bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary cutaneous inoculation tuberculosis in a healthcare worker as a result of a surgical accident
Authors: Tapias Leonidas , Tapias‐Vargas Luis Felipe , Tapias‐Vargas Leonidas 
Published: July 2008

In May 2004, a 48‐year‐old male surgeon, resident in Bucaramanga, Colombia, suffered a superficial cut with a scalpel to the lateral aspect of the mid‐phalanx of the second finger of the left hand while performing a pulmonary decortication surgical procedure for tuberculous empyema with pulmonary entrapment. The injury healed normally but, approximately 2 weeks after the event, an erythematous, nonpainful papule of approximately 3 mm in diameter developed, and increased progressively to 7 mm 3 days after its initial appearance. At this time, the papule showed spontaneous secretion of a clear liquid and superficial ulceration (Fig. 1). Approximately 3 weeks after the injury, a Gram stain of the liquid was performed; it showed no bacteria but a moderate leukocyte reaction. Because of the high suspicion of possible tuberculous infection, bacilloscopy of the liquid was performed, and was positive (++) for acid‐fast bacteria (Fig. 2). The liquid was cultured and grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The culture was sent to the Laboratory of Mycobacteria at the National Institute of Health, Bogota, Colombia for drug resistance testing. Susceptibility was demonstrated against streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. During this time, the patient presented an ipsilateral painful axillary adenopathy of about 2.5 cm in diameter. The patient consulted with an infectologist, who initiated a Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) regimen [first phase (8 weeks): daily, except Sundays, streptomycin 1 g intramuscularly, pyrazinamide 1500 mg orally, isoniazid 300 mg, and rifampicin 600 mg; second phase (18 weeks): twice weekly rifampicin 600 mg and isoniazid 500 mg], accompanied by daily pyridoxine to prevent secondary effects from isoniazid. After 3 weeks of treatment, the finger lesion had disappeared. Treatment was undertaken as described above, with the patient reporting symptoms of vertigo, nausea, epigastralgia, and mild myalgia as the adverse effects of medication. A chest x‐ray was taken and reported to be normal. The axillary adenopathy disappeared approximately 6 months after the injury. Nearly 3.5 years after the incident, the patient has not presented any type of symptomatology.Evolution of the skin lesion: (a) erythematous nonpainful papule; (b) ulcerated skin lesionimagePhotomicrograph of direct examination of the liquid from the cutaneous lesion, showing Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Stain: Ziehl–Neelsen (×100)image
House dust mites on skin, clothes, and bedding of atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Teplitsky Valery , Mumcuoglu Kosta Y. , Babai Ilan , Dalal Ilan , Cohen Rifka , Tanay Amir 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  Atopic dermatitis is a common allergic condition in children, often associated with a positive skin reaction to house dust mite allergens.Aim  To determine the presence of house dust mites on the skin, clothes, and bedding of patients with atopic dermatitis.Methods  Nineteen patients with atopic dermatitis were examined during a 2‐year period. Samples from affected and healthy skin surfaces were obtained with adhesive tape, and dust samples from bedding and clothes were collected with a vacuum cleaner at the start of the study and 3–6 weeks later, and examined for the presence of house dust mites. The findings were compared with those of 21 healthy controls.Results  The most common mite species on skin were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, which were found in nine patients and three controls. The patient group showed a significantly larger percentage of samples with mites than did the control group (34.9% and 7.9%, respectively) (P < 0.001), and a significantly larger percentage of individuals with at least one positive sample (84.2% and 14.2%, respectively) (P < 0.0001). No correlation was found between the number of mites on the skin and clothes/bedding of patients, or between patients and controls with regard to the number of mites on the clothes and bedding.Conclusions  Patients with atopic dermatitis showed a higher prevalence of mites on their skin than did healthy individuals, which could be involved in allergic sensitization and disease exacerbation.
Treatment of persistent alopecia areata with sulfasalazine
Authors: Rashidi Turaj , Mahd Azarmdokht Alamdari 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease with no definitive treatment, and some cases persist despite standard therapies. Sulfasalazine has been reported to show success in the treatment of persistent cases of alopecia areata.Objective  To assess the efficacy of sulfasalazine in cases of recalcitrant alopecia areata that do not respond to topical and intralesional corticosteroids, 5% minoxidil, or psoralen plus ultraviolet‐A (PUVA) therapy.Methods  Thirty‐nine patients with persistent alopecia areata received 3 g of oral sulfasalazine for 6 months, and terminal hair regrowth was quantified as no response, moderate response, or good response.Results  A good response occurred in 10 of the 39 patients (25.6%), a moderate response in 12 (30.7%), and a poor or no response in 17 (43.5%).Conclusion  Sulfasalazine can be used as an alternative drug in patients with persistent alopecia areata.
Loss of heterozygosity at 6p21 underling HLA class I downregulation in Chinese primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Yang Y. , Zhang J. , Miao F. , Wei J. , Shen C. , Shen Y. , Xie W. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLoss or downregulation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules is a widespread mechanism used by tumor cells to avoid tumor recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes favoring tumor immune escape. Multiple molecular mechanisms are responsible for these altered HLA class I tumor phenotypes, such as the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome region 6p21.3. In this study, we used immunohistological techniques with a highly selective panel of anti‐HLA monoclonal antibodies to analyze the expression of HLA class I molecules in 84 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded section and 49 frozen‐fresh tissues of primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (pESCC) from Chinese patients. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of HLA class I loss or downregulation, we also analyzed LOH of previously selected microsatellite markers located in chromosomes 6 and 15 by polymerase chain reaction. DNA was obtained from frozen‐fresh tumor tissues and surrounding stroma to define the LOH associated with chromosomes 6p21 and 15q21. Our results showed that HLA‐A, HLA‐B/C, HLA class I heavy chain, β2‐microglobuline, and HLA class I complex were lost or downregulated in pESCC (P < 0.0001), and were moderately associated with the microsatellite alterations in HLA class I gene regions, correlated with patients’ age, tumor’s location, and stage, and indicated that LOH at 6p21.3 is a frequent mechanism that leads to HLA class I abnormalities in pESCC.
HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 allele frequencies in the Bangladeshi population
Authors: Ali Md. Eunus , Ahmed M. U. , Alam S. , Rahman Md. Hafizur 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPopulation genetic studies have become an invaluable tool because of the extreme polymorphism found at some of the loci of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. In this study, we are reporting for the first time the genetic polymorphism of 141 healthy unrelated Bangladeshi Bangalees living in central region of Dhaka. We studied the HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 loci using polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers. The allelic frequencies, two and three locus haplotype frequencies were statistically analyzed. A total of 16 HLA‐A alleles, 26 HLA‐B alleles and 14 HLA‐DRB1 alleles were detected. A*33‐B*44 (8.15%) was the most common two loci class 1 haplotype, whereas A*33‐B*44‐DRB1*07 (6.38%) was the most frequent three loci haplotype. The most common HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 alleles were A*33 (17.02%), B*15 (19.5%) and DRB1*15 (29.07%), respectively. Construction of phylogenetic tree using average linkage between groups and correspondence analysis showed close associations with Indian non‐tribal random Dravidians, north Indian Hindus and some relations with Mongolian and Pakistani populations. We believe this data will provide useful information for bone marrow registry, legal medicine, disease association and anthropological studies.
Association of allograft inflammatory factor‐1 gene polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pawlik A. , Kurzawski M. , Szczepanik T. , Dziedziejko V. , Safranow K. , Borowiec‐Chłopek Z. , Giedrys‐Kalemba S. , Drozdzik M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHuman allograft inflammatory factor‐1 (AIF‐1) is a cytoplasmic protein primarily identified in human and rat allografts, and data from several studies suggest an important role for AIF‐1 in inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to examine the association between AIF1 rs2269475:C>T polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AIF1 genotype was determined by means of the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 276 White patients with RA and 236 healthy subjects. The frequency of the AIF1 rs2269475 TT genotype was significantly higher in the patients with RA than in the controls (OR = 5.59, 95% CI: 1.22–25.55). The frequency of T allele carriers in the patient group with RA was 31.9% vs 19.1% among controls (P = 0.0003). Moreover, the frequency of individuals positive for anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‐CCP) antibodies was significantly elevated in the T allele carriers (OR = 8.82, 95% CI: 2.06–37.7). It is noteworthy that no significant linkage disequilibria between the AIF1 C/T and DRB1 alleles associated with RA development and anti‐CCP antibody production [including the most frequent, i.e. *04 (32.7%) and *01 (23.5%)] (P > 0.1) were found. Our results show that the AIF1 rs2269475 T allele is associated with increased risk of RA development. Moreover, the frequency of individuals positive for anti‐CCP antibodies is significantly increased among T allele carriers.
Identification of two novel HLA alleles, HLA‐A*02010103 and HLA‐B*4455, and characterization of the complete genomic sequence of HLA‐A*290201
Authors: Heinold A. , Schaller‐Suefling E. , Opelz G. , Scherer S. , Tran T. H. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe describe two novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, HLA‐A*02010103 and HLA‐B*4455, that were discovered in two unrelated Caucasian individuals. In addition, we report the full‐length genomic sequence of HLA‐A*290201. Compared with HLA‐A*02010101, HLA‐A*02010103 has three nucleotide (nt) changes within intron 1, which is altered to a sequence typical of the HLA‐A*23/A*24 allele group. In HLA‐B*4455, an nt exchange occurred in codon 9 of HLA‐B*44020101, resulting in a change of the amino acid coding from tyrosine to histidine. We sequenced HLA‐A*290201 from nt −108 to nt 2922, encompassing all exons and introns as well as parts of the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions. Previously, the full‐length genomic sequence was known only for HLA‐A*29010101, which is found at a lower frequency in Caucasians than HLA‐A*290201.
Condition‐dependent genetic benefits of extrapair fertilization in female blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus
Authors: DREISS A. N. , SILVA N. , RICHARD M. , MOYEN F. , THÉRY M. , MØLLER A. P. , DANCHIN É. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn many socially monogamous birds, both partners perform extrapair copulations (EPC). As this behaviour potentially inflicts direct costs on females, they are currently hypothesized to search for genetic benefits for descendants, either as ‘good’ or ‘complementary’ genes. Although these hypotheses have found some support, several studies failed to find any beneficial consequence of EPC, and whether this behaviour is adaptive to females is subject to discussion. Here, we test these two hypotheses in a natural population of blue tits by accounting for the effect of most parameters known to potentially affect extrapair fertilization. Results suggest that female body mass affected the type of extrapair genetic benefits obtained. Heavy females obtained extrapair fertilizations when their social male was of low quality (as reflected by sexual display) and produced larger extrapair than within‐pair chicks. Lean females obtained extrapair fertilizations when their social mate was genetically similar, thereby producing more heterozygous extrapair chicks. Our results suggest that mating patterns may be condition‐dependent.
Contrasting sexual selection on males and females in a role‐reversed swarming dance fly, Rhamphomyia longicauda Loew (Diptera: Empididae)
Authors: BUSSIÈRE L. F. , GWYNNE D. T. , BROOKS R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAlthough there are several hypotheses for sex‐specific ornamentation, few studies have measured selection in both sexes. We compare sexual selection in male and female dance flies, Rhamphomyia longicauda (Diptera: Empididae). Swarming females display size‐enhancing abdominal sacs, enlarged wings and decorated tibiae, and compete for nuptial gifts provided by males. Males preferentially approach large females, but the nature of selection and whether it is sex‐specific are unknown. We found contrasting sexual selection for mating success on structures shared by males and females. In females, long wings and short tibiae were favoured, whereas males with short wings and long tibiae had a mating advantage. There was no assortative mating. Females occupying potentially advantageous swarm positions were large and, in contrast to selection for mating success, tended to have larger tibiae than those of rivals. We discuss our findings in the context of both the mating biology of dance flies, and the evolution of sexual dimorphism in general.
No evidence of mitochondrial genetic variation for sperm competition within a population of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: FRIBERG U. , DOWLING D. K. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractRecent studies have advocated a role for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in sperm competition. This is controversial because earlier theory and empirical work suggested that mitochondrial genetic variation for fitness is low. Yet, such studies dealt only with females and did not consider that variation that is neutral when expressed in females, might be non‐neutral in males as, in most species, mtDNA is never selected in males. We measured male ability to compete for fertilizations, at young and late ages, across 25 cytoplasms expressed in three different nuclear genetic backgrounds, within a population of Drosophila melanogaster. We found no cytoplasmic (thus no mtDNA) genetic variation for either male offence or offensive sperm competitiveness. This contrasts with previous findings demonstrating cytoplasmic genetic variation for female fitness and female ageing across these same lines. Taken together, this suggests that mitochondrial genes do not contribute to variation in sperm competition at the within‐population level.
Differential diagnosis of denture‐induced stomatitis, Candida, and their variations in patients using complete denture: a clinical and mycological study
Authors: Dağistan Saadettin , Aktas A. Esin , Caglayan Fatma , Ayyildiz Ahmet , Bilge Murat 
Published: July 2008

SummaryDenture‐induced stomatitis usually occurs in persons who wear a complete or a partial denture. Among the many aetiological and predisposing factors, Candida spp. are believed to play an important role in the initiation and progression of the infection. Seventy cases who attended the clinics of the Dental Faculty, University of Atatürk, Turkey were investigated from the viewpoint of denture‐induced stomatitis. After questioning the patients for their personal information, they were examined clinically and smears were obtained from lesions of the palatal mucosa and the contiguous denture surface by calcium aliginate swabs, and inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with 1% chloramphenicol, and CHROMagar Candida. Individual yeast species were identified by a germ tube test, development of blastospores, chlamydospores and pseudohyphae and assimilation tests employing the commercial kit API 20C AUX system. According to the results obtained, 70% of the cases had denture‐induced stomatitis, and in 68% of them mycological culture results were positive. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated fungus (68.75%). On the other hand, fungal growth was much more pronounced in the cultures made from the inner surface of the dentures. In conclusion, this study showed that candidal infections are not the predisposing factor in the occurrence of denture‐induced stomatitis, but they play a major role, as also some other factors, especially those related with dentures.
Relationship between serum and saliva antibodies to Candida and isolation of Candida species from the mucosa of HIV‐infected individuals
Authors: Castro Gleusa , Martinez Roberto 
Published: July 2008

SummaryColonisation and infection by Candida species occur frequently in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but their relationship to the humoral immunity against candidiasis is controversial. To evaluate the levels of antibodies to Candida in the serum and in the saliva of HIV‐1‐infected patients in relation to the presence of immunodeficiency, oral candidiasis and Candida colonisation, Candida was investigated in the urine and in the oral and anal mucosae of HIV‐1‐infected patients, AIDS patients and healthy controls. The levels of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies to Candida were determined in the serum and in the saliva by immunoassay. Candida species were detected in 76% of the patients. Mucosal yeast colonisation and the levels of serum and saliva antibodies to Candida were similar between asymptomatic HIV‐infected and non‐infected patients. Mucosal colonisation was highest in AIDS patients, who also had higher serum IgA and saliva IgG antibodies. Antibody levels were similar in patients with and without candidiasis oral lesions. Asymptomatic HIV‐infected individuals are similar to non‐infected individuals with respect to mucosal colonisation as well as serum and saliva levels of antibodies to Candida. The higher mucosal colonisation and clinical candidiasis observed in the AIDS patients apparently stimulated a more intense humoral response to the yeast.
Psychological comorbidity and complexity of gastrointestinal symptoms in clinically diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome patients
Authors: Mikocka‐Walus Antonina , Turnbull Deborah , Moulding Nicole , Wilson Ian , Andrews Jane M. , Holtmann Gerald 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The prevalence of psychological disorders is high in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but their role in symptom reporting is uncertain. It is thus interesting whether the number of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) determines the load of psychological comorbidity. The Rome III criteria have not been used to evaluate such a relationship as yet. Moreover, not many studies have examined the sensitivity of the Rome III criteria in detecting IBS. Our aims were therefore: (i) to determine whether those IBS participants with more FGID had a tendency to greater psychological comorbidity than those with fewer FGID; and (ii) to assess the performance of the Rome III criteria in detecting IBS versus the diagnosis of the gastroenterologist.Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey of 32 consecutive outpatients with clinically diagnosed IBS was performed. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF‐12), and the Rome III criteria questionnaire (BDQ‐6) were administered. Multiple linear regression was conducted to detect associations among FGID, anxiety, depression and quality of life.Results:  Overall, 50% of participants were anxious and 12% were depressed. Forty‐four percent of participants had >two FGID; however, the number of FGID did not correlate with scores for anxiety, depression or quality of life. Amazingly, only 50% (CI: 33–67) of participants clinically diagnosed with IBS met Rome III criteria for IBS.Conclusion:  Contrary to our expectations, a greater load of FGID did not correlate with a greater load of psychological comorbidity. Surprisingly, the Rome III criteria detected only 50% of clinical cases of IBS.
Conditionally immortalized colonic epithelial cell line from a Ptk6 null mouse that polarizes and differentiates in vitro
Authors: Whitehead Robert H , Robinson Pamela S , Williams Janice A , Bie Wenjun , Tyner Angela L , Franklin Jeffrey L 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground and Aims:  PTK6 is an intracellular src‐related tyrosine kinase that regulates differentiation in the intestine, where knockout animals have increased proliferative activity and growth characteristics. To explore the phenotype further we attempted to establish epithelial cell lines from the intestinal mucosa.Method:  We mated Ptk6 null mice with a tsSV40 large T transgenic mouse (Immortomouse) to obtain null mice carrying the SV40 gene. Intestinal tissues from these mice were cultured.Results:  We established a Ptk6 null epithelial cell line from the colonic mucosa. Consistent with a role of Ptk6 in cell differentiation, these cells have the characteristics of a stable progenitor cell. In monolayer culture, the cells form domes in the monolayer when confluent. When cultured on Transwell filters, the cells polarize and form an electrically resistant barrier. Formation of tight junctions was confirmed by demonstrating expression of ZO1 and occludin at the apical junctions, whereas E‐cadherin localized to the basolateral membrane. When cultured in collagen gel, the Ptk6 null cells form complex organoids, some of which resemble cups of cells. These organoids contain cells with differentiated phenotypes. Using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy we have been able to identify villin‐positive (absorptive cells) and a small percentage of mucin‐containing cells (goblet cells) and chromogranin A‐positive cells (endocrine cells).Conclusion:  This conditionally immortalized cell line represents an excellent cell culture model system for exploring the mechanisms of cell function and epithelial differentiation in the colonic mucosa.
Ecological selection maintains cytonuclear incompatibilities in hybridizing sunflowers
Authors: Sambatti Julianno B. M. , Ortiz‐Barrientos Daniel , Baack Eric J. , Rieseberg Loren H. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDespite the recent renaissance in studies of ecological speciation, the connection between ecological selection and the evolution of reproductive isolation remains tenuous. We tested whether habitat adaptation of cytoplasmic genomes contributes to the maintenance of reproductive barriers in hybridizing sunflower species, Helianthus annuus and Helianthus petiolaris. We transplanted genotypes of the parental species, reciprocal F1 hybrids and all eight possible backcross combinations of nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes into the contrasting xeric and mesic habitats of the parental species. Analysis of survivorship across two growing seasons revealed that the parental species’ cytoplasms were strongly locally adapted and that cytonuclear interactions (CNIs) significantly affected the fitness and architecture of hybrid plants. A significant fraction of the CNIs have transgenerational effects, perhaps due to divergence in imprinting patterns. Our results suggest a common means by which ecological selection may contribute to speciation and have significant implications for the persistence of hybridizing species.