bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The assessment of depression in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Koerts J. , Leenders K. L. , Koning M. , Bouma A. , Beilen M. van 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Motor symptoms form the hallmark of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), although features like depression are often present. Depression rating scales [e.g. Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)] used in PD measure affective, cognitive and somatic symptoms. An important clinical question is which items of the MADRS are likely to be influenced by PD symptoms.Methods:  Depression was assessed in 43 PD patients who scored below the cut‐off of the MADRS and who differed widely in motor severity.Results:  Parkinson’s Disease patients scored relatively highest on Concentration difficulties, Reduced sleep and Inner tension. Reduced sleep, Lassitude and Suicidal thoughts were associated with motor severity and specifically with Bradykinesia, Rigidity and Axial impairment, however not with Tremor.To avoid a possible influence on our results of coincidentally included PD patients with a depression, all associations between somatic MADRS items and motor severity were corrected for the influence of affective symptoms of depression. All associations remained significant.Discussion:  In conclusion, the items Reduced sleep and Lassitude of the MADRS are likely to be influenced by motor symptoms. The high score on Concentration difficulties is suggested to be a reflection of cognitive dysfunction in PD. Thus, when assessing depression in PD, using a depression rating scale like the MADRS, adjusted cut‐off scores are required.
Morphine in the management of dyspnoea in ALS. A pilot study
Authors: Clemens K. E. , Klaschik E. 
Published: March 2008

Background and purpose:  The study aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of morphine in the management of dyspnoea in patients with terminal amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A further aim was to assess the effect of morphine on ventilation and the potential diminishing effect of nasal O2‐insufflation preceding morphine administration on the intensity of dyspnoea.Methods:  Six dyspnoeic ALS patients were included in a prospective, non‐randomized study. The intensity of dyspnoea was measured with a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS 0–10). Transcutaneous carbon dioxide partial pressure (tcpaCO2), oxygen saturation (SaO2) and pulse frequency were continuously monitored during the nasal insufflation of O2 preceding the first morphine dose and also afterwards.Results:  A significant decrease was seen in both respiratory rate (from 42.0 ± 6.0/min to 29.0 ± 4.0) (P = 0.027) and the intensity of dyspnoea (from 7.5 ± 1.9 to 1.8 ± 0.8) (P = 0.027) 120 min after the morphine administration. Neither a significant tcpaCO2 increase nor a SaO2 decrease were seen. O2‐insufflation did not significantly decrease the intensity of dyspnoea. The anxiety of choking correlated highly significantly with the intensity of dyspnoea (r = 0.861, P = 0.028) in all patients. There were no cases of respiratory depression.Discussion:  Therapeutic doses of morphine were effective and safe in the management of dyspnoea in ALS patients.
Relationship between weight, levodopa and dyskinesia: the significance of levodopa dose per kilogram body weight
Authors: Sharma J. C. , Ross I.N. , Rascol O. , Brooks D. 
Published: March 2008

Purpose:  Levodopa dose per kilogram body weight is reported to be a significant factor for dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease. We have investigated this hypothesis in data from the studies comparing ropinirole versus levodopa as the initial therapy.Methods:  Data from the ropinirole versus levodopa studies 056 and REAL‐PET in early Parkinson’s disease were pooled and manipulated to calculate levodopa dose per kilogram body weight. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate significant variables for the development of dyskinesia. Only the patients on levodopa monotherapy or with ropinirole were analyzed.Results:  Analysis of levodopa therapy patients revealed that dyskinetic patients had received significantly higher absolute levodopa dose and levodopa dose per kilogram body weight. Logistic regression revealed that the most significant factor was the higher levodopa dose per kilogram body weight, P = 0.005, odds ratio 1.078, 95% CI 1.023–1.135; younger age was the second factor –P = 0.026. Variables of gender, absolute levodopa dose, weight, disease duration and initial motor Unified Parkinson’s disease rating score were not significant.Conclusion:  Higher levodopa dose per kilogram body weight is an independently significant factor for developing dyskinesia. This relationship should be considered in treatment of Parkinson’s disease patients aiming to prevent and manage dyskinesia.
No muscle involvement in myoclonus‐dystonia caused by ɛ‐sarcoglycan gene mutations
Authors: Hjermind L. E. , Vissing J. , Asmus F. , Krag T. , Lochmüller H. , Walter M. C. , Erdal J. , Blake D. J. , Nielsen J. E. 
Published: March 2008

Mutations in the ɛ‐sarcoglycan gene (SGCE) can cause autosomal dominant inherited myoclonus‐dystonia (M‐D). Defects in other sarcoglycans; α‐, β‐, γ‐, and δ can cause autosomal recessive inherited limb girdle muscular dystrophies. ɛ‐ and α‐sarcoglycans are very homologous and may substitute for one‐another in different tissues. We therefore investigated whether mutations in SGCE also cause abnormalities of skeletal and myocardial muscle.Six patients with clinically and genetically verified M‐D and no signs of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy were included. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from all patients, and endomyocardial muscle biopsy from one of the patients. Morphological and immunohistological investigations were performed and compared with controls.Histological and immunohistological investigations of muscle and clinical assessment of muscle strength and mass showed no difference between M‐D patients and controls.Our findings indicate that patients with M‐D have no signs or symptoms of muscle disease. This suggests a different role of the sarcoglycan complex ɛβγδ versus αβγδ complex in humans, as earlier suggested in rodents.
The impact of employee‐share‐ownership schemes on performance in unionised and non‐unionised workplaces
Authors: Sengupta Sukanya 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTConventional wisdom suggests that higher performance is observed when employee‐share‐ownership (ESO) schemes coexist with employee participation arrangements. However, the evidence is inconclusive and it has been suggested that performance benefits occur in ESO workplaces only when employees are actually involved in the decision‐making process. Drawing on the cross‐section data from the 1998 Workplace Employee Relations Survey, the article shows that higher productivity is observed in those workplaces where unions coexist with ESO schemes. This result highlights the relevance of unions to High Performance Work Systems.
Mobilising workers within inter‐organisational relationships in the UK voluntary sector
Authors: Cunningham Ian 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis article assesses the prospects for union membership growth in the UK voluntary sector. It examines the efforts of workplace activists to defend terms and conditions and recruit and retain members in two voluntary organisations in the context of the sector's close relationship with external state funding and regulatory bodies. The study confirms the importance of workplace activists in contributing to successful mobilisation. It also finds, however, that differences in inter‐organisational relations between the two organisations and state funding bodies that are shaped by product markets and competition are pivotal in explaining the variability in outcomes for union mobilisation efforts. The article has wider significance in telling us more about why union campaigns in areas of the economy characterised by close supply chain relations succeed or fail.
Expecting the worst: circumstances surrounding pregnancy discrimination at work and progress to formal redress
Authors: McDonald Paula , Dear Kerriann , Backstrom Sandra 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis study explored the details of 318 cases of alleged workplace pregnancy discrimination reported to a community advocacy organisation in Australia. Circumstances surrounding pregnancy discrimination included derogatory comments about physical appearance, changed working conditions, denial of access to opportunities and less favourable work performance appraisals. Dismissal or constructive dismissal was often reported. The study also highlights the complexity and difficulty in navigating formal complaints processes and examines some of the outcomes for women who chose this course of action.
Peripheral blood eosinophilia in association with generalized pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis
Authors: Mansur AT , Göktay F , Yaşar ŞP 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  In recent studies, it has been documented that the eosinophil cells play active role in many kinds of inflammatory disorders. Measurements of the mediators released by eosinophils and cell counts in serum and skin have provided some evidence indicating the role of eosinophils in psoriasis.Objective  To evaluate the blood eosinophil cell count in patients with erythrodermic psoriasis and generalized pustular psoriasis.Methods  In this study, 48 patients with histopathologically proven psoriasis (33 with erythrodermic, 15 with generalized pustular); 43 patients with maculopapular, erythematous, or bullous drug eruption with widespread involvement; and 51 patients with basal cell carcinoma were included. These three groups were compared with each other in terms of their absolute eosinophil cell counts and percentage of eosinophils.Results  Forty‐one point seven per cent of patients with psoriasis had peripheral blood eosinophilia compared with 58.1% of the patients with drug eruption and 11.8% of patients with basal cell carcinoma. The percentage of patients with eosinophilia both in patients suffering from psoriasis and drug eruption were significantly increased compared with the patients with basal cell carcinoma (P < 0.001). The absolute median eosinophil cell counts both in patients with psoriasis and drug eruption were also significantly differed from patients with basal cell carcinoma (259.2, 439.1 and 183.1, respectively; P < 0.001)Conclusions  Peripheral blood eosinophilia seems to be associated with severe forms of psoriasis. This finding may suggest that the eosinophils have significant roles in the pathogenesis of these types of psoriasis.
Sunscreens in human plasma and urine after repeated whole‐body topical application
Authors: Janjua NR , Kongshoj B , Andersson A‐M , Wulf HC 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  The three chemical ultraviolet absorbers benzophenone‐3 (BP‐3), octyl‐methoxycinnamate (OMC) and 3‐(4‐methylbenzylidene) camphor (4‐MBC) are commercially used in sunscreens worldwide. Apart from sun protection, they may possess endocrine‐disrupting effects in animals and in vitro. For all three compounds, only sporadic measurements of percutaneous absorption and excretion after topical application in humans have been described.Methods  In this study, 32 healthy volunteers, 15 young males and 17 postmenopausal females, were exposed to daily whole‐body topical application of 2 mg/cm2 of sunscreen formulation at 10% (w/w) of each for 4 days. Blood concentrations were measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 24 and 96 h and urine concentrations at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h.Results  Almost all three sunscreens were undetectable in plasma and urine before the first application. One to 2 h after the first application, all three sunscreens were detectable in plasma. The maximum median plasma concentrations were 187 ng/mL BP‐3, 16 ng/mL 4‐MBC and 7 ng/mL OMC for females and 238 ng/mL BP‐3, 18 ng/mL 4‐MBC and 16 ng/mL OMC for men. In the females, urine levels of 44 ng/mL BP‐3 and 4 ng/mL of 4‐MBC and 6 ng/mL OMC were found, and in the males, urine levels of 81 ng/mL BP‐3, 4 ng/mL of 4‐MBC and OMC were found. In plasma, the 96‐h median concentrations were higher compared with the 24‐h concentrations for 4‐MBC and OMC in men and for BP‐3 and 4‐MBC in females.
Acne: prevalence, perceptions and effects on psychological health among adolescents in Aydin, Turkey
Authors: Uslu G , Şendur N , Uslu M , Şavk E , Karaman G , Eskin M 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  Acne vulgaris is a common disease among adolescents and known to have adverse effects on psychological status.Methods  A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 600 participants by means of a questionnaire designed for this study in high school students. In addition, an objective evaluation of acne in participants was undertaken. The questionnaire consisted of questions about acne, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES).Results  Five hundred and sixty‐three questionnaires out of 600 were answered and 550 adolescents who gave permission for examination were evaluated. The study population consisted of 303 girls and 260 boys between the ages 13 and 19, and the mean age was 15.24 ± 1.05 years. Acne prevalence was 63.6% with 29.2% non‐inflammatory and 34.4% inflammatory acne. It was more prevalent and severe in boys than in girls. Not the objective but the subjective severity of acne and opinion that one could benefit from acne treatment was found to be related to anxiety, depression and self‐esteem. Factors implicated among causes of acne were food, bad skin hygiene and hormones in decreasing frequency. Forty‐eight per cent of adolescents expect a maximum duration of 4 weeks for treatment.Conclusion  Despite the high prevalence of acne, there is still much deficiency of knowledge and wrong beliefs about acne. This indicates that there is an urgent need for education about etiopathogenesis, potential complications and importance of effective treatment for acne. Effective treatment may make significant contributions for the mental health of adolescent and as well as adult populations.
Onychomycosis: a new emerging infectious disease in childhood population and adolescents. Report on treatment experience with terbinafine and itraconazole in 36 patients
Authors: Ginter‐Hanselmayer G , Weger W , Smolle J 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  Onychomycosis is a rare disease in children with an estimated prevalence ranging from 0% to 2.6%. Thus far, only limited experience with itraconazole and terbinafine treatment in children with onychomycosis is available in the literature.Aim of the study  Evaluation of treatment experience with itraconazole or terbinafine in childhood onychomycosis.Subjects  Thirty‐six children and adolescents (aged 4–17 years, 18 males and 18 females) with clinical and mycologically proven onychomycosis were enrolled in the present study.Methods and outcome  In 27 of 36 patients, the causative agent (Trichophyton rubrum in 26 cases and Trichophyton interdigitale in one patient) could be identified by means of cultivation. Nineteen patients were treated with itraconazole 200 mg once daily for 12 weeks, and 17 patients were treated with terbinafine for 12 weeks in a dosage according to their body weight, respectively. Clinical cure was achieved within 1 to 5 months after discontinuation in all patients treated with itraconazole and in all but two patients after cessation of terbinafine treatment. Neither in the itraconazole nor in the terbinafine group were serious adverse events reported.Clinical cure was achieved within 1 to 5 months after discontinuation in all patients treated with itraconazole and in all but two patients after cessation of terbinafine treatment. Neither in the itraconazole nor in the terbinafine group were serious adverse events reported.Conclusion  To our experience, a mycological and clinical cure appears in children in a shorter time after treatment discontinuation (average 2–5 months) compared with adults. Itraconazole and terbinafine seem to be safe and effective in childhood onychomycosis; therefore, these antifungals seem to be potential alternatives to griseofulvin.
Lack of association of iron metabolism and Dupuytren's disease
Authors: Hnanicek J , Cimburova M , Putova I , Svoboda S , Stritesky J , Kratka K , Sosna B , Horak J 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground Iron accumulation as seen in genetic haemochromatosis is a major cause of hepatic fibrogenesis. A link between chronic liver disease and Dupuytren's disease (DD) is well established, especially in alcoholics.Aim  The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that iron accumulation might cause fibrosis of the palmar aponeurosis leading to DD.Patients and methods  We examined iron metabolism, mutations of the HFE gene, serum cholesterol, alcohol consumption, presence of chronic liver disease, diabetes and history of severe manual work in a group of 90 patients who had undergone surgery for a severe form of DD. The tissue removed during surgery was histologically examined to confirm the diagnosis of DD. For a control group, we used 33 healthy subjects with similar profiles.Results  The DD group consisted of 82 men and 8 women. Chronic liver disease was found in 27% of DD patients, compared with 6.1% of control subjects (P = 0.013). A history of hand traumatization was present in 33% of DD patients vs. 15% of control subjects (P = 0.048). Excessive alcohol consumption was present in 35.5% of DD patients compared with 15.1% of controls (P = 0.029). None of the other tested parameters, including the prevalence of HFE gene mutations, showed a significant difference between the two groups.Conclusions  Iron accumulation does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of DD. However, sex, age, manual labour and alcohol consumption are risk factors for progression of DD. We observed a high incidence of chronic liver disease in patients with DD.
Efficacy and safety of desloratadine combined with dipyridamole in the treatment of chronic urticaria
Authors: Khalaf AT , Liu X‐M , Sheng W‐X , Tan JQ , Abdalla AN 
Published: March 2008

AbstractChronic urticaria (CU) imposes profound impairment on patient's quality of life. Our study was done to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of desloratadine combined with dipyridamole, which is a platelet adhesion inhibitor in the treatment of CU. A randomized study was done in 64 autoimmunity CU patients with positive autologous plasma skin test (APST): 34 patients as treatment and 30 controls. The treatment group was treated with desloratadine and dipyridamole, and the control group was treated with desloratadine only. The efficiency and side‐effect were evaluated at the end of treatment. The levels of fragment F1+2 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in all patients at pre‐ and post‐treatment. The clinical effectiveness rates of treatment and control group were, respectively, 85.20% (21 cured, 8 obvious effectiveness) and 70% (14 cured, 7 obvious effectiveness); they have a significant difference (x = 4.09, P < 0.05). Before treatment, the weals and pruritus in the treatment and control group were, respectively, (1.74 ± 0.90, 1.79 ± 0.73) and (1.67 ± 0.84, 1.73 ± 0.78). After treatment, the weals and pruritus in treatment and control group were, respectively, (0.38 ± 0.73, 0.58 ± 0.89) and (0.67 ± 0.96, 1.10 ± 1.12). These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of CU and suggest new therapeutic opportunities for treating this disease.
Re‐emergence of lymphogranuloma venereum
Authors: Kapoor S 
Published: March 2008

AbstractLymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the L1, L2 and L3 serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis. The disease has been in the spotlight recently because of recent outbreaks in Europe as well as the USA. A unique feature of the recent outbreaks has been that most cases have been caused by the L2 strain. Another unique feature of these outbreaks is the fact that most cases have occurred in men having sex with men, and most patients have presented with proctitis. Interestingly, most recent cases have occurred in human immunodeficiency virus–seropositive patients. Usually, the disease is divided into three phases: the primary stage characterized by a self‐healing papule, the secondary stage characterized by proctitis or lymphadenopathy and the tertiary stage characterized by lymphedema and anal strictures. Tests used for diagnosis include polymerase chain reactions and compliment fixation tests. The treatment of choice is doxycycline.
Relationship between periodontal findings and the TNF‐α Gene 1031T/C polymorphism in Turkish patients with Behçet's disease†
Authors: Akman A , Sallakci N , Kacaroglu H , Tosun O , Yavuzer U , Alpsoy E , Yegin O 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  Genetic factors that predispose individuals to Behçet's disease (BD) and periodontal disease. Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both BD and periodontal disease. The relationship with periodontitis and the pathogenesis of BD has not yet been determined.Objective  The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relation of the periodontal scores and single nucleotide polymorphism of TNF‐α‐1031T/C with BD compared with healthy controls (HC) and recurrent aphtous stomatitis (RAS). We also sought to determine the effects of periodontal condition and TNF‐α‐1031T/C polymorphism on clinical severity of BD.Methods  Eighty‐two unrelated patients with BD, 42 RAS patients and 77 HC were enrolled in the study. Periodontal status of all subjects was evaluated according to the World Health Organization community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN). For genotyping, polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism was employed.Results  The mean CPITN was observed to be higher in patients with BD compared with HC and RAS (P < 0.001). TNF‐α‐1031C allele was significantly higher in patients with BD (P = 0.023) and RAS (P = 0.007) compared with HC. Mean CPITN was higher in CC genotype compared with other genotypes (P = 0.004). Moreover, CPITN and CC genotype was found to be correlated with the severity of the disease.Conclusions  Our data indicate that the TNF‐α‐1031T/C gene polymorphism (CC genotype) is a risk factor for periodontitis, RAS and BD patients and also suggests that long‐term periodontal follow‐up and education of oral hygiene in patients with BD may help to prevent the development and/or progression of the disease.
Onycomycosis due to artificial nails
Authors: Shemer A , Trau H , Davidovici B , Grunwald MH , Amichai B 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  The use of artificial nails (ANs) as part of nail‐care cosmetics is very popular. Several side effects and complications, such as contact dermatitis and bacterial and fungal infections, have been reported in patients using ANs.Objective  The purpose of this study was to identify the fungal pathogens in nail abnormalities appearing in patients with ANs.Methods  We evaluated 68 patients suffering from nail changes and paronychia, which appear after removal of ANs. Mycological samples were obtained from two sites: distal parts of the involved nail and the proximal nail fold. KOH examination and fungal culture were used for detection and identification of fungal infection.Results  Mycological results from the distal part of the nail showed positive KOH test in 57 cases (83.8%), and culture was positive in 67 patients (98.5%). Mycological results obtained from the proximal nail fold showed positive KOH test in 36 patients (52.9%); in 36 of the cases, culture was positive. Candida spp. were the most common pathogen. Both KOH and culture results were significantly better while sampling from the distal part of the nail compared with sampling from the proximal nail fold (P = 0.0001).Conclusion  Onychomycosis was found to be very common in nail changes due to ANs, leading to an increased risk of transmitting microbial infections. Therefore, health care personnel and workers in the food industry should avoid using ANs.