bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment methods for the evaluation of vitiligo
Authors: Alghamdi K.M. , Kumar A. , Taïeb A. , Ezzedine K. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThere is no standardized method for assessing vitiligo. In this article, we review the literature from 1981 to 2011 on different vitiligo assessment methods. We aim to classify the techniques available for vitiligo assessment as subjective, semi‐objective or objective; microscopic or macroscopic; and as based on morphometry or colorimetry. Macroscopic morphological measurements include visual assessment, photography in natural or ultraviolet light, photography with computerized image analysis and tristimulus colorimetry or spectrophotometry. Non‐invasive micromorphological methods include confocal laser microscopy (CLM). Subjective methods include clinical evaluation by a dermatologist and a vitiligo disease activity score. Semi‐objective methods include the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) and point‐counting methods. Objective methods include software‐based image analysis, tristimulus colorimetry, spectrophotometry and CLM. Morphometry is the measurement of the vitiliginous surface area, whereas colorimetry quantitatively analyses skin colour changes caused by erythema or pigment. Most methods involve morphometry, except for the chromameter method, which assesses colorimetry. Some image analysis software programs can assess both morphometry and colorimetry. The details of these programs (Corel Draw, Image Pro Plus, AutoCad and Photoshop) are discussed in the review. Reflectance confocal microscopy provides real‐time images and has great potential for the non‐invasive assessment of pigmentary lesions. In conclusion, there is no single best method for assessing vitiligo. This review revealed that VASI, the rule of nine and Wood’s lamp are likely to be the best techniques available for assessing the degree of pigmentary lesions and measuring the extent and progression of vitiligo in the clinic and in clinical trials.
Impaired instrumental activities of daily living affect conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia: the Osaki‐Tajiri Project
Authors: OUCHI Yoshitaka , AKANUMA Kyoko , MEGURO Mitsue , KASAI Mari , ISHII Hiroshi , MEGURO Kenichi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim:  To determine whether impaired instrumental activities of daily living affect conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia for subjects in a community.Methods:  This is a 7‐year retrospective study that followed 226 randomly selected participants from the Prevalence Study 1998 in Tajiri in northern Japan who had Clinical Dementia Rating 0.5. Instrumental activities of daily living levels were assessed with a 21‐item questionnaire. We analyzed the scores at baseline between the converters to dementia and non‐converters.Results:  The converters had lower baseline scores on the ‘bed making’ and ‘mode of transportation’ items compared with the non‐converters; the former item was significant after a stepwise logistic regression analysis that excluded age and Mini‐Mental State Examination effects. In gender analysis, female converters had lower baseline scores on the ‘bed making’ and ‘cleaning’ items. For male participants, no items were found to have such an effect.Conclusions:  We suggest that when individuals with mild cognitive impairment are limited in their performance of instrumental activities of daily living, this is predictive of dementia onset.
Impact of Multiple Types of Childhood Trauma Exposure on Risk of Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Alcoholic Inpatients
Authors: Huang Ming‐Chyi , Schwandt Melanie L. , Ramchandani Vijay A. , George David T. , Heilig Markus 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundThis study examined the prevalence of single‐ and multiple‐type childhood trauma exposure (CTE) among alcoholic patients undergoing inpatient detoxification and treatment. The relationships between various types of CTE and lifetime psychiatric comorbidities and suicide attempts were also explored.MethodsA total of 196 alcoholic inpatients were assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis I Disorders and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) for CTE history.ResultsThe overall prevalence of CTE in the entire sample was high (55.1%). Specifically, the prevalence of emotional abuse was 21.4%, physical abuse 31.1%, sexual abuse 24.0%, emotional neglect 20.4%, and physical neglect 19.9%. Regarding multiple types of CTE, 31.7 and 18.9% reported at least 2 and at least 3 CTE types, respectively. Strikingly, among those with at least 1 positive CTQ category, more than half reported 2 or more CTE types. A history of emotional abuse increased the risk of mood disorder, in particular major depressive disorder, as well as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical abuse contributed to the prediction of suicide attempts, while sexual abuse was associated with a diagnosis of anxiety disorder, PTSD, and multiple comobidities (e.g., anxiety and mood disorder). The number of reported CTE types or the total score of the CTQ predicted an increased risk of having single or multiple psychiatric comorbidities as well as suicide attempts.ConclusionsWe observed high rates of a broad range of CTE types and a trend for CTE‐specific enhancement of risk for various psychiatric outcomes among alcoholic inpatients. Of note, a dose–response relationship between number of CTE types and risk of psychiatric comorbidities as well as suicide attempts was found. We suggest a wide range of CTE should be included when exploring the effects of CTE or developing prevention and treatment strategies among alcoholic subjects.
Weak D caused by a founder deletion in the RHD gene
Authors: Fichou Yann , Chen Jian‐Min , Le Maréchal Cédric , Jamet Déborah , Dupont Isabelle , Chuteau Claude , Durousseau Cécile , Loirat Marie‐Jeanne , Bailly Pascal , Férec Claude 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: The RhD blood group system exemplifies a genotype‐phenotype correlation by virtue of its highly polymorphic and immunogenic nature. Weak D phenotypes are generally thought to result from missense mutations leading to quantitative change of the D antigen in the red blood cell membrane or intracellularly.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Different sets of polymerase chain reaction primers were designed to map and clone a deletion involving RHD Exon 10, which was found in approximately 3% of approximately 2000 RHD hemizygous subjects with D phenotype ambiguity. D antigen density was measured by flow cytometry. Transcript analysis was carried out by 3′‐rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends. Haplotype analysis was performed by microsatellite genotyping.RESULTS: A 5405‐bp deletion that removed nearly two‐thirds of Intron 9 and almost all of Exon 10 of the RHD gene was characterized. It is predicted to result in the replacement of the last eight amino acids of the wild‐type RhD protein by another four amino acids. The mean RhD antigen density from two deletion carriers was determined to be only 30. A consensus haplotype could be deduced from the deletion carriers based on the microsatellite genotyping data.CONCLUSION: The currently reported deletion was derived from a common founder. This deletion appears to represent not only the first large deletion associated with weak D but also the weakest of weak D alleles so far reported. This highly unusual genotype‐phenotype relationship may be attributable to the additive effect of three distinct mechanisms that affect mRNA formation, mRNA stability, and RhD/ankyrin‐R interaction, respectively.
Transfusion‐related Epstein‐Barr virus infection among stem cell transplant recipients: a retrospective cohort study in children
Authors: Trottier Helen , Buteau Chantal , Robitaille Nancy , Duval Michel , Tucci Marisa , Lacroix Jacques , Alfieri Caroline 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Blood safety warrants strict screening measures to minimize the risk of transmitting blood‐borne pathogens. However, transfusion‐transmitted infections for which testing is not currently performed continue to be a concern. Among these untested agents is Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) which, in the transplant setting, is associated with lymphoproliferative disease, a potentially fatal cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of posttransplant EBV infection and its association with administration of blood products in children receiving a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) graft.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study sought to review charts of pediatric recipients of HSC grafts to collect information on the presence of EBV antibodies in the recipients' pretransplant sera and in HSC donor sera, incidence of posttransplant EBV infection, and patients' transfusion history. Cumulative incidence of posttransplant EBV infection was estimated by Kaplan‐Meier methods according to pretransplant serology. The association between blood products and EBV infection was measured by Cox regression models.RESULTS: The pretransplant EBV seroprevalence was 77.9% for recipients and 61.8% for graft donors. Virtually, all recipients received blood products during the peritransplant period. Among seronegative recipients, the 30‐ and 60‐day cumulative incidences of posttransplant EBV infection were 4.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2‐17.3) and 13.4% (95% CI, 5.8%‐29.4%), respectively. The 60‐day cumulative incidence was 8.3% (95% CI, 2.2%‐29.4%) when restricting the analysis to seronegative recipients of cord blood grafts. Importantly, there was a clear positive trend associating EBV infection to transfusion volume.CONCLUSION: This study suggests an association between transfusions and posttransplant EBV infection in HSC transplant recipients.
Oxide Ion Transport in Donor‐Doped Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3: Near‐Surface Diffusion Properties
Authors: Frömling Till , Hutter Herbert , Fleig Jürgen 
Published: March 2012

Oxide ion transport in Pb(ZrxTi1–x)O3 (PZT) was investigated using 18O tracer diffusion and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis. Particularly diffusion in the near‐surface regions (a few 100 nm in depth) is discussed and strong evidence for a space charge layer near the surface is provided. In this layer, an enrichment of oxygen vacancies is found at temperatures up to 600°C, resulting in box‐shaped tracer diffusion profiles. At 650°C, however, the profile shape is modified and reveals a depletion of oxygen vacancies close to the surface. Accordingly, a change in the polarity of the surface charge takes place between 600°C and 650°C. The tracer diffusion profiles are very sensitive to surface modification, caused by etching or annealing at higher temperature, and also depend on the sintering procedure. Moreover, application of an external field during the tracer experiments affected the tracer diffusion at the cathode, while leaving the profile at the anode unperturbed. Quantitative analysis of the profiles was performed by means of numerical calculations based on Gouy‐Chapman or Mott‐Schottky space charge models. Estimates of the oxygen vacancy concentration and ionic transference number of donor‐doped PZT are provided.
Nuevas normas de la OIT sobre trabajo decente para los trabajadores domésticos
Authors: Tomei Manuela , Belser Patrick 
Published: March 2012

Resumen.Hay millones de trabajadores domésticos en el mundo, la mayoría de los cuales carecen de protección laboral porque sirven en hogares privados sujetos a relaciones de trabajo singulares. Están desamparados frente a la explotación, los abusos y la violencia, y realizan a menudo mucho trabajo por poco salario. El Convenio sobre las trabajadoras y los trabajadores domésticos (núm. 189) y su Recomendación complementaria (núm. 201), adoptados en junio de 2011 por la OIT, encarnan la determinación de gobiernos y organizaciones de empleadores y de trabajadores de todo el mundo de remediar esta situación. Los autores del artículo, que participaron en los preparativos y negociaciones que alumbraron estas normas, estudian el contenido y los puntos polémicos de las mismas.
The In Vivo Dynamic Organization of BRCA1‐A Complex Proteins at DNA Damage‐Induced Nuclear Foci
Authors: Mok Myth T.S. , Henderson Beric R. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe breast cancer associated gene 1 (BRCA1)‐A protein complex assembles at DNA damage‐induced nuclear foci to facilitate repair of double‐stranded breaks. Here, we describe the first systematic comparison of the dynamics, copy number and organization of its core components at foci. We show that the protein pools at individual foci generally comprise a small immobile fraction (∼20%) and larger mobile fraction (∼80%), which together occupy the same focal space but exist at different densities. In the mobile fraction, Abraxas (CCDC98) and the heterodimer BARD1–BRCA1 share similar rates of dynamic exchange (complete turnover in ∼500 seconds). In contrast, RAP80, which is required for initial foci assembly, was more dynamic with 25‐fold faster turnover at mature foci. In addition, Abraxas, BARD1, BRCA1 and Merit40 (NBA1) were stably retained in the immobile fraction of foci under conditions causing loss of BRCC36 and RAP80, suggesting a shift to RAP80‐independent localization after foci formation. These results, combined with our finding that RAP80 (∼1200 copies per focus) is twofold more abundant than Abraxas/BARD1/BRCA1 at foci, suggest new models defining the dynamic organization of BRCA1‐A complex at mature foci, wherein the unusually fast turnover of RAP80 may contribute to its regulation of BRCA1‐dependent DNA repair.
The response of PKD1L3 / PKD2L1 to acid stimuli is inhibited by capsaicin and its pungent analogs
Authors: Ishii Sho , Kurokawa Azusa , Kishi Mikiya , Yamagami Keigo , Okada Shinji , Ishimaru Yoshiro , Misaka Takumi 
Published: March 2012

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) 2L1 protein is a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel family. In circumvallate and foliate papillae, PKD2L1 is coexpressed with PKD1L3. PKD2L1 and PKD1L3 interact through their transmembrane domain and the resulting heteromer PKD1L3/PKD2L1 owns a unique channel property called ‘off‐responses’ to acid stimulation, although PKD2L1 does not own this property by itself. To define the pharmacological properties of the PKD1L3/PKD2L1 channel, we developed a new method to effectively evaluate channel activity using human embryonic kidney 293T cells in which the channel was heterologously expressed. This method was applied to screen substances that potentially regulate it. We found that capsaicin and its analogs, which are TRPV1 agonists, inhibited the response to acid stimuli and that the capsaicin inhibition was reversible with an IC50 of 32.5 μm. Capsaicin and its analogs are thus useful tools for physiological analysis of PKD1L3/PKD2L1 function.Database
Nucleotide sequence data are available in the GenBank database under the accession numbers hTRPA1, BC148423 and hTRPV3, BC104866
Lipofuscin and A2E Accumulate with Age in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium of Nrl−/− Mice†
Authors: Boyer Nicholas P. , Tang Peter H. , Higbee Daniel , Ablonczy Zsolt , Crouch Rosalie K. , Koutalos Yiannis 
Published: March 2012

AbstractLipofuscin is a fluorescent material with significant phototoxic potential that accumulates with age in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the eye. It is thought to be a factor in retinal degeneration diseases. The most extensively characterized lipofuscin component, N‐retinylidene‐N‐retinylethanolamine (A2E), has been proposed to be a byproduct of reactions involving the visual pigment chromophore. To examine the impact of the visual pigment and photoreceptor cell type on lipofuscin accumulation, we analyzed the RPE from Nrl−/− mice of various ages for lipofuscin fluorescence and A2E levels. The photoreceptor cells of the Nrl−/− retina contain only cone‐like pigments, and produce cone‐like responses to photostimulation. The cone‐like nature of these cells was confirmed by the presence of RPE65. Lipofuscin was measured with fluorescence imaging, whereas A2E was quantified by UV/VIS absorbance spectroscopy coupled to HPLC. The identity of A2E was corroborated with tandem mass spectrometry. Lipofuscin and A2E accumulated with age, albeit to lower levels compared with wild type mice. The emission spectra of RPE lipofuscin granules from Nrl−/− mice were similar to those from wild type mice, with λmaxca 610 nm. These results demonstrate that cone visual pigments can contribute to the production of lipofuscin and A2E.
Das Abschneiden beitragsabhängiger und steuerfinanzierter Rentenprogramme der sozialen Sicherheit in Zentralamerika und die Auswirkungen der globalen Krise
Authors: Mesa‐Lago Carmelo 
Published: March 2012

AuszugIn den letzten 30 Jahren war Lateinamerika Vorreiter bei strukturellen Rentenreformen. Dieser Artikel betrachtet eine repräsentative regionale Auswahl von sieben Staaten Zentralamerikas mit unterschiedlichen Entwicklungsniveaus (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua und Panama) und untersucht beitragsabhängige und steuerfinanzierte Renten sowie jüngste Rentenreformen. Er vergleicht das Abschneiden der Systeme nach fünf Prinzipien der sozialen Sicherheit: Einheitlichkeit; universeller Deckung; Angemessenheit der Leistungen; gleicher Behandlung, Solidarität und Geschlechterneutralität sowie finanzieller Tragfähigkeit. Auch die Auswirkungen der globalen Krise auf die untersuchten Rentensysteme werden analysiert, wobei zwischen öffentlichen und privaten Renten unterschieden wird. Zum Schluss werden Lehren daraus gezogen und Strategien für die Zukunft vorgeschlagen.
Die Wirksamkeit des garantierten Mindesteinkommens in Luxemburg
Authors: Amétépé Fofo 
Published: March 2012

AuszugDieser Artikel analysiert die Wirksamkeit des garantierten Mindesteinkommens (Revenu Minimum Garanti, RMG) in Luxemburg, ausgehend von den Daten aus dem Jahr 2007. Zur Ermittlung der Wirksamkeit dieser Hilfsleistung zählen wir zunächst die anspruchsberechtigten Haushalte im Jahr 2007 einmal nach den Kriterien von 2007 und einmal nach den Kriterien von 1986 . Es zeigt sich, dass nach den Kriterien von 2007 5,5 Prozent der Haushalte bezugsberechtigt sind, während es nach den Kriterien von 1986 nur 3,75 Prozent gewesen wären. Dies belegt, dass durch die Ausweitung der Berechtigungskriterien mehr von Armut betroffene Haushalte erreicht werden. Anschließend analysiert der Artikel die Wirksamkeit unter einem anderen Aspekt, nämlich demjenigen der Nichtinanspruchnahme im Jahr 2007. Zwei Drittel der bezugsberechtigten Haushalte haben das RMG nicht in Anspruch genommen. Regressionsanalysen der möglichen Faktoren der Nichtinanspruchnahme haben die häufig in der Literatur angeführten Hypothesen bestätigt: So spielen einerseits der finanzielle Aspekt, also der nutzbare Nettowert der Unterstützung, und andererseits die Stigmatisierung, die mit der Inanspruchnahme einhergeht, eine wesentliche Rolle bei der Nichtinanspruchnahme des RMG.
Reformas del financiamiento de los sistemas de seguro de enfermedad en Alemania, Francia y Países Bajos: ¿cuáles son las consecuencias para la cobertura social y la redistribución?
Authors: Turquet Pascale 
Published: March 2012

ResumenHace ya varios años que los sistemas de seguro de enfermedad de Alemania, Francia y Países Bajos se esfuerzan por frenar sus gastos y diversificar sus recursos, inicialmente compuestos en su mayor parte por cotizaciones sociales. La diversificación se lleva a cabo mediante una ampliación de la gama de financiamientos públicos y un mayor recurso a soluciones y operadores privados. En Alemania y Países Bajos las reformas denotan la voluntad de crear una situación de competencia entre aseguradores. En Francia el seguro complementario privado se ha vuelto indispensable para disponer de un acceso abierto a la atención médica completa. Sin embargo, pese a los dispositivos correctivos de asistencia, las medidas adoptadas se repercuten en la redistribución.
An unusual manifestation of florid cemento‐osseous dysplasia: a case report
Authors: Mahdmina A. , King S. , Mellor A. , Coulthard P. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractCemento‐osseous dysplasia is a relatively uncommon condition of the jaws with a variety of presentations. This case report describes an unusual manifestation of cemento‐osseous dysplasia and aims to raise awareness of the condition among clinicians so that the correct diagnosis can be made in order to carry out the appropriate management.
Adjunctive use of tetracycline fibers with nonsurgical periodontal therapy in an adult with Down syndrome: a case report
Authors: Gautami Penmetsa Subadhra , Ramaraju Alluri Venkata , GunaShekhar Madiraju 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are susceptible to severe periodontal disease, due to immune alterations related to functional defects of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes. The adjunctive use of locally delivered antimicrobials has been proven to be beneficial, especially in areas where mechanical therapy might fail. This article describes the management of a patient with DS who had aggressive periodontitis. The treatment used a local drug delivery system with tetracycline fibers as an adjunct to scaling and root planing.
Photosynthetic activity and community shifts of microphytobenthos covered by green macroalgae
Authors: García‐Robledo Emilio , Corzo Alfonso , Papaspyrou Sokratis , Morris Edward P. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryMacroalgae blooms, a frequent consequence of eutrophication in coastal areas, affect the photosynthetic activity of sediments dominated by microphytobenthos (MPB). Light spectra, steady‐state (after 1 h) microprofiles of O2, gross photosynthesis (Pg), community respiration in light (RL) and net community photosynthesis (Pn) were measured in diatom‐ and cyanobacteria‐dominated communities below increasing layers of Ulva. Photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) decreased exponentially with increasing layers of algae and the light spectrum was increasingly enriched in the green and deprived in blue and red regions. Sediment Pg, Pn and RL decreased as the number of Ulva layers increased; however, 1.6 times higher macroalgal density was necessary to fully inhibit cyanobacteria Pg compared with diatoms, indicating that cyanobacteria were better adapted to this light environment. Long‐term (3 weeks) incubations of diatom‐dominated sediments below increasing layers of Ulva resulted in a shift in the taxonomic composition of the MPB towards cyanobacteria. Hence, changes in the light climate below macroalgal accumulations can negatively affect the photosynthetic activity of sediments. However, spectral niche differentiation of MPB taxonomic groups and concurrent changes in the MPB community may provide sediments with increased resilience to the detrimental effects of eutrophication.
Ultrasonographic examination of the palmar aspect of the pastern of the horse: Digital flexor tendons and digital sheath
Authors: Coudry V. , Denoix J.‐M. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryUltrasonography is the technique of choice to identify and document tendon and ligament injuries and its interest in the diagnosis of pastern injuries has been largely demonstrated. Ultrasound examination is therefore part of routine examination in diagnostic work‐up of lameness originating from the foot or pastern area. This paper describes the ultrasonographic technique and presents normal and abnormal ultrasound images of the palmar pastern. A comprehensive description of normal transverse and longitudinal ultrasound scans is made at 4 anatomical levels. Main ultrasonographic findings indicative of digital flexor tendon lesions are presented as well as digital sheath injuries.