bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of tinea capitis in southern Kuwait
Authors: Adel A.‐A. Razzaq , Sultan Al‐Otabi , Basmiah Al‐Mehanna , Aftab Ahmed , Nabel Najem 
Published: May 2007

SummaryTinea capitis of the scalp, an infection caused by dermatophytes, produces a significant health problem especially among school children. The object of this study was to highlight the prevalence of tinea capitis in southern Kuwait. During this retrospective study from 1998 to 2003, 1737 suspected cases were examined, 986 (58.6%) were men and 751 (43.2%) were women of which 371 cases were diagnosed as tinea capitis. Of 371 cases of tinea capitis, males comprised 54.2% and females 45.8%. Young children (up to age five) were more frequently infected than other age groups, grey type lesions were more common than other types. Microsporum canis was the most common organism noticed with 62.5% followed by Trichophyton violaceum with 19.3%, Trichophyton tonsurans with 13.1%, while Trichophyton rubrum was the least common. Tinea capitis of scalp is a significant health problem in southern Kuwait especially among young children of school age. The spread of infection can be prevented by health education, proper diagnosis and treatment.
Comparison of 12 liquid media for germ tube production of Candida albicans and C. tropicalis
Authors: Hilmioglu Süleyha , Ilkit Macit , Badak Zühre 
Published: May 2007

SummaryInfections caused by yeast of the genus Candida are the most common fungal infections, being Candida albicans the most common isolated species among them. The rapid identification of this yeast is mostly based on the production of germ tube in human or animal serum. This study describes the use of 12 different liquid media for germ tube production at 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 h. We examined 193 yeasts, including 157 (81.3%) C. albicans and 36 (18.7%) Candida tropicalis for the production of germ tube. The germ tube production of C. albicans was mostly observed in human serum (98%) followed by rabbit serum (89.8%), brain heart infusion broth (84%) and sheep serum (74.5%) at 2 h. An incubation time exceeding 2 h i.e. 2.5 h or later, C. tropicalis strains were observed to produce germ tubes. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for germ tube production of human serum at 2 h were 98%, 100%, 100% and 92.3% respectively. In all tested sera, an incubation period of more than 2 h improves the sensitivity, but decreases the specificity as well as PPV and NPV of germ tube test (GTT). In conclusion, human serum was observed to be the most appropriate medium to be preferred for GTT, with an incubation period of 2 h.
Ultrastructural changes in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast cells attenuated by gamma irradiation
Authors: Demicheli Marina Cortez , Goes Alfredo Miranda , De Andrade Antero Silva Ribeiro 
Published: May 2007

Summary Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermally dimorphic fungus agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, a deep‐seated systemic infection of humans with high prevalence in Latin America. Until now no vaccine has been reported. Ionizing radiation can be used to attenuate pathogens for vaccine development and we have successfully attenuated yeast cells of P. brasiliensis by gamma irradiation. The aim of the present study was to examine at ultrastructural level the effects of gamma irradiation attenuation on the morphology of P. brasiliensis yeast cells. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (strain Pb‐18) cultures were irradiated with a dose of 6.5 kGy. The irradiated cells were examined by scanning and also transmission electron microscopy. When examined 2 h after the irradiation by scanning electron microscopy, the 6.5 kGy irradiated cells presented deep folds or were collapsed. These lesions were reversible since when examined 48 h after irradiation the yeast had recovered the usual morphology. The transmission electron microscopy showed that the irradiated cells plasma membrane and cell wall were intact and preserved. Remarkable changes were found in the nucleus that was frequently in a very electrondense form. An extensive DNA fragmentation was produced by the gamma irradiation treatment.
Erythematous candidosis in patients with complete dentures and HIV+/AIDS
Authors: Aleva N. A. , Birman E. G. , Afonso W. , Chavasco J. K. , Paula C. R. , Ribeiro A. , Pereira L. J. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThis investigation was designed to evaluate the frequency of erythematous candidosis (EC) and Candida species, proteinase and phospholipase exoenzyme production, and to compare clinical features in patients with complete dentures and HIV+/Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease Syndrome (AIDS). Fifty‐one patients were selected from a total of 285 with EC: denture wearers (n = 30) and HIV+/AIDS (n = 21). The yeast prevalence and the production of exoenzymes, such as proteinase and phospholipase by Candida species were evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) electrophoresis. The frequency of Candida albicans was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both groups although other yeast species (Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida guilliermondi and Candida tropicalis) were also found. Candida albicans showed greater levels of proteinase production in the denture wearers, when compared with the HIV+/AIDS group. There was no difference between groups with regard to phospholipase production. The protein bands presented similar molecular weights, showing the presence of proteinases in both groups. It could be concluded that the clinical manifestation of EC may be related to its proteinase production capacity. Combination therapies using proteinase inhibitors play an important role in inhibiting exoenzyme production by Candida species, mainly C. albicans.
Antioxidant properties of the essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata and its antifungal activity against a large number of clinical Candida species
Authors: Chaieb Kamel , Zmantar Tarek , Ksouri Riadh , Hajlaoui Hafedh , Mahdouani Kacem , Abdelly Chedly , Bakhrouf Amina 
Published: May 2007

SummaryMany essential oils are known to possess an antioxidant activity and antifungal properties and therefore they potentially act as antimycotic agents. Essential oil of clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) was isolated by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The antioxidant effect of the tested oil was evaluated by measuring its 2,2‐diphenyl‐l‐1‐picrylhydrazil radical scavenging ability and the antiradical dose required to cause a 50% inhibition (IC50) was recorded. The antifungal activity of essential oils was evaluated against 53 human pathogenic yeasts using a disc paper diffusion method. Our results show that the major components present in the clove bund oil were eugenol (88.6%), eugenyl acetate (5.6%), β‐caryophyllene (1.4%) and 2‐heptanone (0.9%). The tested essential oil exhibited a very strong radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.2 μg ml−1) when compared with the synthetic antioxidant (tert‐butylated hydroxytoluene, IC50 = 11.5 μg ml−1). On the other hand, this species displayed an important antifungal effect against the tested strains. It is clear that clove oil shows powerful antifungal activity; and it can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and in pharmaceutical applications.
Chromoblastomycosis with underlying osteolytic lesion
Authors: Sharma Nand Lal , Sharma Vikas C. , Mahajan Vikram , Shanker Vinay , Sarin Sandip 
Published: May 2007

SummaryIn chromoblastomycosis, the lesions develop at the site of inoculation and usually restrict themselves to cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues. Extracutaneous spread occurs rarely secondary to haematogenic and lymphatic dissemination. This report presents a case of chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi with contiguous spread to the underlying bone in the form of an osteolytic lesion.
Prevalence of childhood asthma and control in children assessed in a pilot school‐based intervention programme in Singapore
Authors: Yang KS , Ng TP , Kwang YP , Thilagaratnam Shyamala , Wong CS , Chia Frances 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  Because of a high childhood asthma burden in Singapore, assessment of disease control status is essential for formulating school‐based strategy of childhood asthma control. The aim of the present study is to assess childhood asthma prevalence and control in Singapore and the socio‐demographic and help‐seeking correlates.Methods:  School‐based survey using parental self‐administered questionnaire, conducted from February to April 2004. Four mixed‐gender primary schools selected from geographically distinct zones of Singapore. All primary one (modal age – 6.5 years) and six (modal age – 11.9 years) students from selected schools were invited to participate. Questionnaire respondents were the students’ parents or guardians. The response rate was 75.2% (2123/2825).Results:  Prevalence of current asthma was 8.9% (190/2123). Among them, 26.3% (46/175) were assessed to have inadequate control. Asthma was more prevalent, and less adequately controlled in children from lower socio‐economic backgrounds (lower‐end housing type). Children with poorly controlled asthma were more likely to be treated by emergency room physicians and hospital specialists, and to be on preventer medications.Conclusions:  In Singapore, poor asthma control is found in a sizeable proportion of school children with asthma, is identifiable for high‐risk groups of children from lower socio‐economic backgrounds and having asthma‐related attendance at the emergency rooms.
Seasonal variation in acute hospital admissions and emergency room presentations among children in the Australian Capital Territory
Authors: D’Souza Rennie M , Bambrick Hilary J , Kjellstrom Tord E , Kelsall Liza M , Guest Charles S , Hanigan Ivan 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  To examine seasonal variation in hospital use for five paediatric conditions of the Australian Capital Territory residents.Methods:  Hospital admissions (1993–2004) and emergency room (ER) presentations (1999–2004) for asthma, croup, bronchiolitis, other respiratory conditions and diarrhoea of children aged <5 years were compared by month and season.Results:  The five conditions comprised 14% of admissions and 24% of ER presentations of children aged <5 years. Bronchiolitis (both admissions and ER presentations) were the highest in the 0–1 year age group (>80%) and the other four conditions peaked at 1–2 years. Children aged 0–2 years contributed 66% of diarrhoea, 62% of croup and 44% of other respiratory admissions whereas ER presentations were higher for other respiratory conditions (57%) and lower for croup (47%). Boys showed higher rates of admissions and ER presentations for all conditions except diarrhoea. Strong seasonal associations were apparent. Incident rate ratios of admissions were significantly higher in autumn compared with summer for asthma and croup whereas bronchiolitis and other respiratory conditions admissions were the highest in winter. Diarrhoea admissions were the highest in spring. ER presentations of the five conditions also showed similar associations with season.Conclusion:  Hospital admissions and ER presentations of these five conditions showed strong seasonal patterns, knowledge of which could contribute to improved resource planning (staffing) to meet expected increases in demand for services and scheduling of elective admissions. These findings could be extended to develop a model for forecasting hospital use and to explore the causes of these diseases to ameliorate seasonal effects.
Whooping cough: Are health‐care workers putting children at risk?
Authors: Peadon Elizabeth , Cooper Carolyn 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  To explore the attitudes and knowledge of health‐care workers (HCW) towards whooping cough and an adult whooping cough booster for HCW.Methods:  HCW at Fairfield Health Service, who had clinical contact with infants or children, were sent a self‐administered questionnaire.Results:  Questionnaires were completed by 135 staff, giving a response rate of 74%. Thirty‐five per cent were not known to be immunised against whooping cough. Fifty‐nine per cent of doctors were known to be immunised, 33% of allied health staff and 28% of nurses. The rates of immunisation between the professional groups were significantly different (χ2 = 8.2 with 2 degrees of freedom; P = 0.017). Thirty‐nine per cent of HCW did not know that primary immunisation did not provide lifelong protection. Twenty‐seven per cent did not agree that HCW should be offered an adult whooping cough booster. Staff who felt at risk of contracting whooping cough were more likely to recommend that a booster should be offered (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.22–6.04; P = 0.019). Doctors were less likely to recommend that a booster should be offered (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.15–0.87; P = 0.028).Conclusions:  HCW have low rates of immunity to whooping cough and misconceptions about whooping cough infection and immunisation. Over a quarter of HCW did not agree that a booster should be offered. An ongoing education programme addressing the attitudes and misconceptions identified in this study is a crucial component of the campaign to increase the uptake of adult whooping cough booster immunisation by HCW.
Renal response to an acute protein challenge in pregnant women with borderline hypertension
Authors: HEGUILÉN RICARDO M , LISTE A ANDRES , BELLUSCI ANGEL D , LAPIDUS ALICIA M , BERNASCONI AMELIA R 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARY:Background:  The renal reserve (RR), assessed after an oral protein challenge or the intravenous administration of amino acids, is still present in healthy pregnant women (NP), although resting glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) increase progressively throughout normal gestation. No studies have addressed this issue in hypertensive gravidas; the aim of this trial was to evaluate renal response to an acute protein load (PL) in NP and pregnant women with borderline hypertension (HP).Methods:  Five NP, eight HP and eight healthy non‐pregnant women (CG) were evaluated. After fasting overnight, all subjects received an oral water load (20 mL/kg of body weight), the urinary output was then replaced orally with equal volumes of water. After two 30 min periods, an 80 g PL was provided. Creatinine clearance (CCr) was measured every 30 min from 1 h before and for 4 h following PL. Participants remained recumbent during the study, bladder emptiness was assessed by ultrasound immediately after each micturition. Baseline CCr was taken as the average of two 30 min periods before PL and peak Ccr as the maximal CCr recorded thereafter.Results:  The groups were similar with regard to age, weight or gestation age. Baseline CCr (NP: 118.5 ± 6.0, HP: 127.4 ± 6.7 and CG: 99.8 ± 2.9 mL/min, P = 0.004 (CG vs NP and HP), increased after PL to NP: 223.5 ± 9.8 to HP: 178.5 ± 13 and to CG: 149.1 ± 4.0 mL/min, P < 0.0004 (CG vs HP, CG vs NP and NP vs HP)). Peak minus baseline CCr was 97.3 ± 10.1; 46.3 ± 12.7 and 48.3 ± 4.8 for NP, HP and CG, respectively (P < 0.006 HP vs CG and NP). The peak CCr was obtained significantly earlier in both pregnant groups (Period 3) compared with the healthy non‐pregnant women (Period 5) (P = 0.02). The fractional proximal reabsorption of sodium (FPRNa+) at peak CCr was similar in the groups (NP: 0.74 ± 0.01 HP: 0.78 ± 0.02 and CG: 0.74 ± 0.03, P = not significant (NS)) as was the distal delivery of sodium (DDNa+) (NP: 5.8 ± 0.5; HP: 4.1 ± 0.5 and CG: 4.3 ± 0.4 meq/min, P = NS). Fractional excretion of urea (%) increased from 91.4 ± 5.5 to 105.5 ± 9.8%; 80.7 ± 8.0 to 97.3 ± 9.8; and 44.4 ± 7.8 to 86.0 ± 7.1 in NP, HP and CG, respectively (P = NS). There was a trend towards a poorer maternal and fetal outcome in the HP group.Conclusion:  Mid‐term borderline HP failed to increase CCr as much as NP did after a protein challenge, suggesting altered functional response of the nephron or lessened sensitivity of renal vasculature to additional vasodilator stimuli. These results support the interest of additional prospective studies with a larger number of patients to confirm these findings and evaluate the value of RR tests as predictors of outcome of pregnancies at risk.
Northern Australian kidney transplant unit: A viable option?
Authors: ROGERS NATASHA M , SHTANGEY VICTORIA , LAWTON PAUL D , JOSE MATTHEW D 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARY:Aims:  Kidney transplant units in Australia are confined to large hospitals in major metropolitan areas, yet this may limit access and diminish outcomes in people who do not live in these large centres. The authors examined the viability of a kidney transplant unit located in northern Australia (NA), with particular emphasis on recipient outcomes and the number of donors.Methods:  ‘Northern Australia’ was arbitrarily defined as ‘north of the tropic of Capricorn’ for Queensland and Western Australia and included the entire Northern Territory. Data on donors and transplant recipients were provided by ANZDATA and ANZOD registries, identified by postcode.Results:  Between 1998 and 2004 in NA there were 163 deceased donor kidneys and 97.5% of available organs were transplanted. There were no Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) donors from NA. Recipients from NA in this time included 55 patients receiving living grafts and 156 receiving deceased donor grafts, of whom 36% were ATSI, making up half of the total ATSI transplanted in Australia during this time period. Compared with the rest of Australia, NA recipients were older, waited longer on dialysis, had longer ischaemic times and a greater number of human leucocyte antigen mismatches, and were more likely to be diabetic and obese. Despite the longer cold ischaemic time in NA recipients, no difference in immediate graft function was seen. ATSI recipients in NA, when compared with their southern Australian counterparts, had poorer patient survival (HR = 3.19, 95% CI 1.44–7.08, P < 0.001), but equivalent graft survival (HR = 1.67, 95% CI 0.95–2.95, P = not significant) on multivariate analysis. Key factors that would influence feasibility of a Northern Australian transplant unit include adequate staffing, and support services in addition to currently available resources.Conclusion:  Current donor numbers in NA are adequate for past recipients of kidney transplant, but may not cover future needs without a significant increase in donor rate. A transplant unit situated in northern Australian would require significant resources to ensure long‐term viability and its effect on outcomes is uncertain.
SLOW‐TRANSIT CONSTIPATION: EVALUATION AND TREATMENT
Authors: Wong Shing Wai , Lubowski David Z. 
Published: May 2007

Slow‐transit constipation is characterized by delay in transit of stool through the colon, caused by either myopathy or neuropathy. The severity of constipation is highly variable, but may be severe enough to result in complete cessation of spontaneous bowel motions. Diagnostic tests to assess colonic transit include radiopaque marker or radioisotope studies, and intraluminal tests (colonic and small bowel manometry).Most patients with functional constipation respond to laxatives, but a small proportion are resistant to this treatment. In some patients biofeedback is helpful although the mechanism by which this works is still uncertain. Other patients are resistant to all conservative modes of therapy and require surgical intervention. Extensive clinical and physiological preoperative assessment of patients with slow colonic transit is essential before considering surgery, including an assessment of small bowel motility and identification of coexistent obstructed defecation. The psychological state of the patient should always be taken into account. When surgery is indicated, subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis is the operation of choice. Segmental colonic resection has been reported in a few patients, but methods of identifying the affected segment need to be developed further. Less invasive and reversible surgical options include laparoscopic ileostomy, antegrade colonic enema and sacral nerve stimulation.
SPIROMETRIC CHANGES AFTER PLEURAL DECORTICATION IN YOUNG ADULTS
Authors: Gorur Rauf , Yildizhan Akin , Yiyit Nurettin , Kutlu Ali , Sonmez Guner , Isitmangil Turgut 
Published: May 2007

Background:  The collection of pleural fluid and thickened pleura restrict the movement and expansion of lung. The main treatment strategy is lung decortication for the thickened pleura. The aim of this study was to investigate lung functions before and after pleural decortication in young adults.Methods:  A total of 63 patients with thickened pleura were retrospectively evaluated. Before the operation, patients with tuberculosis (n = 36) were treated with anti‐tuberculosis therapy for 3–6 months. Patients with non‐tuberculosis causes (n = 27) had been treated with broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, %), forced vital capacity (%) and vital capacity (litre) were measured before and after decortication.Results:  Spirometric parameters FEV1 (68.1 ± 16.7 vs 71.01 ± 14.4), forced vital capacity (67.6 ± 16.4 vs 71.3 ± 14.4) and vital capacity (2.6 ± 0.6 vs 2.8 ± 0.7) significantly improved after the operation (P ± 0.01). Spirometric changes were not significantly different between tuberculosis and non‐tuberculosis groups.Conclusion:  Pleural decortication may improve the lung restoration in patients with thickened pleura and also improve lung functions significantly in young adults.
The functional role of biodiversity in ecosystems: incorporating trophic complexity
Authors: Duffy J. Emmett , Cardinale Bradley J. , France Kristin E. , McIntyre Peter B. , Thébault Elisa , Loreau Michel 
Published: May 2007

AbstractUnderstanding how biodiversity affects functioning of ecosystems requires integrating diversity within trophic levels (horizontal diversity) and across trophic levels (vertical diversity, including food chain length and omnivory). We review theoretical and experimental progress toward this goal. Generally, experiments show that biomass and resource use increase similarly with horizontal diversity of either producers or consumers. Among prey, higher diversity often increases resistance to predation, due to increased probability of including inedible species and reduced efficiency of specialist predators confronted with diverse prey. Among predators, changing diversity can cascade to affect plant biomass, but the strength and sign of this effect depend on the degree of omnivory and prey behaviour. Horizontal and vertical diversity also interact: adding a trophic level can qualitatively change diversity effects at adjacent levels. Multitrophic interactions produce a richer variety of diversity‐functioning relationships than the monotonic changes predicted for single trophic levels. This complexity depends on the degree of consumer dietary generalism, trade‐offs between competitive ability and resistance to predation, intraguild predation and openness to migration. Although complementarity and selection effects occur in both animals and plants, few studies have conclusively documented the mechanisms mediating diversity effects. Understanding how biodiversity affects functioning of complex ecosystems will benefit from integrating theory and experiments with simulations and network‐based approaches.