bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automated detection of malaria pigment: feasibility for malaria diagnosing in an area with seasonal malaria in northern Namibia
Authors: De Langen Adrianus J. , Van Dillen Jeroen , Witte Piet de , Mucheto Samson , Nagelkerke Nico , Kager Piet 
Published: June 2006

SummaryObjective  To evaluate the feasibility of automated malaria detection with the Cell‐Dyn® 3700 (Abbott Diagnostics, Santa Clara, CA, USA) haematology analyser for diagnosing malaria in northern Namibia.Methods  From April to June 2003, all patients with a positive blood smear result and a subset of patients with no suspicion of malaria were included. Blood smear and a venous blood sample (to determine haemoglobin, platelet and malaria pigment levels) were collected from each patient. Malaria pigment test characteristics, correlations with blood parameters and pigment clearance time were calculated. Finally, a subset of blood samples was run twice to evaluate the consistency of test outcome.Results  Two hundred and eight patients were included. Ninety had a positive blood smear result of which 84 tested positive for malaria pigment and 118 patients had a negative blood smear result of which four tested positive for malaria pigment. Test characteristics as compared with microscopy were as follows: sensitivity 0.93, specificity 0.97, positive predictive value 0.95, negative predictive value 0.95. Rerun of the blood samples resulted in a change of diagnosis in 14%. After 4 weeks, 33% of patients with an initially positive pigment result still tested positive. Malaria pigment was found to be negatively correlated with haemoglobin.Conclusions  Automated detection of malaria pigment is a useful diagnostic tool in this semi‐rural area. In low‐risk malaria season, the test can be used for diagnosing malaria because of the high sensitivity. In high‐risk malaria season, the test can be used for excluding malaria in case of a negative pigment result because of the high specificity.
Acute undifferentiated fever in Binh Thuan province, Vietnam: imprecise clinical diagnosis and irrational pharmaco‐therapy
Authors: Phuong Hoang L. , De Vries Peter J. , Nagelkerke Nico , Giao Phan T. , Hung Le Q. , Binh Tran Q. , Nga Tran. T. Thanh , Nam Nguyen V. , Kager Piet A. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryObjectives  To describe the characteristics of patients consulting commune primary healthcare posts for acute undifferentiated fever not being malaria (AUF), and to explore the diagnostic and therapeutic responses of the healthcare workers.Methods  All patients presenting with AUF at 12 commune health posts and one clinic at the provincial malaria station, Binh Thuan, a dengue endemic province in southern Vietnam, were included. Record forms were used to fill in patient and diseases characteristics, pre‐referral treatment, signs and symptoms, provisional diagnosis and installed treatment, referral and final outcome.Results  Two thousand ninety‐six patients were included from April 2001 to March 2002. The median delay to attend the health posts was, 0.87 day for >5, 1.15 days for children aged 5–15 years and 1.41 days for adults (P < 0.001). Sixty‐five per cent of patients took some measures before consulting the health post, of whom 82% applied self‐medication and 69% took antibiotics. Pre‐referral medication with antibiotics increased with age (RR 1.012 per year of age; 95% CI: 1.004–1.019). The diagnostic and therapeutic response of healthcare workers was very unspecific. The tourniquet test was inappropriately used as general discriminating test, not only for detecting dengue haemorrhagic fever. Empiric antibiotic therapy was installed in 77.2% of cases.Conclusions  Management of uncomplicated fever, not being malaria, at the primary healthcare level in Vietnam is non‐specific, dominated by searching signs of hemorrhagic dengue and empiric antibiotic treatment. This can probably be improved by better education.
Concurrent comparison of three water contact measurement tools in four endemic villages of the Philippines. The schistosomiasis transmission ecology in the Philippines project (STEP)
Authors: Payne G. , Carabin H. , Tallo V. , Alday P. , Gonzalez R. , Joseph L. , Olveda R. , McGarvey S. T. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground  Schistosomiasis japonica is a chronic helminthic infection contracted through contact with water infested with Schistosoma japonicum. The infection is associated with severe disease and is an important public health concern in Philippines.Object  To estimate the agreement in the frequency of water contact between bimonthly interviews, self‐administered diaries and observations.Methods  A total of 286 individuals were followed over either a 4 or a 6 months period. Agreement between direct observation and both the bimonthly and diary methods were estimated.Results  The agreement between the observation and the bimonthly interview was 71.8% when days without any water contacts were considered, but decreased to 23.3% when only days with at least some water contact were considered. The agreement between the observation and the diary was 78.7% when days without any water contacts were considered and 40.8% when only days with some water contacts were considered.Conclusions  Agreement about the degree of water contact is poor between the different measurement tools. This has important implications for future research, since a high degree of measurement error can severely bias any results from studies involving water contact.Keywords  Schistosoma japonicum , fresh water , Philippines , epidemiologic measurement , agreement
Subarachnoidal and intraventricular human neurocysticercosis: application of an antigen detection assay for the diagnosis and follow‐up
Authors: Bobes Raúl J. , Hernández Marisela , Márquez Carlos , Fragoso Gladis , García Esperanza , Parkhouse R. Michael E. , Harrison Leslie J. S. , Sciutto Edda , Fleury Agnès 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground  Neurocysticercosis (NC) is a parasitic disease of the central nervous system caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium. Although imaging studies are recommended for diagnosis and follow‐up of patients, their high cost and restricted availability limit their use. Among various immunological tests, the detection of HP10 antigen in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) has proved to be a useful tool for the diagnosis of NC in the case of viable but not dead parasites.Objectives  This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of the detection of HP10 antigen for the diagnosis and follow‐up of NC patients.Methods  The effectiveness of this HP10 assay was analysed for the CSF of 46 confirmed NC cases (21 men, 25 women) who had been clinically and radiologically described.Results  In 21 of 24 NC patients (87.5%) with viable parasites localized in the SA space at the base of the brain or in the ventricles these were detected by means of the HP10 assay, whilst none of the three patients with viable parasites in the parenchyma or sulci had these detected. Used for the follow‐up of patients after cysticidal treatment, it was showed that levels of HP10 dropped significantly only among those patients whose cysticerci were clearly damaged.Conclusions  HP10 antigen assay is recommended as a support for diagnosis and follow‐up in NC patients with viable parasites localized in the SA space at the base of the brain or in the ventricles, thereby potentially reducing the number of imaging studies required.
Prevalence and screening costs of hepatitis C virus among Ugandan blood donors
Authors: Hladik W. , Kataaha P. , Mermin J. , Purdy M. , Otekat G. , Lackritz E. , Alter M. J. , Downing R. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground  Screening donated blood for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is important for HCV prevention and is routinely practiced in North America and Europe. However, in many African countries little is known about HCV prevalence or cost‐effectiveness of HCV antibody (anti‐HCV) screening.Methods  We investigated 2592 plasma specimens collected consecutively from blood donors in central Uganda in 1999. Routine screening by the blood bank included human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and syphilis. To assess HCV prevalence and cost‐effectiveness of testing, specimens were additionally tested for anti‐HCV IgG by enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA). Specimens repeatedly reactive (RR) on EIA were tested with a recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA).Results  Overall, 107 (4.1%) specimens were HCV EIA RR. Fifteen EIA RR specimens (0.6%, 95% confidence interval = 0.3–0.9%) were RIBA positive and 47 (1.8%) were RIBA indeterminate. Most (80%) RIBA‐positive specimens were non‐reactive for HIV, HBsAg, and syphilis. RIBA positivity was not associated with donor age, sex, number of donations, HIV, or HBsAg positivity. Costs of screening donors for anti‐HCV by using EIA were estimated at US$782 per potential transfusion‐associated HCV infection (exposure to RIBA‐positive blood) averted.Conclusions  Current screening tests for other infections are ineffective in removing HCV‐positive donations. Testing costs are considerable; cost‐effectiveness of identifying HCV‐infected donors will be critical in decision making about HCV screening in Uganda.
Serious underreporting of visceral leishmaniasis through passive case reporting in Bihar, India
Authors: Singh S. P. , Reddy D. C. S. , Rai M. , Sundar S. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryObjectives  Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health problem in Bihar, India. Unfortunately, accurate data on the incidence or prevalence of the disease are not available. This longitudinal study was undertaken to determine the incidence of VL in a Community Development Block area of the state of Bihar. Survey results were compared with official reports of the disease to assess the extent of underreporting by the Government health system.Methods  Three health subcentre areas in Kanti Block, consisting of 14 villages with a total population of 26 444, were selected. Active surveillance was performed every month from January 2001 to December 2003 by house to house survey to detect cases of fever for more than 15 days. Patients clinically suspected of suffering from VL were subjected to parasitological examination for confirmation. Analysis of records of the reporting agencies in the district was undertaken to compare and assess the extent of underreporting.Results  A total of 202 cases of VL were identified in 3 years giving an average annual incidence rate of 2.49/1000 population (95% CI = 2.15–2.83). As identification data of patients was not available with the official reporting agencies for 2001 and 2002, extent of underreporting could be assessed for 2003 only. In the study population, 65 cases of VL were detected during 2003 providing an annual incidence rate of 2.36/1000 population. Only eight (12.30%) cases were reported officially, resulting in underreporting by a factor of 8.13. In 2003, the official incidence rate of VL for Kanti Block was 0.31/1000 against the actual rate of 2.36/1000. As the constraints for official reporting at the block and the district levels are similar, the underreporting at district level was also assumed to be similar. This finding has significance in the preparation for elimination programme.
Multiple cutaneous granular cell tumors, joint hypermobility and mild facial dysmorphism in a child
Authors: Muscardin Luca M. , Paradisi Mauro , Provini Alessia , Cota Carlo , Marzetti Gianfranco 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  The association of multiple cutaneous granular tumors with systemic defects is extremely rare. To date, 14 cases have been described.Case report  A 14‐year‐old boy presented multiple nodular lesions on his arms and legs; facial dysmorphism and joint hypermobility were also present. Histopathologic examination of two nodules showed granular cell tumors. We review the literature regarding multiple granular cell cutaneous tumors in children with associated somatic defects and genetic syndromes.Conclusions  The combination of multiple cutaneous granular tumors with alterations in other organs is not only fortuitous, justifying the proposal of a distinct syndrome, termed “Bakos's syndrome” after the author who first described this association. The relation with neurofibromatosis type 1 is discussed, and an association is suggested with the range of variants of this syndrome.
Elastofibroma dorsi: histologic and echographic considerations
Authors: Cota Carlo , Solivetti Francesco , Kovacs Daniela , Cristiani Renzo , Amantea Ada 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Elastofibroma dorsi is a relatively rare soft‐tissue tumor of the elderly with typical localization to the subscapular area. To date, few cases have been reported in the dermatology literature. The differential diagnosis includes frequently observed subcutaneous neoplasms such as lipoma, fibrolipoma or more aggressive tumors. The diagnosis is made with histologic examination.Case report  We present a typical case of elastofibroma dorsi, studied with ultrasound investigation and color–power Doppler, and discuss the correlation with the histologic picture.Conclusions  Considering the strict correspondence between the characteristic histologic findings of elastofibroma and the specific ultrasound pattern, we believe that ultrasound investigation with color and power Doppler allows, in typical cases, a definitive diagnosis of elastofibroma.
Psoriasiform and palmoplanter pustular lesions induced after Kawasaki disease
Authors: Mizuno Yuki , Suga Yasushi , Muramatsu Shigenori , Hasegawa Toshio , Ogawa Hideoki 
Published: June 2006

A 7‐month‐old boy was referred to us because of psoriatic lesions on the bilateral cheeks and on the extensor region of the left upper arm at the same site of his vaccination for tuberculosis 4 months previously (Fig. 1a,b). He also presented with small pustules scattered on the palms and soles (Fig. 1c).Clinical manifestations of the patient. Psoriasiform plaques appeared on both cheeks (a) and on the extensor surface of the left upper arm (b). Multiple tiny pustules appeared on the left sole (c). The psoriasiform eruption on both cheeks (d) and the left upper arm (e) disappeared 2 months after the onset of Kawasaki diseaseimage
Can specific vessel‐based papulopustular lesions of Behçet's disease be differentiated from nonspecific follicular‐based lesions clinically?
Authors: Boyvat Ayşe , Heper Aylin Okçu , Koçyiğit Pelin , Erekul Selim , Gürgey Erbak 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Although papulopustular lesions are one of the diagnostic criteria for Behçet's disease, controversy exists as to the nature of these lesions. Specific vessel‐based papulopustular lesions as well as nonspecific follicular lesions may be seen in patients with Behçet's disease. Some authors suggest that papulopustular lesions should be considered a positive criterion only if they exhibit a vessel‐based neutrophilic reaction.Objective  To determine whether specific vessel‐based papulopustular lesions can be differentiated clinically from nonspecific follicular lesions in patients with Behçet's disease.Methods  Twenty‐three papulopustular lesions in 20 patients with Behçet's disease were initially examined clinically by two dermatologists blind to each other's diagnosis. Biopsies taken from these lesions were examined by a pathologist unaware of the patient data.Results  Leukocytoclastic vasculitis or perivascular infiltration was observed in 10 lesions, perifollicular and perivascular infiltration was noted in nine lesions, and perifollicular inflammation was seen in four biopsy specimens. Most of the lesions interpreted clinically as specific papulopustular lesions of Behçet's disease had predominantly perivascular infiltration or leukocytoclastic vasculitis; however, three papulopustular lesions evaluated by both observers as specific papulopustular lesions had only perifollicular inflammation, and one lesion diagnosed clinically as a nonspecific follicular eruption revealed perivascular neutrophilic reaction. Interobserver variance was noted in three papulopustular lesions.Conclusions  Clinical examination may not be sufficient to predict the dermatopathologic pattern in all lesions. Papulopustular lesions with no specific clinical and histopathologic features may create problems in the diagnosis of Behçet's disease.
Molecular collaborations between serpins and trefoil factor promote endodermal cell growth and gastrointestinal differentiation in budding tunicates
Authors: Kawamura Kazuo , Kariya Yuko , Ono Yoshie , Muramoto Akira , Ohta Kyoko , Fujiwara Shigeki 
Published: June 2006

We present evidence supporting novel collaborations between the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) and the trefoil factor during the budding stage of the tunicate Polyandrocarpa misakiensis. Using a maltose‐binding protein/P‐serpin fusion protein, two polypeptides of 40 kDa and 45 kDa were pulled down from Polyandrocarpa homogenates. Based on their partial amino acid sequence data, a single cDNA (928 bp) was cloned. It encodes a polypeptide that has five tandem repeats of a trefoil consensus motif. Thus, we termed the cDNA P‐trefoil. Both P‐trefoil and P‐serpin were expressed exclusively by coelomic cells during budding. P‐Trefoil was expressed mainly by coelomic cells throughout the asexual life cycle of Polyandrocarpa, while P‐Serpin was localized particularly in coelomic cells and in the extracellular matrix in developing buds. The native P‐Trefoil protein showed aminopeptidase activity. It induced cell growth in cultured Polyandrocarpa cells at a concentration of 8 µg/mL. P‐Serpin reinforced this activity of P‐Trefoil. Further, a mixture of P‐Trefoil and P‐Serpin exhibited the in vitro induction of a gut‐specific alkaline phosphatase. These results show for the first time that a serpin can interact with a trefoil factor to play a role in the cellular growth and differentiation of the gastric epithelium.
Pathological study of idiopathic portal hypertension with an emphasis on cause of death based on records of Annuals of Pathological Autopsy Cases in Japan
Authors: Sawada Seiko , Sato Yasunori , Aoyama Hajime , Harada Kenichi , Nakanuma Yasuni 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is thought to be benign if bleeding gastroesophageal varices can be controlled or prevented. A recent autopsy of a woman with IPH who died of hemorrhagic intestinal infarction related to mesenteric thrombosis prompted the authors to examine the terminal antemortem features and causes of death of IPH.Methods:  Autopsy cases registered as IPH from 1986 to 1997 were surveyed in the records of the Annuals of Pathological Autopsy Cases in Japan, with permission from the Japanese Society of Pathology. The records of 65 of these cases were collected and examined pathologically.Results:  It was found that the most frequent cause of death in these cases was (i) bacterial infection (20 cases). The next three causes of death were directly or indirectly related to hepatic disease or its altered portal hemodynamics as follows: (ii) progressive hepatic failure (16 cases); (iii) massive hemorrhage from ruptured gastroesophageal varices (11 cases); and (iv) hemorrhagic intestinal infarction due to mesenteric venous thrombosis (5 cases). Although portal venous thrombosis was closely associated with (iv), (ii) and (iii) seemed not to be associated with portal venous thrombosis. In addition, intracranial hemorrhage and other heterogeneous factors were identified as the cause of death in five cases and eight cases, respectively.Conclusion:  These results suggest that progressive hepatic failure and intestinal hemorrhagic infarction should be considered in addition to rupture of gastroesophageal varices when monitoring patients with IPH. Clinicians should be also aware of severe bacterial infection and intracranial hemorrhage as a fatal complication of IPH.
Does co‐infection with multiple viruses adversely influence the course and outcome of sporadic acute viral hepatitis in children?
Authors: Kumar Arvind , Yachha Surender Kumar , Poddar Ujjal , Singh Uttam , Aggarwal Rakesh 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground:  This study looked at the frequency of co‐infection with multiple hepatotropic viruses and the effect of such infection on the course and outcome of acute sporadic viral hepatitis (AVH) and fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in children.Methods:  Consecutive children up to 15 years of age presenting with AVH or FHF between January 1998 and July 2002 were evaluated prospectively. The following viral markers were assessed in all children: immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti‐hepatitis A virus (HAV), IgM anti‐hepatitis E virus (HEV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), IgM anti‐hepatitis B core (HBc), and anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV).Results:  A total of 149 children were included in the study, 122 with AVH and 27 with FHF. Co‐infection with multiple viruses was detected in 30 (24.6%) AVH patients (A + E in 24, A + B in three, and E + B, A + C and A + E + B in one each) and seven (26%) FHF patients (A + E in five, and A + B and E + B in one each). The majority of single infections were due to HAV (AVH 70/92, FHF 14/20) followed by HEV (AVH 9/92, and FHF 5/20). HEV infection was associated with infection with another agent in 88% of patients with AVH (odds ratio 53, 95% confidence interval 15–186, P < 0.0001). Frequency of anicteric state, prolonged cholestasis, relapsing hepatitis, ascites, hemolysis and mortality rates were similar in the single and multiple infection groups for both AVH and FHF patients.Conclusions:  Co‐infection with multiple viruses is observed in one‐quarter of patients with sporadic AVH in childhood. Such infection does not produce a more severe disease. HEV positivity is a strong marker for multiple infections.
T4 GASTRIC CARCINOMA: THE BENEFIT OF NON‐CURATIVE RESECTION
Authors: Kim Dong Y. , Joo Jae K. , Seo Kyeung W. , Park Young K. , Ryu Seong Y. , Kim Hyeong R. , Kim Young J. , Kim Shin K. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  The prognosis of patients with gastric carcinoma with invasion of the adjacent organs (T4 gastric carcinoma) is very poor. We evaluated the survival benefit of resection in this group of patients.Method:  We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 288 patients with T4 gastric carcinoma to compare the clinicopathological results in patients with curative resection (n = 95) with patients with non‐curative resection (n = 193) during the period 1986–2000.Results:  With a 33% curative resectability in patients with T4 gastric carcinoma, patients with tumour resection (curative and non‐curative) had a significantly improved survival rate. The overall survival rate was higher for patients who underwent resection (11.6%) than for patients who were not resected (2.5%), regardless of curability (P < 0.001). Using Cox’s proportional hazard regression model, lymph node invasion and curability were independent statistically significant prognostic parameters. The prognosis of patients with invasion to the peritoneum and adrenal glands was significantly poorer than that of patients in whom there was no such invasion. But, the number of organs invaded had no effect on patient survival.Conclusions:  Patients with T4 gastric carcinoma might be benefited from curative resection. The results also emphasize the improved survivorship of T4 gastric carcinoma patients with resection compared with those who did not undergo resection. Although curative resection cannot be undertaken in patients with T4 gastric carcinoma, we recommend performing resection in patients with locally advanced gastric carcinoma, regardless of curability.