bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B as monotherapy and in combination with topical calcipotriol in the treatment of vitiligo
Authors: ARCA Ercan , TAŞTAN Halis Bülent , ERBIL Ahmet Hakan , SEZER Engin , KOÇ Erol , KURUMLU Zafer 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTVitiligo is a common, idiopathic, acquired, depigmenting disease characterized by loss of normal melanin pigments in the skin. The most interesting treatment methods for extensive vitiligo involve psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy and ultraviolet (UV)‐B phototherapy, particularly narrow‐band UV‐B. In this randomized and comparative study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of narrow band ultraviolet B as monotherapy and in combination with topical calcipotriol in the treatment of generalized vitiligo. Of the 40 vitiligo patients enrolled in the study, 15 were treated with the calcipotriol plus narrow‐band UV‐B (NBUVB) and 25 with narrow band UV‐B alone. The patients were randomized into two NBUVB treatment groups. The first group, consisting of 24 patients (all male), received only NBUVB treatment; the second group, consisting of 13 patients (all male) applied 0.05% topical calcipotriol ointments twice daily. Both groups were irradiated with NBUVB (311 nm). In the NBUVB group, the percentage of the body surface affected was reduced from 27.21 ± 10.41% to 16.25 ± 8.54% after a mean of 30 treatment sessions. The mean repigmentation percentage was 41.6 ± 19.4%. In clinical evaluation (moderate and marked/complete response was accepted as an effective treatment), 19 patients (19/24; 79.17%) had clinically good results. In the NBUVB plus calcipotriol group, the percentage of the body surface affected was reduced from 23.35 ± 6.5% to 13.23 ± 7.05% after a mean of 30 treatment sessions. The mean repigmentation percentage was 45.01 ± 19.15%. In clinical evaluation (moderate and marked/complete response was accepted as an effective treatment), 10 patients (10/13; 76.92%) had clinically good results. Statistically significant intragroup reductions from the baseline percentage of the body surface affected were seen at the endpoint of treatment for the two treatment groups (P < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups at the end of therapy with respect to the reduction of repigmentation rates (P > 0.05). The present study reconfirmed the efficacy of NBUVB phototherapy in vitiligo. It can be a therapeutic option considered in the management of patients with vitiligo. However, addition of topical calcipotriol to NBUVB did not show any advantage.
A 14‐year‐old girl with lichenoid sarcoidosis successfully treated with tacrolimus
Authors: TSUBOI Hiromi , YONEMOTO Kohzoh , KATSUOKA Kensei 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTWe report a case of lichenoid sarcoidosis in a young girl treated by oral tacrolimus and methylprednisolone. The patient had had a skin eruption from 1 year of age and had developed uveitis at 2 years of age. Her sight had become affected by the uveitis at 8 years of age. When she was 14, she was admitted to the ophthalmology department of our hospital to start treatment with tacrolimus (FK506). She was referred to the department of dermatology for her skin lesions, which were flat, pinkish or normal skin‐colored papules scattered on her extremities and the backs of her hands. Upon histology, epithelioid granulomas were seen in the upper dermis and around the erector pili muscles. She received tacrolimus (FK506) 6 mg/day for 3 months for her uveitis. The eye lesions subsided somewhat, and the skin lesions were almost healed after the 3‐month course of tacrolimus. However, 4 months after stopping the tacrolimus, her skin and eye lesions relapsed. At that point, she was started on methylprednisolone 16 mg/day for her uveitis. With the methylprednisolone treatment, the inflammation of the eye lesion immediately healed, as did the skin lesions.
Acitretin induced bipedal edema
Authors: TEY Hong Liang , THENG Thiam Seng Colin 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTGeneralized edema has been reported to be a rare side effect of systemic retinoids. We report a patient who developed localized bipedal edema from acitretin. Other causes of bipedal edema were excluded and withdrawal of acitretin led to resolution of the edema.
A community action programme for reducing harmful drinking behaviour among adolescents: the Trelleborg Project
Authors: Stafström Martin , Östergren Per‐Olof , Larsson Stig , Lindgren Björn , Lundborg Petter 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To evaluate a 3‐year community intervention programme by measuring changes in drinking patterns in a 15–16‐year‐old population.Design, setting, participants and measurements  The action programme included five demand‐reducing and one supply‐reducing interventions. Cross‐sectional, non‐repeated data were collected from a questionnaire distributed in classrooms from 1999 to 2001 and 2003 (n = 1376, 724 boys and 652 girls; response rate = 92.3%). Stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between different risk factors and excessive drinking, heavy episodic drinking, purchaser of alcohol and alcohol provided by parents. The results from the intervention community were also compared with similar Swedish cross‐sectional data sets.Findings  The results of our analyses indicated a decrease in harmful drinking behaviour in Trelleborg when comparing baseline with postintervention measurements. The comparison with other studies showed that the changes in these indicators were more rapid and consistent in Trelleborg. Finally, the multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that the outcomes were not likely to be attributed to changes in environmental factors.Conclusions  We concluded that a community action programme based on the systems approach reduced hazardous alcohol consumption effectively among adolescents in Trelleborg.
Systematic review: adipose tissue, obesity and gastrointestinal diseases
Authors: JOHN B. J. , IRUKULLA S. , ABULAFI A. M. , KUMAR D. , MENDALL M. A. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackgroundObesity is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for a number of benign and malignant gastrointestinal conditions. However, literature on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms is sparse and ambiguous. Insulin resistance is the most widely accepted link between obesity and disease, particularly colorectal cancer. The recognition that intra‐abdominal fat is immunologically active sheds new light not only on the pathogenesis of obesity‐related gastrointestinal conditions, but also on inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease.AimTo describe the biology of adipose tissue, its impact on the immune system and explores the possible underlying mechanisms linking obesity to gastrointestinal diseases. It also looks at the role of mesenteric fat in determining severity and course of Crohn's disease.MethodsRelevant English‐language literature and abstracts cited on MEDLINE database were reviewed.ResultsOur recent finding of an association between obesity and subclinical bowel inflammation suggests that, apart from promoting generalized immune activation, fat also evokes local immune responses. We propose that the proinflammatory milieu promoted by obesity could underlie many of these associations and that the mechanism implicating insulin resistance may merely represent an epiphenomenon. In Crohn's disease, on the other hand, intra‐abdominal fat may provide a protective mechanism.ConclusionThe potential of adipose tissue as a therapeutic target is vast and needs exploration.
Meta‐analysis: the adjuvant role of thymopentin on immunological response to hepatitis B virus vaccine in end‐stage renal disease
Authors: FABRIZI F. , DIXIT V. , MARTIN P. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackgroundIt has been calculated that 30–40% of dialysis patients fail to produce antibodies to HBsAg antigen after vaccination towards hepatitis B virus. Several authors have reported on the benefit of thymopentin (TP5) as adjuvant to vaccine against hepatitis B virus in patients receiving regular dialysis. However, consistent information on this issue is still lacking.AimsTo evaluate efficacy and safety of thymopentin as adjuvant to hepatitis B vaccine in dialysis patients by performing a systematic review with a meta‐analysis of clinical trials.MethodsWe used the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses.ResultsWe identified 11 studies involving 272 unique patients with end‐stage renal disease. Only prospective, controlled trials were included. Pooling of study results did not show a significant increase in seroresponse rate among study (thymopentin plus hepatitis B virus vaccine) vs. control (hepatitis B virus vaccine alone) patients; the pooled odds ratio of failure to respond to hepatitis B virus vaccine was 0.677 (95% confidence intervals: 0.285–1.605); no heterogeneity was found (P = 0.0001). Thymopentin significantly improved the seroresponse rate in the subgroup of trials based on greater thymopentin doses (OR: 0.184; 95% CI: 0.085–0.398).ConclusionsOur meta‐analysis showed that thymopentin significantly improved the seroresponse rate towards hepatitis B vaccine only in dialysis patients treated with higher thymopentin doses. The limited number of patients precluded definitive conclusions.
Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis
Authors: ZOCCO M. A. , DAL VERME L. ZILERI , CREMONINI F. , PISCAGLIA A. C. , NISTA E. C. , CANDELLI M. , NOVI M. , RIGANTE D. , CAZZATO I. A. , OJETTI V. , ARMUZZI A. , GASBARRINI G. , GASBARRINI A. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackgroundAminosalicylates are the mainstay of therapy to prevent relapse of quiescent ulcerative colitis. The rationale for using probiotics is based on the evidence implicating intestinal bacteria in the pathogenesis of this disorder.AimTo evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus GG alone or in combination with mesalazine vs. mesalazine as maintenance treatment in ulcerative colitis.Patients and methods187 ulcerative colitis patients with quiescent disease were randomized to receive Lactobacillus GG 18 × 109 viable bacteria/day (65 patients), mesalazine 2400 mg/day (60 patients) or Lactobacillus GG + mesalazine (62 patients). Disease activity index, endoscopic and histological scores were determined at 0, 6 and 12 months and in case of relapse. The primary end point was to evaluate sustained remission.ResultsOverall analysis showed no difference in relapse rate at 6 (P = 0.44) and 12 months (P = 0.77) among the three treatment groups. However, the treatment with Lactobacillus GG seems to be more effective than standard treatment with mesalazine in prolonging the relapse‐free time (P < 0.05).Conclusions Lactobacillus GG seems to be effective and safe for maintaining remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, and it could represent a good therapeutic option for preventing relapse in this group of patients.
Pilot study of the efficacy of renzapride on gastrointestinal motility and symptoms in patients with constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: TACK J. , MIDDLETON S. J. , HORNE M. C. , PIESSEVAUX H. , BLOOR J. S. , MEYERS N. L. , PALMER R. M. J. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryAimTo investigate the efficacy and safety of renzapride, a potent 5‐hydroxytryptamine type‐4 receptor full agonist and 5‐hydroxytryptamine type‐3 receptor antagonist in patients with constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome.MethodsIn this dose‐escalating pilot study, 17 patients with constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome received placebo, renzapride 2 mg o.d. and renzapride 2 mg b.d. sequentially for 28 days. Response was determined by radio‐opaque marker measurement of overall gastrointestinal and segmental colonic transit and patients’ assessment of their irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.ResultsRenzapride reduced mean overall gastrointestinal transit time (placebo, 2.9 ± 1.6 days; renzapride 2 mg o.d., 2.6 ± 1.4 days; renzapride 2 mg b.d., 1.9 ± 1.6 days) (P = 0.024) and accelerated segmental colonic transit, with statistically significant differences for renzapride 2 mg b.d. over placebo in caecum/ascending colon (P = 0.019) and descending colon (P = 0.022). Renzapride also reduced abdominal pain, increased the number of pain‐free days and improved stool consistency. The frequency of reported adverse events was similar on renzapride and placebo.ConclusionsRenzapride is well‐tolerated, stimulates gastrointestinal transit and improves symptoms in patients with constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome, particularly at the 2 mg b.d. dose, where improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms were evident over placebo. This study has established proof of concept and supports further investigation of renzapride in patients with constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
An objective assessment of nerve stimulators used for peripheral nerve blockade*
Authors: Jochum D. , Iohom G. , Diarra D. P. , Loughnane F. , Dupré L. J. , Bouaziz H. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryNerve stimulation is considered by many to be the current ‘gold standard’ for locating peripheral nerves. Thirteen nerve stimulators were subjected to a battery of tests performed by two independent observers under standardised conditions using a digital oscilloscope, a calibrated resistance and a novel scoring system. Individual scores were assigned for the signal waveform, current intensity, impulse duration, maximum load output and functionality of each nerve stimulator; the maximum score achievable was 20. A score of ≥ 15/20 was achieved by six nerve stimulators: Stimuplex HNS 12™(B Braun); MultiStim Vario™ (Pajunk); Plexival™ (Medival, Vygon); MultiStim Sensor™ (Pajunk); Plexygon™ (Aryon, Vygon); Stimuplex HNS 11™ (B Braun). Seven nerve stimulators scored < 15/20. Anaesthetists should be aware of the limitations of the nerve stimulator being used. Standardisation of features is desirable when manufacturing nerve stimulators.
Spinal myoclonus following combined spinal‐epidural anaesthesia for Caesarean section
Authors: Menezes F. V. , Venkat N. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryA nulliparous woman presented with pre‐eclampsia at 39 weeks' gestation. A combined spinal‐epidural anaesthesia was employed for Caesarean section but the spinal component produced no discernible block, so the epidural was topped up with 20 ml ropivacaine 0.75% without problem and surgery was uneventful. A week after delivery she developed twitching of her legs and opisthotonus, that was initially thought to be eclampsia but was subsequently diagnosed as spinal myoclonus. She was treated with oral carbamazepine and diazepam, with improvement over the next 4 days, and discharged home a week later taking oral carbidopa and levodopa. Her symptoms resolved completely 6 months after the initial event.
The effects of brief sevoflurane‐nitrous oxide anaesthesia upon children's postoperative cognition and behaviour
Authors: Millar K. , Asbury A. J. , Bowman A. W. , Hosey M. T. , Musiello T. , Welbury R. R. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThis study assessed the effects of brief sevoflurane‐nitrous oxide anaesthesia on children's postoperative cognition, behaviour and physical morbidity. Forty‐eight children aged 5–10 years undergoing anaesthesia without premedication for multiple dental extractions, and 48 control children, performed tests of choice reaction time, attention, psychomotor co‐ordination and memory pre‐operatively (baseline), prior to discharge and at 48 h (anaesthesia group only). Physical and psychological morbidity were recorded at 1 week. Mean choice reaction time and psychomotor co‐ordination were significantly impaired postoperatively but had recovered at 48 h. However, measures of performance variability suggested the presence of residual impairment. Profound retrograde amnesia affected postoperative and 48‐h recall of pictorial stimuli presented prior to anaesthesia, but recognition memory was unimpaired. Attention‐seeking, tantrums, crying and nightmares were occurring more frequently in some 8–20% of children 1 week after the procedure.
Modification of allergic inflammation in murine model of rhinitis by different bacterial ligands: involvement of mast cells and dendritic cells
Authors: Yamamoto K. , Kawamura I. , Ito J. , Mitsuyama M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackground
It has been suggested that airway bacterial infections exacerbate allergic disorders, and bacterial components in the air affect allergic inflammation via Toll‐like receptors expressed on mast cells and dendritic cells in the airway mucosa.Objective
Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a major component of the bacterial cell wall. We investigated the effect of PGN on the effector phase of allergic inflammation, in comparison with the effect of CpG‐oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG), which is known to be a Th1 adjuvant.Methods
Ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized mice were challenged intranasally with OVA alone or OVA together with PGN or CpG. Nasal allergic symptoms and eosinophilia were scored, and the OVA‐specific cytokine response was examined in the cells of cervical lymph nodes and nasal mucosa. Bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMCs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) were stimulated with PGN or CpG in vitro, and the expression level of cytokines and chemokines was examined by RT‐PCR. In addition, the expression level of chemokines was examined by RT‐PCR in mast cells of OVA‐sensitized mice challenged with OVA alone or OVA together with PGN or CpG.Results
PGN exposure exacerbated the nasal allergic symptoms and eosinophilia, whereas CpG exposure suppressed them. In addition, PGN exposure increased the OVA‐specific IL‐4 response in the cells, whereas CpG exposure decreased it. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the OVA‐specific IFN‐γ response. PGN but not CpG induced the expression of thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophage/monocyte‐derived chemokine (MDC) in both BMMCs and mast cells of mice sensitized and challenged with OVA. CpG but not PGN induced the expression of IFN‐β and interferon‐inducible protein‐10 (IP‐10) in BMDCs, and histamine did not influence this effect.Conclusion
These results demonstrate that PGN exposure exacerbates allergic inflammation mainly via mast cells, whereas CpG exposure suppresses allergic inflammation mainly via dendritic cells.
The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration in European forests and forest soils
Authors: DE VRIES WIM , REINDS GERT JAN , GUNDERSEN PER , STERBA HUBERT 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAn estimate of net carbon (C) pool changes and long‐term C sequestration in trees and soils was made at more than 100 intensively monitored forest plots (level II plots) and scaled up to Europe based on data for more than 6000 forested plots in a systematic 16 km × 16 km grid (level I plots). C pool changes in trees at the level II plots were based on repeated forest growth surveys At the level I plots, an estimate of the mean annual C pool changes was derived from stand age and available site quality characteristics. C sequestration, being equal to the long‐term C pool changes accounting for CO2 emissions because of harvest and forest fires, was assumed 33% of the overall C pool changes by growth. C sequestration in the soil were based on calculated nitrogen (N) retention (N deposition minus net N uptake minus N leaching) rates in soils, multiplied by the C/N ratio of the forest soils, using measured data only (level II plots) or a combination of measurements and model calculations (level I plots). Net C sequestration by forests in Europe (both trees and soil) was estimated at 0.117 Gton yr−1, with the C sequestration in stem wood being approximately four times as high (0.094 Gton yr−1) as the C sequestration in the soil (0.023 Gton yr−1). The European average impact of an additional N input on the net C sequestration was estimated at approximately 25 kg C kg−1 N for both tree wood and soil. The contribution of an average additional N deposition on European forests of 2.8 kg ha−1 yr−1 in the period 1960–2000 was estimated at 0.0118 Gton yr−1, being equal to 10% of the net C sequestration in both trees and soil in that period (0.117 Gton yr−1). The C sequestration in trees increased from Northern to Central Europe, whereas the C sequestration in soil was high in Central Europe and low in Northern and Southern Europe. The result of this study implies that the impact of forest management on tree growth is most important in explaining the C pool changes in European forests.
Modulation of dendritic cell differentiation and cytokine secretion by the hydatid cyst fluid of Echinococcus granulosus
Authors: Kanan João H. C. , Chain Benjamin M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryChronic infection by Echinococcus granulosus results in establishment of fluid‐filled cysts (hydatid cysts) in liver or lungs of infected hosts, which can escape destruction by the host immune system for long periods. This study explores the modulation by hydatid cyst fluid of the in vitro human monocyte to dendritic cell (DC) transition induced by granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4). Addition of the fluid to adherent peripheral blood monocytes cultured in GM‐CSF/IL‐4 stimulates release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and IL‐6. Exposure of differentiating DC to the fluid during the 7‐day culture in GM‐CSF/IL‐4 impairs their subsequent ability to secrete IL‐12, IL‐6 or PGE2 in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. This inhibition is not dependent on the initial release of PGE2. The presence of hydatid cyst fluid also modulates the phenotype of the cells generated during culture, resulting in increased CD14 expression and decreased expression of CD1a. Finally, hydatid fluid can stimulate predifferentiated DC to mature, as evidenced by release of IL‐12 and IL‐6, and by up‐regulation of class II major histocompatibility complex and CD86. The possible role of dendritic cell modulation in regulating the host immune response to hydatid cysts is discussed.
Patterns of genetic variation in the adaptive radiation of New World crossbills (Aves:Loxia)
Authors: PARCHMAN THOMAS L. , BENKMAN CRAIG W. , BRITCH SETH C. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIncipient species groups or young adaptive radiations such as crossbills (Aves:Loxia) present the opportunity to investigate directly the processes occurring during speciation. New World crossbills include white‐winged crossbills (Loxia leucoptera), Hispaniolan crossbills (Loxia megaplaga), and red crossbills (Loxia curvirostracomplex), the last of which is comprised of at least nine morphologically and vocally differentiated forms (‘call types’) where divergent natural selection for specialization on different conifer resources has been strongly implicated as driving diversification. Here we use amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to investigate patterns of genetic variation across populations, call types, and species of New World crossbills. Tree‐based analyses using 440 AFLP loci reveal strongly supported clustering of the formally recognized species, but did not separate individuals from the eight call types in the red crossbill complex, consistent with recent divergence and ongoing gene flow. Analyses of genetic differentiation based on inferred allele frequency variation however, reveal subtle but significant levels of genetic differentiation among the different call types of the complex and indicate that between call‐type differentiation is greater than that found among different geographic locations within call types. Interpreted in light of evidence of divergent natural selection and strong premating reproductive isolation, the observed genetic differentiation suggests restricted gene flow among sympatric call types consistent with the early stages of ecological speciation.