bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phototoxic contact dermatitis from 5‐methoxypsoralen in aromatherapy oil
Authors: Clark S. M. , Wilkinson S. M. 
Published: February 2007

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) oil is obtained from the rind of small orange‐like fruits native to Italy. It is obtained by expression when the fruits have almost yellowed. Its light citrussy aroma, in addition to long‐standing use in the cosmetic industry and to flavour tea, is used in aromatherapy. The essential oil of bergamot contains various compounds, including the furocoumarins citropten (5,7‐dimethoxycoumarin (5,7‐DMC)) and bergapten (5‐methoxypsoralen (5‐MOP)) (1). In combination with exposure to sun, bergamot oil stimulates melanogenesis (2), hence potentially protecting the skin against erythema and even cutaneous cancers (photo‐chemoprotection) (3). However, both citropten and bergapten are known to be photomutagenic (4, 5) and phototoxic, bergapten being the more toxic.Until recently, 5‐MOP was frequently used in suntanning preparations. The status of 5‐MOP in the EU is currently being discussed, though there is already an un‐official ban in the UK on its use in sunscreen products. IFRA recommends in its code of practice that, when used for application on areas of skin exposed to sunshine, excluding bath preparations, soaps and other products that are washed off the skin, bergamot oil should not be used in consumer products at above 0.4%. Major manufacturers of perfumes comply with the IFRA code of practice which limits 5‐MOP to 75 ppm in perfume, and distil oil of bergamot to substantially remove 5‐MOP (6). 8‐MOP is prohibited in cosmetic products except the natural content of essences.
Adverse skin reactions to vitamin K1: report of 2 cases
Authors: Balato N. , Cuccurullo F. M. , Patruno C. , Ayala F. 
Published: February 2007

Vitamin K is essential to the biosynthesis of prothrombin and other clotting factors (VII, IX and X), and is mostly used for the prophylaxis of bleeding disorders, mainly in patients with hepatic disfunction (1). 4 different pharmacological forms exist: the natural form K1 (phytomenadione); K2 (menaquinone), which is derived from intestinal bacterial action; K3 (menadione); and K4 (menadiol). The latter 2 are synthetic products. In Italy, only vitamin K1 is marketed (2).Adverse cutaneous reactions to vitamin K are rare; 2 are mainly reported: an erythematous plaque (3, 4) or pseudo‐scleroderma (5) at the injection site. Contact dermatitis and localized urticarial lesions have also been described (2).
Comparative metrology of the evaporimeter and the DermaLab® TEWL probe
Authors: Grove Gary L. , Grove Mary Jo , Zerweck Charles , Pierce Elizabeth 
Published: February 2007

Background/aims:Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements are one of the most frequently utilized of the noninvasive bioengineering techniques. Recently, Cortex Technology (Hadsund, Denmark) introduced the DermaLab® system, which can be equipped with a TEWL probe. It is based on the vapor pressure gradient estimation method of Nilsson and, thus, is quite similar to the Servo Med evaporimeter. In this paper, we compare these two commercial instruments under identical experimental conditions using both in vitro studies with physical standards as well as in vivo studies employing human volunteers.Methods:Five different evaporimeters and four different Dermalab® m ain units equipped with one or two TEWL probes were configured in such a way that six freshly calibrated probes of each type could simultaneously be compared in an ambient environment with known relative humidity and temperature values. In follow‐up experiments, each type of instrument was interfaced to a Pentium personal computer, and special data acquisition software was written so that changes in water loss rates could be monitored in real time. These follow‐up studies included comparing water vapor transmission rates through various membranes membranes in vitro and a modified soap chamber test using the volar forearm of adult human volunteers in vivo.Conclusions:Although we found very good agreement between the two instruments, our overall findings clearly demonstrate that the DermaLab® system with a TEWL probe is both more accurate and precise than the Servo Med evaporimeter when used under identical conditions. This is especially obvious when the comparisons between the two types of instruments are based on physical standards. The DermaLab® system with a TEWL probe was also found to be more sensitive and better able to resolve among detergents that differed in harshness. The superior performance of the DermaLab® system can be in part explained by the differences in the way the probes are calibrated by the factory.
Comparison of different non‐invasive test methods with respect to the effect of different moisturizers on skin
Authors: Bettinger J. , Gloor M. , Vollert A. , Kleesz P. , Fluhr J. , Gehring W. 
Published: February 2007

Background/aims:In dermatology and cosmetics, moisturizers are used to soften skin. The objectives of this study were to compare the influence of three different moisturizers on skin hydration and skin mechanics by various non‐invasive test methods and to determine the relationship between the methods used.Methods:In 27 test subjects, four test areas in each were treated over 3 days, three times a day. An oil‐in‐water (o/w) emulsion was applied without moisturizer, the same with 10% glycerol, with 10% urea, or with 10% propylene glycol, respectively. Three hours after the last treatment results were measured by using the following instruments: Corneometer CM 820, Skicon 200, Frictionmeter, and Cutometer.Results/Conclusions:In all procedures a significant effect, in the sense of an increase in the data recorded, could be demonstrated by glycerol‐treatment. During Corneometer, Frictionmeter, and Cutometer measurements, an additional unidirectional effect caused by the basic emulsion was seen. With all test methods, the influence of urea and propylene glycol was not significant compared to the basic emulsion. For all pretreatments there was a correlation between Corneometer data and Skicon data. Because of the low correlation coefficients between hydration parameters and mechanical parameters, it is to be assumed that other effects of glycerol‐ and basic‐emulsion‐treatment‐independent from the hydration effect – have an additional influence on the data obtained by using the Frictionmeter and the Cutometer. This indicates that the clinical effect of emulsions should not be evaluated exclusively on the basis of electrical measurements of hydration.
Analysis of the network pattern in dermatoscopic images
Authors: Fleming Matthew G. , Steger Carsten , Cognetta Armand B. , Zhang Jun 
Published: February 2007

Background/aims:Procedures have been developed for automated analysis of the pigment network in dermatoscopic images. These procedures perform complete network segmentation as well as measurement of the width of network lines and the size and shape of network holes.Methods:The procedures were applied to images of 16 common nevi, 22 dysplastic nevi, and 31 melanomas.Results/Conclusions:There were highly significant differences among the three groups on the measured parameters, and a linear discriminant function composed of mean line width and mean hole area distinguished nevi and melanomas with 80% accuracy.
Remittance spectroscopy mapping of human skin in vivo
Authors: Karamfilov Theodor , Weichold Sven , Karte Kerstin , Vilser Walthard , Wollina Uwe 
Published: February 2007

Background/aims:Remittance spectroscopy of human skin may be influenced by probe application pressure and body site.Methods:We investigated remittance spectroscopy qualities of human skin in vivo in different areas: a) forearm, b) frontal, c) back, d) back of the hand, e) palms and f) cheek. Twenty volunteers of skin type 2–3 free of inflammatory skin diseases, were enrolled into the study. Spectroscopy readings were performed with a fiber optic spectrometer (Ocean Optics, USA). The readings were taken with standardized force (0 and 100 pont) by applying the probe vertically to the skin surface. The remittance in relation to wavelength was registered. White light with wavelengths from 420 to 750 nm were used. Individual remittance values and their standard deviations were obtained from 20 readings each.Results/Conclusions:Spectroscopic patterns of skin are influenced by external force and regional factors. Standardization remains critical for the use of this approach in bioengineering of skin.
Ultrasound imaging of the leg in patients with chronic wounds
Authors: Wertheim David , Melhuish John , Williams Robert , Harding Keith 
Published: February 2007

Background/aims:A non‐invasive method of studying the extent of tissue changes may be of use in evaluating healing therapies for chronic wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of ultrasound imaging to study the appearance of tissue in the vicinity of lesions in the lower limb.Method:An ATL Apogee 800 Plus ultrasound system using a broadband 11 MHz linear array scanhead was used. The system was adjusted to allow discrimination in the appearance of dermal, adipose and muscle tissue on two healthy volunteers. For four patients with leg ulcers, scans were taken of the wound and areas around the wound, using an aseptic technique.Results:Differences on ultrasound images could be seen between wound and areas around the wound. In a patient with a unilateral wound, differences were seen on ultrasound imaging of the wound with respect to the contralateral unaffected limb.Conclusion:This preliminary study suggests that broadband ultrasound imaging may be of use in detecting tissue differences in lower limbs and thus may be of value in the study of wound healing.
Variation in the matrix metalloproteinase‐3, ‐7, ‐12 and ‐13 genes is associated with functional status in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ye S. , Patodi N. , Walker‐Bone K. , Reading I. , Cooper C. , Dennison E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAs matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis, we investigated whether variation in MMP genes was associated with functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients. A cohort of patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis were recruited and genotyped for the MMP1‐1607 1G > 2G, MMP3‐1612 5A > 6A, MMP7‐153C > T, MMP7‐181G > A, MMP12‐82A > G and MMP13‐77A > G polymorphisms. Genotypes were then analysed in relation to functional disability assessed by Steinbrocker index and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score. We detected an association between the MMP13‐77 A > G polymorphism and Steinbrocker index, with patients of the A/A genotype having higher score than patients of the A/G or G/G genotype (P = 0.005), and the association remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, presence of erosive disease, Ritchie score, prednisolone therapy and years of diagnosis (P = 0.003). We also observed a relationship of Steinbrocker index with the MMP3‐1612 5A > 6A, MMP7‐181 A > G and MMP12‐82A > G polymorphisms (P = 0.082, P = 0.037 and P = 0.045). No association was detected between the MMP1‐1607 1G > 2G and MMP7‐153C > T polymorphisms and either Steinbrocker index or HAQ score. These results suggest that MMP3, MMP7, MMP12 and MMP13 genotypes may play a role in determining functional status of rheumatoid arthritis.
IL‐18 gene promoter −137C/G and −607C/A polymorphisms in Chinese Han children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dong G. P. , Yu Z. S. , Liang L. , Zou C. C. , Fu J. F. , Wang C. L. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease, and both environmental and genetic factors play a role in its pathogenesis. Interleukin (IL)‐18 is a potent pro‐inflammatory cytokine capable of inducing interferon‐gamma production that is associated with the development of T1DM. The gene for IL‐18 is located on chromosome 11q22.2‐q22.3 and has been reported to be associated with a susceptibility to T1DM. To test the putative involvement between IL‐18 gene polymorphism and predisposition to T1DM, we conducted a case‐control study in Chinese Han children. The single nucleotide polymorphisms at position −607(C/A) and −137(C/G) in the promoter region of the IL‐18 gene were analysed by sequence‐specific primers‐polymerase chain reaction in 118 patients with T1DM and 150 healthy controls. (1) The allele frequency of −607A was 41.2% and 53.0%, respectively, in patients and in control subjects (P = 0.01), but the allele frequency of −137C/G was not statistically significant (P = 0.37). (2) The distribution of CC genotype at position −607 was significantly different between patients and normal controls (P = 0.03), while the distribution of AA genotype in patients was significantly lower than that in the controls (P = 0.03). (3) Furthermore, there was a significant increase in haplotype (−137C/−607G) and genotype combination (−137GG/ −607CC) in patients compared with controls (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). The results of this study show that IL‐18 gene promoter polymorphisms confer susceptibility to T1DM in Chinese Han children. Moreover, subjects carrying AA genotype at position −607 of the promoter of IL‐18 gene may be a low risk of T1DM development.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Poor Posture in School Children in the Czech Republic
Authors: Kratěnová Jana , ŽEjglicová Kristýna , Malý Marek , Filipová Věra 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTBackground:  The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and the main risk factors of poor posture in school children in the Czech Republic.Methods:  The cross‐sectional study examined representative sample of children aged 7, 11, and 15 years in the year 2003. From the overall number of 3600 children, 3520 (97.7%) attended and were examined in preventive checkups. Data were obtained from medical examinations and from screening questionnaires.Results:  Poor posture was diagnosed in 38.3% children, more frequently in boys. A significantly different occurrence of poor posture was found between 7‐year‐old and 11‐year‐old children (33.0% and 40.8%, respectively). The most frequently detected defects were as follows: protruding scapulae (50% of all children), increased lumbar lordosis (32%), and round back (31%). Children with poor posture reported headache and pain in the cervical and lumbar spine more frequently. A total of 14% of children had body mass index levels over the 90th percentile, and the occurrence of poor posture was significantly less likely. On average, children spent 4 hours weekly performing sports activities and 14 hours weekly watching TV/VCR and playing computer games. No sports activities were reported by 20% of children, and these children had a significantly higher probability of poor posture than children performing sports.Conclusions:  The results of our study can be used as an evidence with officials in the area of prevention, to support efforts to improve the health of our school children and to reduce the risk of postural damage to children’s health.
Cutaneous pyogranuloma in a cat caused by virulent Rhodococcus equi containing an 87 kb type I plasmid
Authors: Farias MR , Takai S , Ribeiro MG , Fabris VE , Franco SRVS 
Published: February 2007

A 2‐year‐old intact male domestic shorthaired cat presented with a chronic, nodular, ulcerated, cutaneous lesion on the right thoracic limb. Histological and cytological examination revealed a pyogranulomatous inflammation with basophilic organisms in the macrophages. A virulent form of Rhodococcus equi containing an 87 kb type I (VapA) virulence plasmid was identified from cultures of biopsy samples. This report describes the clinicopathological features, plasmid profile and virulence of this case of R equi infection.
Detection of viruses in nasal swab samples from horses with acute, febrile, respiratory disease using virus isolation, polymerase chain reaction and serology
Authors: Dynon K , Black WD , Ficorilli N , Hartley CA , Studdert MJ 
Published: February 2007

Objective  To examine the association of viruses with acute febrile respiratory disease in horses.Design  Nasal swab and serum samples were collected from 20 horses with acute febrile upper respiratory disease that was clinically assessed to have a viral origin.Methods  Each of the samples was inoculated onto equine fetal kidney, RK13 and Vero cell cultures, and viral nucleic acid was extracted for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription PCR. PCR primers were designed to amplify nucleic acid from viruses known to cause or be associated with acute febrile respiratory disease in horses in Australia. A type specific ELISA was used to measure equine herpesvirus (EHV1 and EHV4) antibody, and serum neutralisation assays were used to measure equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) and equine rhinitis B virus 1 and 2 (ERBV1 and ERBV2) antibody titres in serum samples.Results  Virus was isolated from 4 of 20 nasal swab samples. There were three isolations of EHV4 and one of ERBV2. By PCR, virus was identified in the nasal swab samples of 12 of the 20 horses. Of those that were positive, 17 viruses were detected as follows: one triple positive (EHV4, EHV2, and EHV5), three double positives (EHV4, ERBV and EHV2, EHV5 in two horses) and eight single positives (EHV4 in two horses, EHV2 in one horse, EHV5 in six horses and ERBV in six horses).Conclusion  By virus isolation and PCR, 17 viruses were identified in nasal swab samples from 12 of 20 horses that had acute febrile respiratory disease consistent with a diagnosis of virus infection. Initial PCR identification and subsequent virus isolation led to the isolation of ERBV2 for the first time in Australia and the second time anywhere of ERBV2.
FISH detection of chimerism in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: AYDIN F. , OGUZ F. , ONAL A. E. , BILGEN H. , OGUZ R. , ANAK S. , ÇARIN M. , GEDIKOGLU G. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a well‐established curative therapy for various malignant and non‐malignant diseases. Successful outcome after allogeneic HSCT has been associated with donor chimerism (DC). However, the detection of residual host cells or mixed hemopoietic chimerism (MC) has indicated that donor chimerism is not obligatory following HSCT. More recently, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis has been applied to engraftment studies for the identification of polymorphic or sex chromosomes. In this study, chimerism status was evaluated in 48 sex‐mismatched HSCT pediatric patients (17 women/31 men, mean age: 9.02 ± 3.95 years, range: 2–19) by FISH and the effect of DC or MC on outcome and long‐term disease‐free survival was documented. The stem cell source was bone marrow in all cases. All of the donors were human leucocyte antigen‐identical siblings. FISH was performed on 156 specimens between days +13 and +1878. Donor chimerism was found in 47.9% (23/48) and MC was found in 52.1% (25/48) of the patients. Fifteen of 48 (31.25%) patients died, of whom 12 (80%) were MC and three patients (20%) were DC. The difference in chimerism status (MC or DC) was statistically significant between those patients who died and those still alive (χ2 = 6.813; P = 0.009).
Evaluation of reticulocyte haemoglobin content as marker of iron deficiency and predictor of response to intravenous iron in haemodialysis patients
Authors: KIM J. M. , IHM C. H. , KIM H. J. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryBecause serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TS) have a limitation in estimating iron status in haemodialysis patients, the reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) has been proposed as a new tool. We investigate the accuracy of CHr in comparison with conventional tests and the relationship between changes in CHr and haemoglobin levels after therapy. We selected 140 haemodialysis patients receiving rHuEPO and intravenous iron supplementation and measured their complete blood count, CHr and iron parameters. Iron deficiency was defined as a ferritin <100 μg/l and/or a TS <20%. Hb, CHr, ferritin and TS levels were determined 1 month after therapy. Fifty‐three patients were iron deficient. CHr were distributed with 33.7 ± 1.4 pg in the iron sufficient group and with 29.9 ± 1.9 pg in the iron deficient group (P = 0.001). The cutoff value of CHr for detecting iron deficiency was <32.4 pg. In iron deficient patients, a significant correlation was found between CHr and TS. The change in CHr after therapy was significantly larger in iron‐deficient patients, and a lower baseline CHr is associated with a greater haemoglobin change. CHr is useful in screening iron status in dialysis patients, and a CHr cut‐off value of 32 pg is appropriate for the assessment of iron deficiency. Moreover, CHr may serve as a predictor of the response to anaemia treatment.
Evaluation of Alloreactivity in Responder-Stimulator Pairs by Determination of Gamma Interferon-Producing Cells and Cytotoxic-T-Lymphocyte Precursor Frequencies
Authors: Sizzano Federico , Dametto Ennia , Amoroso Antonio 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTWe used the enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay and the cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte precursor frequency assay to evaluate alloreactivity in responder-stimulator pairs. High frequencies of responder cells among cells from HLA-mismatched pairs and low frequencies among cells from pairs of siblings with identical HLA types were detected by both assays. The ELISPOT assay thus illustrated the helper and cytotoxic-T-cell response to allogeneic HLA antigens.
Novel Human Rotavirus of Genotype G5P[6] Identified in a Stool Specimen from a Chinese Girl with Diarrhea
Authors: Duan Zhao-Jun , Li Dan-Di , Zhang Qing , Liu Na , Huang Can-Ping , Jiang Xi , Jiang Baomin , Glass Roger , Steele Duncan , Tang Jing-Yu , Wang Zhong-Shan , Fang Zhao-Yin 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTDuring a rotavirus surveillance conducted in Lulong County, Hebei Province, China, a total of 331 stool specimens collected in 2003 from children under 5 years old with diarrhea were screened. We identified a novel group A human rotavirus of genotype G5P[6]. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the VP7 protein of this newly identified strain, LL36755, was closely related to those of the G5 strains. As such, it has 95.4% homology with its counterparts in the porcine G5 strains C134 and CC117 at the amino acid sequence level. On the other hand, the VP4 protein of the LL36755 strain was 94.5% homologous to those of the porcine P[6] strains 134/04-10, 134/04-11, 221/04-7, and 221/04-13. Our findings indicate a dynamic interaction between human and porcine rotaviruses.
Virulence Gene- and Pandemic Group-Specific Marker Profiling of Clinical
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Isolates
Authors: Meador Carolyn E. , Parsons Michele M. , Bopp Cheryl A. , Gerner-Smidt Peter , Painter John A. , Vora Gary J. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACT

Vibrio parahaemolyticus
is a halophilic bacterium capable of causing food- and waterborne gastroenteritis, wound infections, and septicemia in humans. The organism has recently received increasing attention, as the emergence of a new clone,
V. parahaemolyticus
O3:K6, has resulted in the first documented pandemic spread of
V. parahaemolyticus
. We used microarray analyses to explore the presence of known virulence factors and genetic markers thought to be specific for
V. parahaemolyticus
O3:K6 and its clonal derivatives. Analyses of 48 human clinical isolates collected between 1997 and 2005 revealed that the
V. parahaemolyticus
chromosome 2 type III secretion system is not specifically associated with pandemic strains and can be found in
tdh
-negative (i.e., Kanagawa-negative) clinical isolates. These results highlight the genetic dynamism of
V. parahaemolyticus
and aid in refining the genetic definition of the pandemic group members.