bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of changes in caregiving burden in people with schizophrenia: a 3‐year follow‐up study in a community mental health service
Authors: Parabiaghi A. , Lasalvia A. , Bonetto C. , Cristofalo D. , Marrella G. , Tansella M. , Ruggeri M. 
Published: October 2007

Objective:  The aims of this study were to measure changes over 3‐years in caregiving burden and emotional distress in relatives of people with schizophrenia and to identify factors predicting the levels of caregiving burden.Method:  A cohort of 51 caregivers of patients with schizophrenia attending the South‐Verona Community Mental Health Service was assessed over 3‐years with the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire, European Version. Predictors of caregiving burden included both caregivers’ and patients’ characteristics and patterns of carer–patient interaction.Results:  Baseline levels of family burden were high in worrying and urging domains. Fifty‐one per cent of caregivers experienced significant emotional distress. Both overall burden and emotional distress improved. Higher patients’ psychopathology, higher numbers of patient‐rated needs, patients’ lower global functioning and patients’ poorer quality of life were found to be related to the severity of family burden. The only significant predictor of caregivers’ burden at follow‐up was the baseline level of caregivers’ burden itself.Conclusion:  A policy addressing the caring burden of informal caregivers beyond patients’ symptoms reduction should be considered.
A prospective 6‐month analysis of the naturalistic use of aripiprazole – factors predicting favourable outcome
Authors: Taylor D. , Atkinson J. , Fischetti C. , Sparshatt A. , Jones S. 
Published: October 2007

Objective:  To evaluate the effectiveness of aripiprazole in clinical practice.Method:  Prospective follow‐up of patients consecutively prescribed aripiprazole in an acute mental health unit. Retrospective analysis of outcome from casenotes.Results:  Data were available on 228 patients. Fifty‐one per cent discontinued aripiprazole over 6‐month follow‐up. Continuation with treatment was more likely in out‐patients [relative risk (RR) 1.50; 95% CI: 1.13–2.00], those never before considered for clozapine treatment (RR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06–2.44) and older patients [RR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.09 (per 5‐year increase)]. The main reason for early discontinuation was the occurrence of minor adverse effects.Conclusion:  Aripiprazole is effective in practice. Outcome is likely to be improved by careful patient selection and by attending to adverse effects experienced early in treatment.
Congruence between diagnosis of recurrent major depressive disorder and psychotropic treatment in the general population
Authors: Grolleau A. , Cougnard A. , Bégaud B. , Verdoux H. 
Published: October 2007

Objective:  We explored in a sample representative of the French general population the congruence between lifetime use of psychotropic drugs and diagnosis of recurrent major depressive disorder (rMDD).Method:  A total of 2111 (5.6%) subjects with rMDD were identified in the sample of 36 785 subjects assessed in the Mental Health survey in the General Population. A treatment congruent with a diagnosis of rMDD was defined as lifetime use of antidepressants or mood stabilizers.Results:  Only one‐third of subjects with rMDD reported having ever used a congruent treatment. Female gender, higher income and presence of anxiety disorder were associated with a higher probability of having used a congruent treatment.Conclusion:  Although these findings indicate that a large proportion of subjects with rMMD do not benefit from adequate treatment, community surveys not primarily designed to assess utilization and adequacy of psychotropic treatment in the community may overestimate the frequency of unmet need for care.
Immediate provisional restoration of XiVE® screw‐type implants in the posterior mandible
Authors: Payer Michael , Kirmeier Robert , Jakse Norbert , Wimmer Gernot , Wegscheider Walther , Lorenzoni Martin 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjectives: This prospective study evaluated the clinical outcome of immediately restored screw‐type implants for the replacement of mandibular (pre)molars. The results were based on survival, clinical stability and on changes of bone levels from implant placement to delivery of the definitive superstructure 6 months after insertion.Material and methods: In this study, 24 patients were treated according to an immediate loading protocol. Forty XiVE® implants were placed in the mandibular (pre)molar regions for single‐tooth restoration and the treatment of free‐end situations. Radiographic bone levels in relation to implant margins were measured at the time of insertion and recorded. All implants were provided with a transfer coping and restored with provisional crowns within 7 days. After 6 months, the final restorations were fabricated. At this time, survival, Periotest® value and radiographic bone levels were assessed.Results: A total of 40 XiVE® implants were placed with an insertion torque value of at least 45 N cm. The median Periotest® value 6 months post‐insertion was −5 (maximum −2, minimum −7). The mean radiographic coronal bone level at prosthetic delivery was 1.4 mm (SD±0.57) compared with 0.47 mm (SD±0.37) at the time of insertion. No implant failures were observed up to prosthetic restoration 6 months post‐insertion.Conclusion: The present data of immediately loaded implants in the posterior mandible are comparable to results with conventional loaded implants. Additional long‐term data will be necessary to include this protocol as a standard procedure in our treatment concepts for the edentulous posterior mandible.
A study of the sensitization rate to cocamidopropyl betaine in patients patch tested in a university hospital of Beijing
Authors: Li Lin‐feng 
Published: October 2007

Background: The prevalence of sensitization to cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) in China has not been reported.Objective: This study is to evaluate the prevalence of CAPB sensitization in patients patch tested in Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing.Methods: 429 consecutive patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis were patch tested with CAPB 1.0% aqueous, 3‐dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) 1.0% aqueous as well as a modified European standard series of allergens from June 2005 to August 2006.Results: 42 patients (9.8%) had a positive reaction to CAPB. 25 of them (59.5%) were considered relevant. Of those, 7 were head and/or neck dermatitis, 4 hand dermatitis, 1 cheilitis, and the other 13 patients were widespread dermatitis. 10 out of 429 (2.3%) patients reacted to DMAPA. Of those, 8 were relevant and 6 of them also reacted to CAPB.Conclusion: The rate of CAPB sensitization in our study is higher than previously reported elsewhere. CAPB is a common cosmetic allergen in Beijing. Both CAPB and DMAPA should be tested in patients with suspected cosmetic dermatitis.
Etiology and prognosis of hand eczema in a dermatology clinic in China: a follow‐up study
Authors: Li Lin‐feng , Liu Guangren , Wang Jing 
Published: October 2007

Background:  Prognosis of hand eczema (HE) has not been reported in China.Objectives:  To investigate the etiology and outcome of HE in 655 consecutive patients patch tested with European standard series in Peking University Hospital in a 2‐year period.Methods:  All patients were re‐examined at 1 year after patch testing, and prognosis of dermatitis was evaluated by the rate of clearance of skin symptoms for at least 3 months without relapse before the evaluation.Results:  Of 599 patients examined, 82 (13.7%) were HE. Allergic, irritant, and unclassified HE accounted for 23.2%, 17.1%, and 51.3% of HE, respectively. The overall clearance rate of HE was much lower than that of eczema elsewhere (18.3% versus 29.6%, P < 0.05, chi‐squared test). 35.7% of patients with allergic HE and 26.3% with irritant HE cleared their lesions, of those with unclassified HE only 11.9% (P < 0.05, chi‐squared test). The lowest healing rate (5.7%) was found in unclassified HE patients with disease duration over 6 months.Conclusions:  The outcome of HE was worse than eczema elsewhere. Allergic HE had a better prognosis than unclassified HE. Longer disease duration was the main risk factor for poor prognosis of unclassified HE.
Lack of evidence for allergenic properties of coumarin in a fragrance allergy mouse model
Authors: Vocanson Marc , Valeyrie Magalie , Rozières Aurore , Hennino Anca , Floc’h François , Gard Arielle , Nicolas Jean‐François 
Published: October 2007

Background: There is controversy as to whether coumarin, an ingredient in cosmetics and fragrances, is a contact allergen involved in fragrance allergy. We recently showed that the purity of coumarin is a critical parameter for its allergenicity because coumarin preparations containing trace amounts of contaminants induced cell proliferation in the local lymph node (LN) assay whereas pure coumarin did not.Objective/Method: In the present study, we analyzed the sensitizing properties of coumarin (purity > 99.9) and of dihydrocoumarin (DHC), in a recently developed model of fragrance allergy in mice.Results: DHC was able to prime T cells in LNs draining the sensitization skin site and to induce a typical allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) reaction upon challenge, confirming that DHC is endowed with moderate sensitizing properties. In contrast, no T‐cell activation and no ACD responses were obtained following sensitization and challenge with coumarin.Conclsuion: These results confirm that pure coumarin is endowed with very weak sensitizing capacities, if any, and suggest that the presence of contaminants in coumarin preparations may account for the previously reported allergenic properties of coumarin.
Central nervous system myelomatosis: review of the literature
Authors: Nieuwenhuizen Laurens , Biesma Douwe H. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractInvolvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in multiple myeloma (MM) is very uncommon; it has been observed in approximately 1% of the MM patients. This review summarizes the clinical and laboratory characteristics and treatment modalities of 109 patients with CNS myelomatosis (CNS MM) reported in the literature. CNS MM has a wide spectrum of neurological symptoms and signs. No guidelines for therapy of CNS MM are available, which has resulted in a large variation in the treatment schedules. Treatment options include intrathecal chemotherapy (IT), systemic chemotherapy (SC), cranial irradiation (CI) or a combination. The prognosis of CNS MM remains poor, with an overall median survival from the time of diagnosis to death of 2.0 months (range 0.1–25 months). Patients who were treated with CI had a significantly (P = 0.004) longer survival when compared with patients without CI.
The JAK2 V617F allele burden in essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera and primary myelofibrosis – impact on disease phenotype
Authors: Larsen Thomas Stauffer , Pallisgaard Niels , Møller Michael Boe , Hasselbalch Hans Carl 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground and objectives:  The JAK2 V617F tyrosine kinase mutation is present in the great majority of patients with polycythemia vera (PV), and approximately half of the patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The three distinct disease entities may be considered as three phenotypic presentations of the same JAK2 V617F positive chronic myleoproliferative disorder. Together with physiological and genetic modifiers the phenotype may be determined by the JAK2 V617F allele burden. In the present study, we aimed to asses the JAK2 mutational load and its impact on phenotype.Methods:  A highly sensitive real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was used for quantification of the JAK2 V617F mutational load in 165 patients with Philadelphia chromosome negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders (ET = 40, PV = 95, PMF = 30).Results:  We provide evidence of increasing JAK2 V617F allele burden from ET, over PV to PMF (P = 0.001 and P < 0.00001 respectively). The present data suggests the JAK2 V617F allele burden as a key determinant of the degree of myeloproliferation and myeloid metaplasia reflected by significantly higher levels of white blood cell counts (WBC) (P = 0.03), CD34 counts (P = 0.03), lactate dehydrogenase and Polycythemia Rubra Vera gene 1 levels (P = 0.03 and P < 0.00001 respectively), as well as lower platelet counts (P = 0.02) and more cases of splenomegaly (P = 0.001) in homozygous PV patients compared to their heterozygous counterparts.Conclusion:  The present study support the concept of the JAK2 V617F positive chronic myeloproliferative disorders as a biological continuum with phenotypic presentation in part influenced by JAK2 V617F mutational load.
Effects of Isomeric Fatty Acids on Reproductive Parameters in Mice
Authors: Veaute Carolina , Andreoli María Florencia , Racca Andrea , Bailat Alejandra , Scalerandi María Victoria , Bernal Claudio , Malan Borel Ileana 
Published: October 2007

Problem  The aim of this study was to determine if dietary fatty acids (FA) level or isomeric FA type may affect reproductive parameters in mice.Method of study  Mice were fed for 1 month diets differing in cisFA (cFA) content or type of isomeric FA. Resorption, number of fetuses and placental cytokine expression were determined and sperm acrosome reaction was evaluated after induction by calcium ionophore.Results  Mice fed high fat diets showed increased fetal resorptions, a decrease in interleukin (IL)‐4 placental expression in the first generation and an increase of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in the second generation. In this generation, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) returned TNF‐α to normal levels and diminished IL‐4 and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) expressions; males fed transFA (tFA) and CLA showed a lower rate of induced acrosome reaction.Conclusion  The amount and type of dietary FA may affect reproductive performance in mice by affecting sperm membrane functionality and placental cytokine production.
Association of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin‐like Receptor Genotypes with Susceptibility to Endometriosis
Authors: Kitawaki Jo , Xu Bing , Ishihara Hiroaki , Fukui Michiaki , Hasegawa Goji , Nakamura Naoto , Mizuno Shigeto , Ohta Mitsuhiro , Obayashi Hiroshi , Honjo Hideo 
Published: October 2007

Problem  Endometriosis is an immune‐related chronic inflammatory disease with a polygenic predisposition. The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms in killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) is responsible, in part, for genetic susceptibility to endometriosis.Method of study  The KIRs genotype was determined in 186 patients with endometriosis and 165 control women using polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers.Results  The frequency of KIR3DS1 was significantly decreased in patients compared with controls (32%versus 44%, P = 0.028). KIR data were analyzed using a model comprised of three large groups, in which a gradient of activation/inhibitory potential derived from the combination of KIR and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligand genes was taken into account. The frequency of inhibitory KIRs/HLA‐class I combination genotypes was significantly higher in patients than in controls (χ2 = 6.010, 2 df, P = 0.0496).Conclusion  Our results suggest that polymorphism in KIRs may be associated with susceptibility for endometriosis.
Pattern of memory compromise in chronic geriatric schizophrenia, frontotemporal dementia and normal geriatric controls
Authors: Foley Jessica , Golden Charles , Simco Edward , Schneider Barry , McCue Robert , Shaw Lindsay 
Published: October 2007

Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore whether memory deficits in schizophrenia are attributable to poor organisation/encoding during initial learning vs. memory decay.Methods:Subjects included geriatric schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders [SSD; n = 37; age = 59.92 (55–74); education = 11.70 (7–18)]; frontotemporal dementia [FTD; n = 41; age = 76.59 (64–83); education = 14.61 (12–20)] and geriatric controls [n = 107; age = 70.97 (55–93); education = 13.76 (6–20)]. Subjects were administered the Wechsler Memory Scale, Third Edition and discrepancy scores between immediate and delayed subtests/indices were used to explore possible differences between groups in pattern of impairment.Results:Significant differences were found between groups on age/education and these variables were related to several outcome measures. Gender was not related to diagnostic group and there were no gender differences on study variables. There were differences between the SSD subjects on several variables, with the schizoaffective subjects performing worse despite equivalence on global cognitive function, living status and chronicity. Seven one-way between-subjects ANCOVAs compared groups on discrepancy scores. Results failed to suggest differences between groups on immediate-delayed memory discrepancy scores (p> 0.05). Subsequent analyses revealed differences in percentage retention scores between SSD and FTD on the faces subtest (p = 0.040), with SSD retaining greater information over time.Conclusion:Results failed to show distinctions between groups on pattern of memory impairment when using discrepancy comparisons. However, an analysis examining percentage retention scores revealed better maintenance of non-contextual visual information over time in SSD. Findings may suggest deficits in immediate encoding rather than memory decay for some types of memory ability among geriatric SSD. Our failure to document group differences when using discrepancy comparisons may be attributable to relative similarity in pattern between groups or the limited sensitivity of this technique.
Diversity of supernumerary tooth formation in siblings with cleidocranial dysplasia having identical mutation in RUNX2 : possible involvement of non‐genetic or epigenetic regulation
Authors: Suda N , Hamada T , Hattori M , Torii C , Kosaki K , Moriyama K 
Published: October 2007

Structured AbstractAuthors –  Suda N, Hamada T, Hattori M, Torii C, Kosaki K, Moriyama KIntroduction –  Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD, MIM #119600) is an autosomal‐dominant disorder characterized by hypoplasia or aplasia of clavicles, patent fontanelles and short stature. The responsible gene has been identified as RUNX2. CCD is also accompanied by characteristic dental abnormalities, e.g. supernumerary teeth, delayed eruption and impaction of permanent teeth. Intrafamilial variations of skeletal abnormalities are reported but those of dental abnormalities are obscure. To clarify this point, a precise examination of the dental features of CCD siblings having identical mutation was performed.Design –  Gene mutational analysis of three Japanese CCD siblings and their father was performed. Skeletal and dental characteristics were examined by the inquiry and radiographs.Results –  Three siblings uniformly showed patent fontanelles and short stature. They and their father had a novel missense mutation in the RUNT‐domain (P210S) of RUNX2. The siblings were completely discordant for the dental characteristics with the position and number of supernumerary teeth being completely different. The youngest, a 12‐year‐old boy, had six supernumerary teeth, which appeared symmetrically around the maxillary canines and mandibular premolars. The second, a 15‐year‐old girl, had four supernumerary teeth which appeared around the mandibular incisors. The oldest, a 17‐year‐old boy, had 11 supernumerary teeth, which were symmetrically around the mandibular lateral dentition and asymmetrically around the maxillary incisors and premolars.Conclusion –  The present study suggests the involvement of non‐genetic or epigenetic regulation in supernumerary tooth formation in CCD.
Change in maximum occlusal force in association with maxillofacial growth
Authors: Usui T , Uematsu S , Kanegae H , Morimoto T , Kurihara S 
Published: October 2007

Structured AbstractAuthors –  Usui T, Uematsu S, Kanegae H, Morimoto T, Kurihara SObjective –  To clarify the correlation between variations in maximum occlusal force and the maxillofacial skeletal pattern in subjects with malocclusion using a compact device.Design –  Three hundred and fifty patients (150 males 200 females) with malocclusion were included. The male and female subjects were divided into five groups each based on chronological age. The maximum occlusal force was measured with a simplified occlusal force meter. The maxillofacial skeletal pattern was analyzed with lateral cephalograms. On the basis of these data, we studied the correlation between the maximum occlusal force and the maxillofacial skeletal pattern in each age group.Results –  The maximum occlusal force tended to increase with age, with a tendency to be greater in male than in female subjects. In the male subjects, up to their 20s, the maximum occlusal force continued to increase, while in the female subjects its increase almost terminated in the later teens. In some of the age groups, the maximum occlusal force showed a negative correlation with the mandibular plane angle.Conclusions –  Maximum occlusal force tended to increase with age. There was a gender difference in the maximum occlusal force at all age groups, values being larger in the males. In the males, the maximum occlusal force continued to increase until their 20s, while in the females, this increase almost terminated at the age of 17.
Genes affecting tooth morphogenesis
Authors: Kapadia H , Mues G , D'Souza R 
Published: October 2007

Structured AbstractAuthors –  Kapadia H, Mues G, D'Souza RThe development of dentition is a fascinating process that encompasses a complex series of epithelial–mesenchymal interactions involving growth factors, transcription factors, signal receptors and other soluble morphogens. It is not surprising that such a complex process is prone to disturbances and may result in tooth agenesis. Initial discoveries indicating that the homeo‐domain protein MSX1 and the paired‐domain transcription factor PAX9 are causative genes in tooth morphogenesis were made in mice. Both genes are co‐expressed in dental mesenchyme and either one, when homozygously deleted, results in an arrest at an early developmental stage. Previous studies have shown a down regulation of Bmp4 gene expression in Pax9 and Msx1 single mutant mice. Therefore, we chose to explore the molecular relationship between Pax9, Msx1 and Bmp4. In humans, unlike in mice, a heterozygous mutation in either PAX9 or MSX1 suffices to cause tooth agenesis of a predominantly molar or more premolar pattern, respectively. Our laboratory and others have identified several PAX9 and MSX1 mutations in families with non‐syndromic forms of autosomal dominant posterior tooth agenesis. We have also identified families with tooth agenesis in whom PAX9 and MSX1 mutations have been excluded opening up the possibilities for the discovery of other genes that contribute to human tooth agenesis.