bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency of and trends in fragrance allergy over a 15‐year period
Authors: Nardelli Andrea , Carbonez An , Ottoy Winfried , Drieghe Jacques , Goossens An 
Published: February 2008

Background:  The widespread use of fragrance‐containing products is probably the most important reason for its high impact in allergic contact dermatitis.Objectives:  To describe the frequency of contact allergy to fragrance allergens as tested in the standard series, in relation to age, sex and lesion locations. To determine trends in frequency over the years and to study the association between positive tests observed with the different fragrance‐allergy markers as well as between specific fragrance allergens and locations of the lesions.Patients/Methods:  10 128 patients underwent patch testing between January 1990 and December 2005 at the Dermatology department in Leuven.Results:  1463 (14.5%), that is, 380 (26%) males and 1083 (74%) females, reacted positively to at least 1 fragrance‐allergy marker in the standard series: 9% to fragrance mix I, 6% to Myroxylon pereirae, and 4.8% to colophonium (often in association), 2.1% to hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde and 2.1% to fragrance mix II, the latter 2 allergens having been introduced more recently. Over the years, fragrance contact allergy has shown a fluctuating trend. Hands and face were the most commonly affected body sites. Moreover, a significant association was found between specific fragrance allergens and certain locations.Conclusions:  This study illustrates that fragrance contact allergy is common in patients suffering from contact dermatitis.
Reduced allergy rates in atopic eczema to contact allergens used in both skin products and foods: atopy and the ‘hapten‐atopy hypothesis’
Authors: McFadden John P. , White Jonathan M. L. , Basketter David A. , Kimber Ian 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Food allergy is strongly associated with atopy. This retrospective study investigates whether atopic status affects responses to contact allergens also found in food. We compared incidences of atopic dermatitis/eczema (AD) in subjects who were patch‐test positive (PT+) to diallyl disulfide from handling garlic and parabens used as a skin cream/ointment and food preservative with the incidence in those subjects who were PT+ to chemicals encountered at skin surfaces (lanolin and nickel).Results:  36 658 patients with eczema/dermatitis were patch tested (1980–2006). 10 326 (28.2%) had AD. 13/83 (15.6%) PT+ subjects to diallyl disulfide/garlic had AD (AD/total population versus AD/diallyl disulfide PT+, P = 0.011). 54/239 parabens PT+ had AD (22.6%), while 181/608 lanolin PT+ had AD (29.8%) (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Contact allergy to haptens with oral and skin exposure is reduced in AD compared with non‐AD, unlike food protein hypersensitivity. Lanolin frequency was not decreased. Possible explanations include (i) confounding factors, e.g. AD subjects handle garlic less than non‐AD subjects, or (ii) AD patients tolerate haptens efficiently, secondary to their atopic status, or (iii) oral tolerance of haptens antagonizes tolerance of food proteins, contributing to development of atopy (hapten‐atopy hypothesis). The recent upsurge of atopy took place when gut exposure to haptens in processed foods increased dramatically.
Biological and clinical relevance of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in acute myeloid leukaemias and myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Travaglino Erica , Benatti Chiara , Malcovati Luca , Porta Matteo Giovanni Della , Gallì Anna , Bonetti Elisa , Rosti Vittorio , Cazzola Mario , Invernizzi Rosangela 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe analysed by immunocytochemistry metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 expression in bone marrow cells from 54 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients, 153 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients, and 52 non‐haemopathic subjects, in order to evaluate whether MMP expression abnormalities were associated with relevant laboratory or clinical findings. In normal samples MMP‐2 was detected in rare myeloid cells, MMP‐9 in most maturing myeloid cells. In MDS MMP‐2 myeloid levels were higher than in controls (P < 0.0001); MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 were often co‐expressed. Also many erythroblasts expressed MMP‐2. There was a positive correlation between MMP‐2 erythroblast expression and erythroid dysplasia (P = 0.002) and an inverse correlation between MMP‐2 or MMP‐9 myeloid expression and blast cell percentage (P = 0.05 and P = 0.04 respectively). High MMP levels in myeloid cells were associated with longer overall survival (P = 0.03) and evolution‐free survival (P = 0.04). In AML MMP‐2 levels were lower than in MDS (P < 0.0001) and MMP‐9 levels lower than in MDS and controls (P < 0.0001). MMP levels did not predict response to therapy. The release of active MMPs was detected by colorimetric analysis in cell cultures from representative MDS and AML cases. In conclusion, we have demonstrated an abnormal MMP expression in AML as well as in MDS. The production and release of these enzymes may influence haematopoietic cell behaviour. In MDS, the detection of MMP deregulated expression may be important also from the clinical point of view: it may provide a useful tool for diagnosis, prognosis and a possible target for experimental treatments.
Dose‐escalated CHOP and tailored intensification with IFE according to early response and followed by BEAM/autologous stem‐cell transplantation in poor‐risk aggressive B‐cell lymphoma: a prospective study from the GEL–TAMO Study Group
Authors: Arranz Reyes , Conde Eulogio , Grande Carlos , Mateos Maria Victoria , Gandarillas Marco , Albo Carmen , Lahuerta Juan J. , Fernández‐Rañada José M. , Hernández Miguel T. , Alonso Natalia , García Vela José A. , Garzón Sebastián , Rodríguez José , Caballero Dolores ,   the Grupo Español de Linfomas/Trasplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea (GEL–TAMO)
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectives:  The role of high‐dose therapy and autologous stem‐cell transplantation (HDT/ASCT) in the up‐front treatment of poor‐risk aggressive lymphoma is still unknown. We conducted a prospective multi‐centre trial with dose‐escalated CHOP (MegaCHOP) and tailored intensification prior to HDT/ASCT according to early response assessed by CT and gallium scan (Ga67S).Patients and methods:  Eighty‐six patients with newly diagnosed and Ga‐67 avid aggressive B‐cell lymphoma received MegaCHOP for three courses and were evaluated for response by CT and Ga67S. Patients with CT response and negative Ga67S received another MegaCHOP cycle followed by BEAM and ASCT. Those patients with positive Ga67S or without CT response received salvage treatment with two courses of ifosfamide and etoposide (IFE) followed, whenever response had been achieved, by BEAM and ASCT.Results:  Response rate before HDT/ASCT was 85% and, with 34 months of median follow‐up, progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and treatment‐related mortality were 56%, 64% and 7%, respectively. For transplanted patients (81% of the whole series), PFS and OS were 67% and 74%, respectively. No different outcomes were observed between patients achieving an early negative Ga67S response treated with MegaCHOP and BEAM/ASCT and patients with mid‐treatment positive Ga67S who received IFE prior BEAM/ASCT.Conclusions:  This response‐adapted strategy including early treatment modifications prior HDT/ASCT have yielded encouraging PFS and OS in patients with poor‐risk B aggressive non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
A case of atypical POEMS syndrome without polyneuropathy
Authors: Morizane Ryuji , Sasamura Hiroyuki , Minakuchi Hitoshi , Takae Yujiro , Kikuchi Haruhito , Yoshiya Naomi , Hashiguchi Akinori , Konishi Konosuke , Okamoto Shinichiro , Itoh Hiroshi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPOEMS (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, M‐protein, Skin changes) syndrome is a rare hematological disease associated with overproduction of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Under the current nomenclature and diagnostic criteria for POEMS syndrome, the presence of characteristic polyneuropathy is required for diagnosis. We report a 43‐year‐old Japanese woman with organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M‐protein, skin lesions, as well as typical renal lesions and sclerotic bone lesions. Of note, neurological examinations and peripheral nerve conduction tests were normal in this patient. In view of the overwhelming number of otherwise characteristic signs and symptoms, we made a provisional diagnosis of ‘atypical POEMS syndrome without polyneuropathy’. If further similar cases are reported in the future, reconsideration of the nomenclature and/or diagnostic criteria for POEMS syndrome may be required.
Hematological manifestations of copper deficiency: a retrospective review
Authors: Halfdanarson Thorvardur R. , Kumar Neeraj , Li Chin‐Yang , Phyliky Robert L. , Hogan William J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCopper deficiency is an established cause of hematological abnormalities but is frequently misdiagnosed. Copper deficiency can present as a combination of hematological and neurological abnormalities and it may masquerade as a myelodysplastic syndrome. We reviewed the records of patients with hypocupremia and hematologic abnormalities identified between 1970 and 2005. Patients with hypocupremia unrelated to copper deficiency (e.g. Wilson’s disease) were excluded. Forty patients with copper deficiency and hematological abnormalities were identified. Ten patients (25%) had undergone bariatric (weight reduction) surgery and an additional 14 patients (35%) had undergone surgery on the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly gastric resection. In 12 cases, no cause for copper deficiency was identified. Anemia and neutropenia were the most common hematologic abnormalities identified and the majority of the patients also had neurologic findings, most commonly due to myeloneuropathy. Abnormalities observed on bone marrow examination including vacuoles in myeloid precursors, iron‐containing plasma cells, a decrease in granulocyte precursors and ring sideroblasts may be valuable clues to the diagnosis. Copper deficiency is an uncommon but very treatable cause of hematologic abnormalities.
Early impairment of myocardial function in young patients with β‐thalassemia major
Authors: Magrì Damiano , Sciomer Susanna , Fedele Francesco , Gualdi Gianfranco , Casciani Emanuele , Pugliese Pellegrina , Losardo Anna , Ferrazza Giancarlo , Pasquazzi Eleonora , Schifano Erika , Mussino Eleonora , Quaglione Raffaele , Piccirillo Gianfranco 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground and objective:  One of the chief causes of death in patients with β‐thalassemia major (TM) remains heart failure due to iron overload. We investigated possible differences in myocardial function between a population of young asymptomatic patients with TM and healthy controls all of whom underwent an echocardiographic study, including tissue Doppler (TDI) and strain imaging (SI) analysis and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:  30 young asymptomatic patients with TM (16 taking deferoxamine and 14 taking deferiprone) and 30 healthy subjects underwent a cardiac MRI with T2* technique and an echocardiographic evaluation including systolic myocardial velocities (Sm), early (Em) and late (Am) diastolic velocities and systolic strain (S) at the level of basal segments of the lateral left ventricle (LV), interventricular septum (Septal) and lateral right ventricle (RV) wall. The differences in T2* values and echocardiographic parameters were also compared in patients with TM subgrouped according to iron chelation therapy.Results:  The following TDI and SI measures were lower in patients than in controls: LV‐Sm (P < 0.05), S‐LV (P < 0.001), Septal‐Sm (P < 0.05), Septal‐Em (P < 0.001), S‐Septal (P < 0.001), RV‐Sm (P < 0.001), RV‐Em (P < 0.001), RV‐Em/Am (P < 0.05) and S‐RV (P < 0.05). Myocardial function was better in the patients receiving deferiprone than those receiving deferoxamine. T2* values were higher in controls than in patients with TM and in those treated with deferiprone than those treated with deferoxamine. MRI data well correlated with SI parameters.Conclusions:  Study underlines that, even in a population of young, asymptomatic and well‐chelated patients with TM, there is an impairment of myocardial function and that this condition could be easily detected by more advanced ultrasound techniques such as TDI and SI. The better indices of myocardial function in patients treated with deferiprone clearly needs confirmation from larger prospective studies.
Use of Metacognition in Developing Diagnostic Reasoning Skills of Novice Nurses
Authors: Chartier Louise 
Published: February 2008

PURPOSE. To discuss the assumptions of metacognition as it applies to reasoning skills in nursing and to explore one way to incorporate these principles into a teaching environment SOURCES. Books, published articles, teaching experiences DATA SYNTHESIS. When working with novice nurses, whether in a university or inservice setting, the conceptual basis of cognitive psychology is useful in helping develop diagnostic reasoning ability. An instrument to help nurses acknowledge the metacognitive skills used within their clinical judgment processes was designed and implemented CONCLUSION. This instrument has proved useful to students and teachers alike over the last 6 years. Formal research needs to be done to substantiate empiric observation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE. An instrument such as this can help mentors, preceptors, and teachers guide novice nurses in documenting diagnostic decision making.
Differences in acoustic signals from Delphinids in the western North Atlantic and northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Baron Susan C. , Martinez Anthony , Garrison Lance P. , Keith Edward O. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWhistle characteristics were quantitatively compared between both geographically separated and neighboring populations of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and pilot whales (Globicephala spp.) in U.S. waters to evaluate if intraspecific acoustic differences exist between groups. We compared nine whistle characteristics between continental shelf and offshore Atlantic spotted dolphins in the western North Atlantic and between northern Gulf of Mexico and western North Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales using discriminant analysis. Offshore Atlantic spotted dolphin whistles were significantly different (Hotelling's T2, P= 0.0003) from continental shelf whistles in high frequency, bandwidth, duration, number of steps, and number of inflection points. Atlantic bottlenose dolphin whistles were significantly different (Hotelling's T2, P < 0.0001) from those in the Gulf of Mexico in duration, number of steps, and number of inflection points. There was no significant difference between pilot whale whistles in the two basins. The whistle differences indicate acoustic divergence between groups in different areas that may arise from geographic isolation or habitat separation between neighboring but genetically distinct populations of dolphins. This study supports the premise that acoustic differences can be a tool to evaluate the ecological separation between marine mammal groups in field studies.
Temporal variation in dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) habitat use and group size off Great Abaco Island, Bahamas
Authors: Dunphy‐Daly Meagan M. , Heithaus Michael R. , Claridge Diane E. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) are among the most commonly stranded yet least known pelagic cetaceans. Few studies have occurred at sea, and none have quantified temporal and spatial variation in dwarf sperm whale abundance and group size. We assessed seasonal and spatial variation in dwarf sperm whale group size and abundance off Great Abaco Island, Bahamas using surveys within a 126 km2study area with depths between 2 and 1,600 m. After correcting for survey effort and variation in sighting efficiency among sea states, we found that dwarf sperm whale group size and habitat use varied seasonally. In summer, dwarf sperm whale groups were small (median = 2.5, range = 1–8) and were found only in the two deep habitats within the study area (slope 400–900 m, deep 900–1,600 m). In winter, group sizes increased (median = 4, range = 1–12) and sightings were almost six times higher in the slope habitat, where vertical relief is highest, than other habitats. Our results suggest that studies of pelagic cetaceans and conservation plans must explicitly account for seasonal variation in group size and habitat use.
Does China have Inflationary Effects on the USA and Japan?
Authors: Feyzioglu Necmettin Tarhan , Willard Luke Byrne 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWith China's share in global trade increasing rapidly, some argued in 2002‐2003 that China was exporting deflation to other countries as it was dumping cheap goods in mature markets. Later, others argued that China was causing sharp increases in global prices. This paper uses several econometric techniques to assess the extent of the link between inflation rates between China and the USA and Japan. Only limited empirical evidence at the aggregate level is found for consumer price inflation in China leading to price changes in the USA and Japan. However, there is some evidence that inflation in the USA has an impact on Chinese inflation. The results seem consistent with the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan being concerned about inflation and, hence, adjusting policy such that inflation shocks have no significant effect on overall inflation. Recent Chinese price rises are unlikely to have a material effect on the USA or Japan.
China's Trade Acceleration and the Deepening of an East Asian Regional Production Network
Authors: Tong Sarah Y. , Zheng Yi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractChina's recent surge in trade has been associated with its deepening but contrasting trade relations with its two groups of key trading partners. On the one hand, China's trade surpluses with the USA and the EU have risen rapidly, reaching US$144bn and US$91bn in 2006, respectively. On the other hand, China is importing heavily from its Asian neighbors. This diverging pattern of trade relations between China and its main trading partners reflects the continuous expansion and intensification of a complex cross‐border production network in Asia, particularly for consumer electronics. In the process of deepening manufacturing sharing, China serves as an essential export platform for firms headquartered in the more advanced economies. These firms export intermediate goods from the relatively more advanced Asian economies to their affiliates in China where these inputs are assembled and then shipped to key export markets, including primarily the USA and the EU. One apparent outcome of the growing processing and assembly trade is the increased interdependency among Asian economies, which are now more dependent on each other than ever. It has also led to substantial structural changes and technological upgrading in China's traded goods.
Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Microprobe Spectroscopy of Photosystem II
Authors: Chen Jun , Barry Bridgette A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPhotosystem II (PSII) carries out photosynthetic oxygen production and is responsible for the maintenance of aerobic, heterotrophic life. In PSII, protein amino acid residues play an important role in the light‐driven electron transfer reactions. Here, we describe an approach to enhancing vibrational signals from PSII proteins through ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) and a microprobe jet flow technique. Our work shows that pump‐probe UVRR can be used to monitor intermediates during photosynthetic oxygen evolution.
Serum cytochrome c to indicate the extent of ongoing tumor cell death
Authors: OSAKA A. , HASEGAWA H. , TSURUDA K. , INOKUCHI N. , YANAGIHARA K. , YAMADA Y. , AOYAMA M. , SAWADA T. , KAMIHIRA S. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryDespite the significant implication of apoptosis in tumorigenesis, there is no biomarker to assess the extent of ongoing apoptosis in vivo for hematological malignancies. We investigated the potential of serum cytochrome c (cyto‐c) as a biomarker for apoptosis. Cyto‐c and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) were released into the culture medium from apoptotic cells induced by tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand in a time‐dependent manner in vitro, with different kinetic patterns. Only one‐third of 153 patients with hematological malignancies showed high levels of serum cyto‐c (>20 ng/ml). Although serum cyto‐c level was roughly correlated to serum LD activity, their different kinetic patterns from serial measurements indicated that serum cyto‐c rather than LD is a more sensitive indicator for tracking changes of tumor status. Furthermore, serum cyto‐c level stratified patients with acute adult T‐cell leukemia into favorable and unfavorable subgroups with 5‐year survival rates of 67%vs. 11%. In conclusion, serum cyto‐c may provide a fast real‐time biomarker for tracking changes of tumor status involved in apoptotic cell death, but lacking disease or cell‐type specificity.
Bacillus cereusInduces Permeability of an In Vitro Blood-Retina Barrier
Authors: Moyer A. L. , Ramadan R. T. , Thurman J. , Burroughs A. , Callegan M. C. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTMostBacillus cereustoxin production is controlled by the quorum-sensing-dependent, pleiotropic global regulatorplcR, which contributes to the organism's virulence in the eye. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects ofB. cereusinfection andplcR-regulated toxins on the barrier function of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, the primary cells of the blood-retina barrier. Human ARPE-19 cells were apically inoculated with wild-type or quorum-sensing-deficientB. cereus, and cytotoxicity was analyzed.plcR-regulated toxins were not required forB. cereus-induced RPE cytotoxicity, but these toxins did increase the rate of cell death, primarily by necrosis.B. cereusinfection of polarized RPE cell monolayers resulted in increased barrier permeability, independent ofplcR-regulated toxins. Loss of both occludin and ZO-1 expression occurred by 8 h postinfection, but alterations in tight junctions appeared to precede cytotoxicity. Of the several proinflammatory cytokines analyzed, only interleukin-6 was produced in response toB. cereusinfection. These results demonstrate the deleterious effects ofB. cereusinfection on RPE barrier function and suggest thatplcR-regulated toxins may not contribute significantly to RPE barrier permeability during infection.
Entropic Aspects of Supercooled Droplet Freezing
Authors: Kostinski Alexander , Cantrell Will 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The freezing of supercooled water droplets in the atmosphere, with an emphasis on the entropic aspects of the problem, is examined. Supercooled water is a metastable state and, therefore, the associated phase transition must be irreversible. Temperature-dependent heat capacities of supercooled water and ice are used to calculate the entropy difference. That difference is then used to establish a lower bound on the amount of latent heat that can be liberated by the freezing droplets. The calculation is compared with tabulated values of the latent heat of fusion with surprising results. Based on a novel physical picture of the freezing process, the authors suggest a simple estimate for the effective latent heat that is suitable for heat budget calculations of glaciating clouds. In addition, the authors arrive at a quadratic dependence on supercooling, (ΔT)2, for the irreversible contribution to heat exchange during the freezing process. The proportionality factor is estimated as −0.3 J mol−1 K−2.