bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CREEPING DISEASE DUE TO LARVA OE SPIRUROID NEMATODA
Authors: OKAZAKI AIKO , IDA TAKASHI , MURAMATSU TSUTOMU , SHIRAI TOSHIHIKO , NISHIYAMA TOSHIMASA , ARAKI TSUNEZI 
Published: May 2007

A 31‐year‐old man visited our hospital in May 1991, com‐plaining of an abdominal serpiginous eruption with pruritus (Fig. 1). He had eaten raw “firefly squid” (Watasenia scintil‐lans) 2 weeks before the onset of the disease, and the erup‐tion had grown to about 30 cm in length in 2 weeks. The laboratory findings included a leukocyte count of 6100/mm3 with 10% eosinophils and a serum IgE level of 134 U/mL (normal < 303 U/mL). The front of the eruption was excised. Seven parasitic sections were observed in the dermis (Fig. 2). The diameter of the sections were about 0.08 mm. The mus‐cle layer was of the polymyarian coelomyarian type. In the body cavity of the parasite, there was a glandular part of the esophagus composed of vacuolated cells with many nuclei and a narrow esophageal lumen. Well‐developed lateral nerve chords were also visible in these sections. Two of the parasitic sections showed intestine composed of cuboidal cells with a round lumen and lateral nerve chords of both sides touching each other in the center of body cavity.These findings indicate the characteristics of larval Spiruroidea. The morphologic appearance of the sectioned worm closely resembled the type × larva of the superfamily Spiruroidea of Hasegawa.1
TRICHOMONAL ABSCESS OF THE MEDIAN RAPHE OF THE PENIS
Authors: PAVITHRAN K. 
Published: May 2007

A 32‐year‐old man presented with a painful swelling on the skin of the penis of 3 weeks' duration. He had frequent unprotected, sexual intercourse with a woman co‐worker, the last contact being 2 weeks before the development of the penile lesion. He denied acquiring any sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the past. There was no previous history of urethral discharge or dysuria and he had not received any antibiotic therapy recently.Examination revealed a pea‐sized, hour‐glass‐shaped, slightly erythematous, warm, tender, and fluctuant abscess on the distal part of the median raphe of the penis (Fig. 1).There was a small opening on the distal end of the abscess through which mucopurulent discharge could be readily expressed. The abscess was not attached to the underlying structures. There was no lymphadenopathy or urethral discharge. The prostate, seminal vesicles and Tyson's glands were normal. The rest of the physical examination was normal.Results of routine laboratory tests on blood and urine were normal. Gram‐stained smears and culture of pus from the abscess did not reveal gonococci or other bacteria. Wet preparations of the pus revealed numerous trichomonads which were identified by their characteristic movement and presence of undulating membrane and flagellae. A venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) slide test of blood was nonreactive. Examination of urethral scrapings and of the prostatic fluid did not show gonococci or Trichomonas vaginalis.The patient was diagnosed as having a trichomonal abscess of the median raphe and was treated with oral metronidazole, 200 mg thrice daily for 7 days, and by repeated aspiration of pus from the abscess through the opening at its distal end. The discharge disappeared on the fourth day and the swelling regressed completely by the tenth day, but the distal opening where the swelling was persisted, through which a thin probe could be passed for about 15 mm into the median raphe. To prevent reinfection, the affected area containing the opening and the tract in the median raphe were excised. Histopathological study of the excised tissue revealed a canal lined by squamous epithelium and surrounded by inflammatory cells. The patient made an uneventful recovery and when seen 1 month after the surgery, the lesion had completely subsided. Investigation of his sex partner, who was asymptomatic, disclosed the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis in her vagina. She was also treated with oral metronidazole, 200 mg thrice daily for 7 days.
EFFECTIVENESS OF A DAPSONE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM IN LEPROSY
Authors: PISCITELLI STEPHEN C. , DANZIGER LARRY H. , HILL CARLOTTA , SLAJCHERT ARLENE A. , WEST DENNIS P. , FISCHER JAMES H. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Long‐term effectiveness of a dapsone compliance program was assessed in patients with leprosy. Methods. The monitoring program consists of urine dap‐sone/creatinine ratio determination at each visit with subsequent patient feedback and education. Eighty‐eight patients receiving dapsone and seen in a leprosy clinic from 1985–1990 were included. Results. The proportion of patients compliant with dapsone during a given year ranged from 70.0% (1987) to 94.4% (1989). Overall compliance for the 6‐year period was 81.6%. This level of compliance was significantly different (P < 0.05) than the baseline compliance in the leprosy clinic of 46.7%. Conclusions. Compliance monitoring, combined with active patient involvement, was effective in sustaining high compliance over a 6‐year period.
FRICTION AMYLOIDOSIS: A VARIANT OR AN ETIOLOGIC FACTOR IN AMYLOIDOSIS CUTIS?
Authors: SUMITRA S. , YESUDIAN PATRICK 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. During a study of cutaneous annyloidosis, it was noticed that a significant number of patients gave a history of friction of some kind or other, which when analyzed could be clearly related to their cutaneous pigmentation. A common feature in all these patients was the relative lack of itching when compared with others who did not give a history of friction. Methods. We studied the role of friction in 65 patients with amyloidosis cutis and found that in 20 patients, frictional factors could be attributed to their cutaneous condition, and these latter were taken up for further study. Results. Histologic examination of the affected area of skin showed amyloid deposits, which could be detected by light microscopy with hematoxylin and eosin stained sections and confirmed by special stains. Conclusions. The role of friction in the causation of lesions that resemble amyloidosis cutis morphologically is discussed.
EFFECT OF PROPYLTHIOURACIL AND METHIMAZOLE ON SERUM LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN‐2 RECEPTORS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS
Authors: ELIAS ALAN N. , GOODMAN MATTHEW M. , ROHAN MARY‐KATE 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. We have previously reported clinical improvement in patients with psoriasis who received orally administered antithyroid thioureylenes, propylthiouracil (PTU), and methimazole (MMI). The antithyroid drugs are believed to exert immunomodulatory effects based on the results of studies in patients with Graves’ disease, the only disease in which they are clinically used. The potential of these drugs to mediate clinical improvement in patients with psoriasis by reducing expression of the interleukin‐2 receptor (IL2R), a marker of early T and B cell activation, was addressed in the present study. Methods. Baseline serum concentrations of IL2R were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay (EUSA) in 15 patients with stable plaque psoriasis and in the same patients after 8 weeks of oral therapy with either 300 mg of propylthiouracil (n=7) or 40 mg methimazole (n=8) given daily. Baseline values were compared with normal controls. Results. Serum IL2R concentrations in the psoriatic patients were significantly higher than in normal controls. After treatment with PTU or MMI, IL2R serum concentrations were not significantly reduced either in the group as a whole or separately in the PTU and MMI treated patients. Conclusions. Since elevated serum concentrations of IL2R often reflect T and B cell activation, and elevated IL2R serum levels are seen in several autoimmune diseases, it is speculated that the beneficial effect of thioureylenes in patients with psoriasis is mediated by some mechanism(s) other than reduction of IL2R expression in activated lymphocytes.
PRELIMINARY, DERMATOLOGIC EIRST STEP CRITERIA FOR LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AND SECOND STEP CRITERIA FOR SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
Authors: BEUTNER ERNST H. , BLASZCZYK MARIA , JABLONSKA STEFANIA , CHORZELSKI TADEUSZ P. , WHITE DONALD , WOLSKA HANNAH , DAVIS BRIAN 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Comparisons of cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with cases of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatologic disorders affords the basis of the 1982 revised criteria of the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) for classifying SLE cases. We address three questions: Do comparisons of LE cases with non‐LE cases that have suggestive skin lesions yield criteria for use in dermatology clinics for primary classification of cases with photo distributions of skin lesions? Do comparisons of SLE with cutaneous LE cases yield the same or similar criteria to the revised ARA criteria for SLE? How should subacute cutaneous LE cases be evaluated for signs of significant systemic involvement? Methods. Discriminant analyses on 168 cases with skin lesions suggestive of LE were performed using data based on the ARA criteria for SLE and study factors for cutaneous LE suggested by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Results. These yielded two sets of criteria: (1) The 11 preliminary, dermatologic first step criteria (10 plus 1 for discoid lesions and histology) serve to classify cases as LE or non‐LE. (2) The 11 preliminary, dermatologic second step criteria classify LE cases as cutaneous LE or systemic LE. Interestingly, 5 of 11 of these second step criteria differ from the 11 ARA criteria for systemic LE. These second step criteria afford a useful means of distinguishing between subacute cutaneous LE cases with or without significant systemic involvement. Conclusions. The study factors included in both the first and the second step criteria fall into three groups, notably clinical criteria, laboratory criteria, and “added study factors.” The latter factors distinguish between the groups compared (LE VS. non‐LE and cutaneous vs. systemic LE) but not as well as the study factors included as “criteria.”
PREVALENCE OF RAYNAUD'S PHENOMENON AND SPECIFIC CLINICAL SIGNS RELATED TO PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS IN THE GENERAL POPULATION OF JAPAN
Authors: INABA RYOICHI , MAEDA MANABU , FUJITA SETSUYA , KASHIKI NAOKO , KOMURA YOKO , NAGATA CHISATO , YOSHIDA HIDHYO , MIRBOD SEYED MOHAMMAD , IWATA HIROTOSHI , SHIKANO YUKIKO , ICHIKI YOSHIRO , MORI SHUNJI 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. In order to evaluate the prevalence rates of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and specific clinical signs related to progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) in the general population of Japan, inquiries were made concerning RP in the hands and dermatologic examinations were also conducted. Methods. One thousand and sixty‐three subjects (332 men and 731 women) over 30 years of age who underwent inhabitants' health examinations in 1990 were considered for this study. Results. The prevalence of RP was 3.0% in men and 3.4% in women. In 8 men and 17 women with RP who received the blood tests, the positive rates of antinuclear antibody (ANA) were 12.5% and 35.3% in men and women, respectively. The prevalence rates of all five specific clinical signs related to PSS, sclerodactyly, pitting scars of the fingers, brown pigmentation of the body, shortened frenulum of the tongue, and flexion contracture of fingers, were under 2% in men and 3% in women. In women with RP the prevalence rates of sclerodactyly, pitting scars of the fingertips, brown pigmentation of the body, and shortened frenulum of the tongue were 16.0, 4.0, 4.0, and 16.0%, respectively. These values were significantly higher than those of persons without RP. Conclusions. Because some persons with primary RP may become typical cases of PSS within several years, a follow‐up study, particulary for women who have positive titers of ANA with RP, should be carried out to find out whether the persons suffer from PSS or not.
FIBRIN CUFF LYSIS IN CHRONIC VENOUS ULCERS TREATED WITH A HYDROCOLLOID DRESSING
Authors: MULDER GERIT , JONES RICHARD , CEDERHOLM‐WILLIAMS STEWART , CHERRY GEORGE , RYAN TERENCE 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground. Pericapillary fibrin cuffs (PFC) are a recognized part of the pathology of venous stasis ulcers. A hydrocolloid dressing capable of lysing wound surface fibrin was tested in venous ulcers for its capacity to lyse pericapillary fibrin below the wound surface.Methods. Tissue biopsies from the rims of 19 venous ulcers were evaluated for thickness of shallow and deep dermal PFCS before and after treatment with DuoDERM covered by Unna's boot and a compression bandage (DD+UB; n=9) versus the same treatment without the hydrocolloid dressing (UB; n=10). Frozen sections of all biopsies were stained with an immunofluorescent antibody to fibrin for rating of PFC thickness. Separate sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to assess capillary frequency, histopathology, and inflammation. All ratings and pathology assessments were performed blinded to treatment conditions.Results. Both deep and shallow PFCS were reduced in 89% of ulcers treated with DD+UB versus 40% of ulcers treated with UB (α < 0.04). No other significant differences in inflammation, histopathology, or capillary frequency were observed.Conclusions. Treatment with DD+UB reduced PFCS in twice the number of ulcers than UB alone in 1 week. This is the first scientific documentation that a topical wound dressing could reduce the pathophysiology associated with venous ulcers, beyond the known beneficial effect of graduated compression. Not all hydrocolloid dressings are fibrinolytic, so this effect may not generalize to other dressings.
UPDATE ON NUTRITION AND PSORIASIS
Authors: PRYSTOWSKY JANET H. , OROLOGA APHRODITE , TAYLOR SUSAN 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. It has been established that severe psoriasis may lead to nutrient depletion, especially of protein, folate, and iron. Nutrient loss occurs due to the accelerated loss of nutrients from the hyperproliferation and desquamation of the epidermal layer of skin in psoriasis. We have proposed that nutritional support as a secondary form of therapy may be beneficial in aiding some psoriasis patients return to a state of remission. Methods. To determine how frequently nutritional abnormalities occur in hospitalized psoriasis patients, a retrospective analysis was done of the nutritional status of 50 patients admitted for the treatment of psoriasis. Chart records were analyzed and laboratory data were interpreted in consideration of concurrent medical problems. Protein status and anemia were the primary nutritional indicators studied. Results. We found that of those parameters that may be used as indicators of nutritional status, 18% of the patients had a decreased total protein, 16% of the patients had a decreased serum albumin, 38% had an elevated mean corpuscular volume, and 39% had a decreased hematocrit. Conclusions. Our findings support the concept that widespread psoriasis places the patient at risk to develop minor nutritional abnormalities in protein and folate status even when accounting for confounding medications and coexistent diseases.
PSYCHOSOMATIC STUDY OF SELF‐EXCORIATIVE BEHAVIOR AMONG MALE ACNE PATIENTS: PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS
Authors: GUPTA MADHULIKA A. , GUPTA ADITYA K. , SCHORK NICHOLAS J. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Studies of the psychosomatic correlates of self‐excoriative behavior in acne have involved mainly women with acne excorieé. Little is written about the psychosomatic factors that affect men with acne. Excessive self‐excoriation of acne lesions is an important clinical factor because it can prolong the course of the disease and exacerbate the deeper inflammatory process with an increase in the severity of scarring. Methods. Thirteen men (mean ± SE: age: 22.2 ± 1.4 years) with mild to moderate facial acne, whose self‐excoriative behavior was not severe enough to result in acne excoriee, completed a battery of self‐rated questions assessing their self‐excoriative behaviors, the severity of their acne, and various psychologic factors. Results. Certain aspects of self‐excoriative behavior (e.g., a tendency to pick or squeeze the acne lesions when stressed) correlated directly with depression (brief symptom inventory (BSI)) (Pearson r = 0.64, P = 0.02) and anxiety (BSI) (Pearson r = 0.61, P = 0.03) scores. The dermatologic indices of acne severity such as inflammation (Pearson r = 0.82, P = 0.0004) and pustules (Pearson r = 0.62, P = 0.03) were the strongest correlates of self‐excoriative behavior. Conclusion. Self‐excoriative behavior in men with acne may be exacerbated by a coexisting depressive or anxiety disorder. In contrast, women with acne excorieé have been reported to suffer from an immature personality where the cutaneous condition may serve as “an appeal for help.” Men who excessively pick their acne will benefit from aggressive dermatologic therapies and should be assessed for underlying depressive and anxiety disorders.
ALOPECIA AREATA AND INCREASED PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
Authors: KOO JOHN Y.M. , SHELLOW WILLIAM V.R. , HALLMAN CHRIS P. , EDWARDS JOEL E. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. The relationship between psychiatric disorders and alopecia areata has not been well studied. Although previous reports have been unable to correlate psychiatric illness with hair loss, a recent study determined that 74% of patients with alopecia areata (AA) under evaluation had one or more lifetime psychiatric diagnoses. Methods. Two hundred and ninety‐four community‐based patients with alopecia areata responded to a detailed questionnaire distributed by Help Alopecia International Research, Inc. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was determined using diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐IIIR). Results. Major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and paranoid disorder were all present in patients with alopecia areata at rates significantly higher than in the general population. Conclusions. Alopecia areata patients are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric comorbidity during their clinical course.
NATURE AND TREATMENT OF DELUSIONAL PARASITOSIS: A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE IN INDIA
Authors: SRINIVASAN T.N. , SURESH T.R. , JAYARAM VASANTHA , FERNANDEZ M.P. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Delusional parasitosis has been described as a rare syndrome, often involving elderly women who respond poorly to treatment except to pimozide. Method. Nineteen cases of delusional parasitosis given antipsychotic treatment other than pimozide were followed up and the responses assessed in a structured manner. Results. The frequency of the syndrome was higher than generally reported and the patients were younger and had been ill for a shorter period. There was good response to antipsychotic treatments using trifluoperazine, haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and electroconvulsive therapy, and 11 cases showed complete remission, five of them maintaining the recovery for more than 3 years. Conclusions. Delusional parasitosis is not as rare as described: it does not need to be chronic, and can involve young patients. Antipsychotic treatments other than pimozide are equally effective in delusional parasitosis especially if the patients are young and seen early in the illness. The frequency and nature of the disorder observed could probably be due to regional cultural factors.
CLINICAL PICTURE OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN ISFAHAN, IRAN
Authors: MOMENI A.Z. , AMINJAVAHERI M. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica is endemic in Iran, being the second most prevalent vector‐borne disease in the country (after malaria). From the five most infected provinces, Isfahan is third after Boushehr and Khouzestan. Methods. To study the clinical picture of this disease, 1250 patients referred to the Leishmaniasis Training and Treatment Center (affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences) were studied during a 2–year period. Results. The disease was more prevalent in the age group of 10–15 years. Nonindigenes had more lesions and their lesions were more acute and more severe than those of indigenes. The face was the most frequent site of involvement (39.7%), followed by the upper (32.4%) and lower extremities (19.4%), whereas only 8.1% of the lesions were found on the trunk. No direct relation was seen with age, sex, and clinical features of the lesions except for the erysipeloid cases that were rare and seen only in middle‐aged and elderly women. Noduloulcerative and papular lesions dominated the clinical picture, followed by plaque, impetiginized, and nodular lesions. Conclusions. The reason why nonindigenous patients have more severe lesions and in greater number is not clear. It can be postulated that nonindigenous people were more exposed to the vector biting since they were living in more infected areas and that during a long period of time, a mild immunity might have developed in indigenous people.
TREATMENT OF SUPERFICIAL MYCOSES IN THE TROPICS: WHITFIELD'S OINTMENT VERSUS CLOTRIMAZOLE
Authors: GOOSKENS VINCENT , PÖNNIGHAUS JÖRG M. , CLAYTON YVONNE , MKANDAWIRE PAUL , STERNE JONATHAN A.C. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Background. In tropical primary health care, essential drugs should be safe, effective, and as inexpensive as possible. To treat the very common dermatophyte infections of the skin, one may use inexpensive Whitfield's preparations, more expensive topical imidazole derivatives, or extremely expensive oral antifungals. Because a cream base is felt to be more appropriate than an ointment in tropical conditions, we wanted to compare the effectiveness of Whitfield's cream and a topical imidazole derivative in field conditions in the tropics. Methods. A double‐blind trial was performed involving 153 patients with a dermatophyte infection of the skin in Karonga District, Northern Malawi, including 25 patients who were Hiv‐i‐seropositive, comparing Whitfieid's cream with clotrimazole cream. Results. 75 patients were treated with Whitfield's cream and 78 with clotrimazole cream for a period of 6 weeks. Cure rates ranged from 80% to over 90% depending on the definition of cure. If positive cultures after treatment were used as criterion for treatment failure, six were found in each treatment group. One in each treatment failure group was an mv‐i‐seropositive patient. Conclusions. The great majority of patients in the tropics with a dermatophyte infection of the skin can be cured with a topical antimycotic preparation and do not need expensive oral therapy. This also proved to be valid for HIV‐I‐seropositive patients. Whitfield's cream and clotrimazole cream are both very effective. The lower cost makes Whitfield's cream the treatment of choice in dermatophyte infections of the skin in tropical primary health care.