present a 67‐year‐old diabetic patient with extensive cutaneous lesions, weight loss, and poor glycemic control. The clinical investigation revealed a pancreatic glucagonoma with resolution of the cutaneous and systemic features after surgical removal. The dermatologic and endocrine approach to this syndrome is discussed here. Early recognition and treatment may prevent metastatic disease and ensure its cure with resolution of the cutaneous and catabolic manifestations.
Mycetoma caused by Nocardia caviae in the first Brazilian patient
Authors: Magalhães Geraldo Magela , De Castro Oliveira Sílvia Cristina , De Brito Soares Ana Cláudia , Machado‐Pinto Jackson , De Resende Maria Aparecida 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground Mycetoma is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by exogenous fungi or actinomycetes. This infection has a progressive course and shows a typical clinical characteristic of tumefaction, draining sinuses, and grains. Infection initiation is related to local trauma and can spread to muscle, underlying bone, and adjacent organs. Nocardia brasiliensis is the most frequent actinomycete isolated, while N. caviae is a rare agent.Methods We present a case of mycetoma in a 37‐year‐old African‐American man on the right hand. The infection had been apparent for four years prior to the consultation. When the infection did not respond to antibiotic therapy, the patient was referred to the Dermatology department. Routine laboratory studies were normal. X‐ray examination of the hand showed an osteolytic lesion on the hand bones. On skin biopsy culture, on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar at 28 °C, a colony was isolated which was further identified as N. caviae by biochemical and hydrolysis testing.Results  The patient was treated with oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) 160/800 mg twice a day for 10 months. Four months after the beginning of the therapy, the subject exhibited clinical improvement and functional recovery of the hand. Five‐year follow‐up X‐ray examination of the hand showed no osteolytic lesion on the hand bones.Conclusion  We report the first mycetoma case caused by N. caviae in our country with an unusual location on the hand. The patient showed clinical improvement with oral TMP/SMZ.
Vohwinkel syndrome: treatment of pseudo‐ainhum
Authors: Bassetto Franco , Tiengo Cesare , Sferrazza Rossella , Belloni‐Fortina Anna , Alaibac Mauro 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground  Vohwinkel syndrome or keratoderma hereditaria mutilans is a rare autosomal dominant palmoplantar keratosis which manifests in infants and becomes more evident in adulthood.Patients with this mutation present hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles, constricting bands of the digits, usually at the fifth, and starfish‐shaped hyperkeratosis on the dorsal aspects of the hands and feet. The disease mostly occurs in white women, where constricting fibrous bands appear on the digits and can lead to progressive strangulation and auto‐amputation (pseudo‐ainhum).Aim  The treatment of this keratoderma is very difficult and tends to be symptomatic: topical keratolytics and systemic retinoids have been used to treat hyperkeratosis, but without consistent results. Reconstructive surgery is utilized for the treatment of pseudo‐ainhum.Results and Conclusion  In this study, we present an additional case of Vohwinkel syndrome in which constrictive bands of the fifth digit in the left hand were treated with a cross finger flap, with a favorable outcome after 18 months of follow‐up.
Antihistamines are superior to topical steroids in managing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)‐associated papular pruritic eruption
Authors: Navarini Alexander A. , Stoeckle Marcel , Navarini Susanne , Mossdorf Erik , Jullu Boniphace S. , Mchomvu Rehema , Mbata Marco , Kibatala Patience , Tanner Marcel , Hatz Christoph , Schmid‐Grendelmeier Peter 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPapular pruritic eruption (PPE) is a frequent HIV‐comorbidity in tropical countries. Because of constant itching and social stigma, effective treatment is highly valued. In our HIV cohort in rural Tanzania with 12% prevalence of PPE, we have retrospectively analyzed responses to available treatments. Oral promethazine improved itching (P < 0.0058) and clinical scores (P < 0.032) significantly more than topical steroids. Disease activity did not correlate with CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts and was independent of anti‐retroviral medication. Therefore, oral antihistamines are an effective first‐line treatment for PPE.
Clinical and inflammatory features of occupational asthma caused by persulphate salts in comparison with asthma associated with occupational rhinitis
Authors: Moscato G. , Pala G. , Perfetti L. , Frascaroli M. , Pignatti P. 
Published: December 2009

To cite this article: Moscato G, Pala G, Perfetti L, Frascaroli M, Pignatti P. Clinical and inflammatory features of occupational asthma caused by persulphate salts in comparison with asthma associated with occupational rhinitis. Allergy 2010; 65: 784–790.AbstractBackground:  The relationships between asthma and rhinitis are still a crucial point in respiratory allergy and have scarcely been analysed in occupational setting. We aimed to compare the clinical and inflammatory features of subjects with occupational asthma only (OA) to subjects with OA associated to occupational rhinitis (OAR) caused by persulphate salts.Methods:  The clinical charts of 26 subjects diagnosed in our Unit as respiratory allergy caused by ammonium persulphate (AP), confirmed by specific inhalation challenge (SIC), were reviewed. Twenty‐two out of twenty‐six patients underwent pre‐SIC‐induced sputum challenge test (IS) and 24/26 underwent nasal secretion collection and processing.Results:  Twelve out of twenty‐six patients received a diagnosis of OA‐only and 14/26 of OAR. Duration of exposure before diagnosis, latency period between the beginning of exposure and asthma symptom onset, basal FEV1, airway reactivity to methacholine and asthma severity did not differ in the two groups. Eosinophilic inflammation of upper and lower airways characterized both groups. Eosinophil percentage in IS tended to be higher in OAR [11.9 (5.575–13.925)%] than in OA‐only [2.95 (0.225–12.5)%] (P = 0.31). Eosinophilia in nasal secretions was present both in subjects with OAR [55 (46–71)%] and in subjects with OA‐only [38 (15–73.5)%], without any significant difference.Discussion:  Our results indicate that OA because of ammonium persulphate coexists with occupational rhinitis in half of the patients. Unexpectedly, rhinitis did not seem to have an impact on the natural history of asthma. The finding of nasal inflammation in subjects with OA‐only without clinical manifestations of rhinitis supports the united airway disease concept in occupational respiratory allergy as a result of persulphates.
Health‐related quality of life in men with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Namiki Shunichi , Arai Yoichi 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWith the established effectiveness of diverse treatments for localized prostate cancer, the identification of the physical and psychological consequences of the disease and its various treatments has become critical. In the present review, we aim to familiarize the reader with the methodologies of health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) research and to review the recent literature on HRQOL outcomes in patients with localized prostate cancer. Studies have shown that prostate cancer and its treatment affect both disease‐specific HRQOL (i.e. urinary, sexual, and bowel function) as well as general HRQOL (i.e. energy/vitality and performance in physical and social roles). However, these effects appear to differ according to the type of treatment, stage of disease, age of the subjects, time after treatment, and, more importantly, race or ethnicity. By including HRQOL in clinical decision‐making, we can help our patients make more informed treatment choices for localized prostate cancer.
Variation in within‐bone stiffness measured by nanoindentation in mice bred for high levels of voluntary wheel running
Authors: Middleton Kevin M. , Goldstein Beth D. , Guduru Pradeep R. , Waters Julie F. , Kelly Scott A. , Swartz Sharon M. , Garland Jr T. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe hierarchical structure of bone, involving micro‐scale organization and interaction of material components, is a critical determinant of macro‐scale mechanics. Changes in whole‐bone morphology in response to the actions of individual genes, physiological loading during life, or evolutionary processes, may be accompanied by alterations in underlying mineralization or architecture. Here, we used nanoindentation to precisely measure compressive stiffness in the femoral mid‐diaphysis of mice that had experienced 37 generations of selective breeding for high levels of voluntary wheel running (HR). Mice (n = 48 total), half from HR lines and half from non‐selected control (C) lines, were divided into two experimental groups, one with 13–14 weeks of access to a running wheel and one housed without wheels (n = 12 in each group). At the end of the experiment, gross and micro‐computed tomography (μCT)‐based morphometric traits were measured, and reduced elastic modulus (Er) was estimated separately for four anatomical quadrants of the femoral cortex: anterior, posterior, lateral, and medial. Two‐way, mixed‐model analysis of covariance (ancova) showed that body mass was a highly significant predictor of all morphometric traits and that structural change is more apparent at the μCT level than in conventional morphometrics of whole bones. Both linetype (HR vs. C) and presence of the mini‐muscle phenotype (caused by a Mendelian recessive allele and characterized by a ∼50% reduction in mass of the gastrocnemius muscle complex) were significant predictors of femoral cortical cross‐sectional anatomy. Measurement of reduced modulus obtained by nanoindentation was repeatable within a single quadrant and sensitive enough to detect inter‐individual differences. Although we found no significant effects of linetype (HR vs. C) or physical activity (wheel vs. no wheel) on mean stiffness, anterior and posterior quadrants were significantly stiffer (P < 0.0001) than medial and lateral quadrants (32.67 and 33.09 GPa vs. 29.78 and 30.46 GPa, respectively). Our findings of no significant difference in compressive stiffness in the anterior and posterior quadrants agree with previous results for mice, but differ from those for large mammals. Integrating these results with others from ongoing research on these mice, we hypothesize that the skeletons of female HR mice may be less sensitive to the effects of chronic exercise, due to decreased circulating leptin levels and potentially altered endocannabinoid signaling.
Early symptoms of Creutzfeldt‐Jacob disease mimicking alcohol‐related disorder
Authors: KOBAYASHI Toshiyuki , MIYATA Yoshifumi 
Published: December 2009

AbstractCreutzfeldt‐Jacob disease (CJD) broadly involves the central nervous system and exhibits a wide variety of symptoms; consequently, patients are frequently misdiagnosed in its early stages with other neuropsychiatric syndromes. In the present paper, the authors report a case of CJD in a patient with alcohol dependence. A 65‐year‐old woman drank heavily for several years and occasionally had delusions of persecution. After a year of abstinence, she resumed drinking and exhibited behavioral anomalies. She was admitted to an internal medicine ward of a hospital because of an asthmatic attack. She then became unresponsive, bedridden and incontinent, and was moved to the psychotic ward of our hospital. From findings of rapidly progressing dementia, myoclonus, characteristic electroencephalogram, and signal increase in the cortex and basal ganglia on diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging the woman was diagnosed with CJD. CJD is a rare but considerable syndrome in the differential diagnosis of alcohol‐related disorders.