bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microscopic study of normal skin in cases of mycosis fungoides
Authors: El‐Darouti Mohammad A. , Marzouk Salonaz A. , Bosseila Manal , Zeid Ola Abu , El‐Safouri Omar , Zayed Amira , El‐Ramly Amany , Abdel‐Halim Mona R. E. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  During therapy of patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) at the Department of Dermatology, Kasr El‐Aini Hospital, follow‐up biopsies are routinely taken every 2 months. It was noticed that lesions of MF might become clinically normal during treatment, and yet still show microscopical evidence of MF. This finding raised the possibility that clinically normal skin in MF could be microscopically involved.Aim  The aim of our work was to evaluate the degree of histopathological involvement of normal‐looking skin in patients with MF.Patients and methods  Thirty patients with stage IB were biopsied from their normal skin. Two biopsies were taken: one proximal (2 cm) and the other distal (> 5 cm) from any visible lesion. Ten normal controls were included in the study. All specimens were stained with H&E and examined microscopically. The microscopical diagnosis was confirmed by immunophenotyping.Results  Epidermotropism was detected in 21 (70%) of the proximal skin biopsies and 14 (47%) of the distal skin biopsies, whereas no biopsy from the control group showed epidermotropism. All the proximal skin biopsies showed dermal infiltrate and 90% of the biopsies from the distal normal skin showed dermal infiltrate (mostly superficial perivascular).Conclusion  Normal skin in patients with MF could be affected microscopically and this may raise questions regarding the credibility of the current staging classification of MF, and may necessitate taking biopsies from normal skin before starting topical treatment. During MF treatment, biopsies from cured lesions are required before starting withdrawal.
Autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases in Uganda: correlation of autoantibody class with age of patients
Authors: Mulyowa Grace K. , Jaeger Gerold , Kabakyenga Jerome , Bröcker Eva‐B. , Zillikens Detlef , Schmidt Enno 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  No data are available on the incidence and immunoreactivity of autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin diseases in East Africa.Methods  All patients with frank blisters/erosions on the skin and/or mucous membranes that attended the Department of Dermatology at Mbarara University, Uganda, from May 2000 to June 2002, were investigated. The diagnosis was based on the clinical presentation and on the presence of circulating autoantibodies detected by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy on 1 m NaCl‐split human skin and by Western blotting of recombinant and cell‐derived forms of BP180, BP230, and type VII collagen.Results  Twenty‐two patients with autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin disorders were identified, including nine with bullous pemphigoid (41%), four with linear immunoglobulin A (IgA) disease (18%), three with mucous membrane pemphigoid (14%), two with linear IgG/IgA bullous dermatosis (9%), and one each with cicatricial pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (5%). In addition, two patients with immunoreactivity to both the epidermal and dermal side of salt‐split skin by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, who were unreactive to type VII collagen, were provisionally diagnosed as “mixed pemphigoid” (9%). In patients with subepidermal blistering diseases, IgG reactivity correlated significantly with old age, whereas younger patients preferentially developed IgA autoantibodies (P = 0.024).Conclusions  The age of patients with autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases appears to influence the immunoglobulin class of autoantibodies. The high frequency of IgA autoantibodies in Ugandan patients may be explained by the age distribution of the Ugandan population.
Delayed complications of sulfur mustard poisoning in the skin and the immune system of Iranian veterans 16–20 years after exposure
Authors: Hefazi Mehrdad , Maleki Masoud , Mahmoudi Mahmoud , Tabatabaee Abbas , Balali‐Mood Mahdi 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Extensive cutaneous burns caused by alkylating chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard (SM) have been associated with the severe suppression of the immune system in humans. We aimed to study the association between late cutaneous and immunological complications of SM poisoning.Methods  Skin examination was performed on all SM‐poisoned Iranian veterans in the province of Khorasan, Iran, who had significant clinical complications, and their SM intoxication was confirmed by toxicological analysis. Light microscopy was performed on eight skin biopsies. Blood cell counts, serum immunoglobulin and complement factor, as well as flow cytometric, analyses were performed on all the patients. The severity of cutaneous complications were classified into four grades and compared with hematological and immunological parameters, using Spearman's rank correlation test.Results  Forty male subjects, confirmed with SM poisoning 16–20 years earlier, were studied. The main objective findings were hyperpigmentation (55%), dry skin (40%), multiple cherry angiomas (37.5%), atrophy (27.5%), and hypopigmentation (25%). Histopathologic findings were nonspecific and compatible with hyperpigmented old atrophic scars. Except for the hematocrit and C4 levels, hematological and immunological parameters revealed no significant correlation with the severity grades of cutaneous complications.Conclusion  Sulfur mustard is an alkylating agent with prolonged adverse effects on both the skin and the immune system. Allthough skin is a major transporting system for SM's systemic absorption, there is probably no correlation between the severity of late cutaneous and immunological complications of SM poisoning.
Clinical efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy with tree pollen extract in children
Authors: Valovirta E. , Jacobsen L. , Ljørring C. , Koivikko A. , Savolainen J. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Subcutaneous immunotherapy has been the principal approach of immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic diseases. Several clinical studies with birch, alder or hazel pollen extract conducted as subcutaneous immunotherapy have been published suggesting a well‐tolerated and clinically effective treatment. Only a few clinical studies of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with these allergens have been published. This study investigated the clinical efficacy, safety and dose–response relationship of SLIT in children suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis with/without asthma.Methods:  Eighty‐eight children (5–15 years) with a history of tree pollen‐induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with/without seasonal asthma for ≥2 years were included. Allergy to tree pollen was confirmed by positive skin‐prick test, positive specific IgE and positive conjunctival provocation test. The extract used was a glycerinated mixture of Betula verrucosa, Corylus avellana and Alnus glutinosa 100 000 SQ‐U/ml. Children were randomized into three groups receiving SLIT 5 days a week for up to 18 months; dose group 1: accumulated weekly dose of 24 000 SQ‐U; dose group 2: accumulated weekly dose of 200 000 SQ‐U; and placebo.Results:  In the birch pollen season, dose group 2 showed a significant reduction of symptom (P = 0.01) and medication scores (P = 0.04) compared with placebo. Dose group 1 showed a significant reduction of symptom scores (P = 0.03). There were no statistical differences between dose groups 1 and 2. All children tolerated the treatment well.Conclusion:  SLIT with tree pollen extract provided dose‐dependent benefits in tree pollen‐allergic children in terms of significantly reduced symptoms and medication use. The treatment was well tolerated.
The α‐chain of high‐affinity receptor for IgE (FcɛRIα) gene polymorphisms and serum IgE levels
Authors: Potaczek D. P. , Sanak M. , Mastalerz L. , Setkowicz M. , Kaczor M. , Nizankowska E. , Szczeklik A. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  The high‐affinity receptor for immunoglobulin‐E (IgE) (FcɛRI) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of allergy, but there are only two published studies on its α subunit (FcɛRIα) genetic variability in allergic diseases.Aims of the study:  Mutational screening in the region of the FcɛRIα gene promoter and the first exon with subsequent genetic variability assessment in allergic patients and a random population sample.Methods:  Allergic subjects were individuals with asthma or urticaria. Age‐ and sex‐matched controls were randomly selected from a large population sample. Mutational screening was performed using a single‐stranded conformational polymorphism and subsequent sequencing. Detected polymorphisms were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Total serum IgE was measured in allergic subjects and controls. Skin prick tests, blood eosinophil count and aspirin challenge test were performed only in the subjects. A subgroup of the subjects was further characterized by autologous serum skin test, histamine release test, Phadiatop and IgE antibodies against staphylococcal enterotoxins.Results:  Two linked polymorphisms −344 C>T and −95 T>C were found within the FcɛRIα gene. The allele −344 T frequency was 0.45 vs 0.37 (P = 0.33), and the allele −95 C frequency was 0.26 in subjects vs 0.30 in controls (P = 0.62). Serum IgE was significantly higher in subjects homozygous for the −344T allele (TT genotype) than in those carrying the −344 C allele (CT or CC genotype; P = 0.003), but this association was not detectable in controls.Conclusions:  Our findings of genotype‐related differences in IgE levels in allergic patients suggest an impact of −344 C>T but not −95 T>C gene polymorphism of FcɛRIα on total levels of IgE. The genetic variability in FcɛRIα at the −344 nucleotide of its regulatory sequence, though not related to atopy, predicts higher levels of the immunoglobulin.
Sublingual immunotherapy in children modulates allergen‐induced in vitro expression of cytokine mRNA in PBMC
Authors: Savolainen J. , Jacobsen L. , Valovirta E. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  During subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), there is a local mucosal shift from Th2 to Th1 type cytokine predominance and downregulation of interleukin (IL)‐5 and eosinophilia. According to recent studies IL‐10‐ and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β‐induced tolerance is another key phenomenon in SCIT. Few data to date is available on mechanisms and roles of these cytokines in sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).Scope:  This study was undertaken to analyse the allergen‐induced in vitro mRNA expression of IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, TGF‐β and interferon (IFN)‐γ during SLIT in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children with allergic rhinitis (AR).Methods:  Ten patients with AR undergoing pollen SLIT with a weekly dose of 200 000 SQ‐U, 10 with a weekly dose of 24 000 SQ‐U of glycerinated mixture of Betula verrucosa, Corylus avellana and Alnus glutinosa and 10 with placebo were included in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples were collected and stimulated with pollen allergen extract prior to the treatment, after 1 and 2 years of the treatment. The cytokine mRNA expression was assessed using kinetic real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR; TaqMan®).Results:  The in vitro allergen‐induced mRNA expression of IL‐5 by PBMC in the placebo group at 1 (P = 0.0065) and 2 (P = 0.013) years of therapy were increased in comparison with the highest dose. The expression of IL‐10 mRNA was increased in the highest dose group (P = 0.0016) and the lower dose group (P = 0.034) at 2 years of therapy when compared with placebo. The change in the expression of allergen‐induced TGF‐β had an inversed correlation with the change of IL‐5 (r = −0.38, P = 0.036) and positive correlation with the change of IL‐10 (r = 0.58, P = 0.0019).Conclusions:  Sublingual immunotherapy induced a dose‐dependent systemic allergen‐specific immunological response in children with AR. During high‐dose SLIT, there was activation of regulatory cytokine IL‐10 and an inhibitory effect on IL‐5 expression increase that was associated with TGF‐β.
In vitro hymenoptera venom allergy diagnosis: improved by screening for cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants and reciprocal inhibition
Authors: Jappe U. , Raulf‐Heimsoth M. , Hoffmann M. , Burow G. , Hübsch‐Müller C. , Enk A. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Immunoglobulin (Ig) E‐double positivity for honeybee (HB) and yellow jacket (YJ) venom causes diagnostic difficulties concerning therapeutical strategies. The aim of this study was to clarify the cause and relation of the cross‐reactivity in patients with insect venom allergy.Methods:  For this purpose, 147 patients with suspected stinging insect allergy and CAP‐FEIA‐double positivity were investigated for specific sIgE to additional cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinant (CCD)‐containing allergens: timothy grass pollen, rape pollen, natural rubber latex (NRL), bromelain, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Sera with sIgE to NRL were further investigated with the commercially available recombinant latex allergens. Reciprocal inhibition assays with both venoms and HRP were performed.Results:  About 36 of 147 (24.5%) patients had sIgE to both venoms only. However, 111 of 147 (75.5%) additionally reacted to CCD‐carrying allergens. 89 of 111 CCD‐reactive sera had NRL‐sIgE. In cases where inhibition experiments were performed, the NRL‐sIgE binding was completely abolished in the presence of HRP. Only nine of 61 sera were positive for at least one recombinant latex allergen; all of them were negative in history and NRL‐skin prick test. In 43 sera containing sIgE to CCD, HRP inhibition revealed unequivocal results: In 28 of 43 (65%) an HRP‐inhibition >70% of sIgE to one venom occurred, pointing out the relevant venom. In three of 43 sIgE proved to be entirely CCD‐specific.Conclusions:  Our data indicate that in cases of IgE positivity to both insect venoms supplementary screening tests with at least one CCD‐containing allergen should be performed; HRP being a suitable tool for this test. In addition, subsequent reciprocal inhibition is an essential diagnostic method to specify cross‐reacting sIgE results.
Silodosin, a new α1A‐adrenoceptor‐selective antagonist for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia: results of a phase III randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study in Japanese men
Authors: Kawabe Kazuki , Yoshida Masaki , Homma Yukio ,   for the Silodosin Clinical Study Group
Published: August 2006

This section contains papers from Japan, Austria, the UK, and joint papers from France, Denmark, Switzerland, Australia and the USA. A wide variety of lower urinary tract topics is covered, from BPH to overactive bladder and urodynamic stress incontinence.OBJECTIVETo verify the efficacy and safety of the new α1A‐adrenoceptor‐selective antagonist silodosin compared with tamsulosin and placebo in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).PATIENTS AND METHODSThis randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was conducted at 88 centres in Japan. Men aged ≥50 years with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≥8, a quality‐of‐life (QoL) score of ≥3, a maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of <15 mL/s, a prostate volume of ≥20 mL and a postvoid residual urine volume of <100 mL were eligible for enrolment. Patients were randomized to receive silodosin 4 mg twice daily, tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily, or placebo, for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in IPSS from baseline. Safety was assessed by adverse events, physical examination, vital signs and laboratory tests.RESULTSIn all, 457 patients were randomized (silodosin 176, tamsulosin 192 and placebo 89). The change in the total IPSS from baseline in the silodosin, tamsulosin and placebo groups was −8.3, −6.8 and −5.3, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the IPSS vs placebo in the silodosin group from 1 week. In the early‐stage comparison, silodosin showed a significant decrease in IPSS vs tamsulosin at 2 weeks. The change in QoL from baseline was −1.7, −1.4 and −1.1 in the silodosin, tamsulosin and placebo groups, respectively; silodosin showed a significant improvement in the QoL score vs placebo. In the subgroup of patients with severe symptoms (IPSS ≥20) silodosin also gave a significantly better improvement than placebo (−12.4 vs −8.7). The incidence rates of adverse events and drug‐related adverse events were, respectively, 88.6%, 82.3% and 71.6% and 69.7%, 47.4% and 36.4%, respectively. The most common adverse event in the silodosin group was abnormal ejaculation, which occurred more often in the silodosin than in the tamsulosin group (22.3% vs 1.6%). However, only five men (2.9%) discontinued treatment for abnormal ejaculation.CONCLUSIONSilodosin was generally effective in the absence of obtrusive side‐effects. This study suggests that silodosin is clinically useful for treating LUTS associated with BPH.
Neu–Laxova syndrome: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ugras M , Kocak G , Ozcan H 
Published: August 2006

AbstractNeu–Laxova syndrome (NLS) is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome, characterized by severe intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), microcephaly, abnormal brain development, oedema and ichthyosis. It was first reported in 1971 by Neu et al. (Pediatrics 47: 610–612) and since then no more than 60 cases have been reported. A newborn girl delivered from a 29‐year‐old healthy mother was admitted to hospital with a thick membrane covering her body and dismorphic appearance. The diagnosis of NLS was made according to characteristic features. The syndrome is known to have a poor prognosis and the baby lived for 9 weeks. This case is one of the longest living cases of NLS and the fourth case reported from Turkey.
Clinical features and risk factors for striae distensae in Korean adolescents
Authors: Cho S , Park ES , Lee DH , Li K , Chung JH 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Despite the high prevalence of striae distensae, clinical studies are few in number, and their pathophysiology still obscure.Objectives  To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of striae distensae that occur in Korean adolescents, and to correlate their clinical features with family history, other dermatological conditions, and body measurements.Methods  One hundred and fifty‐seven healthy Korean students, aged 15 to 17, were studied. A questionnaire and physical examination were employed to assess the subjects’ past and family history, and the distribution, clinical features and severity of striae distensae.Results  Striae distensae were present in 131 subjects (83.4%). Ninety‐four (88.2%) of 109 male and 37 (77.1%) of 48 female subjects were affected. The striae were white in colour in 69.5% and asymptomatic in most of the subjects. They developed at an average age of 13.8 years. Family history was present in 18 subjects (11.5%). Seborrhoea of the face was positively correlated (P < 0.035) with striae distensae, and atopic dermatitis negatively correlated (P < 0.001). In both sexes, the buttock was the most prevalent area of striae development, followed by the lower back and knee in boys and by the thigh and calf in girls. Striae were significantly more common on the thigh of girls and on the knee of boys.Conclusions  Our results indicate that striae distensae are a common skin condition that occurs early in puberty regardless of gender, and that they have a different anatomical distribution and relationship with body measurements in each gender.
Influence of narrow‐band UVB phototherapy on cutaneous microbiota of children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Silva SH , Guedes ACM , Gontijo B , Ramos AMC , Carmo LS , Farias LM , Nicoli JR 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjective  In the present work, the effect of narrow‐band ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy on a cutaneous microbial population was evaluated in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and compared with control patients (vitiligo).Methods  Count, isolation and identification of cutaneous microbiota from anticubital fossa were performed in 10 controls and 10 AD patients, both submitted to similar levels (P > 0.05) of UVB phototherapy (4.3 ± 0.9 and 4.3 ± 0.8 accumulated joules, respectively). Additionally, Staphylococcus aureus isolates were screened for the production of exotoxins.Results  The total and staphylococcal cutaneous microbial population levels were higher (P < 0.05) in AD patients than in the controls. All these population levels decreased (P < 0.05) for both AD and control patients after UVB phototherapy, which also decreased the SCORAD for AD patients. All patients with AD and 50% of controls were carriers of S. aureus, and harboured the bacteria simultaneously on skin and anterior nares. All of the S. aureus strains recovered from AD patient skin produced toxin and the B type was the most frequently detected (70%), followed by C (20%) and A (10%) toxins. Only 40% of the S. aureus isolates from control patients produced toxin. After UVB treatment, microbial population levels of AD patients were similar (P > 0.05) to the ones found in control patients before phototherapy, and toxin production ability of S. aureus isolates decreased drastically.Conclusion  The results of the present study show the beneficial effect of UVB phototherapy on AD and suggest that this may be attributable not only to reduction of skin surface bacteria but also to the suppression of superantigen production from S. aureus.
Association of HLA haplotype with alopecia areata in Chinese Hans
Authors: Xiao F‐L , Ye D‐Q , Yang S , Zhou F‐S , Zhou S‐M , Zhu Y‐G , Liang Y‐H , Ren Y‐Q , Zhang X‐J 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground   Some studies have shown discrepancies in human leucocyte antigen (HLA) associated with alopecia areata (AA) between different ethnic populations.Objective  To investigate whether HLA‐I, ‐DQA1 and ‐DQB1 alleles and the HLA haplotype are associated with AA, and the correlation between the HLA haplotype profile, age of onset and severity of AA in Chinese Hans.Methods  The polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific primer (PCR‐SSP) method was used to analyse the frequencies of HLA class I, ‐DQA1 and ‐DQB1 alleles in 192 patients with AA and 252 controls in Chinese Hans. The linkage disequilibrium was calculated using the 2 × 2 table.Results  The 24 two‐locus haplotypes [including A*02‐B*18, A*02‐B*27, A*02‐B*52, A*02‐Cw*0704, A*02‐DQA1*0104, A*02‐DQB1*0604, A*02‐DQB1*0606, B*18‐Cw*0704, B*18‐DQA1*0104, B*18‐DQA1*0302, B*18‐DQB1*0606, B*27‐Cw*0704, B*27‐DQA1*0104, B*27‐DQA1*0302, B*52‐Cw*0704, B*52‐DQA1*0104, B*52‐DQA1*0302, B52‐DQB1*0606, Cw*0704‐DQA1*0104, Cw*0704‐DQA1*0302, Cw*0704‐DQB1*0606, DQA1*0104‐DQB1*0604, DQA1*0104‐DQB1*0606, DQA1*0302‐DQB1*0606 (P < 0.05)] were associated with AA, while eight extended haplotypes (A*02‐B*18‐DQA1*0104, A*02‐B*27‐DQA1*0104, A*02‐B*52‐DQA1*0104, A*02‐B*52‐DQA1*0302, A*02‐B*52‐DQB1*0606, B*52‐Cw*0704‐DQA1*0104, B*52‐Cw*0704‐DQA1*0302, A*02‐B*52‐DQA1*0302‐DQB1*0606) were found to be related to AA in Chinese Hans. Through stratified analysis, we found that the extended haplotype B*52‐Cw*0704‐DQA1*0302 was related to early onset of AA, and no haplotype was only associated with severe AA.Conclusion   This is the first detailed report to elucidate HLA haplotypes associated with AA and that demonstrates the significant HLA haplotypes in Chinese Hans AA. The haplotype B*52‐Cw*0704‐DQA1*0302 was identified to be related to early onset of AA. Our results provide some information for future research on predisposing genes in HLA regions in Chinese Hans.