bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of non‐laser, targeted UVB phototherapy alone and in combination with psoralen gel or calcipotriol ointment in the treatment of localized, chronic, plaque‐type psoriasis
Authors: Özkan İlker , Köse Osman , Özmen İbrahim , Arca Ercan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground  Topical drugs enhance the therapeutic effects of ultraviolet (UV)‐based therapy for psoriasis. However, their efficacy has yet to be established in a clinical trial.Objectives  This study aimed to compare the efficacy of targeted microphototherapy alone and in combination with psoralen or calcipotriol in the treatment of plaque‐type psoriasis.Methods  Thirty individuals, affected by plaque‐type psoriasis, were treated with targeted narrowband UVB phototherapy alone (Group 1), in combination with psoralen gel (Group 2), or in combination with calcipotriol ointment (Group 3) three times per week based on predetermined minimal erythema doses for 10 weeks.Results  All patients in each group completed the study. The percentages of improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Psoriasis Severity Index (PSI) scores were 33.9% and 38.3% in Group 1, 29.9% and 29.8% in Group 2, and 67.2% and 59% in Group 3, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in improvement between Groups 1 and 2 (P > 0.05). Outcomes in Group 3 were found to be superior compared with those in the other groups.Conclusions  The addition of calcipotriol ointment in targeted phototherapy enhances the therapeutic effects of phototherapy in the treatment of plaque‐type psoriasis.
Geriatric dermatoses: a clinical review of skin diseases in an aging population
Authors: Jafferany Mohammad , Huynh Trung V. , Silverman Melissa A. , Zaidi Zohra 
Published: April 2012

AbstractGeriatric dermatoses are a challenging job for the physician in terms of diagnosis, management, and followup. Since skin of the elderly population is going through a lot of changes from both an intrinsic and extrinsic point of view, it is imperative for the physician to have a better understanding of the pathophysiology of geriatric skin disorders and their specific management, which differs slightly from an adult population. This review focuses on a brief introduction to the pathophysiological aspects of skin disorders in elderly, the description of some common geriatric skin disorders and their management and the new emerging role of psychodermatological aspects of geriatric dermatoses is also discussed. At the end, ten multiple choice questions are also added to further enhance the knowledge base of the readers.
Trypanosoma cruzi infection: a review with emphasis on cutaneous manifestations
Authors: Hemmige Vagish , Tanowitz Herbert , Sethi Aisha 
Published: April 2012

AbstractChagas disease, an infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted by the Reduuvid insect vector, remains a major cause of morbidity in Central and South America over a century after its discovery in 1909. Though major advances in preventing the spread of this disease have been made in recent decades, millions of individuals remain chronically infected due to prior exposure to T. cruzi and are at risk for future complications from the disease. Dermatologic manifestations of acute infection may include localized swelling at the site of inoculation (chagoma), conjunctivitis (Romaña's sign), and a generalized morbilliform eruption (schizotrypanides). Reactivation of quiescent infection in immunocompromised hosts due to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or organ transplantation can present with fever and skin lesions including panniculitis. The widespread emigration of chronic carriers of T. cruzi to North America, Europe, and Australia makes it imperative that dermatologists worldwide be familiar with this entity to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The kappa opioid receptor antagonist JDTic attenuates alcohol seeking and withdrawal anxiety
Authors: Schank Jesse R. , Goldstein Andrea L. , Rowe Kelly E. , King Courtney E. , Marusich Julie A. , Wiley Jenny L. , Carroll F. Ivy , Thorsell Annika , Heilig Markus 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThe role of kappa‐opioid receptors (KOR) in the regulation of alcohol‐related behaviors is not completely understood. For example, alcohol consumption has been reported to increase following treatment with KOR antagonists in rats, but was decreased in mice with genetic deletion of KOR. Recent studies have further suggested that KOR antagonists may selectively decrease alcohol self‐administration in rats following a history of dependence. We assessed the effects of the KOR antagonist JDTic on alcohol self‐administration, reinstatement of alcohol seeking induced by alcohol‐associated cues or stress, and acute alcohol withdrawal‐induced anxiety (‘hangover anxiety’). JDTic dose‐dependently reversed hangover anxiety when given 48 hours prior to testing, a time interval corresponding to the previously demonstrated anxiolytic efficacy of this drug. In contrast, JDTic decreased alcohol self‐administration and cue‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking when administered 2 hours prior to testing, but not at longer pre‐treatment times. For comparison, we determined that the prototypical KOR antagonist nor‐binaltorphimine can suppress self‐administration of alcohol at 2 hours pre‐treatment time, mimicking our observations with JDTic. The effects of JDTic were behaviorally specific, as it had no effect on stress‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking, self‐administration of sucrose, or locomotor activity. Further, we demonstrate that at a 2 hours pre‐treatment time JDTic antagonized the antinociceptive effects of the KOR agonist U50,488H but had no effect on morphine‐induced behaviors. Our results provide additional evidence for the involvement of KOR in regulation of alcohol‐related behaviors and provide support for KOR antagonists, including JDTic, to be evaluated as medications for alcoholism.
Is advice incompatible with autonomous informed choice? Women’s perceptions of advice in the context of antenatal screening: a qualitative study
Authors: Ahmed Shenaz , Bryant Louise D. , Tizro Zahra , Shickle Darren 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground  Patient autonomy in antenatal screening is a high priority for policy developers in many countries.Objective  This paper presents women’s understandings of how health professionals should facilitate informed screening choices with an emphasis on their understandings of autonomy and advice.Design, setting and participants  The study was carried out in 2009 in the UK, using a qualitative approach. Ninety‐eight participants of African, British White, Caribbean, Chinese and Pakistani origin had semi‐structured interviews, which were analysed using framework analysis.Results  Four themes were identified during the analysis: ‘Meanings of advice in antenatal screening: the advice continuum’, ‘Recognition of the role of health professionals in decision making’, ‘Understandings of advice in the context of autonomous decision making’ and ‘Reasons given for wanting advice’. Women said they valued advice from health professionals to make decisions about antenatal screening, but their understandings of ‘advice’ ranged from information giving only to direction about screening choices.Conclusion  Many women wanted health professionals to support the process of making informed choices by engaging in discussion and did not see advice as incompatible with making autonomous choices. However, some women wanted direction about whether to have a screening test or not, something which policy and guidelines explicitly prohibit. This may cause an ethical dilemma for health professionals who are required to both support women’s preference for care and adhere to a policy of non‐directiveness. Further clarification is needed on how health professionals should support the process of making informed choices when women ask for clear direction on screening choices.
Genetic associations of visual scores with subsequent rebreeding and days to first calving in Nellore cattle
Authors: Boligon A.A. , Ayres D.R. , Pereira R.J. , Morotti N.P. , Albuquerque L.G. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryRecords of Nellore animals born from 1990 to 2006 were used to estimate genetic correlations of visual scores at yearling (conformation, C; finishing precocity, P; and muscling, M) with primiparous subsequent rebreeding (SR) and days to first calving (DC), because the magnitude of these associations is still unknown. Genetic parameters were estimated by multiple‐traits Bayesian analysis, using a nonlinear (threshold) animal models for visual scores and SR and a linear animal models for weaning weight (WW) and DC. WW was included in the analysis to account for the effects of sequential selection. The posterior means of heritabilities estimated for C, P, M, SR and DC were 0.24 ± 0.01, 0.31 ± 0.01, 0.30 ± 0.01, 0.18 ± 0.02 and 0.06 ± 0.02, respectively. The posterior means of genetic correlations estimated between SR and visual scores were low and positive, with values of 0.09 ± 0.02 (C), 0.19 ± 0.03 (P) and 0.18 ± 0.05 (M). On the other hand, negative genetic correlations were found between DC and C (−0.11 ± 0.09), P (−0.19 ± 0.09) and M (−0.16 ± 0.09). The primiparous rebreeding trait has genetic variability in Nellore cattle. The genetic correlations between visual scores, and SR and DC were low and favourable. The genetic changes in C, P and M were 0.02, 0.03 and 0.03/year, respectively. For SR and DC, genetic trends were 0.01/year and −0.01 days/year, respectively, indicating that the increase in genetic merit for reproductive traits was small over time. Direct selection for visual scores together with female reproductive traits is recommended to increase the fertility of beef cows.
Transmission Comparisons of Cucumber Mosaic Virus Subgroup I and II Isolates by Different Aphid Species
Authors: Tian Zhaofeng , Liu Weicheng , Luo Chen , Li Yongdan , Liu Ting 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTo investigate the transmission differences between Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) subgroup isolates, we carried out a comparative study with five aphid species Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, Lipaphis erysimi, Aphis craccivora and Megoura viciae in laboratory and field experiments to evaluate spread of CMV Subgroup I NX and subgroup II AG isolates in tobacco. Both NX and AG varied in transmission efficiency by the five aphids, and our transmission results revealed important differences in transmission efficiency of two isolates by Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii. In contrast, significant transmission differences were not detected with Lipaphis erysimi, Aphis craccivora or Megoura viciae. Interestingly, the overall transmission efficiencies of the two different subgroup strains were almost equal when field transmissions were tested with mixed populations of the five aphid species. Our results together with our previously reported experiments on competition of CMV subgroup isolates in tobacco suggest that variations in aphid vector populations contribute substantially to the epidemic potential of CMV subgroup isolates.
High throughput investigative dermatology in 2012 and beyond: A new era beckons
Authors: Gilmore Stephen J 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTHigh throughput molecular biology began around the mid‐1990s with the introduction of microarrays – a technology that enabled investigators to quantify the cellular expression levels of tens of thousands of mRNA transcripts simultaneously. To date, a large number of microarray experiments have been performed in the investigation of RNA expression signatures in normal and pathological tissues. This review focuses on a next generation tool in high throughput investigation: RNA sequencing or RNA‐Seq, highlighting its advantages over traditional microarray investigation and discussing its utility in investigative dermatology. In contrast with the results obtained from microarray experiments, RNA‐Seq generates mRNA abundance counts, can identify novel transcripts and splice variants, and provides sequence resolution at the level of single base‐pairs. Implementing RNA‐Seq in the investigation of skin disease will yield novel insights into the pathogenesis of disease, will facilitate the discovery of new diseases and new mechanisms of disease, and will allow researchers to probe genetic disease in high resolution and with unprecedented efficiency.
A unique 3D endoanal ultrasound feature of perianal Crohn’s fistula: the ‘Crohn ultrasound fistula sign’
Authors: Zawadzki A. , Starck M. , Bohe M. , Thorlacius H. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim  Using a high‐resolution 3D endoanal ultrasound, we have observed that some perianal fistulas show a hypoechogenic fistula tract surrounded by a well‐defined hyperechogenic area with a thin hypoechogenic edge in patients with Crohn’s disease [‘Crohn’s Ultrasound Fistula Sign’ (CUFS)], unlike conventional fistula tracks. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of CUFS in a consecutive series of patients with anal fistula.Method  Of 157 patients (median age 45, range 14–86 years, 100 males) with perianal fistula were examined with 3D endoanal ultrasound. All 3D volumes were stored and analysed retrospectively by two independent observers blinded to the clinical information of the patients.Results  There were 29 patients with Crohn’s disease of whom 20 (69%) showed CUFS. CUFS was absent in 125 (98%) of 128 patients without Crohn’s disease. The positive and negative predictive value of CUFS for Crohn’s disease was 87% and 93%, respectively. The kappa value of the two independent observers was 0.77, indicating a substantial interobserver agreement.Conclusion  This study provides a new 3D endoanal ultrasound criterion, CUFS, of perianal fistula in patients with Crohn’s disease. The sign can be used to discriminate a Crohn’s from other types of fistula, which may be useful in the management of patients with anal fistula.
The relationship between tumour site, clinicopathological characteristics and cancer‐specific survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Powell A. G. M. T. , Wallace R. , McKee R. F. , Anderson J. H. , Going J. J. , Edwards J. , Horgan P. G. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim  It is recognised that colorectal cancer may arise from different genomic instability pathways. There is evidence to suggest that colon and rectal cancers exhibit different clinicopathological features. We examined the relationship between tumour site, clinicopathological characteristics and cancer‐specific survival in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.Method  Four hundred and eleven patients who underwent surgery. Clinicopathological data including components of the Peterson index, Klintrup scores, haemoglobin and the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) were studied.Results  There were 134 (33%) right sided, 125 (30%) left sided and 152 (37%) rectal tumours. Emergency presentation (P < 0.001), anaemia (P < 0.001), higher mGPS (P < 0.001), advanced T stage (P < 0.001), poor differentiation (P < 0.001) and older age (P < 0.05) were more commonly observed in right sided cancer. The mean follow‐up was 94 months (minimum 36 months) and 114 patients died of cancer. There was no difference between tumour site and survival (P = 0.427). On multivariate analysis older age (P = 0.015), lymph node ratio (P < 0.001), mGPS (P = 0.028), Peterson Index (P < 0.001) and Klintrup score (P = 0.008) were independently related to cancer‐specific survival. Klintrup score was only associated with poor cancer‐specific survival in rectal cancer (P = 0.009).Conclusion  The study suggests that colorectal cancer is a group of heterogeneous tumours with different clinicopathological features. Despite this, there was no difference between tumour site and survival. The prognostic role of clinicopathological factors in tumours arising from different genomic instability pathways requires further study.
Childhood diabetic neuropathy: functional impairment and non‐invasive screening assessment
Authors: Blankenburg M. , Kraemer N. , Hirschfeld G. , Krumova E. K. , Maier C. , Hechler T. , Aksu F. , Magerl W. , Reinehr T. , Wiesel T. , Zernikow B. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim  Sensory diabetic neuropathy, determined by nerve conduction studies, is common in children with Type 1 diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy diagnoses are rarely made in paediatric daily care because they are asymptomatic, vibration detection is mostly normal and nerve‐conduction testing is impractical. The present study aims to: (1) describe somatosensory dysfunction in children with diabetes, (2) test whether diabetes duration and HbA1c are related to somatosensory dysfunction and (3) identify the best screening test for large‐fibre dysfunction, as indicated by nerve conduction studies.Methods  Forty‐five children (age 13.2 ± 2.5 years) with Type 1 diabetes for 6.7 ± 2.5 years and matched control subjects were assessed by neurological examinations, nerve conduction tests and quantitative sensory testing on the feet using the protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain. Abnormal nerve conduction was used as gold standard to define neuropathies.Results  We found a high prevalence of mechanical (38%) and thermal (24%) hypoesthesia often associated with hyperalgesia (47%). Tactile hypoesthesia (33%) was more frequent than pallhypaesthesia (11%). Only cold detection and mechanical pain thresholds were related to HbA1c. Tactile hypoesthesia had the highest sensitivity (75%), specificity (89%) and positive (75%) and negative (89%) predictive values for neuropathies defined by nerve conduction tests (31% abnormal).Conclusions  Almost half of the children with diabetes have subclinical large‐ and small‐fibre neuropathies. Tactile detection was better than vibration for neuropathy assessment. Quantitative sensory testing is a valuable tool for assessment of neuropathy as well as a target of interventional studies in children with diabetes.
Extreme events: a study of small oil and gas firms
Authors: Smolarski Jan M. , Vega Jose G. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe oil and gas industry is subject to different types of risks, many of which have the potential to generate extreme results. Classifying extreme events as global, industry specific and firm specific, we use a Bayesian probability model and the Exponential Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) model to evaluate the impact of disclosure of extreme events on returns and return volatilities. The results suggest political events have more of a pronounced effect compared to those classified as economic events. The overall effects are more pronounced at the global and firm‐level classifications. At the firm level, extreme economic events have a more significant impact than political extreme events.
Sparing of sensitivity to biological motion but not of global motion after early visual deprivation
Authors: Hadad Bat‐Sheva , Maurer Daphne , Lewis Terri L. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPatients deprived of visual experience during infancy by dense bilateral congenital cataracts later show marked deficits in the perception of global motion (dorsal visual stream) and global form (ventral visual stream). We expected that they would also show marked deficits in sensitivity to biological motion, which is normally processed in the superior temporal sulcus via input from both the dorsal and ventral streams. When tested on the same day for sensitivity to biological motion and to global motion at two speeds (4 and 18° s−1), patients, as expected, displayed a large deficit in processing global motion at both speeds. Surprisingly, they performed normally in discriminating biological motion from scrambled displays, tolerating as much noise as their age‐matched controls. Networks bypassing damaged portions of the dorsal and the ventral streams must mediate the spared sensitivity to biological motion after early visual deprivation.
Expropriation of Minority Investors in Chinese Listed Firms: The Role of Internal and External Corporate Governance Mechanisms
Authors: Huyghebaert Nancy , Wang Lihong 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: We investigate how ownership structure, board characteristics, and regional differences in law enforcement and stock market development affect the conflict of interest between majority and minority investors in Chinese listed firms. For this purpose, we study related‐party transactions as well as labor redundancy, and classify firms as either state‐ or private‐controlled.Research Findings/Insights: We find that related‐party transactions grow more extensive as the wedge between the controlling shareholder's control rights and cash flow rights increases. Related‐party transactions also rise with voting rights held by the government in state‐controlled firms. Next, the state as controlling shareholder exacerbates labor redundancy. The control rights of the second to tenth largest investors can offset expropriation. Regarding board characteristics, we find that a larger fraction of directors affiliated with the dominant owner enlarges related‐party transactions, while large boards also increase labor redundancy in state‐controlled firms. We find only weak evidence that higher‐quality institutions help to restrain expropriation of minority investors.Theoretical/Academic Implications: In Chinese listed firms, a major conflict of interest arises between majority and minority investors. Also, the state may exercise its control rights to achieve imperative social and political objectives, to the detriment of external investors. Yet, as the stock market valuation and financial performance of state‐controlled firms rise with the fraction of shares held by the state, future research should better delineate the conditions under which state ownership is either detrimental or beneficial to firms. Next, the results indicate that governance mechanisms suggested by conventional agency theory are deficient in Chinese listed firms. Future research could therefore establish more clearly when internal and external governance mechanisms are likely to work, thereby also taking into account the identity of the controlling shareholder.Practitioner/Policy Implications: Investors should be aware that expropriation in Chinese listed firms has specific implications when the state is the controlling owner. Also, at this stage of development, independent directors and external governance mechanisms can hardly protect the best interests of minority investors. Rather, expropriation is counterbalanced when voting rights are concentrated in the hands of other large block holders. Policy makers should work on ownership restructuring, board independence, and institutional quality to better protect minority rights in Chinese listed firms.