bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of topical chemotherapy for primary acquired melanosis and malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva and cornea: review of the evidence and recommendations for treatment
Authors: Chalasani Rajeev , Giblin Michael , Conway R Max 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSurgical excision with cryotherapy is a well‐established treatment option for malignant melanoma or primary acquired melanosis (PAM) with atypia of the conjunctiva and cornea. Topical chemotherapeutic agents such as mitomycin C (MMC) however, are increasingly finding use in clinical practice. A search was performed of Medline and Pubmed databases for English language articles from 1980 to the present in this field. Relevant studies were reviewed with regards to treatment regimen, rates of recurrence and metastasis, side effect profile and length of follow up. A total of 22 and 16 unique cases of biopsy proven PAM with atypia and malignant melanoma, respectively, treated with topical MMC were identified. Topical MMC was well tolerated and shows considerable promise, particularly in the treatment of diffuse PAM with atypia. However, long‐term data are lacking and further studies are required.
New records and a status assessment of a rare dwarf brocket deer from the montane forests of Bolivia
Authors: Rumiz D. I. , Pardo E. , Eulert C. F. , Arispe R. , Wallace R. B. , Gómez H. , Ríos‐Uzeda B. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractTwo skeletons, tracks, faecal pellets, photographs and local reports are described and compared with the few previous records of dwarf Andean deer from Bolivia and Peru. Tarsal bones and incisor teeth were diagnostic traits for Mazama and not for Pudu, while skull measurements, ear shape, body colour and facial patterns were consistent with descriptions of Mazama chunyi. Twenty‐five new localities (including more than 60 sites in La Paz and Cochabamba) extended significantly the previously known range for M. chunyi in Bolivia. It occurs in Madidi, Apolobamba, Pilón Lajas, Cotapata, Carrasco and probably Isiboro Sécure protected areas, in habitats ranging from grasslands and Polylepis elfin forests of the ‘ceja de Yungas’ at 3600 m to sub‐Andean forests at 1000 m. A geographical information system modelled geographic distribution area based on altitude and ecological zone estimates a potential range of about 45 717 km2 in Bolivia. About 36% of this range (or 41% of the extent of occurrence) is degraded and fragmented, but the rest seems to be in relatively good conservation status. Habitat decline and a limited area of occupancy estimated for Bolivia (and suspected for Peru) suggest that M. chunyi's conservation status should be updated from Data Deficient to Vulnerable VU A4c; B2a+b(iii).
Echinostome infection in green frogs (Rana clamitans) is stage and age dependent
Authors: Holland M. P. , Skelly D. K. , Kashgarian M. , Bolden S. R. , Harrison L. M. , Cappello M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe increasing threat of emerging infectious diseases in both wildlife and humans has spurred interest in the causes of disease emergence, including the role of anthropogenic change. A prior field study of infection patterns in amphibians suggests that echinostome infection may be an emerging disease of green frogsRana clamitansliving in urbanized environments. We examined the impact of echinostome infection on green frog tadpoles at a wide range of developmental stages (Gosner stage 25–39). Echinostome infection was associated with green frog mortality rates of up to 40% in an early developmental stage, and none in later developmental stages. Tadpoles exposed to higher echinostome doses exhibited higher edema rates, a potential sign of compromised renal function. Histopathological analysis further supported the hypothesis that echinostome‐induced tadpole mortality resulted from compromised renal function. Given that the timing of highest cercarial shedding can coincide with the most vulnerable stages of green frog tadpole development, echinostomes could significantly impact green frog survival in nature.
Metabolic and polycystic ovary syndromes in indigenous South Asian women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wijeyaratne CN , Waduge R , Arandara D , Arasalingam A , Sivasuriam A , Dodampahala SH , Balen AH 
Published: September 2006

Objective  To determine the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a cohort of indigenous South Asian women with a recent history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Design  Case–control study.Setting  Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.Sample  Two hundred and seventy‐four indigenous Sri Lankan women with previous GDM and 168 ethnically matched controls. Of these, 147 with previous GDM and 67 controls not taking hormonal contraception participated in an in‐depth endocrine study.Methods  Assessing the prevalence of MS and PCOS based on clinical features, biochemistry and ovarian ultrasound examination at 3 years postpartum.Main outcome measures  Prevalence of MS and PCOS.Results  Women with previous GDM and controls were studied at a mean (range) of 34.6 (13.4–84.1) and 46.5 (17.5–78) months postpartum, respectively. Those with previous GDM had a larger mean ± 95% confidence interval waist circumference (90.9 ± 1.3 versus 81.2 ± 2.8 cm, P= 0.0004) and were more likely to have hypertension (17.6 versus 7.4%, P= 0.001), glucose intolerance (51.7 versus 10.4%, P= 0.00001), hypertriglyceridaemia (16.3 versus 5.9%, P= 0.02) and a lower level of high‐density lipoprotein (70 versus 56.7%, P= 0.04) than the controls. Of the women who had GDM, 72 (49%) had MS, 86 (58.5%) had polycystic ovaries and 59 (40%) had PCOS, significantly more than the control women—4 (6%), 9 (13%) and 2 (3%), respectively (P= 0.00001).Conclusions  The prevalence of MS and PCOS in indigenous Sri Lankan women 3 years postpartum is significantly higher in those with previous GDM compared with ethnically matched controls. This confirms an association between GDM and subsequent PCOS and MS.
Audit of the influence of body mass index on the performance of epidural analgesia in labour and the subsequent mode of delivery
Authors: Dresner M , Brocklesby J , Bamber J 
Published: September 2006

Objective  To assess the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the performance of epidural analgesia in labour and the subsequent mode of delivery.Design  A retrospective audit of prospectively collected quality assurance data.Setting  The delivery suite of Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK. This is a 4500‐delivery teaching hospital unit.Population  All women receiving epidural analgesia during labour in our unit between April 1997 and December 2005.Methods  Epidural recipients were divided into BMI groups according to World Health Organization (WHO) categories and compared for indices of epidural performance and mode of delivery.Main outcome measures  Midwife and patient satisfaction scores with epidural analgesia, epidural resite rates, and mode of delivery.Results  Data from 13 299 epidural recipients were analysed. Using WHO definitions, 22.8% were of normal body mass, 41.9% were overweight, 31.9% obese, and 3.4% morbidly obese. Epidurals were more likely to fail as BMI increased, as judged by midwife satisfaction scores (P < 0.001) and epidural resite rates (P < 0.01). This trend was not seen for maternal satisfaction scores using the WHO BMI categories. However, if women with BMI below 30 kg/m2 were grouped together, a significant trend was found (P < 0.01). BMI had no influence on vaginal instrumental deliveries, but caesarean section rates rose from 11.5% in women of normal BMI to 29.2% in the morbidly obese women (P < 0.001).Conclusions  Obesity increases the incidence of analgesic failure and the need for resite of epidurals. The caesarean section rate among epidural recipients increases dramatically as BMI rises.
Problems of integration of medical care and welfare service: medical treatment under long‐term insurance system
Authors: SUGAI Yuuichi 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe advent of the long‐term care insurance system has brought substantial structural change not only in the social welfare field but also to the medical care system. Long‐term care insurance has also been introduced into the geriatric hospital system to reduce medical care insurance expenditure. As a result, in cases of emergency involving people under long‐term care, adequate medical care can not be expected because of a shortage of medical treatment wards for the aged. At a sanatorium‐type hospital, the upper limit of the insurance payment is decided by the care degree required by the patient. So from the standpoint of the hospital management, it is necessary to admit patients requiring more severe degrees of care to a sanatorium‐type hospital. It has become difficult to hospitalize dementia patients requiring care degrees 1 or 2. Under the long‐term care insurance system, the problem of medical treatment for the aged becomes all the more serious.
Inhibition of endocytosis activates alternative degradation pathway of βAPP in cultured cells
Authors: FUKUMORI Akio , JIANG Jingwei , TANII Hisashi , MORIHARA Takashi , KAMINO Kojin , TANAKA Toshihisa , KUDO Takashi , ITO Naohiro , TAGAMI Shinji , OKOCHI Masayasu , TAKEDA Masatoshi 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground:  Alzheimer’s disease associated βAPP is sequentially endoproteolyzed by α/β‐secretase and γ‐cleavage. In the process, extracellular shedding by α‐secretase (ADAM 9/10/17) or β‐secretase (BACE 1/2) at position L17 or D1 (Aβ numbering) are prerequisites for the generation of P3 or Aβ, respectively. In addition, several alternative extracellular cleavage sites in βAPP have been reported at position I−6, V−3, R5, E11, F20, and A21. Among these sites, position R5 is considered to be cleaved by α‐secretase‐like activity, whereas position E11, F20 and A21 are cleaved by β‐secretase. Therefore, extracellular shedding of βAPP is thought to be mediated exclusively by α/β‐secretase activities. However, so far the characteristics of cleavages at position V−3 and I−6 are not well understood. The aim of this study is to characterize these two cleavages of βAPP.Methods:  We analyzed the conditioned media of βAPP wt or sw expressing cells with or without pharmacological agents.Results:  Here, we show that the cleavage at position I−6 of βAPP has characteristics distinct from that of α/β‐secretase, while the cleavage at V−3 seems to be mediated by β‐secretase. Although inhibition of endocytosis enhances the cleavages at both V−3 and I−6, PMA, an α‐secretase stimulator, treatment enhances neither of these cleavages. Interestingly, a β‐secretase inhibitor, z‐VLL‐CHO, suppressed V−3 but not I−6 cleavage. The pathological βAPP Swedish mutant adjacent to the cleavage sites shows similar effects.Conclusions:  Our data demonstrate that neither α nor β‐secretase undergoes extracellular shedding at I−6 of βAPP. Therefore, our data may indicate a novel alternative βAPP degradation pathway which is up‐regulated upon low level of endocytosis.
Primary alcoholic dementia and alcohol‐related dementia
Authors: MORIYAMA Yasushi , MIMURA Masaru , KATO Motoichiro , KASHIMA Haruo 
Published: September 2006

AbstractClinicopathological issues regarding so‐called ‘alcoholic dementia’ remain under debate. Although clinical observation favors the diagnosis of primary alcohol dementia, caused by direct alcohol neurotoxicity, further confirmation from neuropathological and biochemical perspectives is warranted. Repeat episodes of subclinical Wernicke–Korsakoff’s syndrome may partially account for the chronic state of primary alcoholic dementia, thus supporting the notion that primary alcoholic dementia exists in continuum with chronic and subclinical types of Wernicke–Korsakoff’s syndrome. Diagnostic criteria for alcohol related dementia, as detailed by Oslin et al., represent a purer form of alcoholic dementia and are useful for the scientific discussion of this condition.
Comparison of Reproductive Effects of Levetiracetam and Valproate Studied in Prepubertal Porcine Ovarian Follicular Cells
Authors: Taubøll Erik , Gregoraszczuk Ewa L. , Tworzydø Anna , Wójtowicz Anna K. , Ropstad Erik 
Published: September 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Long‐term valproate (VPA) treatment has been associated with reproductive endocrine disorders characterized by hyperandrogenism and polycystic changes in the ovaries in women with epilepsy. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a promising, new antiepileptic drug that may represent an alternative to VPA for many patients. Here the effect of LEV and VPA on basal and gonadotropin‐stimulated steroid secretion from prepubertal porcine ovarian follicular cells was compared and the conversion of testosterone to estradiol is measured. Methods: Ovarian follicles were obtained from prepubertal pigs. Follicular theca and granulosa cells were cocultured and different concentrations of LEV or VPA added to the control or gonadotropin‐stimulated cultures. Results: VPA, but not LEV, caused a significant increase of LH‐stimulated testosterone secretion and decreased FSH‐stimulated estradiol secretion. VPA decreased conversion of testosterone to estradiol in both basal and FSH‐stimulated cultures, while LEV only decreased testosterone to estradiol conversion after FSH stimulation and only at the highest, nontherapeutic drug concentration. Both drugs increased basal testosterone secretion at therapeutic drug levels. VPA also reduced basal estradiol secretion, while LEV decreased basal estradiol secretion only at nontherapeutic drug levels. Conclusion: Both LEV and VPA affect endocrine function in the prepubertal ovary. But while VPA alters both basal and gonadotropin‐stimulated testosterone and estradiol secretion at therapeutic drug concentrations, LEV only affects basal hormone secretion at this concentration level. The possibility that LEV could be an alternative treatment to VPA if reproductive endocrine problems emerge in adult women, is discussed. However, extrapolation to the clinical situation is problematic and particular emphasis is placed on the need for further studies.
Isolated bilateral optic neuritis in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
Authors: Bangsgaard Regitze , Larsen Vibeke Andrée , Milea Dan 
Published: September 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  We present a 4‐year‐old girl with isolated visual loss related to a bilateral oedematous optic neuropathy of unknown origin, occurring after an episode of viral illness.Methods:  A cerebral MRI was performed, showing bilateral enhancement of the optic nerves and bilateral, diffuse, cerebral white matter lesions.Results:  The MRI scan suggested acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Treatment with intravenous steroids and immunoglobulins resulted in favourable visual recovery.Conclusions:  Bilateral isolated optic neuritis in childhood may be the only presenting symptom in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, which requires appropriate evaluation and therapeutic management.
Dental restorations: a risk factor for periodontal attachment loss?
Authors: Broadbent Jonathan M. , Williams Karen B. , Thomson W. Murray , Williams Sheila M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground: Dental caries and restorations in proximal tooth surfaces often impinge upon the periodontal biological width.Aim: This study examines whether these factors may contribute to risk for periodontal attachment loss at these sites.Methods: The study is based upon data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a long‐standing cohort study. Approximal tooth surfaces of 884 study members were evaluated for restorations and caries at age 26 and again at 32 years, and probing depth and gingival recession were recorded in millimetres at age 32. Attachment loss was computed as the sum of pocket depth and gingival recession. Data were analysed using generalized estimating equations.Results: Where a caries/restorative event had occurred on an inter‐proximal tooth surface before age 26, the age‐32 attachment loss at the corresponding periodontal site was approximately twice more likely to be 3 mm than if the adjacent tooth surface had remained sound to age 32. This was also true where a caries/restorative event had occurred subsequent to age 26. The association remained after controlling for potential confounders, including smoking.Conclusions: Site‐specific periodontal attachment loss due to dental caries or restorative events occurs in adults in their third and fourth decades of life.
Periodontal therapy in siblings with Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome and tinea capitis: a report of two cases
Authors: Schacher B. , Baron F. , Ludwig B. , Valesky E. , Noack B. , Eickholz P. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjective: Report of clinical and microbiological periodontal findings before and 6 months after treatment of two siblings with Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) and tinea capitis.Methods: Two brothers, RG 3 years and NG 5 years of age, were referred for treatment due to premature mobility of their deciduous teeth. Probing depths (PPD), attachment levels (PAL‐V), and furcation involvements were examined clinically. Panoramic radiographs were taken. Subgingival plaque samples within the deepest pocket of each tooth were taken and analysed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (AA), Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Prevotella intermedia. One‐stage full‐mouth scaling and extraction of hopeless teeth were performed under general anaesthesia, followed by systemic amoxicillin and metronidazole for 7 days. Clinical and microbiological analyses were performed 6 months after treatment.Results: Before treatment, both siblings had exhibited PPD of up to 13 mm, Class III furcation defects at four teeth, and marginal suppuration. AA was detected in both patients and at all teeth at levels ranging from 3.0 × 102 to 5.1 × 106. Both patients exhibited palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis. Seven teeth were extracted from RG, and nine from NG. Six months after treatment, PPD had been reduced to ≤5 mm. AA was not detected in any of the remaining teeth.Conclusion: Even periodontally affected deciduous teeth of PLS patients can be treated successfully. Suppression of AA to below detection level seems to be of high significance.
Evaluation of Patients with Chest Pain who Present to the Emergency Department: Utility of Multidetector CT
Authors: White C. S. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe evaluation of patients who present to the Emergency Department with chest pain remains challenging, particularly for atypical chest pain. This article discusses imaging techniques that are used in such equivocal cases, including radionuclide perfusion imaging and echocardiography, with emphasis on the potential role of multi‐detector computed tomography.
Value of Multi‐Detector‐Row CT for the Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Review
Authors: Becker C. R. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThis paper reviews the currently existing literature for the use of CT in acute coronary syndrome. Because there is urgent need to a modality that allows to triage patients with this disease some very early reports are already available. CT thereby may rapidly provide valuable information about heart disease as well as about other findings relevant for the differential diagnosis. Patients with negative CT may be discharged earlier than according to the current standard procedure. However, further studies with newer modalities are needed to provide more evidence for the use of CT in this particular cohort of patients.
Role of MSCT Coronary Angiography in Patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: De Feyter P. J. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryMSCT coronary angiography may evolve to assess the extent and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with unstable angina or non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction. There appears to be no role for MCST‐coronary angiography in patients with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Use of Olfaction During Prey Location by the Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus)1
Authors: Bahlman Joseph Wm. , Kelt Douglas A. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTThe common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, feeds on mammalian blood and is a major agricultural pest in Latin America. One way to prevent bats from biting livestock is to understand how the bats locate the livestock. We confirmed the role of olfaction in foraging with a modified cafeteria trial. Bats significantly favored blood meals associated with scent (fur, feces) over meals lacking these olfactory cues. These results confirm earlier observations on the role of olfaction during prey location by this species, and have potential to facilitate eradication measures without extensive loss of other bat species.
The Demography of Miconia prasina (Melastomataceae) During Secondary Succession in Puerto Rico1
Authors: Pascarella John B. , Aide T. Mitchell , Zimmerman J. K. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT Miconia prasina (Melastomataceae) is an important colonizing species during early stages of secondary succession in Puerto Rico but its abundance declines with increasing stand age. We studied its demography for 2 yr (1995–1997) in three populations across a pasture to forest chronosequence (1‐, 12‐, and 25‐yr old) and in one population in a hurricane‐disturbed older forest (>60‐yr old). Vegetative growth was positive in the two young sites, but negative in the two older sites. The highest percentage of plants that flowered occurred in the two younger sites but highest seed production occurred in the 25‐yr‐old site. Although seed germination occurred in the two older sites, no seedlings established. Vegetative reproduction (root sprouts) was found in all sites, with most sprouts occurring in young sites. The 2 yr of census data were used to construct stage‐based transition matrices. In the two young sites, the average population growth rate was positive (λ > 1), while average population growth was negative in the two older sites (λ < 1). Elasticity, a measure of the effects of proportional changes in life‐history transitions to the long‐term population growth rate, varied across both stages and sites. Elasticity shifted from large plants in young sites to small plants in older sites. Across all sites, elasticities related to survival were more important than those of growth or vegetative reproduction. The demographic analysis supported the previous observations of changes in the density of M. prasina based on the chronosequence and also suggests that establishment via seeds must occur prior to abandonment in active pastures.
Discovery of two pulsars towards the Galactic Centre
Authors: Johnston Simon , Kramer M. , Lorimer D. R. , Lyne A. G. , McLaughlin M. , Klein B. , Manchester R. N. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
We report the discovery of two highly dispersed pulsars in the direction of the Galactic Centre made during a survey at 3.1 GHz with the Parkes radio telescope. Both PSRs J1745–2912 and J1746–2856 have an angular separation from the Galactic Centre of less than and dispersion measures in excess of 1100 cm−3 pc, placing them in the top 10 pulsars when ranked on this value. The frequency dependence of the scatter-broadening in PSR J1746–2856 is much shallower than expected from simple theory. We believe it likely that the pulsars are located between 150 and 500 pc from the Galactic Centre on the near side, and are part of an excess population of neutron stars associated with the Centre itself. A second survey made at 8.4 GHz did not detect any pulsars. This implies either that there are not many bright, long-period pulsars at the Galactic Centre or that the scattering is more severe at high frequencies than current models would suggest.