bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical efficacy and immunological mechanisms of sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy in asthmatic/rhinitis children sensitized to house dust mite: an open randomized controlled trial
Authors: Eifan A. O. , Akkoc T. , Yildiz A. , Keles S. , Ozdemir C. , Bahceciler N. N. , Barlan I. B. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryBackground
In children, the clinical efficacy and immunological mechanisms of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) compared with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is still to be elucidated.Objectives
To compare SLIT, SCIT and pharmacotherapy in relation to clinical efficacy and immunological mechanisms that govern its effect in asthmatic/rhinitis children who were sensitized to house dust mite (HDM).Methods
In this single centre, prospective, randomized, controlled, open labelled, three parallel group trial, 48 patients mono‐sensitized to HDM were randomized to receive either SLIT (n=16), SCIT (n=16) or pharmacotherapy alone (n=16). Symptom, medication and visual analogue score (VAS) were collected and bronchial‐nasal hyper‐reactivity, skin prick tests, total‐specific IgE were performed at baseline and 12 months after treatment. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with recombinant Der p 1 and Bet v 1 extracts and allergen‐specific IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, IFN‐γ, IL‐10, and TGF‐β secretions were measured.Results
SLIT and SCIT demonstrated a significant reduction of total rhinitis and asthma symptom score, total medication score, VAS and skin reactivity to HDM (P<0.05) when compared with pharmacotherapy. A significant reduction of serum‐specific HDM‐IgE in SCIT and SLIT were observed. Moreover, titrated nasal provocative dose significantly increased in both immunotherapy groups when compared with the pharmacotherapy group. No adverse effects were reported in SLIT, while two patients demonstrated serious adverse events in SCIT. After 1 year of treatment, Der p 1‐driven IL‐10 significantly increased in SLIT compared with pharmacotherapy, whereas Bet v 1‐driven TGF‐β (negative control) increased significantly in SLIT only. No changes were observed for Th1–Th2 cytokines.Conclusion
Both SLIT and SCIT demonstrated clinical improvement compared with pharmacotherapy in asthma/rhinitis children sensitized to HDM.
Which are the most important discriminatory items for subclassifying non‐specific low back pain? A Delphi study among Greek health professionals
Authors: Billis Evdokia , McCarthy Christopher J. , Gliatis John , Stathopoulos Ioannis , Papandreou Maria , Oldham Jacqueline A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Developing homogenous low back pain (LBP) classification groups is recommended for enhancing clinical outcomes. However, an important step towards the development of specific subgroups is the selection and consensus agreement among health professionals on the discriminatory clinical items (sings and symptoms) that should be included in the classification process. Thus, this study's objective was to develop a list of clinical features for the assessment of LBP by health care providers within Greece, which are believed to be discriminatory in identifying LBP subgroups.Methods  A random sample stratified by geographical region and work status of 150 Greek physiotherapists (PTs) participated in a two‐round Delphi study. PTs were asked to obtain consensus and hierarchy, the most important items out of a list of evaluating/diagnostic features believed to be discriminatory for LBP patients. These items included 80 clinical features and were generated in by PTs and doctors previous work.Results  Second‐round questionnaires were returned by 112 PTs (74.6% response rate). A total of 66 clinical features were rated as important discriminatory items in LBP assessment. Clinical items included characteristics of present symptoms and the history's condition, general medical history, information regarding patient function, patients' attitudes regarding movement, diagnosis, expectations, fear‐avoidance beliefs as well as aspects of a physical examination including observation, active and passive movements, neurological and muscular examination.Conclusions  This is the first study identifying important clinical items for LBP patients in Greece. It may be that these features are ‘discriminatory’ for different LBP subsets; however, further research is needed.
Reducing prescribing errors: can a well‐designed electronic system help?
Authors: Went Kathryn , Antoniewicz Patricia , Corner Deborah A. , Dailly Stella , Gregor Peter , Joss Judith , McIntyre Fiona B. , McLeod Shaun , Ricketts Ian W. , Shearer Alfred J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  In this study, the aim was to investigate if an electronic prescribing system designed specifically to reduce errors would lead to fewer errors in prescribing medicines in a secondary care setting.Method  The electronic system was compared with paper prescription charts on 16 intensive care patients to assess any change in the number of prescribing errors.Results  The overall level of compliance with nationally accepted standards was significantly higher with the electronic system (91.67%) compared with the paper system (46.73%). Electronically generated prescriptions were found to contain significantly fewer deviations (28 in 329 prescriptions, 8.5%) than the written prescriptions (208 in 408 prescriptions, 51%).Conclusion  Taking an interdisciplinary approach to work on the creation of a system designed to minimize the risk of error has resulted in a favoured system that significantly reduces the number of errors made.
‘If it was osteoporosis, I would have really hurt myself.’ Ambiguity about osteoporosis and osteoporosis care despite a screening programme to educate fragility fracture patients
Authors: Sale Joanna E. M. , Beaton Dorcas E. , Sujic Rebeka , Bogoch Earl R. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Behaviour change models suggest that people need clear information about their susceptibility to disease and knowledge of treatment recommendations in order to change their behaviour. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine fracture patients' understanding of osteoporosis (OP) and OP care after being screened for, and educated about, OP in a fracture clinic.Methods  We conducted five focus groups with 24 patients (18 women, six men) aged 47–80 years old who were screened for OP through an urban fracture clinic. Participants were asked about their awareness of OP and their status of bone mineral density (BMD) testing and OP treatment.Results  Twenty participants vocalized at least one expression of ambiguity regarding OP and/or treatment recommendations conveyed by the screening programme staff. Participants were ambiguous about the cause of their fracture, the BMD test process and results, and the presentation of OP. They were also ambiguous about the amount and type of medication and supplements recommended.Conclusions  Despite a standardized screening programme in which OP was addressed in fragility fracture patients, ambiguity about diagnosis, testing and treatment were described. Efforts to clarify information relayed to fracture patients about their condition and recommended care need to extend beyond the fracture clinic so that health care providers can promote long‐term adherence to these recommendations.
Genetic signature of amphimixis allows for the detection and fine scale localization of sexual reproduction events in a mainly parthenogenetic nematode
Authors: VILLATE LAURE , ESMENJAUD DANIEL , VAN HELDEN MAARTEN , STOECKEL SOLENN , PLANTARD OLIVIER 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAsexuality is an important mode of reproduction in eukaryotic taxa and has a theoretical advantage over sexual reproduction because of the increased ability to propagate genes. Despite this advantage, hidden signs of cryptic sex have been discovered in the genomes of asexual organisms. This has provided an interesting way to address the evolutionary impact of sex in plant and animal populations. However, the identification of rare sexual reproduction events in mainly asexual species has remained a challenging task. We examined the reproductive history in populations of the plant parasitic nematode Xiphinema index by genotyping individuals collected from six grapevine fields using seven microsatellite markers. A high level of linkage disequilibrium and heterozygous excess suggested a clonality rate of 95–100%. However, we also detected rare sexual reproduction events within these highly clonal populations. By combining highly polymorphic markers with an appropriate hierarchical sampling, and using both Bayesian and multivariate analysis with phylogenetic reconstructions, we were able to identify a small number of sexually produced individuals at the overlapping zones between different genetic clusters. This suggested that sexual reproduction was favoured when and where two nematode patches came into contact. Among fields, a high degree of genetic differentiation indicated a low level of gene flow between populations. Rare genotypes that were shared by several populations suggested passive dispersal by human activities, possibly through the introduction of infected plants from nurseries. We conclude that our method can be used to detect and locate sexual events in various predominantly asexual species.
Immunohistochemical evidence for macroautophagy in neurones and endothelial cells in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ma J.‐F. , Huang Y. , Chen S.‐D. , Halliday G. 
Published: January 2010

J.‐F. Ma, Y. Huang, S.‐D. Chen and G. Halliday (2010) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology36, 312–319 Immunohistochemical evidence for macroautophagy in neurones and endothelial cells in Alzheimer's disease Aim: To determine the pathological structures associated with macroautophagy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and any relationship to disease progression. Methods: Immunohistochemistry using antibodies to beclin‐1, Atg5 and Atg12, early macroautophagy markers and LC3, the mammalian homologue of the later macroautophagy marker Atg8, were localized in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded medial temporal lobe sections of AD cases at variable neuritic disease stages. Double immunofluorescence labelling was used to co‐localize these macroautophagy markers with Aβ and phospho‐tau (AT8) and correlations performed using Spearman rank tests. Results: Atg12 immunoreactivity in AD was either dispersed in the soma and dendrites or concentrated in tau‐immunoreactive dystrophic neurites and some neurofibrillary tangles. Fewer Atg12‐immunopositive neurones were observed with longer disease durations. Atg12‐immunoreactive endothelial cells were found spatially associated with Aβ‐positive plaques, with more Atg12‐immunoreactive capillary endothelial cells with higher neuritic disease stage. These findings were confirmed by the other autophagy markers beclin‐1, Atg5 and LC3. Conclusion: The data confirm that macroautophagy occurs in neurones undergoing neuritic degeneration in AD, identified early macroautophagy markers in capillary endothelial cells in close proximity to Aβ plaques, and found that evidence for macroautophagy changes with disease progression.
Committed differentiation of hair follicle bulge cells into sebocytes: an in vitro study
Authors: Fu Gang , Gao Qiang‐Guo , Lian Xiao‐Hua , Yu Jin , Xiang Ming‐Ming , Yang Tian 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground  Several studies have shown that hair follicle bugle cells can differentiate into hair follicles and contribute to the formation of the epidermis and sebaceous gland. Although many lines of evidence have suggested that the renewal and maintenance of the sebaceous gland depends on hair follicle bulge cells, direct evidence supporting the in vitro differentiation of follicle bulge cells into sebaceous gland cells has not been found.Methods  Rat vibrissa follicle bulge cells were isolated, cultured, and transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFPC1) plasmids carrying the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2 ) gene. The transfected cells were cultured in modified medium, and the morphologic changes of the cells were observed. Moreover, the expression of epithelial membrane antigens (EMAs) by the cells was detected by immunocytochemistry, and adipogenesis of the cells was evaluated.Results  After induction culture, the cell body enlarged gradually and contained abundant cytoplasm; lipid droplets appeared in the cytoplasm of some cells, and the cells resembled sebocytes of the sebaceous gland. The cells were positive on oil red O and EMA staining. The expression of PPARγ2 mRNA and protein was significantly upregulated in PPARγ2‐transfected cells. The rate of oil red O‐stained and EMA‐positive cells was higher in PPARγ2‐transfected cells after induction than in bulge‐PPARγ2 cells and non‐transfected bulge cells.Conclusions  Rat vibrissa hair follicle bulge cells may differentiate into sebocytes in vitro, and the PPARγ2 gene plays a crucial role.
Acral pseudolymphomatous angiokeratoma of children in an elderly man: report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Chedraoui Adele , Malek Joelle , Tamraz Hussam , Zaynoun Shukrallah , Kibbi Abdul Ghani , Ghosn Samer 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAcral pseudolymphomatous angiokeratoma of children (APACHE) is clinically characterized by angiomatous papules that preferentially affect acral areas of children. It is currently believed to be a variant of pseudolymphoma rather than angiokeratoma. Histopathologically, a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate comprising B‐ and T‐lymphocytes and a proliferation of thick‐walled blood vessels are the hallmark. In the literature, although more adult cases are being described, the clinical, epidemiologic and histopathologic data of this presentation is scant. We report a 76‐year‐old man who presented with a 5‐year history of progressively increasing asymptomatic dusky dome‐shaped papules and plaques on his upper and lower extremities. Histology was consistent with APACHE. After reviewing all the adult cases in the literature and comparing them to the classical variant in children, we found no significant difference warranting separating these two variants. We prefer the designation “papular angiolymphoid hyperplasia” to APACHE as it encompasses all the childhood and adult cases involving acral and nonacral sites and highlights the histological and sometimes clinical similarities this entity shares with angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia.
Some unusual type 2 reactions in leprosy
Authors: Ramesh V. , Pahwa Manish 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground  Type 2 reactions with lepromatous leprosy (LL) not occurring during multi‐drug therapy (MDT) have been reported.Methods  Three patients have been described, each representing a prototype, the first presenting as bullous erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), second with ENL erupting after treatment for co‐existing pulmonary tuberculosis and resembling immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, and a third patient with recurrent Sweets‐syndrome like presentation who had taken incomplete MDT in the past for leprosy. In all, the diagnosis was established by demonstration of acid‐fast bacilli (AFB) on slit‐skin smears (SSS) and histopathology.Results & Conclusion  The fact that reactions can occur in patients with clinically inapparent LL, who are more likely to present in general hospitals, has been reemphasized to enhance awareness among physicians. First presentation of leprosy as ENL is probably precipitated by common antibiotics taken for other illnesses. Since reactional episodes can occur before, during and after MDT for leprosy and the clinical picture is not specific to any of them, it is important to ascertain the status of anti‐leprosy therapy during these episodes and treat them accordingly.
Nickel hypersensitivity: a clinical review and call to action
Authors: Schram Sarah E. , Warshaw Erin M. , Laumann Anne 
Published: January 2010

AbstractNickel sensitivity is common and increasing in prevalence. This review discusses nickel sensitivity and its association with body piercing and other environmental factors, occupational relevance, and potential implications for implantable metal medical devices. In addition, current European legislation that limits the release of nickel from jewelry is highlighted and an argument for similar legislation elsewhere is presented.
Resistant pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta in a 3‐year‐old boy
Authors: Lazaridou Elizabeth , Fotiadou Christina , Tsorova Christina , Trachana Maria , Trigoni Anastasia , Patsatsi Aikaterini , Ioannides Demetris 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) represents the acute clinical subtype of pityriasis lichenoides (PL) and its occurrence is relatively common during childhood. Diagnosis and treatment may sometimes pose certain difficulties. We present the recalcitrant case of a 3‐year‐old boy with an asymptomatic polymorphic eruption consisting of multiple, scattered, 0.5 cm, round to ovoid, erythematous papules covered in places with a fine scale, vesicles and superficial erosions with thick hemorrhagic crusts. The correlation of the clinical features with the lesional histopathology favored the diagnosis of PLEVA. No first‐line treatment scheme succeeded in controlling the eruption of new lesions. The only therapeutic approach that eventually managed to cease the disease evolution was the combination of prednisolone and methotrexate.
Effects of vitamin C vs. multivitamin on melanogenesis: comparative study in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Choi Yang Kyu , Rho Yong Kwan , Yoo Kwang Ho , Lim Yun Young , Li Kapsok , Kim Beom Joon , Seo Seong Jun , Kim Myeung Nam , Hong Chang Kwun , Kim Dong‐Seok 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground  Vitamin C has been used for the treatment of hyperpigmented diseases. However, there is no study available on hypopigmenting effect of multivitamin.Objectives  To investigate the inhibitory effects of multivitamin and vitamin C on melanogenesis.Methods  We assessed the effect of multivitamin and vitamin C on cell viability, melanogenesis, and mushroom tyrosinase. The antioxidant activity of multivitamin and vitamin C was measured. We performed the Western blot analysis to study the effect of multivitamin and vitamin C on the expression of tyrosinase, microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), and Akt/protein kinase B. In a clinical trial, 20 melasma patients were treated with split face iontophoresis using either multivitamin or vitamin C. We evaluated the hypopigmenting effects of multivitamin and vitamin C through colorimetric measurement.Results  Both vitamin C and multivitamin inhibited melanogenesis with low cytotoxicity. Multivitamin reduced melanin contents greater than vitamin C. However, the effects of vitamin C are greater than those of multivitamin on mushroom tyrosinase inhibition and antioxidation. In the Western blot, the reduced tyrosinase expression and MITF level were observed only in multivitamin‐treated group, and not in vitamin C‐treated group. No changes of ERK and Akt activation were observed in both multivitamin and vitamin C‐treated groups. After 12 weeks of treatment with iontophoresis, both multivitamin and vitamin C were effective for melasma.Conclusions  Multivitamin has shown more anti‐melanogenic effect than vitamin C via the downregulation of MITF.
Clinical characteristics of basal cell carcinoma in a tertiary hospital in Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Bin Yap Felix Boon 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground  Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer among Orientals. Data on this malignancy is lacking in Malaysia, prompting a retrospective study to determine the clinical characteristics in the skin clinic, Sarawak General Hospital between 2000 and 2008.Methods  Demographic data and clinical features of 64 histopathologically proven BCC from 43 patients were retrieved. Statistical analysis was performed comparing the clinical characteristics based on the region of involvement and gender.Results  The mean age of presentation was 60.9 years. Male to female ratio was 1.05. Majority of the patients were Chinese (44.2%) followed by Malays (32.6%), Bidayuhs (14.0%) and Ibans (6.9%). Nodular BCC accounted for 95.3% of cases while 4.7% were superficial BCC. All the nodular BCC were pigmented. Ulceration was noted in 18%. There were 82.8% of BCC on the head and neck region and 17.2% on the trunk and limb region. BCC on the latter region were larger (mean 35.0 cf. 14.4 mm, p < 0.001) and ulcerated (45.5% cf. 11.3%, p = 0.01). Superficial BCC were also more frequently encountered in this region (18.2% cf. 1.9%, p = 0.02). Compared to women, men had larger BCC (mean 21.1 cf. 13.3 mm, p = 0.03) and kept them for a longer duration (mean 21.6 cf. 13.3 months, p = 0.04).Conclusion  Clinical characteristics of BCC in Sarawak were similar to other Asian studies. Additionally, BCC on the trunk and limbs and in men were larger, ulcerative and long standing warranting better efforts for earlier detection.
Sustained seroconversion of chronic hepatitis B infection after stem cell transplantation
Authors: Serap Aksoylar , Funda Ozgenc , Bengu Kadioglu , Mehmet Kantar , Nazan Cetingul , Rasit Yagci , Savas Kansoy 
Published: January 2010

Serap A, Funda O, Bengu K, Mehmet K, Nazan C, Rasit Y, Savas K. Sustained seroconversion of chronic hepatitis B infection after stem cell transplantation. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: E92–E95. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  We present an 18‐yr‐old adolescent with acute lymphocytic leukemia, who underwent peripheral blood SCT with serologically and histologically documented chronic hepatitis B infection. Prior and during the transplant process, lamivudine was administered orally and he underwent SCT with a twofold decrease in viral load at the time of transplant from his HLA full matched, HBV natural immune (anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc positive) donor. Successful engraftment was achieved and three months after SCT, HBV seroconversion was documented accompanied with an ALT flare. Chronic graft‐versus‐host disease coincided after the transplantation, and he has been on immunosuppressive treatment for 25 months with sustained HBV seroconversion. We assume that adoptive immunity transfer combined with antiviral treatment might also constitute sustained seroconversion in chronic HBV, besides the reported risk of reactivation.
Electron microscopy evaluation of block needle‐related trauma to the tibial nerve
Authors: MACDONALD K. S. , SITES B. D. 
Published: January 2010

Background: Direct puncture by a needle is a risk factor for nerve damage. This investigation used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to attempt to visualize the damage caused by different needles.Method: A 15 cm section of the tibial nerve was removed from the ankle of a patient undergoing below‐the‐knee amputation. The nerve specimen was punctured perpendicular to the fibers once by each of four needles: an insulated 22 G short‐beveled (30°), a 25 G long‐beveled Quincke spinal needle, an 18 G Tuohy, and a 25 G Whitacre pencil point. The distal and proximal ends on either side of the needles were marked and the nerve was sectioned into 0.5 cm pieces. Each sample was preserved and then prepared for SEM. The needle tract was observed for evidence of mechanical damage at magnifications between × 47 and × 102 using SEM.Results: The epineurium, perineurium, fascicles, endoneurium, and vessels were identified in each sample. In both the short‐beveled and the Whitacre samples, all fascicles along with the surrounding perineurium were intact. In both the Tuohy and the Quincke samples, obvious transection of fascicles and disruption of the perineurium were observed.Conclusions: This investigation suggests that both the Tuohy and the Quincke needles may be more likely to cause trauma to the tibial nerve than either the short‐beveled or the Whitacre needles.