bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dermatoscopy of pigmented actinic keratosis – A striking similarity to lentigo maligna
Authors: Pock Lumír , Drlík Lubomír , Hercogová Jana 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Pigmented actinic keratosis (PAK) resembles lentigo maligna (LM) clinically and histopathologically in some cases.Objectives  To describe the dermatoscopical characteristics of this uncommon variant of actinic keratosis and evaluate whether these characteristics show common features with LM.Observations  We had the opportunity to examine a 78‐year‐old woman who presented with a PAK lesion on her face dermatoscopically and histopathologically. The pigmented pseudo‐network had black and gray dust in some areas, which were the main dermatoscopical features. The pigmented pseudo‐network was formed by an unhomogenous brown background interrupted by regularly distributed hair follicules. The hyperpigmentation was based not only on an increased presence of melanin within the keratinocytes in the basal and spinous layers of epidermis, but also an intensive apoptosis of keratinocytes connected to numerous melanophages.Conclusions  The dermatoscopical picture of PAK in this patient was practically indistinguishable from the early stage of LM. The authors considered that the pigmented atypical melanocytes’ role in LM presenting as black dots in the dermatoscopical picture was displayed by the individually pigmented keratinocytes in PAK. The groups of melanophages presenting as gray dust were present in PAK similarly to their presentation in LM. The character of the pigmented pseudo‐network is the same in the both afflictions. There is a need to examine other cases of PAK in order to decide whether our case represents a general pattern of the dermatoscopical picture.
α‐Lipoic acid modulates gut inflammation induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in rats
Authors: Kolgazi Meltem , Jahovic Nermina , Yüksel Meral , Ercan Feriha , Alican İnci 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  α‐Lipoic acid (ALA) has been shown to combat oxidative stress by quenching a variety of reactive oxygen species. It is involved in the regeneration of exogenous and endogenous antioxidants, chelation of metal ions, and repair of oxidized proteins. This study aimed to evaluate the potential beneficial effect of ALA on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)‐induced gut ileitis and colitis in rats.Method:  After 48 h of fasting, Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent a laparotomy under ether anesthesia. TNBS solution 30 mg/mL in 40% ethanol (1 mL) was injected into the lumen, 10 cm proximal to the ileocolonic junction to induce ileitis or intrarectally 8 cm proximal to the anal sphincter to induce colitis. ALA (25 mg/kg intraperitoneally, twice a day) was given after induction of inflammation and continued for 3 days. All animals were decapitated 3 days after induction of the inflammation. The mucosal lesions of the ileum and colon were scored macroscopically and microscopically. Samples were taken for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, tissue‐associated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and luminol‐ or lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence (CL).Results:  Macroscopic scores, morphological changes and increased tissue lipid peroxidation with a concomitant reduction in GSH of the ileitis or colitis groups were all reversed by treatment with ALA. ALA treatment was also effective in improving tissue MPO activity and CL values, which were elevated in untreated ileitis or colitis groups.Conclusion:  ALA is beneficial in TNBS‐induced gut inflammation in rats via suppression of neutrophil accumulation, preservation of endogenous glutathione and inhibition of reactive oxidant generation.
Application of a new cleavage fracture criterion for fracture toughness prediction for RPV steels
Authors: MARGOLIN B. Z. , SHVETSOVA V. A. , GULENKO A. G. , KOSTYLEV V. I. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTIn the present paper, approaches for prediction of cleavage fracture proposed by authors over recent years are briefly reviewed. A new local criterion of cleavage fracture and its application are considered.Local criterion of cleavage fracture formulated in a probabilistic manner consists of cleavage microcrack nucleation condition and condition for their start and propagation through various barriers such as microstresses, grain and dislocation substructure boundaries. As distinct from universally accepted criterion in which microcrack nucleation occurs on the plastic deformation beginning(σeq=σY), cleavage microcrack nucleation according to the formulated condition depends on the maximum principal stress, plastic strain and temperature.On the basis of the proposed criterion, a probabilistic model for fracture toughness prediction (known now as Prometey model) was developed and verified by application to reactor pressure vessels (RPV) materials in the initial, moderately irradiated and highly embrittled states. The Prometey model and other applications of the proposed criterion are briefly considered. The predicted results are compared with test results and the Master Curve.
Magnetoencephalography in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis and Localization‐related Epilepsy
Authors: Kamimura Takanori , Tohyama Jun , Oishi Makoto , Akasaka Noriyuki , Kanazawa Osamu , Sasagawa Mutsuo , Kato Mitsuhiro , Ohno Kousaku , Masuda Hiroshi , Kameyama Shigeki , Uchiyama Makoto 
Published: June 2006

Summary: Purpose:To clarify the usefulness of magnetoencephalography (MEG) for diagnosis of the spatial relations between spike foci and suspicious epileptogenic tubers on MRI in patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS) and to compare MEG spike foci with single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings.Methods:We analyzed magnetic fields of epileptic spike discharges in 15 patients with TS and localization‐related epilepsy (LRE) by using MEG (a whole‐head 204‐channel magnetometer system). We investigated the spatial relation between the equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) of interictal spike discharges and visible cortical tubers on MRI. We also compared results of MEG and MRI with SPECT findings.Results:MEG detected a cluster of ECDs around one cortical tuber in six of 15 patients and clusters of ECDs around two cortical tubers in five patients. Interictal SPECT was disappointing in detection of epileptic foci in TS. However, MEG spike foci showed spatial consistency with ictal hyperperfusion areas in two patients. Three patients with single ECD clusters underwent surgical treatment: two have been seizure free, and one has obtained seizure reduction of >90%.Conclusions:ECDs were located around visible tuber nodules. MEG enabled precise localization of the epileptic foci and provided crucial information for surgical treatment in patients with TS and partial epilepsy. TS patients showing a single ECD cluster on MEG may be appropriate candidates for surgical treatment.
Perioral Reflex Myoclonias: A Controlled Study in Patients with JME and Focal Epilepsies
Authors: Mayer Thomas A. , Schroeder Frauke , May Theodor W. , Wolf Peter T. 
Published: June 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Perioral reflex myoclonias (PORM) are obvious, frequent, but often unobserved focal seizures in different epileptic syndromes and the leading seizure type in reading epilepsy. PORMs remain often undiagnosed because the patients are not aware that these are epileptic seizures and fail to report them. Their semiology is not fundamentally different in various epileptic syndromes. Methods: We studied the frequency of PORM in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) compared with patients with focal epilepsies. Twenty‐five patients with JME were investigated with a standardized neuropsychological test program and compared with 25 matched patients with focal epilepsies. Statistical significance was calculated by using Fisher's exact test. Results: We found significant differences between the groups regarding both frequency of PORM and activation of epileptic discharges. These observations seem to indicate that PORM, like praxis‐induced seizures, are typical traits in JME. Conclusions: PORM are more frequent in JME compared with focal epilepsies. The distinction between focal and generalized epileptic ictogenesis may be less clear than is traditionally believed.
Pain in Severe Dementia: Self‐Assessment or Observational Scales?
Authors: Pautex Sophie , Michon Agnès , Guedira Monia , Emond Héloise , Lous Paulette Le , Samaras Dimitrios , Michel Jean‐Pierre , Herrmann François , Giannakopoulos Panteleimon , Gold Gabriel 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of self‐assessment scales in severely demented hospitalized patients and to compare it with observational data.DESIGN: Prospective clinical study.SETTING: Geriatrics hospital and a geriatric psychiatry service.PARTICIPANTS: All patients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria for dementia, with a Mini‐Mental State Examination score less than 11 and a Clinical Dementia Rating score of 3.MEASUREMENTS: Three self‐assessment tools—the verbal, horizontal visual, and faces pain scales—were administered in randomized order. A nursing team independently completed an observational pain rating scale. Main outcomes were comprehension (ability to explain scale use and correctly indicate positions for no pain and extreme pain, on two separate occasions), inter‐ and intrarater reliability, and comparison of pain intensities measured by the different scales.RESULTS: Sixty‐one percent of 129 severely demented patients (mean age 83.7, 69% women) demonstrated comprehension of at least one scale. Comprehension rates were significantly better for the verbal and the faces pain scales. For patients who demonstrated good comprehension, the inter‐ and intrarater reliability of the three self‐assessment scales was high (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.88–0.98). Correlation between the three self‐assessment scales was moderate to strong (Spearman correlation coefficient (r)=0.45–0.94; P<.001). Observational rating correlated at least moderately with self‐assessment (r=0.25–0.63), although for patients reporting pain, the observational rating scale underestimated severity compared with all three self‐assessment scales.CONCLUSION: Clinicians should not apply observational scales routinely in severely demented patients, because many are capable of reliably reporting their own pain.
The Influence of Latent Viral Infection on Rate of Cognitive Decline over 4 Years
Authors: Aiello Allison E. , Haan Mary N. , Blythe Lynn , Moore Kari , Gonzalez Jeffrey M. , Jagust William 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus type‐1 (HSV‐1) are associated with cognitive decline over a 4‐year period and to assess whether C‐reactive protein (CRP) modifies these relationships.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study over a 4‐year period.SETTING: Community‐dwelling elderly population.PARTICIPANTS: The sample was a subset (1,204/1,789) of participants in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA) aged 60 to 100.MEASUREMENTS: Participants were screened annually over a 4‐year period for cognitive function and episodic memory. Cognitive function was assessed using the modified Mini‐Mental State Examination, and episodic memory was assessed using a word list‐learning test of delayed recall. Baseline serum samples were assayed for levels of immunoglobulin G antibodies to CMV and HSV‐1 and for levels of CRP.RESULTS: There was a significantly higher rate of cognitive decline over the 4‐year period in subjects with the highest CMV antibody levels at baseline than in individuals with the lowest levels (β=−0.053, standard error =0.018; P=.003), after controlling for age, sex, education, income, and chronic health conditions. There was no association between HSV‐1 antibody levels and cognitive decline. CRP did not modify the relationship between viral antibody levels and cognitive decline.CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show that individuals with higher levels of antibody to CMV experience a more‐rapid rate of cognitive decline than those with lower levels. Understanding the mechanisms by which CMV influences cognition may aid development of intervention strategies targeting infection, viral reactivation, and immune response over the life course.
Biopsy vs. superficial scraping: detection of human papillomavirus 6, 11, 16, and 18 in potentially malignant and malignant oral lesions
Authors: Furrer V. E. , Benitez M. B. , Furnes M. , Lanfranchi H. E. , Modesti N. M. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Several epidemiologic studies have shown a broad variation in the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in oral precancerous tissues and oral carcinomas.Methods:  Biopsies and superficial scrapes of lesions, clinically suspected of HPV infection, were taken from patients with potentially malignant and malignant oral lesions, and subject to HPV DNA detection by PCR–Southern blot analysis.Results:  From 22 patients with potentially malignant and malignant lesions analyzed, 41% of the biopsies were HPV DNA positive, whereas 95–100% of the superficial scrapes were positive (McNemar, P < 0.0001). Clinical presumption of HPV infection detected 67% (P < 0.0001) of the HPV DNA positive cases compared with 48% (P < 0.0001) determined by cytology and histopathology. The prevalence of HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 in the oral mucosa was studied in 59 individuals. While 9% of normal controls were HPV DNA positive, 100% of the patients with potentially malignant and malignant lesions were HPV DNA positive, and the prevailing genotype was HPV 16 followed by HPV 18.Conclusions:  The higher HPV DNA detection rate in superficial oral scrapes than in biopsies suggests that accurate epidemiological information on oral HPV infection/oral carcinogenesis depends not only on the DNA detection technique, but also on the tissue/cell sampling procedure.
Short‐term clinical evaluation of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for ulcerative oral lichen planus
Authors: Xia Juan , Li Chunyang , Hong Yun , Yang Linglan , Huang Yulei , Cheng Bin 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Efforts are made in a continued searching for novel therapies for symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection for ulcerative OLP.Methods:  Forty‐five patients with clinical and histologically confirmed ulcerative OLP on bilateral buccal mucosa, one for treatment and the other for control, were studied. All participants received 0.5 ml TA (40 mg/ml) on experimental sites. Visual analogue scale score and lesion areas were recorded at the time of injection and 1‐week interval. After 2 weeks, if the treated ulceration reduced <81% in size, a second injection was given.Results:  The treated group gave rapid relief of signs and symptoms, while the control group showed minimal decrease. 38 (84.4%) patients demonstrated complete response in ulceration size. No complications were noted with TA injections.Conclusions:  Intralesional TA injection in ulcerative OLP is effective and safe in achieving lesion and pain regression.
Immunohistological evaluation of Ki‐67, p63, CK19 and p53 expression in oral epithelial dysplasias
Authors: Takeda T. , Sugihara K. , Hirayama Y. , Hirano M. , Tanuma J‐I. , Semba I. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Oral squamous cell carcinoma develops through a multistep of genetic mutations, and the process can be morphologically recognized as oral epithelial dysplasia. To evaluate the hypothesis that distributional alterations of proliferating and stem cells may be a useful index to estimate the grading and development of epithelial dysplasia, we examined the distribution patterns according to stratified cell layers.Methods:  Sixty‐two oral dysplasia cases according to the histological grades were immunohistologically examined and the nuclear expression of Ki‐67 and p63 antigens was counted according to epithelial layers as labeling index.Results:  The Ki‐67 labeling index in the basal and suprabasal layers and that of p63 in the basal layer showed a significant difference between low‐ and high‐grade groups of epithelial dysplasia.Conclusion:  The architectural alteration of proliferating cell and stem cell distribution in the layers of epithelial dysplasias may provide useful information to evaluate the grading of oral epithelial dysplasias.
Fever and circulating cytokines induced by double‐stranded RNA in guinea pigs: dependence on the route of administration and effects of repeated injections
Authors: Voss T. , Rummel C. , Gerstberger R. , Hübschle T. , Roth J. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAims:  The aim of this study was to characterize the properties of synthetic double‐stranded RNA to induce fever and circulating cytokines in guinea pigs with special emphasis on the route of administration and on a putative development of tolerance to this pyrogen.Methods:  Changes in abdominal temperature were recorded in unrestrained animals by use of intra‐abdominally implanted radiotransmitters. Circulating concentrations of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were measured by use of specific bioassays.Results:  The pyrogenic effect of double‐stranded RNA at a dose of 500 μg kg−1 depended on the route of its administration. Intra‐arterial (i.a.) or intraperitoneal injections of double‐stranded RNA induced pronounced fevers and strong elevations of circulating TNF‐α and IL‐6. Intramuscular injections of the synthetic pyrogen caused rather moderate febrile and cytokine responses. Administration of synthetic RNA into artificial subcutaneously implanted Teflon chambers had no pyrogenic and cytokine‐inducing effects. I.a. injections of double‐stranded RNA, repeated five times at intervals of 3 days, resulted in fevers of similar shape and duration and similar cytokine response patterns. However, the strength of fever and cytokine formation was significantly reduced, although not abolished, in response to the repeated injections compared with the first injection, indicating a partial development of tolerance.Conclusions:  The modulation of the strength of RNA‐induced fever, dependent on the route of administration, or the state of partial tolerance to this pyrogen, may thus be related to the formation of pyrogenic cytokines.
Priming for Immunologic Memory in Adults by Meningococcal Group C Conjugate Vaccination
Authors: Vu David M. , de Boer Alberdina W. , Danzig Lisa , Santos George , Canty Bridget , Flores Betty M. , Granoff Dan M. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

Meningococcal group C polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines (MCV) prime infants and children for memory anticapsular responses upon subsequent exposure to unconjugated polysaccharide. The objective of this study was to determine whether MCV primes vaccine-naïve adults and adults previously vaccinated with meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV) for memory antibody responses. Meningococcal vaccine-naïve adults were randomized to receive either MCV (MCV/naïve group) (
n
= 35) or pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (PCV/naïve group) (
n
= 34). Participants with a history of receiving MPSV were given MCV (MCV/MPSV group) (
n
= 26). All subjects were challenged 10 months later with one-fifth of the usual dose of MPSV (10 μg of each polysaccharide). Sera were obtained before the conjugate vaccination and before and 7 days after the MPSV challenge and assayed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) anticapsular antibody concentrations and bactericidal titers. The MCV/naïve group had 7- to 10-fold-higher serum IgG and bactericidal responses after the MPSV challenge than the PCV/naïve group (
P
< 0.001). The increases (
n
-fold) in anticapsular antibody concentrations in the MCV/naïve group were greatest in subjects with antibody concentrations of ≤2 μg/ml before the challenge (geometric mean increase [
n
-fold] of 8.3 versus 1.1 in subjects with concentrations of >2 μg/ml before the challenge;
P
< 0.0001). Only 3 of 11 MCV-vaccinated subjects who had received MPSV before enrollment and who had antibody concentrations of ≤2 μg/ml before the polysaccharide challenge showed more-than-twofold increases in anticapsular antibody concentration or bactericidal titer after the challenge. MCV vaccination of meningococcal vaccine-naïve adults primes for robust memory antibody responses. There was no evidence of induction of memory by MCV in adults previously vaccinated with MPSV.
Poor Performance of a Novel Serological Test for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Bangui, Central African Republic
Authors: Kassa-Kelembho Eric , Kassa Edith , Zandanga Germain , Service Yves-Brillant , Ignaleamoko Albert , Talarmin Antoine 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

We assessed the performance of a serological test for tuberculosis (SDHO Laboratories Inc., Canada) in our setting. Among 68 of 99 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients who were scored as having tuberculosis on the basis of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
-positive culture, the sensitivity of the serological test was lower than that of sputum smear microscopic examination (20.6% versus 80.9%, respectively;
P
< 0.000001).
Monocyte CD163 and CD36 Expression in Human Whole Blood and Isolated Mononuclear Cell Samples: Influence of Different Anticoagulants
Authors: Moniuszko Marcin , Kowal Krzysztof , Rusak Malgorzata , Pietruczuk Miroslawa , Dabrowska Milena , Bodzenta-Lukaszyk Anna 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTWe investigated whether the choice of anticoagulant or the application of density gradient mononuclear cell isolation may account for conflicting published data regarding the levels of the scavenger receptors' expression in healthy individuals. We demonstrate that the detection of CD163, but not CD36, differs dramatically among the methods.
Assessment of Two Commercial Susceptibility Test Methods for Determination of Daptomycin MICs
Authors: Jorgensen James H. , Crawford Sharon A. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic with activity against several important gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including drug-resistant staphylococci and enterococci. Because the mechanism of action of daptomycin is calcium-dependent depolarization of the cell membrane, susceptibility testing requires medium supplemented with a physiological level of calcium. This study assessed two Food and Drug Administration-cleared commercial test devices for determination of daptomycin MICs, Etest and JustOne. A collection of 220 selected isolates, including
Staphylococcus aureus
, coagulase-negative staphylococci,
Enterococcus faecalis
,
E. faecium
,
E. avium
,
E. durans
,
E. casseliflavus
, and
E. gallinarum
, were tested by both methods. Included in the collection were 22
S. aureus
and 14
Enterococcus
sp. isolates that were recovered from patients and were nonsusceptible on the basis of the daptomycin MICs. As the reference method for comparison, all isolates were tested by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution method incorporating cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth with 50 μg/ml calcium. Daptomycin MICs agreed, within 1 twofold dilution, for 97% of the isolates by Etest and for 100% by JustOne. However, daptomycin MICs determined by Etest were 1 dilution lower than the reference MICs for 65% of the
Enterococcus
sp. isolates tested. This resulted in 28.5% very major (VM) errors (4/14) with enterococci (all
E. faecium
) but none (0/22) with staphylococci. Use of JustOne yielded MICs that were 1 dilution lower than the reference MICs for 69% of the staphylococci and 25% of the enterococci. This resulted in 13.6% VM errors (3/22) with staphylococci and 14.3% VM errors (2/14) with enterococci. The manufacturer-recommended JustOne inoculum preparation resulted in mean colony counts of only 5 × 10
4
to 1 × 10
5
CFU/ml in the wells of the strip. Increasing the inoculum to 3 × 10
5
to 4 × 10
5
CFU/ml eliminated two of five VM errors upon retesting. No major interpretive errors occurred with either device. In summary, daptomycin MICs generated by the Etest or JustOne method generally agreed within 1 dilution of the reference daptomycin MICs. However, both devices produced slightly lower MICs that resulted in some VM errors.