bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skin pigmentation after NB‐UVB and three analogues of prostaglandin F2α in guinea pigs: a comparative study
Authors: Anbar TS , El‐Ammawi TS , Barakat M , Fawzy A 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground  Ultraviolet B (UVB) is a well‐known modality in increasing skin pigmentation through a variety of proposed mechanisms. Prostaglandin release is one of these mechanisms. Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) analogues, which are used to control ocular hypertension, were reported to induce periocular skin hyperpigmentation.Objectives  This study aims to evaluate the local effect of three prostaglandin F2α analogues, namely Latanoprost, Bimatoprost and Travoprost on skin pigmentation. Assessment of the role of combination with narrow band UVB (NB‐UVB) to each of these drugs is evaluated as well.Methods  This study involved 18 female adult wild guinea pigs with patchy white and red/brown fur. The hair was shaved from four red/brown areas on the dorsal skin of each animal. In two areas of each animal, one of the above‐mentioned drugs was applied alone and in conjunction with NB‐UVB. In the other two areas, the vehicle was applied alone and in conjunction with NB‐UVB exposure. Skin biopsies from each area were done at the start of the study and 4 weeks after, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson‐Fontana (MF) stains. Clinical and histopathological changes were evaluated.Results  Increased pigmentation was found in all areas with PGF2α analogues with and without NB‐UVB. However, the former group had more effect both clinically and histopathologically.Conclusion  PGF2α analogues are promising drugs in inducing skin pigmentation. This effect can be enhanced with NB‐UVB exposure.
Superficial community‐acquired skin infections: prevalence of bacteria and antibiotic susceptibility in France
Authors: Lorette G , Beaulieu Ph , Allaert FA , Mahmoudi A , Jarlier V 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective  Evaluation of the susceptibility to currently used antibiotics of bacteria, particularly S. aureus isolated from superficial community‐ acquired skin infection and to compare results with those from an earlier study.Methods  Every dermatologist in community practice participating in the study was asked to include the first two patients consulting them for superficial cutaneous bacterial infection. Swab specimens collected from the skin infection were sent to a central laboratory.Results  The dermatologist enrolled 390 patients in the study. The rate of positive culture was 49%, 259 bacterial strains were isolated. S. aureus was the major species (56.8% of all isolated strains). S. aureus was resistant to methicillin in 4%. All strains of S. aureus were susceptible to pristinamycin and mupirocin.Conclusions  The results of the two epidemiological studies of superficial community acquired skin infections with a comparable methodology at a 6‐year interval demonstrated that the prevalence of CA‐MRSA skin infection remained low in this setting.
Randomised placebo‐controlled trial of outpatient (at home) cervical ripening with isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) prior to induction of labour – clinical trial with analyses of efficacy and acceptability. The IMOP Study
Authors: Bollapragada SS , MacKenzie F , Norrie JD , Eddama O , Petrou S , Reid M , Norman JE 
Published: July 2009

Objective  To determine whether isosorbide mononitrate (IMN), self‐administered vaginally by women at home, improves the process of induction of labour.Design  Randomised double blind placebo‐controlled trial.Setting  Large UK maternity hospital.Population or Sample  Nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation ≥37 weeks gestation, requiring cervical ripening prior to induction of labour.Methods  IMN (n = 177) or placebo (n = 173) self‐administered vaginally at home at 48, 32 and 16 hours prior to the scheduled time of admission for induction.Main outcome measures  Admission to delivery interval and women’s experience of induction of labour.Results  IMN did not shorten the admission to delivery interval as compared with placebo [mean difference of −1.6 hours (95% CI −5.1,1.9, P = 0.37)], despite being more effective than placebo in inducing a change in Bishop score [mean difference of 0.65 (95% CI 0.14,1.17, P = 0.013)]. While both groups found the overall experience of home treatment to be positive, (mean score of 3.8/10 ± 2.3/10 for the IMN group, where 1 = extremely good and 10 = not at all good) women in the placebo group found it marginally more positive than those in the IMN group (just over half a unit on a 10‐point scale, P = 0.043). There were no differences between the groups in the pain or anxiety experienced or willingness to take the treatment in a subsequent pregnancy.Conclusions  IMN self‐administered vaginally at home does not shorten admission to delivery interval despite a significant effect on cervical ripeness assessed using the Bishop score. However, women report positive views on cervical ripening at home, and the setting deserves further investigation.
Validating Household Reports of Health Care Use in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Authors: Zuvekas Samuel H. , Olin Gary L. 
Published: July 2009

Background. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) is a widely used nationally representative survey of health care use and expenditures. Numerous studies raise concerns that use is underreported in household surveys.Objective. To assess the quality of household reports in the MEPS and the impact of misreporting on descriptive and behavioral analyses.Research Design. Participants in MEPS with Medicare coverage during 2001–2003 were matched to their Medicare enrollment and claims data (4,045 person‐year observations). Household reports of Medicare‐covered services for the matched sample were validated against Medicare claims. Standard models of the determinants of health care utilization were estimated with both MEPS and claims‐based utilization measures.Measures. In‐person interviews with household informants obtained data on hospital inpatient, emergency department (ED), and office‐based visits. Comparable measures were created from the claims.Results. In the validation sample, households accurately reported inpatient stays (agreement rate=0.96, κ=0.89) and number of nights (Lin's concordance statistic=0.88). Households underreported ED visits by one‐third (Lin's concordance statistic=0.51) and office visits by 19 percent (Lin's concordance statistic=0.67).Conclusions. Household respondents in the validation sample accurately report inpatient hospitalizations but underreport ED and office visits. Behavioral analyses are largely unaffected because underreporting cuts across all sociodemographic groups.
Home Monitoring in Patients with Implantable Cardiac Devices: Is There a Potential Reduction of Stroke Risk? Results from a Computer Model Tested Through Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: RICCI RENATO P. , MORICHELLI LOREDANA , GARGARO ALESSIO , LAUDADIO MARIA T. , SANTINI MASSIMO 
Published: July 2009

Introduction: Patients with pacemakers and implantable defibrillators (ICD) may experience asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), detected with a delay depending on the in‐person follow‐up schedule. Home monitoring (HM) remote control with automatic alerts for AF may drive early anticoagulation, potentially reducing stroke risk. Methods and Results: A sample of 136 pacemaker (103) and ICD (33) patients with or without cardiac resynchronization therapy not taking anticoagulation at implant were monitored remotely with HM. Upon HM alerts for AF, patients were recalled to update therapy. Two‐year data were entered in a computer Monte Carlo model, simulating 4,000 virtual subjects with the same AF and CHADS2 stroke risk distribution of our real population. Simulations reproduced a 2‐year follow‐up. Two thousand subjects were supposed to be followed with HM (HM group) and 2,000 with standard in‐person follow‐up (SF group) at 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.Two‐year Kaplan‐Meier cumulative probability of ≥24‐hour AF was 15.6% (95%CI 8.5–23.3%); the AF‐related symptom rate was 27% and the median CHADS2 score was 2. As a result of simulations, stroke incidence in case of AF was 2.3 ± 1.1% in the HM group and 2.4 ± 1.1%, 2.5 ± 1.2%, 2.7 ± 1.2%, and 2.9 ± 1.3% in the SF group with 3‐, 6‐, 9‐, and 12‐month follow‐up programs, with odds ratios of 0.97 (95%CI 0.93–1.01), 0.91 (0.88–0.95), 0.87 (0.84–0.90), and 0.82 (0.79–0.85) (HM better if odds ratios <1), respectively. Conclusions: Daily HM potentially reduces the stroke risk by 9% to 18% with respect to SF with intervisit intervals of 6 to 12 months.
Interatrial Mechanical Dyssynchrony Worsened Atrial Mechanical Function in Sinus Node Disease With or Without Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: WANG MEI , LAU CHU PAK , ZHANG XUE HUA , SIU CHUNG‐WAH , LEE KATHY L. F. , YAN GUO HUI , YUE WEN SHENG , TSE HUNG FAT 
Published: July 2009

Introduction: Atrial electromechanical dysfunction might contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with sinus node disease (SND). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and impact of atrial mechanical dyssynchrony on atrial function in SND patients with or without paroxysmal AF. Methods: We performed echocardiographic examination with tissue Doppler imaging in 30 SND patients with (n = 11) or without (n = 19) paroxysmal AF who received dual‐chamber pacemakers. Tissue Doppler indexes included atrial contraction velocities (Va) and timing events (Ta) were measured at midleft atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) wall. Intraatrial synchronicity was defined by the standard deviation and maximum time delay of Ta among 6 segments of LA (septal/lateral/inferior/anterior/posterior/anterospetal). Interatrial synchronicity was defined by time delay between Ta from RA and LA free wall. Results: There were no differences in age, P‐wave duration, left ventricular ejection fraction, LA volume, and ejection fraction between with or without AF. Patients with paroxysmal AF had lower mitral inflow A velocity (70 ± 19 vs 91 ± 17 cm/s, P = 0.005), LA active empting fraction (24 ± 14 vs 36 ± 13%, P = 0.027), mean Va of LA (2.6 ± 0.9 vs 3.4 ± 0.9 cm/s, P = 0.028), and greater interatrial synchronicity (33 ± 25 vs 12 ± 19 ms, P = 0.022) than those without AF. Furthermore, a lower mitral inflow A velocity (Odd ratio [OR]= 1.12, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.24, P = 0.025) and prolonged interatrial dyssynchrony (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.16, P = 0.020) were independent predictors for the presence of AF in SND patients. Conclusion: SND patients with paroxysmal AF had reduced regional and global active LA mechanical contraction and increased interatrial dyssychrony as compared with those without AF. These findings suggest that abnormal atrial electromechanical properties are associated with AF in SND patients.
Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation with Real‐Time Recordings from the Pulmonary Veins
Authors: CHUN K. R. JULIAN , FÜRNKRANZ ALEXANDER , METZNER ANDREAS , SCHMIDT BORIS , TILZ ROLAND , ZERM THOMAS , KÖSTER ILKA , NUYENS DIETER , WISSNER ERIK , OUYANG FEIFAN , KUCK KARL HEINZ 
Published: July 2009

Introduction: Cryoballoon (CB) ablation represents a novel technology for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). We investigated feasibility and safety of CB‐PVI, utilizing a novel spiral catheter (SC), thereby obtaining real‐time PV potential registration. Methods: Following double transseptal puncture, a Lasso catheter (Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) and the 28 mm CB were positioned within the left atrium. A novel SC (Promap, ProRhythm Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY, USA) was inserted through the lumen of the CB allowing PV signal registration during treatment. Time to PV conduction block was analyzed. If no stable balloon position was obtained, the SC was exchanged for a regular guide wire and PV conduction was assessed after treatment by Lasso catheter. Results: In 18 patients, 39 of 72 PVs (54%) were successfully isolated using the SC. The remaining 33 PVs were isolated switching to the regular guide wire. Time to PV conduction block was significantly shorter in PVs in which sustained PVI was achieved as compared to PVs in which PV conduction recovered within 30 minutes (33 ± 21 seconds vs 99 ± 65 seconds). In 40 PVs, time to PV conduction block was not obtained because of: (1) PVI not being achieved during initial treatment; (2) a distal position of the SC; or (3) isolation with regular guide wire. No procedural complications occurred. Conclusion: Visualization of real‐time PV conduction during CB PVI is safe, feasible, and allows accurate timing of PVI onset in a subset of PVs. Time to PV conduction block predicts sustained PVI. However, mechanical properties of the SC need to be improved to further simplify CB PVI.
The relationship between morphological traits of the spring wheat spike and oviposition deterrence to orange wheat blossom midge
Authors: Gharalari A. H. , Smith M. A. H. , Fox S. L. , Lamb R. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIf morphological traits of a plant cause resistance to an insect pest or are strongly correlated with resistance levels, those traits can be used by plant breeders as phenotypic markers for indirect selection of resistance. To improve our understanding of antixenosis against the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), expressed as oviposition deterrence in bread wheat, Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae), 21 morphological traits of the wheat spike were studied in a genetically related wheat population and correlation of the traits with deterrence level was explored. The following traits had larger values in the deterrent parent of the population than the susceptible parent: ligule length, glume length, length of hair inside glume, palea length at post‐anthesis stage, length of hair inside lemma, length of hair at spikelet base, inter‐spikelet distance, and length of hair at rachis edge at post‐anthesis stage. The highest correlation coefficient between mean egg density and a morphological trait of the wheat population was −0.287, which was for inter‐spikelet distance. This represented 8% predictability from the point of view of crop breeding and explained one‐twelfth of the variation in oviposition deterrence among lines. The morphological traits of bread wheat spikes were not highly correlated to deterrence. Therefore, no promising trait could be recommended for use in breeding programs. Studies of the fine‐scale properties of the wheat plant surface, and their interactions with plant surface chemistry, with a greater focus on wheat midge oviposition behavior, may clarify the effect of the morphological traits on oviposition and deterrence.
Prominent papillary dermal edema in dermatophytosis (tinea corporis)*
Authors: Hoss Diane , Berke Adrienne , Kerr Philip , Grant‐Kels Jane , Murphy Michael 
Published: July 2009

Background: Commonly described histologic ‘clues’ to the diagnosis of dermatophytosis include neutrophils in the stratum corneum and/or epidermis, compact orthokeratosis and identification of fungal hyphae between two zones of cornified cells. Prominent (striking) papillary dermal edema (PPDE) is not commonly reported with dermatophytosis (tinea corporis). Methods: We observed an index case in which PPDE was the salient histologic finding in lesions of tinea corporis. Fifteen additional cases of tinea corporis with PPDE were diagnosed in our dermatopathology laboratory over a 9‐year period. The clinical and histologic findings were reviewed. Results: All 16 cases occurred on the extremities of women, 11 of whom had skin of color. The submitted clinical differential diagnoses varied widely, but included some of the diseases ‘classically’ associated with PPDE, as well as other blistering eruptions. In several cases, only a few dermatophyte hyphae were identified in tissue sections. Conclusions: Our case series serves as a reminder that dermatophytosis should be strongly considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions with PPDE. Fungal culture may be helpful in patients whose biopsies show PPDE, negative periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) stains and who fail to respond to conventional anti‐inflammatory therapy. This study lends support for the routine use of PAS stains in biopsies of inflammatory dermatoses.Hoss D, Berke A, Kerr P, Grant‐Kels J, Murphy M. Prominent papillary dermal edema in dermatophytosis (tinea corporis).
Reassessment of microarray expression data of porokeratosis by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Zhang Zheng‐Hua , Wang Zhi‐Min , Crosby Meredith E. , Kang Ke‐Fei , Luan Jing , Huang Wei , Xiang Lei‐Hong , Zheng Zhi‐Zhong 
Published: July 2009

Background: Porokeratosis (PK) is a heterogeneous group of keratinization disorders that exhibit similarities with psoriasis at both the clinical and molecular levels. Methods: The transcript levels of keratin (KRT) 6A, 16, 17, S100A7, A8, A9, p53 and three candidate genes (i.e. SART3, SSH1 and ARPC3) were reassessed in pairwise lesional and uninvolved skin from nine patients with PK by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTQ–PCR). Results: The results of RTQ–PCR confirmed that KRT6A, 16, S100A7, A8 and A9 (p = 0.008) were mostly up‐regulated in the lesional skin when compared with uninvolved skin. Different from the microarray data, there was no significant difference observed in KRT17 expression patterns between lesional and normal‐appearing skin (p = 0.066). No statistical difference was observed in p53 and three candidate genes' expression patterns between lesional and uninvolved skin. Conclusions: In the present study, 9 of the 10 gene expression measured by RTQ–PCR in PK were statistically comparable to microarray data. KRT6A was identified as specific biomarker for porokeratotic keratinocytes, as it was the most significantly up‐regulated gene in the nine patient samples.Zhang Z‐H, Wang Z‐M, Crosby ME, Kang KF, Luan J, Huang W, Xiang L‐H, Zheng Z‐Z. Reassessment of microarray expression data of porokeratosis by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.
An atypical presentation of a blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell tumors
Authors: López Verónica , Martí Nuria , Ferrández Antonio , Martin Jose María , Jordá Esperanza 
Published: July 2009

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell tumor is a rare lymphoma, which has been included as an independent entity in the World Health Organization (WHO) 2008 classification for cutaneous lymphomas. This neoplasm usually affects middle‐aged or elderly patients with predominant skin or soft tissues involvement. Although it usually has a good initial response to chemotherapy, relapses are the rule and they occur rapidly. We report a new case of an 81‐year‐old woman with a blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell tumors with an unusual presentation.López V, Martí N, Ferrández A, Martín JM, Jordá E. An atypical presentation of a blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell tumors.
Composite tumors associating trichoblastoma and benign epidermal/follicular neoplasm: another proof of the follicular nature of inverted follicular keratosis
Authors: Battistella Maxime , Peltre Bernard , Cribier Bernard 
Published: July 2009

Background: Trichoblastomas (TBs) are benign follicular tumors that can present either as solitary nodule or as multiple facial papules. Only one case of sporadic TB in a composite tumor has been reported, arising in an apocrine poroma. We report the association of TB and benign epidermal/follicular neoplasm in six patients. Methods: Clinical data available were collected. Serial sections and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis for CK17 and human papilloma virus (HPV) were performed on available materials. Results: Five of the six patients were males. Mean age at diagnostic was 56 years. Lesions were localized on the face and scalp in four of six patients. The lesions associated with TB were inverted follicular keratosis (IFK) in three cases, seborrhoeic keratosis (SK) in two cases and IFK with verruca vulgaris pattern in one case. IHC for HPV was negative in the four cases tested. Staining for CK17 was always positive in TB. It was often positive in the associated neoplasm. Conclusion: TB can be associated with benign epidermal/follicular neoplasm in composite tumors. The association of TB and IFK with direct connection between the lesions is another argument in favor of the follicular origin of IFK. TB can be added to the spectrum of SK‐associated tumors.Battistella M, Peltre B, Cribier B. Composite tumors associating trichoblastoma and benign epidermal/follicular neoplasm: another proof of the follicular nature of inverted follicular keratosis.
Early skin biopsy is helpful for the diagnosis and management of neonatal and infantile erythrodermas
Authors: Leclerc‐Mercier S. , Bodemer C. , Bourdon‐Lanoy E. , Larousserie F. , Hovnanian A. , Brousse N. , Fraitag S. 
Published: July 2009

Background: Erythrodermas are often life‐threatening conditions in infants. Determination of the underlying cause is crucial.Microscopic changes in adult erythroderma lack specificity. Objective: To determine if an early skin biopsy is helpful for the diagnosis of neonatal and infantile erythroderma. Methods: Seventy‐two patients admitted for erythroderma in the first year of life were retrospectively included. One hundred and eleven skin biopsies (12‐year period) were examined by 3 pathologists blinded to the clinical diagnosis, and classified into atopic dermatitis, immunodeficiency (ID), psoriasis, Netherton syndrome (NS), ichthyosis, other. From year 2000, LEKTI antibody was performed when NS was suspected. Pathological diagnosis was then compared with clinical diagnosis. Results: The final diagnosis was made in 69.3% of the cases. In 57.6%, pathological diagnosis was in accordance, and in 11.7%, it was in accordance, but other diagnosis had also been proposed. For ID, sensitivity and specificity were 58.5 and 98.5%, respectively. Before year 2000, NS was frequently misdiagnosed with psoriasis, but with the use of LEKTI antibody, sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Conclusion: Skin biopsy is helpful for etiologic diagnosis of early erythroderma of infancy, particularly in ID and NS, the most severe diseases. Consequently, these results justify an early systematic skin biopsy for a better and earlier management.Leclerc‐Mercier S, Bodemer C, Bourdon‐Lanoy E, Larousserie F, Hovnanian A, Brousse N, Fraitag S. Early skin biopsy is helpful for the diagnosis and management of Neonatal and Infantile Erythrodermas.
Static and dynamic mechanics of the temporomandibular joint: plowing forces, joint load and tissue stress
Authors: Nickel J , Spilker R , Iwasaki L , Gonzalez Y , McCall WD , Ohrbach R , Beatty MW , Marx D 
Published: July 2009

Structured AbstractAuthors –  Nickel J, Spilker R, Iwasaki L, Gonzalez Y, McCall WD, Ohrbach R, Beatty MW, Marx DObjectives –  To determine the combined effects 1) of stress‐field aspect ratio and velocity and compressive strain and 2) joint load, on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc mechanics.Setting and Sample Population –  Fifty‐two subjects (30 ♀; 22 ♂) participated in the TMJ load experiments.Material and Methods –  In the absence of human tissue, pig TMJ discs were used to determine the effects of variables 1) on surface plowing forces, and to build a biphasic finite element model (bFEM) to test the effect of human joint loads and 2) on tissue stresses. In the laboratory, discs received a 7.6 N static load via an acrylic indenter before cyclic movement. Data were recorded and analysed using anova. To determine human joint loads, Research Diagnostic Criteria calibrated investigators classified subjects based on signs of disc displacement (DD) and pain (+DD/+pain, n = 18; +DD/−pain, n = 17; −DD/−pain, n = 17). Three‐dimensional geometries were produced for each subject and used in a computer model to calculate joint loads.Results –  The combined effects of compressive strain, and aspect ratio and velocity of stress‐field translation correlated with plowing forces (R2 = 0.85). +DD/−pain subjects produced 60% higher joint loads (anova, p < 0.05), which increased bFEM‐calculated compressive strain and peak total normal stress.Conclusions –  Static and dynamic variables of the stress‐field and subject‐dependent joint load significantly affect disc mechanics.