bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIV and identity: the experience of AIDS support group members who unexpectedly tested HIV negative in Uganda
Authors: Seeley Janet , Mbonye Martin , Ogunde Nelly , Kalanzi Isaiah , Wolff Brent , Coutinho Alex 
Published: June 2011

AbstractLiving with HIV, for many of those infected, has meant adjusting to life with a stigmatised condition and, until recently, the threat of looming death. We explore the adjustment of a group of long‐term former clients of The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) in Uganda who, when tested for HIV during the rollout of antiretroviral therapy in 2004, were found to be HIV negative. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 34 former TASO clients were conducted between 2005 and 2007. Their narratives reveal a great deal about the biographical disruption they have faced, and the biographical work that they have undertaken in both the personal and the social dimensions of their lives in order to manage their new‐found HIV‐uninfected status. After the negative test result, as they were no longer HIV‐infected, they had to leave TASO and that support was sorely missed, as was the friendship of TASO members to whom they often felt reluctant to disclose their new status. The identity ‘reversal’ or change was often handled privately. Compared with their transition to an HIV‐positive identity, they now lacked a social dimension to their identity transformation as they managed their new identity in the face of self‐ and public doubt.
Statistical tests for a single change in mean against long‐range dependence
Authors: Baek Changryong , Pipiras Vladas 
Published: June 2011

Statistical tests are introduced for distinguishing between short‐range dependent time series with a single change in mean, and long‐range dependent time series, with the former making the null hypothesis. The tests are based on estimation of the self‐similarity parameter after removing the change in mean from the series. The focus is on the GPH (Geweke and Porter‐Hudak, 1983) and local Whittle estimation methods in the spectral domain. Theoretical properties of the resulting estimators are established when testing for a single change in mean, and small sample properties of the tests are examined in simulations. The introduced tests improve on the BHKS (Berkeset al., 2006) test which is the only other available test for the considered problem. It is argued that the BHKS test has a low power against long‐range dependence alternatives and that this happens because the BHKS test statistic involves estimation of the long‐run variance. The BHKS test could be improved readily by considering its R/S‐like regression version which estimates the self‐similarity parameter and which does not involve the long‐run variance. Yet better alternatives are to use more powerful estimation methods (such as GPH or local Whittle) and lead to the tests introduced here.
SDF classifier revisited
Authors: Smiatacz Maciej , Malina Witold 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis paper is addressing problems related to the construction of classifiers based on the Similarity Discriminant Function (SDF), in which the traditional vector representation of a pattern is replaced with matrix data. We introduce potential modifications of the matrix data structure and propose new variants of the SDF. The algorithms that we present were tested on images of handwritten digits and on photographs of human faces, taken from the ORL and CMU‐PIE databases. The results of experiments show that our modifications significantly improved the performance of the original SDF classifier.
On the significance of social control: Treatment‐entry pressures, self‐choice and alcohol and drug dependence criteria one year after treatment
Authors: Storbjörk Jessica 
Published: June 2011

Storbjörk J. On the significance of social control: treatment‐entry pressures, self‐choice and alcohol and drug dependence criteria one year after treatmentThis article explores how self‐choice and treatment‐entry pressures are associated with one‐year treatment outcome (dependence symptoms, 0–6, 12 months) among alcohol and drug misusers, respectively. Informal pressures (from family and friends), formal pressures (related to work, healthcare, social services, social allowances, child custody) and legal pressures (related to the police, criminal justice system, compulsory treatment) were analysed. A sample (N= 1,210) representative of the addiction treatment system of Stockholm County was interviewed when starting a new treatment episode and after one year. Regression analyses indicated that self‐choice and pressures are associated with outcome among alcohol misusers but not among drug misusers when controlling for background factors and severity. Self‐choice (without pressures) correlated with a good outcome (a lower number of dependence criteria). Pressures were generally associated with poorer outcome. Alcohol misusers who had experienced threats regarding child custody did better in comparison with those not experiencing such pressure. The difference in results by drug type and implications were discussed.
Erythroderma as a paraneoplastic cutaneous disorder in systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma
Authors: Hanafusa T. , Igawa K. , Takagawa S. , Yahara H. , Harada J. , Tani M. , Sawada Y. , Katayama I. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground  Paraneoplastic cutaneous disorders (PCDs) or dermadromes are skin conditions that have an association with internal malignancies but are not themselves malignant. We report the first two cases of systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (s‐ALCL) accompanied by erythroderma and multiple leg ulcers as PCDs.Case 1.  A 52‐year‐old Japanese man presented with disseminated itchy papular erythemas which he had over his entire body for the preceding 5 years that later exacerbated to erythroderma. Multiple punched‐out ulcers also developed on his lower legs. Superficial lymph nodes (LNs) were swollen, and a left axillary LN biopsy demonstrated dense CD30+ atypical large cell (ALC) infiltration. By contrast, lymphocytes infiltrating into the erythroderma and leg ulcers were CD30−, and T‐cell receptor β (TCRβ) chain gene rearrangement was negative in skin biopsy specimens. Thus, he was diagnosed with s‐ALCL. Not only his s‐ALCL but also his erythroderma and leg ulcers responded well to chemotherapy.Case 2.  A 71‐year‐old Japanese woman presented with erythroderma that persisted for approximately 20 years after mastectomy. At her initial hospital visit, she was diagnosed with s‐ALCL by biopsy of swollen left inguinal LNs. Similar to Case 1, CD30+ ALCs were negative in skin samples with normal TCRβ chain gene rearrangement. As the erythrodermic skin lesion responded well to chemotherapy for s‐ALCL, it was considered a PCD.Conclusion  s‐ALCL development may be predicted by the precedence and concurrence of intractable paraneoplastic erythrodermic and ulcerative skin lesions, as reported in our two cases.
Psychological distress and coping strategies in patients attending a dermatology outpatient clinic
Authors: Mazzotti E. , Mastroeni S. , Lindau J. , Lombardo G. , Farina B. , Pasquini P. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground  Psychological distress is frequent among dermatological patients. The development of a positive attitude toward diagnosis and treatment is thought to be critical for successful coping and mental health outcomes.Objective  The aim of this study was to assess the coping strategies and the psychological distress, due to anxiety and depression, in an unselected sample of dermatological patients.Methods  Self‐administered questionnaires (HADS, COPE) were given to 603 dermatological patients.Results  Out of 567 participants, 149 (26.2%) scored positive for Anxiety, and 52 (9.2%) scored positive for Depression. Multivariate analysis, adjusting for gender, age, socio‐economic status, and disease, showed that both Anxiety and Depression are associated with a less frequent use of Positive attitude coping.Conclusion  Our results reinforce the notion that while planning the treatment of dermatological patients, evaluating their mental health might help to provide optimal treatment. Since coping ability was found to be important for mental health status, policy implications could include emphasis on social programs to assist individuals to manage stress, as well as psychological support.
Effectiveness of topical calcineurin inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination with hydroxychloroquine in cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Authors: Avgerinou G. , Papafragkaki D.‐K. , Nasiopoulou A. , Arapaki A. , Katsambas A. , Stavropoulos P.G. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground  Calcineurin inhibitors show potent anti‐inflammatory effects and favorable safety profile when used in the treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE).Objective  The present study investigates the change in clinical parameters of erythema, desquamation and edema, when calcineurin inhibitors are used as monotherapy or in combination with hydroxychloroquine in CLE for a period of 60 days.Methods  18 patients were treated with topical tacrolimus and 20 patients with topical pimecrolimus, as monotherapy or in combination with hydroxychloroquine. Clinical parameters of erythema, desquamation and edema were assessed on a scale from 0 to 3 for erythema and edema and 0 to 2 for desquamation.Results  Statistically significant improvement in erythema, desquamation and edema was observed in patients on monotherapy with calcineurin inhibitor and combination treatment with hydroxychloroquine, regardless of disease type. Combination treatment resulted in improvement of edema in 100% of patients, while monotherapy did so in 75% of patients.Conclusions  Topical calcineurin inhibitors enhance the therapeutic effect of systemic agents in cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and result in improvement of the clinical parameters studied.
Malignant melanomas on head/neck and foot: differences in time and latitudinal trends in Norway
Authors: Juzeniene A. , Micu E. , Porojnicu A.C. , Moan J. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground  Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) incidence continues to increase in many parts of the world. Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main environmental risk factor for CMM. Different body locations are subjected to different doses and exposure patterns of solar UV. Time and latitudinal trends of CMMs on shielded and exposed skin give valuable information about the aetiology of these cancers. In this study, we have compared the time and latitudinal trends of CMM incidence on skin areas which are chronically (head and neck) and rarely (foot) exposed to UV radiation, to gain more information about the relationship between sun doses, exposure patterns and melanomagenesis.Methods  We have analysed epidemiological data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, for foot and head and neck CMM for two time periods: 1966–1986 and 1987–2007.Results  Cutaneous malignant melanoma incidence rate on head and neck has increased with time, while incidence rates of foot CMM have remained almost constant with time in Norway. There is a large north–south gradient in incidence rates of CMM on head and neck in Norway, while there is almost no north–south gradient for CMM incidence on foot.Conclusions  Comparisons of time trends and latitudinal trends of the incidence rates of CMM on head/neck and on foot indicate that solar radiation plays a role in the induction of the former CMM but probably not for the latter.
Basal cell carcinoma of the head region: therapeutical results of 350 lesions treated with Mohs micrographic surgery
Authors: Veronese F. , Farinelli P. , Zavattaro E. , Zuccoli R. , Bonvini D. , Leigheb G. , Colombo E. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground  Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a non‐melanocytic skin tumour with a high risk of recurrence after incomplete treatment, especially the aggressive subtypes (basosquamous, micronodular and morphea BCC). The percentage of recurrence also depends on the anatomical site of the tumour. Nose–cheek fold, paranasal fold, retroauricular fold and internal canthus are considered to be critical sites.Objective  The aim of this study was to report on recurrence rates for BCC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).Material and Methods  We retrospectively studied 350 BCCs of the head region treated with MMS. Results were analysed with chi‐squared test and Fisher test and were considered significant when P value was ≤0.05.Results  In our study, the percentage of BCC recurrence rate after MMS was of 3.4% for primary BCC and 4.9% for recurrent BCC; these were similar to the recurrence rates reported in the literature.Conclusions  Low recurrence rate can be achieved when treated with MMS; it is the treatment of choice for many BCC of the head. Aggressive histopathological subtypes, critical head sites and recurrence after incomplete excision are the most important indications for MMS.
The natural course of gross motor deterioration in metachromatic leukodystrophy
Authors: KEHRER CHRISTIANE , BLUMENSTOCK GUNNAR , GIESELMANN VOLKMAR , KRÄGELOH‐MANN INGEBORG ,   ON BEHALF OF THE GERMAN LEUKONET
Published: June 2011

Aim  Motor deterioration is a key feature in metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). The lack of data about its natural course impedes evaluation of therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to provide data about motor decline in MLD.Method  Fifty‐nine patients (27 males, 32 females) with MLD (21 with late‐infantile MLD and 38 with juvenile MLD) were recruited within a nationwide survey (the German LEUKONET). Median (range) age at onset was 17 months (9–27) for the group with late‐infantile MLD and 6 years 2 months (2y 11mo–14y) for the group with juvenile MLD. Gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification for MLD.Results  In late‐infantile MLD, all patients showed loss of all gross motor function until 3 years 4 months of age. Patients with juvenile MLD showed a more variable and significantly longer motor decline (p<0.001). For a patient with the juvenile form showing first gait disturbances, the probability of remaining stable for more than 1 year was 84%, and 51% for more than 2 years. Having lost independent walking, subsequent motor decline was as steep as in the late‐infantile form (median 5mo, interquartile range 3–22).Interpretation  The course of motor disease was more variable in juvenile MLD with respect to onset and dynamics. However, the motor decline after the loss of independent walking was similarly steep in both forms. These data can serve as a reference for clinical studies that are topics of current research and allow definition of inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Dopamine D1 receptor signaling system regulates ryanodine receptor expression after intermittent exposure to methamphetamine in primary cultures of midbrain and cerebral cortical neurons
Authors: Kurokawa Kazuhiro , Mizuno Koji , Kiyokage Emi , Shibasaki Masahiro , Toida Kazunori , Ohkuma Seitaro 
Published: June 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 773–783.AbstractRegulatory mechanisms of ryanodine receptor (RyR) expression are not well known, although methamphetamine (METH) has been reported to up‐regulate RyRs in mouse brain. This study investigate regulatory mechanisms of RyR expression by dopaminergic system using the midbrain and cerebral cortical neurons in primary culture intermittently exposed to METH and dopamine receptor (DR) agonists (1 h/day, for 3 days). Intermittent METH (10 μM) exposure enhanced RyR‐1 and ‐2 proteins and their mRNA, but not RyR‐3 expression in the both types of the neurons. These METH‐induced increases of RyR proteins and their mRNA were dose‐dependently blocked by SCH23390 (a selective D1DR antagonist), but not a D2DR antagonist sulpiride, suggesting a regulatory role of D1DRs in RyR expression by METH in these neurons. In cerebral cortical neurons, intermittent SKF82958 (a selective D1DR agonist) exposure increased RyR‐1 and ‐2 proteins and their mRNA, whereas quinpirole (a selective D2DR agonist) showed no effects. KT5720, a protein kinase A inhibitor, dose‐dependently attenuated the METH‐stimulated RyR‐1 and ‐2 expressions in cerebral cortical neurons. METH significantly increased phosphorylation of cAMP‐response element‐binding protein, which was completely suppressed by SCH23390. These results indicate that RyR‐1 and ‐2 expressions are regulated by D1DRs via the signal transduction linked to D1DRs.
Spartin recruits PKC‐ζ via the PKC‐ζ‐interacting proteins ZIP1 and ZIP3 to lipid droplets
Authors: Urbanczyk Andreas , Enz Ralf 
Published: June 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 737–748.AbstractProtein kinase C‐ζ interacting proteins (ZIP1‐3) recruit the enzymatic activity of the atypical protein kinase C isoforms PKC‐λ/ι or PKC‐ζ to target proteins. In this study, we searched for binding partners of ZIP3 in the CNS and identified spartin, a multifunctional protein that is mutated in spastic paraplegia type 20. In transfected cells, spartin was present on the surface of lipid droplets (LD), whereas ZIP proteins appeared in intracellular speckles. In the presence of spartin, ZIP1 and ZIP3 were translocated to spartin‐positive LD. This translocation was mediated by amino acids 196–393 of spartin that interacted with an N‐terminal region of ZIP proteins. Furthermore, ZIP proteins interacted simultaneously with spartin and PKC‐ζ, resulting in an enrichment of PKC‐ζ on spartin/ZIP‐labelled LD. Without spartin, neither ZIP proteins nor PKC‐ζ were detected on LD. Interestingly, the presence of the spartin/ZIP/PKC‐ζ complex increased LD size. This effect was most pronounced upon incorporation of the ZIP3 isoform into the trimer. Finally, we co‐localized spartin, ZIP proteins and PKC‐ζ in axon terminals of neurons in the mammalian retina. In summary, we describe spartin as new binding partner of the ZIP/PKC‐ζ dimer that recruits PKC‐ζ to LD and show that the expressed ZIP isoform regulates LD size.
High tryptophan diet reduces extracellular dopamine release via kynurenic acid production in rat striatum
Authors: Okuno Alato , Fukuwatari Tsutomu , Shibata Katsumi 
Published: June 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 796–805.AbstractAt endogenous brain concentrations, the neuroinhibitory tryptophan metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a preferential antagonist of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). In the present study, male Wistar rats were fed a high tryptophan diet (adding 0.1–1.5% tryptophan) for 24 h to examine (i) the effect of increased tryptophan on extracellular dopamine (DA) and KYNA levels and (ii) to determine any possible interactions between DA and KYNA. Brain KYNA levels were dose‐dependently increased by tryptophan intake, and these increase were consistent with kynurenine (KYN), the precursor to KYNA, levels in the brain, plasma and liver. Administration of the 1.5% tryptophan added diet reduced the extracellular DA level to 60%, and increased the extracellular KYNA to 320% in the striatum. The DA reduction was attenuated through inhibiting KYNA synthesis with 2‐aminoadipic acid. These results indicate that a high tryptophan diet can induce KYNA production and suppress DA release. One possible mechanism is that as more KYN is metabolized from the high doses of tryptophan in the liver and released into the blood stream, KYNA production in astrocytes is enhanced and the increased extracellular KYNA inhibits DA release by blocking α7nAChRs. Dietary manipulation of KYNA formation in astrocytes may offer a unique strategy to modulate DA.
Examination of hemostatic parameters to detect hypercoagulability in dogs with severe protein‐losing nephropathy
Authors: Donahue Suzanne M. , Brooks Marjory , Otto Cynthia M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjective –To identify hemostatic abnormalities in dogs with protein‐losing nephropathies (PLN) that represent risk factors for pathologic thrombosis.Design –Cross‐sectional observational study of client‐owned dogs with PLN, nonprotein losing renal failure (RF), and systemic illness (SI) exclusive of primary renal disease.Setting –Urban University Referral Center.Animals –A total of 29 dogs (n=11 PLN,n=7 RF,n=11 SI) were enrolled between January 2001 and July 2002. Samples were also collected from 20 clinically normal dogs to serve as hemostasis assay controls.Interventions –None.Hemostasis Testing –Citrate anticoagulated blood was collected for point‐of‐care testing with a viscoelastic monitor (thromboelastograph [TEG]) and citrate plasma was prepared for coagulation screening tests and specific assay of the following hemostatic proteins: antiplasmin, antithrombin, D‐dimer, Factor VIII, fibrinogen, plasminogen, protein C, and von Willebrand factor.Results –Dogs with PLN and RF demonstrated TEG abnormalities consistent with hypercoagulability (eg, short clotting time, high clot amplitude) and both groups had significantly lower antithrombin than the SI group. The PLN dogs had significantly higher protein C than either the RF or SI group. Hyperfibrinogenemia was a consistent finding among all 3 disease groups, and the coagulation index a measure of hypercoagulability derived from TEG parameters, directly correlated with fibrinogen values of all study dogs.Conclusions –Hemostatic abnormalities consistent with systemic hypercoagulability are common in dogs with RF and PLN, however, no prothrombotic factors unique to PLN were identified in our study. The thrombotic tendency of PLN may therefore involve parameters we did not directly assess such as platelet reactivity, fibrinolysis, perturbations in blood flow, and/or endothelial dysfunction. High protein C is a novel finding in PLN dogs of unknown clinical relevance.
The use of intravenous lipid emulsion as an antidote in veterinary toxicology
Authors: Fernandez Alberto L. , Lee Justine A. , Rahilly Louisa , Hovda Lynn , Brutlag Ahna G. , Engebretsen Kristin 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjective
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To review the use of IV lipid emulsion (ILE) for the treatment of toxicities related to fat‐soluble agents; evaluate current human and veterinary literature; and to provide proposed guidelines for the use of this emerging therapy in veterinary medicine and toxicology.Data Sources
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Human and veterinary medical literature.Human Data Synthesis
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Human data are composed mostly of case reports describing the response to treatment with ILE as variant from mild improvement to complete resolution of clinical signs, which is suspected to be due to the variability of lipid solubility of the drugs. The use of ILE therapy has been advocated as an antidote in cases of local anesthetic and other lipophilic drug toxicoses, particularly in the face of cardiopulmonary arrest and unsuccessful cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation.Veterinary Data Synthesis
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The use of ILE therapy in veterinary medicine has recently been advocated by animal poison control centers for toxicoses associated with fat‐soluble agents, but there are only few clinical reports documenting successful use of this therapy. Evidence for the use of ILE in both human and veterinary medicine is composed primarily from experimental animal data.Conclusions
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The use of ILE appears to be a safe therapy for the poisoned animal patient, but is warranted only with certain toxicoses. Adverse events associated with ILE in veterinary medicine are rare and anecdotal. Standard resuscitation protocols should be exhausted before considering this therapy and the potential side effects should be evaluated before administration of ILE as a potential antidote in cases of lipophilic drug toxicoses. Further research is waranted.