bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photodynamic therapy with methylaminolevulinate as a valuable treatment option for unilesional cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Zane Cristina , Venturini Maria , Sala Raffaella , Calzavara‐Pinton Piergiacomo 
Published: August 2006

Background: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). Unilesional MF is characterized by a limited involvement of the skin and a chronical, though indolent course. If lesions are refractory to topical steroids, therapies such as localized chemotherapy, photochemotherapy and radiotherapy are available. However, they have several acute and chronic side‐effects and toxicity may accumulate if repeated and protracted treatment cycles are delivered to refractory or relapsing lesions. The present study aims to assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical methylaminolevulinate (MAL) in the treatment of unilesional MF.Methods: Five patients were enrolled who had unilesional MF that did not respond to treatment with topical steroids, localized psoralen and UVA therapy or UVA1 phototherapies. A 20% MAL (Metvix cream®) cream was applied under occlusive dressing for 3 h. Soon afterwards, skin was irradiated with 37.5 J/cm2 of red light (635±18 nm) delivered by an Aktilite CL128 lamp (PhotoCure ASA) with an irradiance of 86 W/cm2 at skin level. PDT was repeated once weekly until complete clearing of the lesions was obtained, or, in the case of partial clearing, the therapy was interupted when three successive treatments provided no further improvement. All patients underwent a skin biopsy before and after PDT.Results: A complete remission was observed in four patients and a partial improvement in one. The median number of treatments was six (range 1–9). In no cases was recurrence seen at follow‐up (ranging from 12 to 34 months). Treatments were well tolerated and local anesthesia was never requested.Conclusion: In conclusion, here, PDT was seen to be an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for unilesional MF.
Comparison of the efficacy of calcipotriol and maxacalcitol in combination with narrow‐band ultraviolet B therapy for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris
Authors: Noborio Reiko , Kobayashi Keiko , Shintani Yoichi , Morita Akimichi 
Published: August 2006

Background: Combination treatment with topical vitamin D3 and narrow‐band ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is effective against psoriasis vulgaris. We compared the efficacy of the topical vitamin D3 derivatives calcipotriol and maxacalcitol in combination therapy.Materials and methods: In this retrospective observational study, 21 patients admitted to Nagoya City University Hospital between April 2001 and September 2004 were enrolled.Results: Combination treatment with calcipotriol or maxacalcitol and narrow‐band UVB was effective against psoriasis vulgaris. Calcipotriol induced a more rapid improvement and required lower levels of narrow‐band UVB irradiation to be effective. Serum calcium levels were slightly increased after 4 weeks of treatment, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. No other adverse effects were observed in either of the two groups.Conclusion: The findings of this retrospective observational study indicated that combination treatment with topical vitamin D3 derivatives and narrow‐band UVB is effective against psoriasis without any obvious side‐effects. These findings provide further evidence that calcipotriol has advantages over maxacalcitol regarding the narrow‐band UVB‐accumulated treatment dose and improvement rate of psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores.
Treatment of multiple warts in a renal transplant recipient with decreased laser doses after application of a light absorbing dye
Authors: Faurschou Annesofie , Wulf Hans Christian 
Published: August 2006

Background/Purpose: Multiple warts are a tremendous problem in immunosuppressed patients. Standard treatment has low efficacy and is often painful. We examined a new treatment combination of gentian violet and dye‐laser.Methods: A 55‐year‐old male renal transplant recipient was treated with dye‐laser at 585 nm after application of gentian violet 0.5%.Results: One laser pulse made the stain explode and evaporate and resulted in a considerable reduction in warts size with minimal pain and tissue damage.Conclusion: Application of gentian violet before dye‐laser treatment may be effective in the battle against warts in immunocompromised patients.
Pulp ablation therapy by inductive heating: heat generation characteristics in the pulp cavity
Authors: Wada S , Tazawa K , Suzuki N , Furuta I , Nagano I 
Published: August 2006

Objective and methods:  This study was performed to clarify the usefulness of inductive heating system for the new endodontic therapy. Dextran magnetite complex (DM) suspensions were injected into the root canal of a permanent tooth, and the tooth was heated up to about 55.0°C by alternating‐current magnetic field.Results and conclusion:  The time until the temperature in the pulp cavity reached 55.0°C was 328 ± 26 s (mean ± s.d., n = 8) in the 56 mg as Fe ml−1 of DM concentration. The temperature in the pulp cavity could be maintained at 53.5–59.0°C for 1200 s by changing the magnetic field intensity safely, while temperature elevations of the dental surface on the coronal and apical sides were 4.9° and 3.7°C, respectively. Thus, this inductive heating system, which has the possibility of selective heating, might be useful for eliminating residues of pulp as a new ablation therapy.
Electrostimulating device in the management of xerostomia
Authors: Strietzel FP , Martín‐Granizo R , Fedele S , Lo Russo L , Mignogna M , Reichart PA , Wolff A 
Published: August 2006

Introduction:  The present study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a recently developed electrostimulating device mounted on an individualized intra‐oral removable appliance.Materials and methods:  The device, containing electrodes, a wetness sensor, an electronic circuit and a power source, was tested on patients with xerostomia in a crossover, randomized, sham‐controlled, double‐blinded, multicenter study. Electrical stimulation and also sham were delivered during 10 min to the oral mucosa, in the mandibular third molar region. Oral dryness was measured by the sensor. As the primary outcome, sensor dryness and xerostomia symptom changes as a result of device wearing were assessed, and compared between active and sham modes. In addition, side‐effects were recorded.Results:  Electrostimulation resulted in a significant decrease in sensor dryness, leading to a beneficial effect on patients’ subjective condition. No significant side‐effects were observed.
Alteration of BMP‐4 and Runx2 expression patterns in mouse temporomandibular joint after ovariectomy
Authors: Min H‐J , Lee M‐J , Kim J‐Y , Cho S‐W , Park H‐D , Lee S‐I , Kim H‐J , Jung H‐S 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) includes a number of clinical conditions involving the masticatory musculature or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures. Previous studies have shown the presence of high‐affinity estrogen receptors in the TMJ articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the developmental changes in mouse TMJ under estrogen deficiency.Materials and methods:  Four‐month‐old ovariectomized mice were killed after certain weeks. We examined the significant alterations of the expression patterns of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐4, Runx2, and bone sialoprotein (BSP) after ovariectomy.Results:  In the control group, BMP‐4, Runx2, and BSP expressions showed no definite difference at any stage. In the ovariectomy group, the intensity of BMP‐4 and Runx2 expression increased after ovariectomy. BSP immunoreactivity, however, increased slightly at 2 weeks but then decreased gradually.Conclusions:  Estrogen plays important roles in the metabolism and maintenance of TMJ via regulations of signaling molecules such as BMP‐4, Runx2, and BSP. Our results suggest that estrogen deficiency is a candidate cause of TMD. This study revealed further osteogenetic properties of estrogen that may be useful in the clinical treatment and prevention of TMD.
Pharmacodiagnostic evaluation of EGFR expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Diniz‐Freitas M , García‐Caballero T , Antúnez‐López J , Gándara‐Rey JM , García‐García A 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  To determine epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), and its possible relationships with clinical findings, histological findings, disease course and prognosis.Materials and Methods:  Surgical specimens of 47 OSCCs were studied immunohistochemically for detection of EGFR using a standardized immunohistochemical detection system (EGFR PharmaDxTM kit). Statistical analysis was used to investigate possible relationships between EGFR expression and clinical findings, histological findings, cell proliferation (MIB1 labelling index), disease course and patient survival.Results:  Epidermal growth factor receptor expression was absent or weak in 12 cases (25.5%) and moderate or intense in 35 cases (74.5%). However, EGFR expression did not show statistically significant associations with any of the clinical, histological, biological or prognostic variables considered.Conclusion:  First, despite previous suggestions that EGFR is a useful indicator of biological tumour behaviour, the present results suggest that EGFR is not a useful indicator of prognosis in OSCC. Secondly, the high prevalence of EGFR overexpression suggests that the possibility of anti‐EGFR therapy in OSCC merits further investigation.
Fanconi's anemia: clinical and radiographic oral manifestations
Authors: De Araujo MR , De Oliveira Ribas M , Koubik ACGA , Mattioli T , De Lima AAS , França BHS 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Fanconi's anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, congenital abnormalities, and predisposition to malignancies. There are 11 genetic subtypes characterized by complementation groups – FA‐ A, B, C, D1, D2, E, F, G, I, J, and L.Objective:  To evaluate and describe clinical, oral and radiographic manifestations of patients with FA.Methods:  A quantitative analysis of clinical manifestations, oral lesions and panoramic radiographs was performed in 33 patients.Results:  Clinical manifestations included melanin skin pigmentation, skin vascular and ocular anomalies. Melanin pigmentation on oral mucosa, traumatic lesions, gingival bleeding, dental biofilm and gingival alterations were the main oral manifestations that were found. Oral and clinical manifestations were not dependent on patient's sex. No significant statistical difference between females and males was detected. Dental anomalies were not remarkable either at clinical or at radiographic examinations. Although several dental anomalies were observed in patients with FA, the correlation between this disease was not established from this study. Panoramic radiographs showed agenesis, taurodontism, radicular anomalies such as dilaceration, tapering, and foreshortening.Conclusion:  This study suggests that gingival alterations are associated with defective oral hygiene but not with hematologic conditions. It also helps elucidate oral manifestations of FA. These patients are living longer and need special dental care.
An in vitro study of the effect of some dietary components on calculus formation: regulation of calcium phosphate precipitation
Authors: Hidaka S , Oishi A 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  We studied the effects of food components on the in vitro formation of calcium phosphate precipitates.Materials and methods:  The effects of food components, such as starch, soybean flour, fish meal, rapeseed oil, and coconut oil, on calcium phosphate precipitation were studied using a pH drop method.Results:  Although the addition of starch had no effect on the rate of precipitation of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), it increased both the rate of transformation of ACP to hydroxyapatite (HAP) and the induction time (i.e. time for the initiation of transformation of ACP to HAP to occur); this was irrespective of the heat treatment of the starch. Amylopectin (insoluble constituent of starch) was effective in increasing the rate of HAP transformation, but amylose (soluble constituent of starch) was not. Oil specimen obtained from rapeseed (400 μl ml−1) increased the entire reaction of calcium phosphate precipitation, but that from coconut did not. Protein food, such as soybean flour and fish meal, decreased the rate of transformation of ACP to HAP and increased the induction time, while they had no effect on the rate of ACP precipitation.Conclusion:  These results suggest that carbohydrate and oil (both are staple diets for the humans) enhance oral calcification (dental calculus formation or re‐mineralization of tooth enamel), while side dishes of protein food would decrease it.
Metalloproteinase 9 is the outer executioner of desmoglein 3 in apoptotic keratinocytes
Authors: Cirillo N , Femiano F , Gombos F , Lanza A 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  To investigate the specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) targeting desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) in apoptotic keratinocytes.Method:  Inhibitor studies on cultured keratinocytes and Western blot analysis.Results:  Blocking of MMP‐9 activity strongly reduces shedding of Dsg3 from cell surface. MMP‐2 has a less relevant role in the cleavage of Dsg3 while other MMPs, such as MMP‐1, ‐3, and ‐8, do not target Dsg3.Conclusion:  Apoptic keratinocytes impair the extracellular domain of cell surface Dsg3 by MMP‐9 activity. The discovery of a specific targeting of Dsg3 could be useful to understand the pathophysiology of diseases in which Dsg3 is affected.
Assessing military veterans for posttraumatic stress disorder: A guide for primary care clinicians
Authors: Romanoff Maria R. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPurpose: To educate primary care providers on the physical effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), explain why military veterans are at great risk, and describe how to identify PTSD in primary care clients.Data sources: Current scientific and psychiatric literature on PTSD.Conclusions: PTSD is prevalent in the military community because of the frequency and type of trauma seen in the combat zone. With the ongoing military deployments, assessment for the presence of PTSD is increasingly important for comprehensive and high‐quality primary care. Clients with trauma histories, such as veterans, are at increased risk for physical disorders such as heart disease and psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.Implications for practice: Primary care clinicians, including those outside the military health system, are essential in identifying trauma histories and directing clients to appropriate care.
Office‐based spirometry for early detection of obstructive lung disease
Authors: Wallace Laura D , Troy Kenneth E 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPurpose: To review the research‐based evidence supporting smoking cessation as the only proven method to reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progression and to show that early detection of disease with office‐based spirometry can lead to therapeutic intervention before physiologic symptoms arise.Data sources: Extensive review of national and international scientific literature supplemented with drawings and algorithms.Conclusions: Early detection of COPD with spirometry, along with smoking cessation, and aggressive intervention can alter the insidious course of this highly preventable disease. It is imperative that nurse practitioners utilize this simple and inexpensive procedure to identify COPD in its earliest stages, so treatment can reduce individual and community disease burden, reduce morbidity and mortality, and help reduce healthcare costs.Implications for practice: Determination of early airflow obstruction supports smoking cessation education, provides objective data for patient motivation, thereby doubling patient compliance and reducing further disease burden.
Homecare issues in rotavirus gastroenteritis
Authors: Koslap‐Petraco Mary Beth 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPurpose: This article will describe the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RGE) and its management, highlighting educational issues that nurse practitioners can assist caregivers to enhance at‐home management.Data source: A Medline search of the medical literature was used to identify articles that describe the burden, clinical presentation, and management of RGE.Conclusions: RGE is a serious medical condition characterized by diarrhea and vomiting and is a major cause of morbidity and hospitalization among children aged 5 years or younger. Proper at‐home treatment can be challenging; however, improved home care may limit emergency department visits and hospitalizations.Implications for practice: Mild to moderate RGE may be successfully managed at home if caregivers are adequately educated in deciding when a child needs to be evaluated in a physician’s office and in managing dehydration at home.
Cost‐effectiveness of nurse practitioner management of hypercholesterolemia following coronary revascularization
Authors: Paez Kathryn A. , Allen Jerilyn K. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of case management by a nurse practitioner (NP) to lower blood lipids in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) from a managed care perspective.Data sources: A total of 228 consecutive, eligible adults with hypercholesterolemia and CHD were recruited during hospitalization after coronary revascularization. Patients were randomized to receive lipid management, including individualized lifestyle modification and pharmacologic intervention from an NP for 1 year after discharge in addition to their usual care (NURS) or to receive usual care (EUC) enhanced with feedback on lipids to their primary provider and/or cardiologist. A cost‐effectiveness ratio was calculated using incremental costs of the NURS group per unit change and percent change in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) for 1 year at 2004 values.Conclusions: The annual incremental cost‐effectiveness of NP case management was $26.03 per mg/dL and $39.05 per percent reduction in LDL‐C. When costs of NURS care for the second 6 months of management were compared to the first 6 months of management, nursing salary costs were lower as patients were established on cholesterol management regimens, but the reduction in costs was offset by the increase in incremental costs of drug treatment as the NP titrated the patient to higher drug dosages that were more costly.Implications for practice: The findings suggest that case management by an NP is a cost‐effective approach for a managed care organization to consider in improving the care of patients with cardiovascular disease.
Subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy as a useful treatment for advanced‐stage prostatic malignancies
Authors: Vlasin M. , Rauser P. , Fichtel T. , Necas A. 
Published: August 2006

Objectives:Palliative surgery for advanced‐stage prostatic cancers was tested with regard to survival rate and complications in a prospective randomised clinical study of dogs. Currently, therapeutic approaches have a grave long‐term prognosis in clinically significant prostatic cancer.Methods:Of 167 dogs with prostatic disorders, 24 were diagnosed with prostatic cancer. Eleven dogs underwent subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy, while in 10 dogs total prostatectomy was performed. The remaining three dogs were euthanased at their owner’s request. Dogs treated by subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy and those treated by total prostatectomy were followed until their death.Results:It was found that dogs treated by subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy survived 5·63 times longer (mean [sd] 112·0 [63·03] days) than those treated by total prostatectomy (19·9 [10·67] days) (P<0·01). Moreover, a significant decrease in postoperative complications after subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy was recorded, especially with regard to urinary incontinence.ClinicalSignificance:It was concluded that, in the authors’ facility, treatment of prostatic cancer by subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy was superior to that by total prostatectomy, with respect to both postoperative survival and serious complications.
Evaluation in the Wild: A Distributed Cognition Perspective on Teacher Assessment
Authors: Halverson Richard R. , Clifford Matthew A. 
Published: August 2006

Purpose: The authors adapted distributed cognition theory to provide a detailed account of how schoolleaders use knowledge of the new programs, existing initiatives, andschool contexts to guide policy implementation. Research Design: The study used distributed cognition theory to show how policy implementation studies provide an occasion to understand the influence of context on practice. The article focuses on a case study of (a) a suburban district design of a teacher evaluation policy and (b) a principal’s effort to use the evaluation program with the teachers in her middleschool.The authors adaptedthe distributedcognitiontheory to provide ananalytic framework to better address the issues of school leadership. Findings: The authors found that the design of the policy required teacher evaluators to address the tensions between summative and formative evaluation implicit in the program design. In this case, the principal relied heavily on her discretion to determine which features of the teacher evaluationpolicywouldbe emphasizedwith different teachers. The case also providedinsightinto how the principalreconciledthe demandsof evaluation with ongoing instructional and personnel demands. Conclusions: The distributed cognition framework provided a valuable tool for organizing close studies of the cognitive and contextual dimensions of leadership practice and can provide valuable information about how policies can be designed and used to shape real changes in everyday practice.
Toward a New Conceptualization of Vision in the Work of Educational Leaders: Cases of the Visionary Archetype
Authors: Ylimaki Rose M. 
Published: August 2006

Purpose: Across mainstream educational leadership literature, the term vision has had two primary definitions: (a) a leader’s image of the future and (b) change goals. Translating vision into practice has become increasingly difficult, however, as educators have been bombarded with conflicting images and goals for schools. This article is conceptual in nature, using the findings from a previous empirical study of collaboration and instructional leadership to propose a new way of thinking about vision in terms of the work of educational leaders. Proposed Conceptual Argument: The leaders’ notions of vision suggest principles of the visionary archetype that have not been considered in the extant literature, including four ways of seeing (intuition, perception, insight, and holistic seeing). Thus, literature on the visionary archetype is used as a lens to conceptualize these leaders’ notions of vision. Metaphors are used to present three cases of the visionary archetype and change contexts in which the visionary appears to exist. A discrepant case metaphor is also presented in which a curriculum director defined and used vision more traditionally. Based on these understandings, the author suggests a new conceptualization of vision—namely, that vision is a dynamic interaction among inner human resources (e.g., insight, intuition, and perception), an outward perspective (on larger educational ideals, research, and policies), and the context of a particular visioning situation. Implications: The article concludes with implications for future research on the role of vision in other educator roles and settings as well as recommendations for vision makers of all kinds.