bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitiligo‐like depigmentation induced by imiquimod treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Sriprakash Kavita , Godbolt Amanda 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTA 61‐year‐old man was treated with imiquimod 5% cream for superficial basal cell carcinoma, five times per week for 13 weeks. This resulted in vitiligo‐like depigmentation and poliosis in the area of treatment. This rare side‐effect has been noted in previous case reports of imiquimod treatment for both genital warts and superficial basal cell carcinoma. This highlights the importance of such a side‐effect being discussed with the patient who is to be treated with imiquimod, particularly in cosmetically sensitive areas.
Rural pathology under the microscope
Authors: Cameron Helen , Dupal Philip 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThere is little discussion about the crisis in the pathology and medical science workforce despite the implications it has for the whole health system. The crisis has greater implications for rural and remote locations because of the range of skills and multidisciplinary approach required in these areas. Recognition of the clinical significance and organisational importance of the sector is required as is recognition of the unique characteristics of rural and remote pathology and greater support for rural and remote pathology practitioners.
Effect of continuous infusion of asialoerythropoietin on short‐term changes in infarct volume, penumbra apoptosis and behaviour following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats
Authors: Price Chrystal D , Yang Zhongjin , Karlnoski Rachel , Kumar Dipak , Chaparro Raphael , Camporesi Enrico M 
Published: July 2009

Summary1. Asialoerythropoietin (aEPO), a derivative of cytokine erythropoietin, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects without haematological complications when administered in single or repeated doses. The present study examines our hypothesis that aEPO may provide neuroprotection against programmed apoptotic cell death when administered in a continuous low dose.2. Focal cerebral ischaemia was introduced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery using a surgically placed intraluminal filament in young male Sprague Dawley rats (9 weeks old). After 90 min ischaemia, reperfusion was established by filament removal. Both study and control groups had implanted osmotic minipumps through which they received either aEPO (1 μL/h; 20 μg/kg per 24 h) or normal saline (1 μL/h) for 4 days. On Day 4, infarct volume, the number of apoptotic cells and concentrations of activated caspase 3 and 9 were evaluated in the penumbra region.3. Asialoerythropoietin was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of the study group, whereas none was detected in the control group. Although there were no significant changes in haematocrit levels or behaviour scores (on Days 1 and 4) between the study and control groups, aEPO administration significantly reduced infarct volume in the study group compared with the control group (168 ± 19 vs 249 ± 28 mm3, respectively; P < 0.05).4. The number of terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP–digoxigenin nick end‐labelling (TUNEL)‐positive cells and the concentration of activated caspase 3 and 9 in the penumbra region were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group.5. In conclusion, our data suggest that aEPO provides a short‐term, possibly histological, protection in young adult male rats when administered immediately after reperfusion.
Turner syndrome phalangeal screening based on a two‐stage linear regression concept
Authors: Tiu Chui‐Mei , Liu Tzu‐Chiang , Hsieh Chi‐Wen , Niu Dau‐Ming , Chen Jen‐Dar , Jong Tai‐Lang 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground:  Turner syndrome (TS) is a congenital chromosomal abnormality, resulting in short stature, short fourth metacarpal, and retarded skeletal maturation in children. The existing methods of diagnosis, which include carpal angle, metacarpal sign, and body mass index (BMI), cannot accurately diagnose TS. The authors propose a novel procedure for examining the hand skeleton to distinguish between normal individuals and patients with TS.Methods:  This investigation was divided into two parts. In the first part, existing methods (evaluation of the metacarpal sign, measurement of the carpal angle, and determination of BMI) were used. Examination in the second part was based on the two‐stage screening method (TSSM). In the first stage in TSSM, the ratio of the lengths of the distal–middle phalanges of the fifth digit was determined in normal subjects with average range of satisfactory body height and TS patients. A suitable cut‐off was found on linear regression and used to divide the plot into TS patients and normal subjects. In the second stage, the normal section was transferred to another group based on bone and chronological ages. A greater number of patients were diagnosed with TS using this method. Finally, four cut‐off parameters were determined on linear regression analysis. Results with optimal sensitivity and specificity were automatically obtained.Results:  The combination of TSSM with optimal programming (sensitivity = 0.81 and specificity = 0.91) was satisfactory for diagnosing TS patients.Conclusion:  TSSM can suitably evaluate growth of the hand skeleton to distinguish between normal individuals and patients with TS.
From small hosts come big viruses: the complete genome of a second Ostreococcus tauri virus, OtV‐1
Authors: Weynberg Karen D. , Allen Michael J. , Ashelford Kevin , Scanlan David J. , Wilson William H. 
Published: July 2009

Summary Ostreococcus tauri virus (OtV‐1) is a large double‐stranded DNA virus and a prospective member of the family Phycodnaviridae, genus Prasinovirus. OtV‐1 infects the unicellular marine green alga O. tauri, the smallest known free‐living eukaryote. Here we present the 191 761 base pair genome sequence of OtV‐1, which has 232 putative protein‐encoding and 4 tRNA‐encoding genes. Approximately 31% of the viral gene products exhibit a similarity to proteins of known functions in public databases. These include a variety of unexpected genes, for example, a PhoH‐like protein, a N‐myristoyltransferase, a 3‐dehydroquinate synthase, a number of glycosyltransferases and methyltransferases, a prolyl 4‐hydroxylase, 6‐phosphofructokinase and a total of 8 capsid proteins. A total of 11 predicted genes share homology with genes found in the Ostreococcus host genome. In addition, an intein was identified in the DNA polymerase gene of OtV‐1. This is the first report of an intein in the genome of a virus that infects O. tauri. Fifteen core genes common to nuclear‐cytoplasmic large dsDNA virus (NCLDV) genomes were identified in the OtV‐1 genome. This new sequence data may help to redefine the classification of the core genes of these viruses and shed new light on their evolutionary history.
The ubiquitin ligase E6‐AP promotes degradation of α‐synuclein
Authors: Mulherkar Shalaka A. , Sharma Jaiprakash , Jana Nihar Ranjan 
Published: July 2009

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder caused mainly because of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Protein inclusions called Lewy bodies are the most common pathological hallmark of PD and other synucleinopathies. Because the main component of these inclusions is α‐synuclein, aggregation of this protein is thought to be a key pathogenic event in this disease. In the present investigation we report that E6 associated protein (E6‐AP), a HECT (homologous to E6‐AP C‐terminus) domain ubiquitin ligase is a component of Lewy bodies in post‐mortem PD brain. In the cell culture model, we demonstrate that endogenous E6‐AP colocalizes with α‐synuclein in juxtanuclear aggregates. E6‐AP is also recruited to the centrosome upon inhibition of the proteasome function suggesting its involvement in the degradation of misfolded proteins. Over‐expression of E6‐AP enhances the degradation of wild type as well as the mutant forms of α‐synuclein in a proteasome‐dependent manner. E6‐AP also promotes the degradation of the more toxic oligomeric forms of α‐synuclein. Our data suggests that E6‐AP is involved in the clearance of α‐synuclein.
Assembling Histories: J. G. A. Pocock, Aotearoa/New Zealand and the British World
Authors: Austrin Terry , Farnsworth John 
Published: July 2009

AbstractJ. G. A. Pocock’s work has made major contributions to the two fields of history and political science. In this article, we investigate the significance of his contributions to a wider field of social science and, in particular, to the discipline of sociology. Pocock’s attention to the question of sovereignty and its constant reconfiguration throughout the British world is brought together with the concerns of authors writing in an actor network tradition. Pocock’s British world, a world that moves between and connects different archipelagos, is an assemblage, one composed of political arrangements that travel but also have to be stabilised. This process is only ever provisional but is played out, Pocock claims, in a unique way in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Arguing against the claimed certainties of postcolonial historiography he suggests that the Aotearoa/New Zealand case is composed of a range of different futures involving the securing of and/or loss of sovereignty. These are currently being renarrated by its historians. This process of renarration necessarily involves a public role for the historian and has led Pocock, as commentator from a distance, into making critical interventions in what he refers to as the debate over sovereignty in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Special Article: The Normal Hematocrit Cardiac Trial Revisited
Authors: Goodkin David A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe Normal Hematocrit Cardiac Trial (NHCT) was the first large, randomized study of patients receiving hemodialysis to examine the outcomes of treating anemia to a target hematocrit range of 42 ± 3% versus maintaining partial correction in a range of 30 ± 3%. The results of the NHCT and a meta‐analysis adding eight subsequent trials of normalization of hematocrit/hemoglobin in chronic kidney disease (CKD) have demonstrated increased thrombovascular events and mortality associated with the higher targets. This article expands and clarifies the results of the NHCT, including data that were edited from the original publication, and highlights findings from more recent studies in the field. Paradoxically, none of the randomized trials has reported an association between higher attained hemoglobin concentration and mortality within randomized groups. Mean platelet count did not increase among the patients in the normal‐hematocrit group in the NHCT or in two other large trials, CREATE and CHOIR. Exposure to high doses of erythropoietic stimulating agents and/or intravenous iron could be mediating complications in the CKD anemia‐normalization studies, but post‐hoc analyses to probe such potential associations have yielded conflicting results and are clearly hindered by the risk of confounding by indication. The mechanisms underlying the deleterious outcomes associated with efforts to correct renal anemia fully remain unproven.
Biodiversity of Belowground Invertebrates as an Indicator of Wet Meadow Restoration Success (Platte River, Nebraska)
Authors: Riggins John J. , Davis Craig A. , Hoback W. Wyatt 
Published: July 2009

Abstract Soil invertebrate communities are fundamental components of wet meadow ecosystems. We compared soil invertebrate biodiversity between restored and native wet meadows to assess the effectiveness of restoration practices. Biodiversity and biomass were measured in 2002 and 2003 from four native and three restored sites located along a 100‐km stretch of the Platte River in south‐central Nebraska. The sites ranged in age from 3 to 6 years since restoration. Samples were collected during May, July, and September each year. Soil temperature, soil moisture, percent litter cover, and root mass were measured at each site. Twelve 20 × 20 × 25–cm soil blocks were extracted at each site; soil was washed through a 1‐mm sieve; and invertebrates were identified, counted, and weighed. Native sites had higher Shannon and Simpson diversity values and contained greater invertebrate biomass than restored sites. Five invertebrate taxa (isopods, scarab beetles, click beetles, earthworms, and ants) were collected with enough frequency to assess restoration effects on their occurrence. Of these, only ants occurred more frequently in restored sites. Restored sites generally had less litter cover, lower root mass, lower soil moisture, and higher soil temperature than native sites. Current restoration practices may not be completely effective at returning sites to native conditions. Physical reconstruction of wet meadow topography and high‐diversity reseeding may not be adequate to fully restore soil invertebrate communities, even over extended periods of time.
Impaired Terminal Differentiation of Pulmonary Macrophages in a Guinea Pig Model of Chronic Ethanol Ingestion
Authors: Brown Sheena D. , Gauthier Theresa W. , Brown Lou Ann S. 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Alcoholic patients have an increased risk of respiratory infections, which is partially due to an impaired immune response of alveolar macrophages. The mechanisms by which alcohol impairs alveolar macrophage function are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated in a guinea pig model that chronic ethanol ingestion significantly impaired alveolar macrophage differentiation and function.Methods:  Isolated alveolar macrophages were separated into 4 different subpopulations with varying densities and levels of maturation.Results: Compared to control values, chronic ethanol ingestion decreased the percentage of alveolar macrophages in the mature fractions by ∼60%. Alveolar macrophage function in each subpopulation was determined by measuring phagocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labeled Staphylococcus aureus. Alveolar macrophages from ethanol‐fed animals had ∼80% decrease in the phagocytic index. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis of the differential markers granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) receptor α (GM‐CSFR‐α), PU.1, CD11c, and CD11b verified that alcoholic macrophages displayed impaired terminal differentiation. While oral supplementation with the glutathione precursor S‐adenosyl‐methionine (SAM) did not alter the maturational status of control animals, SAM supplementation shifted the distribution of macrophages to more mature fractions, normalized the phagocytic index; as well as normalized expression of CD11c, CD11b, PU.1, and GM‐CSFR‐α. Chronic ethanol ingestion also impaired the differentiation status of interstitial macrophages which was normalized by SAM supplementation.Conclusion:  This improvement in the maturational status suggested that ethanol‐induced oxidant stress is a central feature in impaired terminal differentiation of macrophages in the interstitial and alveolar space. Therefore, strategies targeting pulmonary oxidant stress may restore macrophage differentiation and function even after chronic ethanol ingestion.
Bacterial intoxication evokes cellular senescence with persistent DNA damage and cytokine signalling
Authors: Blazkova Hana , Krejcikova Katerina , Moudry Pavel , Frisan Teresa , Hodny Zdenek , Bartek Jiri 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCytolethal distending toxins (CDTs) are proteins produced and secreted by facultative pathogenic strains of Gram‐negative bacteria with potentially genotoxic effects. Mammalian cells exposed to CDTs undergo cell type‐dependent cell‐cycle arrest or apoptosis; however, the cell fate responses to such intoxication are mechanistically incompletely understood. Here we show that both normal and cancer cells (BJ, IMR‐90 and WI‐38 fibroblasts, HeLa and U2‐OS cell lines) that survive the acute phase of intoxication by Haemophilus ducreyi CDT possess the hallmarks of cellular senescence. This characteristic phenotype included persistently activated DNA damage signalling (detected as 53BP1/γH2AX+ foci), enhanced senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity, expansion of promyelocytic leukaemia nuclear compartments and induced expression of several cytokines (especially interleukins IL‐6, IL‐8 and IL‐24), overall features shared by cells undergoing replicative or premature cellular senescence. We conclude that analogous to oncogenic, oxidative and replicative stresses, bacterial intoxication represents another pathophysiological stimulus that induces premature senescence, an intrinsic cellular response that may mechanistically underlie the ‘distended’ morphology evoked by CDTs. Finally, the activation of the two anticancer barriers, apoptosis and cellular senescence, together with evidence of chromosomal aberrations (micronucleation) reported here, support the emerging genotoxic and potentially oncogenic effects of this group of bacterial toxins, and warrant further investigation of their role(s) in human disease.
Effects of implant surface coatings and composition on bone integration: a systematic review
Authors: Junker Rüdiger , Dimakis Athanasios , Thoneick Maurice , Jansen John A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective:The aim of the present review was to evaluate the bone integration efficacy of recently developed and marketed oral implants as well as experimental surface alterations.Materials and methods:A PubMed search was performed for animal studies, human reports and studies presenting bone‐to‐implant contact percentage or data regarding mechanical testing.Results:For recently developed and marketed oral implants, 29 publications and for experimental surface alterations 51 publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review.Conclusions:As demonstrated in the available literature dealing with recently developed and marketed oral implants, surface‐roughening procedures also affect the surface chemical composition of oral implants. There is sufficient proof that surface roughening induces a safe and predictable implant‐to‐bone response, but it is not clear whether this effect is due to the surface roughness or to the related change in the surface composition. The review of the experimental surface alterations revealed that thin calcium phosphate (CaP) coating technology can solve the problems associated with thick CaP coatings, while they still improve implant bone integration compared with non‐coated titanium implants. Nevertheless, there is a lack of human studies in which the success rate of thin CaP‐coated oral implants is compared with just roughened oral implants. No unequivocal evidence is available that suggests a positive effect on the implant bone integration of peptide sequences or growth factors coated on titanium oral implants. In contrast, the available literature suggests that bone morphogenetic protein‐2 coatings might even impede the magnitude of implant‐to‐bone response.
Critical horizontal dimensions of interproximal and buccal bone around implants for optimal aesthetic outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Teughels Wim , Merheb Joe , Quirynen Marc 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective:This systematic review was initiated to explore the critical horizontal interproximal and buccal bone dimensions around implants for an optimal aesthetic outcome.Materials and methods:Pubmed, the Cochrane and the ISI web of Science databases were searched to identify eligible human studies that reflect on the aesthetic outcome of implants in relation to the thickness of the buccal bone after osteotomy preparation, and in relation to the tooth‐to‐implant or interimplant distance. Vertical bone dimensions were not considered.Results and discussion:Articles relating horizontal buccal bone dimensions to aesthetic outcome could not be retrieved. The relation between horizontal buccal bone dimensions and vertical bone resorption could also not be confirmed. In relation to horizontal interproximal bone dimensions, some uniformity was detected among the limited number of articles.Conclusions:Interproximally, a 3 mm interelement distance seems to result more frequently in an adequate papillary fill. In the bucco‐oral direction, there is insufficient evidence to set a threshold for minimal buccal bone thickness to ensure an optimal aesthetic outcome. Many additional factors appear to be of importance and interact with each other.
Verrucous porokeratosis of the gluteal cleft (porokeratosis ptychotropica): a rare disorder easily misdiagnosed
Authors: Takiguchi Rodd H. , White Kevin P. , White Clifton R. , Simpson Eric L. 
Published: July 2009

Porokeratosis represents a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized clinically by a distinctive ridge‐like border and histologically by cornoid lamellae. A verrucous variant of porokeratosis involving the gluteal cleft has been recently described. We present 5 new cases and review the current literature to highlight the clinical and histopathologic features of this disorder. Descriptive terms including hyperkeratotic porokeratosis, genitogluteal porokeratosis, porokeratoma, follicular porokeratosis, and porokeratosis ptychotropica have all been used to describe this verrucous variant of porokeratosis involving the gluteal cleft. To avoid further confusion, we propose a consolidation of terminologies and suggest verrucous porokeratosis be added to the commonly described variants of porokeratosis.Takiguchi RH, White KP, White CR, Jr, Simpson EL. Verrucous porokeratosis of the gluteal cleft (porokeratosis ptychotropica): A rare disorder easily misdiagnosed.
Anaplastic Kaposi's sarcoma: an uncommon histologic phenotype with an aggressive clinical course
Authors: Yu Yue , Demierre Marie‐France , Mahalingam Meera 
Published: July 2009

Anaplastic Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an uncommon histologic phenotype of Kaposi's and one that is typically associated with a locally aggressive clinical course. We report a case of a 53‐year‐old human immunodeficiency virus‐positive male, on highly active antiretroviral therapy 1 month prior to admission, who presented with fever, cough, respiratory distress, multiple skin lesions and cervical and inguinal lymphadenopathy not responding to multiple antibiotics. Microscopic examination of punch biopsies from the forehead and chest revealed a spindled cell neoplasm with marked cytologic atypia and scattered mitoses, features consistent with a diagnosis of anaplastic KS and confirmed by immunohistochemistry with HHV‐8. Biopsy of an involved lymph node also revealed involvement by KS. Despite aggressive clinical treatment, the patient rapidly deteriorated and expired 1 week after the diagnosis of anaplastic KS was rendered. Our case underscores the aggressive clinical course of this uncommon histologic variant of KS and its recalcitrant clinical behavior.Yu Y, Demierre M‐F, Mahalingam M. Anaplastic Kaposi's sarcoma: an uncommon histologic phenotype with an aggressive clinical course.