bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of serum parathyroid hormone‐related peptide in hyperthyroid patients
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Suriano Sergio , Keller Franco , Borretta Giorgio , Ceriani Luca 
Published: September 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 41 (1): 93–97AbstractBackground  Hypercalcemia occurs in 10–20% of patients with hyperthyroidism, but its pathogenesis is still unclear.Aim  To evaluate changes in parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTH‐rP) concentration in hyperthyroid patients compared with healthy controls.Methods  We studied PTH‐rP, parathormone (PTH) and ionized calcium levels in 153 hyperthyroid patients, and 89 control subjects. These variables were revaluated after attainment of euthyroidism with the antithyroid drug carbimazole for 6 months in a subgroup of 47 patients.Results  Pretreatment PTH‐rP and ionized calcium level were significantly higher in hyperthyroid patients than in controls, whereas an opposite trend occurred for PTH. All parameters normalized after carbimazole therapy.Conclusion  Untreated hyperthyroid patients exhibited a significant elevation in serum ionized calcium and PTH‐rP and a significant reduction in serum PTH levels when compared with healthy controls. Our data favoured the hypothesis of a direct involvement of PTH‐rP in the pathogenesis of hypercalcemia in hyperthyroid patients.
Are temporal variations of leaf traits responsible for seasonal and inter‐annual variability in ecosystem CO2 exchange?
Authors: Ma Siyan , Baldocchi Dennis D. , Mambelli Stefania , Dawson Todd E. 
Published: September 2010

Summary 1. Seasonal and inter‐annual variability in ecosystem carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange is attributed to numerous climate drivers. However, climate effects on metabolism often override ecological functions. This study seeks insight into which biological and ecological processes influence temporal patterns of ecosystem productivity in natural ecosystems. 2. The specific objectives of this study are to (i) identify seasonal and inter‐annual patterns of ecosystem‐level photosynthesis in relation to climatic conditions, (ii) examine and compare seasonal and inter‐annual variations in leaf traits for annual grasses and oak trees across multiple years, and (iii) explore interactions among leaf traits and ecosystem‐level photosynthesis across multiple seasons and years. 3. We conducted this study in a woody savanna and open grassland in California, USA. Ecosystem‐level photosynthetic rates of annual grasses (Agrass) and oak tree canopy (Acanopy) were deduced from eddy covariance measurements over a 7‐year period (2001 and 2007). In conjunction, we sampled grass and oak leaves at weekly to monthly intervals and constructed a multi‐year time series of leaf nitrogen concentration (N), leaf mass per unit area (LMA), leaf carbon concentration (C), and leaf carbon stable isotope discrimination (Δ). 4. Given the same grass community age or tree canopy age, inter‐annual variations of the photosynthetic rates were up to 1–2 gC m−2 day−1 for annual grasses and oak trees while the two types of vegetation were exposed to different, wide ranges of inter‐annual climate fluctuations: up to 5 °C in daily mean soil temperature, 15% in soil moisture, and 10 mol m−2 day−1 in photosynthetically active radiation. 5. While both grass and oak leaf traits varied seasonally and inter‐annually, they experienced temporal patterns and seasonal peaks that were distinct from one another. Multi‐year means of grass leaf N, C, Δ, and LMA were 2·3%, 40·8%, 22·6‰ and 71·3 g m−2, respectively; multi‐year means of oak leaf N, C, Δ, and LMA were 1·9%, 45·1%, 20·5‰ and 132 g m−2, respectively. 6. Based on the analysis of variance, seasonal and inter‐annual terms were associated with Agrass or Acanopy up to 90% or 81%. On the other hand, variations in leaf N, LMA, C, Δ, and their interactions could statistically explain about 53% and 26% of variations in Agrass and Acanopy, respectively. 7. We discussed possible biological and ecological processes involved in regulating seasonal and inter‐annual variability in ecosystem‐level photosynthesis. Clearly, seasonal and inter‐annual variation in ecosystem photosynthesis was strongly associated with the dynamics of leaf traits.
Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia – can we detect early pancreatic cancer?
Authors: Haugk Beate 
Published: September 2010

Haugk B (2010) Histopathology 57, 503–514 Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia – can we detect early pancreatic cancer?Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, with an incidence equalling mortality. Pancreatic cancer is a heterogeneous group in which pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common. It is now established that PDAC develops through stepwise progression from precursor lesions. Detection and treatment of these precursor lesions would allow curative treatment. Three precursor lesions for PDAC have been identified. Two of these – mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) – are rare, radiologically detectable, cystic precursor lesions which can be cured if treated at the preinvasive stage. The third and most common precursor lesion has recently been defined as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN). PanINs are microscopic lesions with no clinical correlate. They display a spectrum of cyto‐architectural changes (PanIN‐1, PanIN‐2 and PanIN‐3) mirrored in an increasing accumulation of molecular genetic changes, with PanIN‐3 sharing many of the alterations with PDAC. Great advances in the understanding of pancreatic carcinogenesis have opened avenues for diagnosis and chemoprevention. However, access to the pancreas is limited, molecular tests are at the early stages and too little is known about the natural history of early PanINs to justify resection. Currently, screening focuses upon high‐risk individuals only.
Family demands, social support and caregiver burden in Taiwanese family caregivers living with mental illness: the role of family caregiver gender
Authors: Hsiao Chiu‐Yueh 
Published: September 2010

Aim.  The purpose of this study was to assess gender effects on family demands, social support and caregiver burden as well as to examine contributing factors of caregiver burden in caring for family members with mental illness.Background.  Providing continued care and support for people with mental illness is demanding and challenging. Findings of earlier caregiving studies on the role of caregiver gender in response to caregiver burden and caregiving‐related factors have been inconsistent. Little research has been undertaken to examine gender effect on family demands, social support and caregiver burden in Taiwanese family caregivers of individuals with mental illness.Design.  Cross‐sectional, descriptive correlation design.Methods.  Data from 43 families, including at least one male and female family caregiver in each family, were analysed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis and mixed linear modelling. Demographic data, Perceived Stress Scale, Perceived Social Support and Caregiver Burden Scale‐Brief were used to collect data.Results.  Female family caregivers perceived less social support and experienced higher degrees of caregiver burden compared with male family caregivers. In contrast, no significant gender effect was associated with family demands. Family caregivers with greater family demands and less social support experienced higher degrees of caregiver burden.Conclusions.  The results reinforced those of previously published studies that caregiver burden is highly prevalent among female family caregivers. Caregiver gender appears to be highly valuable for explaining family demands, social support and caregiver burden.Relevance to clinical practice.  Health care professionals should continue to collaborate with family caregivers to assess potential gender effects on available support and design gender‐specific interventions to alleviate caregiver burden.
A medication reconciliation form and its impact on the medical record in a paediatric hospital
Authors: Bédard Pascal , Tardif Lyne , Ferland Alexandre , Bussières Jean‐François , Lebel Denis , Bailey Benoit , Girard Marc , Lachaîne Jean 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives  The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of medication information available in medical charts before and after the implementation of a medication reconciliation form.Patients and methods  This study is a retrospective chart review of patients under 18 years who were taking two medications or more at home and were admitted to a paediatric hospital for more than 24 hours and discharged from a general paediatrics, infectious disease, gastroenterology or pneumology ward over two 20‐week periods (pre‐ and post‐implementation). Each week, 10 medical records were randomly chosen and reviewed. The quality of the medication information was measured on admission (dose, route of administration and frequency) and on discharge (dose, route of administration, frequency and duration of treatment). The proportion of medications that fully met these criteria was compared between the groups using the chi‐squared test.Results  Information was analysed for a total of 3275 medications in the pre‐implementation group, vs. 3240 medications in the post‐implementation group. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. On admission, the quality of medication information was comparable between the pre‐ and post‐implementation groups (29.1 vs. 29.3%, respectively; P = 0.86). However, on discharge, an improvement in the quality of information was observed in the post‐implementation group (51.7 vs. 65.2%; P < 0.001).Conclusion  Our study demonstrated that the forms used in the reconciliation process, in particular the discharge prescription, could increase the quality of the information related to drug use in medical charts. We believe that medication reconciliation forms should be widely used by all the health care professional teams involved in the drug history or prescription process.
Translation, adaptation and validation of instruments or scales for use in cross‐cultural health care research: a clear and user‐friendly guideline
Authors: Sousa Valmi D. , Rojjanasrirat Wilaiporn 
Published: September 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  The diversity of the population worldwide suggests a great need for cross‐culturally validated research instruments or scales. Researchers and clinicians must have access to reliable and valid measures of concepts of interest in their own cultures and languages to conduct cross‐cultural research and/or provide quality patient care. Although there are well‐established methodological approaches for translating, adapting and validating instruments or scales for use in cross‐cultural health care research, a great variation in the use of these approaches continues to prevail in the health care literature. Therefore, the objectives of this scholarly paper were to review published recommendations of cross‐cultural validation of instruments and scales, and to propose and present a clear and user‐friendly guideline for the translation, adaptation and validation of instruments or scales for cross‐cultural health care research.Methods  A review of highly recommended methodological approaches to translation, adaptation and cross‐cultural validation of research instruments or scales was performed. Recommendations were summarized and incorporated into a seven‐step guideline. Each one of the steps was described and key points were highlighted. Example of a project using the proposed steps of the guideline was fully described.Conclusions  Translation, adaptation and validation of instruments or scales for cross‐cultural research is very time‐consuming and requires careful planning and the adoption of rigorous methodological approaches to derive a reliable and valid measure of the concept of interest in the target population.
Adrenal incidentalomas and cardiometabolic morbidity: an emerging association with serious clinical implications
Authors: Peppa M. , Koliaki C. , Raptis S. A. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract.  Peppa M, Koliaki C, Raptis SA (Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Athens; Hellenic National Diabetes Center for the Prevention, Research and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications (H.N.D.C), Athens, Greece). Adrenal incidentalomas and cardiometabolic morbidity: an emerging association with serious clinical implications (Review). J Intern Med 2010; 268: 555–566.Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) represent adrenal masses that are incidentally discovered whilst investigating symptoms and signs unrelated to adrenal pathology. The onset and natural course of AIs are unknown, and the possible underlying cardiometabolic abnormalities have not been examined in depth. A growing body of clinical and experimental evidence supports the notion that both functioning and, paradoxically, nonfunctioning AIs are associated with a partially expressed or even full‐blown metabolic syndrome (MS) phenotype, through yet unclear mechanisms. Subtle, subclinical or even profound adrenal hormone excess and an increased proinflammatory state might explain to some extent the development of MS disturbances. The emerging association between AIs and MS appears to be important in determining the optimal clinical management of these patients and raises speculation about the exact mechanisms of this interesting cause–effect relationship.
The case against customised birthweight standards
Authors: Hutcheon Jennifer A. , Zhang Xun , Platt Robert W. , Cnattingius Sven , Kramer Michael S. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryHutcheon JA, Zhang X, Platt RW, Cnattingius S, Kramer MS. The case against customised birthweight standards. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2010.Customised birthweight standards are widely recognised to improve the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes compared with conventional birthweight‐for‐gestational‐age charts. However, their apparent benefits are more likely to have been derived from their incorporation of intrauterine‐based (EFW) reference values at preterm ages than their adjustment for maternal characteristics. Although maternal characteristics are able to explain population‐level differences in birthweight, they are not strong enough predictors for individual‐level prediction of birthweight. With maternal characteristics accounting for only a small per cent of the total factors influencing birthweight, the best estimate of an infant's birthweight remains close to the population average, explaining the ineffectiveness of adjusting for maternal characteristics. Given that customised percentiles are also unable to distinguish between pathological and physiological influences of maternal characteristics on birthweight, customising birthweight percentiles for maternal characteristics has little justification.
Cadmium uptake and sequestration kinetics in individual leaf cell protoplasts of the Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens
Authors: LEITENMAIER BARBARA , KÜPPER HENDRIK 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTHyperaccumulators store accumulated metals in the vacuoles of large leaf epidermal cells (storage cells). For investigating cadmium uptake, we incubated protoplasts obtained from leaves of Thlaspi caerulescens (Ganges ecotype) with a Cd‐specific fluorescent dye. A fluorescence kinetic microscope was used for selectively measuring Cd‐uptake and photosynthesis in different cell types, so that physical separation of cell types was not necessary. Few minutes after its addition, cadmium accumulated in the cytoplasm before its transport into the vacuole. This demonstrated that vacuolar sequestration is the rate‐limiting step in cadmium uptake into protoplasts of all leaf cell types. During accumulation in the cytoplasm, Cd‐rich vesicle‐like structures were observed. Cd uptake rates into epidermal storage cells were higher than into standard‐sized epidermal cells and mesophyll cells. This shows that the preferential heavy metal accumulation in epidermal storage cells, previously observed for several metals in intact leaves of various hyperaccumulator species, is due to differences in active metal transport and not differences in passive mechanisms like transpiration stream transport or cell wall adhesion. Combining this with previous studies, it seems likely that the transport steps over the plasma and tonoplast membranes of leaf epidermal storage cells are driving forces behind the hyperaccumulation phenotype.
Sarcoptes scabieivar.canisrefractory to ivermectin treatment in two dogs
Authors: Terada Yuri , Murayama Nobuo , Ikemura Hiroshi , Morita Tatsushi , Nagata Masahiko 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA 10‐year‐old castrated male Shih Tzu presented with severe generalized pruritus. Skin scrapings revealed the presence ofSarcoptes scabieivar.canis. A Yorkshire terrier in the same household simultaneously developed pruritus due to scabies. Both dogs were treated with 300 μg/kg ivermectin, at first orally and then subcutaneously at 14 day intervals. However, live mites were still found on day 35, and the skin condition deteriorated in both dogs. These findings suggested that theS. scabieiin these dogs was clinically refractory to ivermectin. The pruritus in both dogs rapidly and completely disappeared following topical fipronil administration. This appears to be the first report of canine scabies refractory to ivermectin treatment.
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐alpha ‐238 and ‐308 as genetic markers of susceptibility to psoriasis and severity of the disease in a long‐term follow‐up Brazilian study
Authors: Magalhães Renata Ferreira , Biral Ana Cristina , Pancoto João Alexandre Trés , Donadi Eduardo Antonio , Mendes‐Júnior Celso Texeira , Magna Luís Antonio , Kraemer Maria Helena 
Published: September 2010

SummaryBackground  The strongest genetic marker for psoriasis is Cw*06. Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐alpha promoter region, especially replacement of guanine with adenine in positions ‐238 and ‐308 are related to higher TNF‐alpha production and higher risk for psoriasis in Caucasoid populations, not found in Asians. We performed a case‐control study of 69 patients with psoriasis type I and 70 controls, characterized clinical progression along 10‐years of follow‐up in mild or severe disease and determined HLA class I, II, and TNF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ‐238 and ‐308 polymorphisms to demonstrate whether these polymorphisms may be genetic risk for susceptibility to psoriasis or severity of the disease in Brazilians.Methods  Polymorphisms were identified using PCR/SSP. Alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes frequencies were compared using Fisher’s test.Results  More severe disease was found in male patients. It may be suggested that alleles B*37, Cw*06, Cw*12, and DRB1*07 were associated with severe disease course, while B*57 with mild disease. No statistical difference was found between the patients and controls regarding polymorphisms frequencies in TNF SNPs. This study pointed to a higher TNF‐238 G/G genotype frequency (OR: 3.21; CI: 1.06–9.71; P = 0.04) in the group with severe disease.Conclusions  Polymorphisms in the TNF‐alpha SNPs do not seem to be a more important genetic risk factor for psoriasis than the already known Cw*06 in Brazilian patients, but these markers may be related to clinical manifestations.
Clinical, pathologic, and ultrastructural studies of progressive macular hypomelanosis
Authors: Wu Xin‐gang , Xu Ai‐e , Song Xiu‐zu , Zheng Jun‐hui , Wang Ping , Shen Hong 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground  Progressive macular hypomelanosis (PMH), a condition of uncertain etiology, is characterized by asymptomatic hypopigmented macules, predominantly located on the trunk. To date, the study of this disease has been sporadic and there are still no clinical diagnostic criteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathologic and ultrastructural characteristics of PMH, and propose the clinical diagnostic criteria of PMH.Methods  The Wood’s lamp and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy were used to observe the lesions’ features. Skinbiopsies were used for hematoxylin and eosin staining, melanin staining, antibodies staining of S‐100 protein, tyrosinase‐related protein‐1(TRP‐1) and tyrosinase (T311), and also for ultra‐structural study. Melanocytes were isolated and cultured from the lesions.Results  Under Wood’s lamp examination, the lesions of PMH showed punctiform red fluorescence. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy observation of the lesion showed that its “pigmented ring” around the dermal papillae was intact, but its melanin content was decreased compared with the surrounding normal skin. Ferrous sulfate staining showed that melanin content in the lesion of PMH was significantly decreased compared with the normal skin (P < 0.05). S‐100 staining showed that the number of positive cells in the basal layer had no statistical significance (P > 0.05) between the lesion areas (8.25 ± 0.96) and the surrounding normal skin (8.75 ± 1.71). TRP‐1 staining showed no significant difference between lesion areas (4.25 ± 0.96) and the surrounding normal skin (4.50 ± 1.29) (P > 0.05), and T311 staining also showed no difference between lesion areas (4.01 ± 0.87) and the surrounding normal skin (4.30 ± 1.05) (P > 0.05). Ultra‐structural studies revealed a large reduction in the number of mature melanosome from PMH lesions. There were many membrane‐bound groups in PMH lesions with normal appearance the margin, which contained a number of smaller type II–IV melanosomes, which were distributed in clusters. No degradation of melanosomes was present in the lysosomal compartments of PMH lesions. When melanocytes from the PMH lesions were cultured in vitro, the morphology of those melanocytes showed no difference compared with normal melanocytes.Conclusion  As a result of the above findings, we discussed and summarized the PMH’s clinical diagnostic criteria.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with HTLV‐1 infection
Authors: Bittencourt Achiléa L. , Oliveira Maria de Fátima Paim de 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSkin lesions are frequent in human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) infection and may constitute an alert for the diagnosis of this condition. The most severe skin diseases related to this virus are adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), an aggressive form of leukemia/lymphoma that fails to respond to chemotherapy, and infective dermatitis associated with HTLV‐1 (IDH), a severe and recurrent form of eczema occurring in childhood. ATLL affects the skin in 43–72% of cases. In this review, the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical aspects of ATLL and IDH will be discussed, as well as the differential diagnoses, giving particular focus to the primary cutaneous ATLL. IDH may progress to HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and to ATLL. Adult onset IDH and reactional and inflammatory dermatoses found in carriers and also in patients with HAM/TSP will be considered. Other dermatological diseases that occur more frequently in HTLV‐1‐infected individuals such as xerosis, acquired ichthyosis, seborrheic dermatitis and infectious and parasitic dermatoses will also be discussed.