bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Case of chromoblastomycosis appearing in an Okinawa patient with a medical history of Hansen's disease
Authors: MIYAGI Hideki , YAMAMOTO Yu‐ichi , KANAMORI Shinako , TAIRA Kiyohito , ASATO Yutaka , MYINT Chomar Kaung , KAYO Susumu , HOSOKAWA Atsushi , HAGIWARA Keisuke , UEZATO Hiroshi 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTChromoblastomycosis is one of several chronic infectious skin diseases caused by various species of dematiaceous fungi. It is clinically characterized by verrucous skin eruptions and occurs most commonly in tropical and subtropical regions. In Okinawa, a subtropical area, there have been only three reported cases of chromoblastomycosis including the present one. Direct microscopic examination of crust specimens and findings of sclerotic cells in histopathology can confirm the diagnosis, and cultures of crust and/or tissue specimens can identify the causative fungi. We herein report the third case of chromoblastomycosis in Okinawa; it arose in an 87‐year‐old Japanese woman with a history of Hansen's disease, who lived in a leprosarium in Miyako Island. To identify the causative agent as Fonsecaea pedrosoi, we used the polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing analysis in addition to the usual methods, which include 20% potassium hydroxide microscopy, histopathological confirmation of sclerotic cells by periodic acid‐Schiff stain, culture by Sabouraud's glucose agar, slide culture method, and observation of conidia by scanning electron microscopic examination.
Case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis caused by ampicillin/cloxacillin sodium in a pregnant woman
Authors: MATSUMOTO Yuka , OKUBO Yukari , YAMAMOTO Toshiyuki , ITO Tomonobu , TSUBOI Ryoji 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTWe report a case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) induced by ampicillin/cloxacillin sodium (ABPC/MCIPC) in a pregnant woman. AGEP is caused mostly by drugs. Among them, β‐lactam antibiotics account for a high proportion of the cases, predominantly by amoxicillin. To our knowledge, this is only the second case ever reported in the Japanese language published work of AGEP induced by ABPC/MCIPC.
Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Japan (second edition)
Authors:   Executive Committee of Guideline for the Diagnosis,   Treatment of Scabies
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTThe guideline has been prepared by the Japanese Dermatological Association to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of scabies, as oral therapy became available on August 2006 under health insurance and its clinical use was expected to increase. For making a proper diagnosis, the following three points should be taken into consideration: (i) clinical symptoms; (ii) detection of the mite (Sarcoptes scabiei); and (iii) epidemiological symptoms. The diagnosis is confirmed if the mites or eggs are identified by microscopy or dermoscopy and so forth. Topical sulfur preparations, with only limited usefulness, are the only available topical drugs approved by health insurance coverage for treating scabies. Currently, crotamiton, benzyl benzoate and γ‐benzene hexachloride are also used clinically. It is important to apply these to the whole‐body, including hands, fingers and genitals. The dose for ivermectin is a single administration p.o. of approximately 200 µg/kg bodyweight with water before a meal. Administration of a second dose is considered, if new specific lesions develop or the mites are detected. For treating crusted scabies, concomitant administration of oral ivermectin and the topical preparation is necessary. Some safe and useful topical drug preparations are needed to be approved by health insurance.
Evaluating the validities of different DSM‐IV‐based conceptual constructs of tobacco dependence*
Authors: Hendricks Peter S. , Prochaska Judith J. , Humfleet Gary L. , Hall Sharon M. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTAim  To compare the concurrent and predictive validities of two subsets of DSM‐IV criteria for nicotine dependence (tolerance and withdrawal; withdrawal; difficulty controlling use; and use despite harm) to the concurrent and predictive validity of the full DSM‐IV criteria.Design  Analysis of baseline and outcome data from three randomized clinical trials of cigarette smoking treatment.Setting  San Francisco, California.Participants  Two samples of cigarette smokers (n = 810 and 322), differing with regard to baseline characteristics and treatment received, derived from three randomized clinical trials.Measurements  DSM‐IV nicotine dependence criteria were measured at baseline with a computerized version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM‐IV (DIS‐IV). Additional baseline measures included the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND), number of cigarettes smoked per day, breath carbon monoxide (CO) level, the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS), the Michigan Nicotine Reinforcement Questionnaire (M‐NRQ) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Seven‐day point‐prevalence abstinence was assessed at week 12.Findings  Full DSM‐IV criteria displayed greater concurrent validity than either of the two subsets of criteria. However, DSM‐IV symptoms accounted for only a nominal amount of the variance in baseline smoking‐related characteristics and were unrelated to smoking abstinence at week 12. Cigarettes smoked per day was the only significant predictor of abstinence at week 12.Conclusions  Although the findings do not provide a compelling alternative to the full set of DSM‐IV nicotine dependence criteria, its poor psychometric properties and low predictive power limit its clinical and research utility.
Development and psychometric evaluation of a three‐dimensional Gambling Motives Questionnaire
Authors: Stewart Sherry H. , Zack Martin 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTAims  This study was designed to develop and evaluate a self‐report measure of gambling motives.Participants  A community‐recruited sample of 193 gamblers (70% male; mean age = 35.5 years) were selected to fill two groups according to scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen: probable pathological gamblers (PPG; n = 154) and non‐pathological gamblers (NPG; n = 39).Measures  Participants completed a novel 15‐item measure of gambling motives called the Gambling Motives Questionnaire (GMQ), which was modeled after the original Drinking Motives Questionnaire, as well as a variety of gambling behavior and problem criterion measures.Results  An exploratory principal components analysis revealed three intercorrelated factors tapping enhancement (ENH), coping (COP), and social (SOC) motives, respectively. Each GMQ subscale showed good internal consistency (alphas > 0.80). The PPG group scored higher on all three scales than the NPG group, with larger differences for ENH and COP. In line with the clinical literature, PPG women scored higher than PPG men on the COP subscale but also, unexpectedly, on the SOC subscale. In concurrent validity analyses, ENH consistently predicted greater gambling behavior, and COP and ENH consistently predicted more severe gambling problems. With gambling behavior levels controlled, only COP remained a significant predictor of gambling problem severity. Finally, gender interacted with gambling motives in predicting gambling problem severity: COP predicted gambling problems more strongly in women, whereas ENH predicted gambling problems more strongly in men.Conclusions  The GMQ appears to be a promising tool for both research and clinical applications with problem gamblers.
Alcohol outlet density and university student drinking: a national study
Authors: Kypri Kypros , Bell Melanie L. , Hay Geoff C. , Baxter Joanne 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the geographic density of alcohol outlets and associations with drinking levels and related problems among university students.Design  Cross‐sectional survey study using geospatial data, with campus‐level and individual‐level analyses.Participants  A total of 2550 students (mean age 20.2, 60% women) at six university campuses in New Zealand (63% response).Measurements  Counts of alcohol outlets within 3 km of each campus were tested for their non‐parametric correlation with aggregated campus drinking levels and related problems. Generalized estimating equations were used to model the relation between outlet counts within 1 km and 3 km of student residences and individual drinking levels/problems, with control for gender, age, ethnicity and high school binge drinking frequency, and adjustment for campus‐level clustering.Findings  Correlations for campus‐level data were 0.77 (P = 0.07) for drinking and personal problems, and 0.31 (P = 0.54) for second‐hand effects. There were consistent significant associations of both on‐ and off‐licence outlet densities with all outcomes in student‐level adjusted models. Effects were largest for 1 km densities and off‐licence outlets.Conclusions  There are positive associations between alcohol outlet density and individual drinking and related problems. Associations remain after controlling for demographic variables and pre‐university drinking, i.e. the associations are unlikely to be due to self‐selection effects. Increasing alcohol outlet density, and particularly off‐licences, may increase alcohol‐related harm among university students.
A case of heroin overdose reversed by sublingually administered buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®)
Authors: Welsh Christopher , Sherman Susan G. , Tobin Karin E. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTBackground  Opioid overdose is a major source of morbidity and mortality in injection drug users in the United States and many other countries.Case description  A case is described in which buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®) was administered sublingually to reverse a heroin overdose.Conclusions  Sublingually administered buprenorphine/naloxone might be used as a means to reverse opioid overdose.
Chromosome 14q32 translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia identify a disease subset with poor prognosis
Authors: Cavazzini Francesco , Hernandez Jose Angel , Gozzetti Alessandro , Russo Rossi Antonella , De Angeli Cristiano , Tiseo Ruana , Bardi Antonella , Tammiso Elisa , Crupi Rosaria , Lenoci Maria Pia , Forconi Francesco , Lauria Francesco , Marasca Roberto , Maffei Rossana , Torelli Giuseppe , Gonzalez Marcos , Martin‐Jimenez Patricia , Maria Hernandez Jesus , Rigolin Gian Matteo , Cuneo Antonio 
Published: June 2008

SummaryImmunophenotypic studies, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and conventional karyotyping were used to define the clinicobiological significance of 14q32 translocations involving the immunoglobulin gene locus (14q32/IGH) in 252 chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients. The following regions were studied: 13q14, centromere 12, 6q21; 11q22/ATM; 17p13/TP53, 14q32/IGH. Patients were classified as group 1 (favourable, i.e. 13q‐single or normal), group 2 (intermediate risk, i.e. +12, 6q‐, 1–2 anomalies), group 3 (unfavourable, i.e. 17p‐, 11q‐, complex karyotype), or group 4 (14q32/IGH translocation). Endpoints were treatment‐free survival (TFS) and overall survival (OS). One hundred and ten patients were included in group 1, 99 in group 2, 25 in group 3 and 18 in group 4. 14q32/IGH translocation partners were identified in eight cases (BCL2 in five cases, BCL11A, CCND3 and CDK6 in one case each). group 4 showed shorter TFS versus groups 2 and 1 (25% patients treated at 2 months vs. 12 (P = 0·02) and 20 months (P = 0·002), respectively) and shorter OS (25% patients dead at 18 months versus 50 (P = 0·0003) and >60 months (P < 0·0001) respectively. The 14q32/IGH translocation maintained prognostic significance at multivariate analysis on TFS (P = 0·025) and OS (P < 0·001), along with advanced stage and CD38+. These findings show that the 14q32/IGH translocation predicts for an unfavourable outcome in CLL and that this cytogenetic subset might be included as a separate entity in a hierarchical cytogenetic classification of CLL.
Early infection with Trichuris trichiura and allergen skin test reactivity in later childhood
Authors: Rodrigues L. C. , Newcombe P. J. , Cunha S. S. , Alcantara‐Neves N. M. , Genser B. , Cruz A. A. , Simoes S. M. , Fiaccone R. , Amorim L. , Cooper P. J. , Barreto M. L. ,   SCAALA (Social Change, Asthma and Allergy in Latin America)
Published: June 2008

SummaryBackground
Allergic diseases cause a large and increasing burden in developed countries and in urban centres in middle‐income countries. The causes of this increase are unknown and, currently, there are no interventions to prevent the development of allergic diseases. The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ has tried to explain the increase through a reduction in the frequency of childhood infections causing a failure to program the immune system for adequate immune regulation. Intestinal helminth parasites are prevalent in childhood in developing countries and are associated with a lower prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity and asthma.Objectives
To investigate whether children who had intestinal helminth infections during early childhood have a lower prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity later in childhood.Methods
We re‐visited a population of 1055 children from whom stool samples had been collected for detection of intestinal helminth infections for another study, and collected new stool samples and performed allergen skin prick testing. Information on potential confounding variables was collected.Results
Children with heavy infections with Trichuris trichiura in early childhood had a significantly reduced prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity in later childhood, even in the absence of T. trichiura infection at the time of skin testing in later childhood.Conclusion
Early heavy infections with T. trichiura may protect against the development of allergen skin test reactivity in later childhood. Novel treatments to program immune‐regulation in early childhood in a way that mimics the effects of early infections with T. trichiura may offer new strategies for the prevention of allergic disease.
A field experiment on the effect of Nosema bombi in colonies of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Authors: OTTI OLIVER , SCHMID‐HEMPEL PAUL 
Published: June 2008

Abstract 1. Nosema bombi is a microsporidian parasite of bumblebees that is of potentially great ecological and economic importance. Nosema bombi has been shown to have detrimental fitness effects on the bumblebee Bombus terrestris under laboratory conditions. The present study investigates whether N. bombi also has negative fitness effects under natural conditions.2. A field experiment was conducted with B. terrestris spring queens caught from the wild. In the laboratory these queens were assigned to either infected or control treatment groups. On the emergence of workers, colonies were placed in the field and a number of fitness and life‐history traits were measured.3. The size of colonies produced by infected queens was significantly smaller than those of control queens. None of the 14 infected colonies produced sexual offspring, whereas four of the 14 control colonies reached the male production stage. Results of the field experiment are in agreement with prior laboratory‐based results, and even imply that such effects are amplified under natural conditions.4. The evidence suggests that, on entering the colony early, N. bombi has a highly detrimental effect on the fitness of its host. It would seem that this parasite reduces its opportunities to transmit into the next host generation.
Severe liver steatosis correlates with nitrosative and oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Grattagliano I. , Caraceni P. , Calamita G. , Ferri D. , Gargano I. , Palasciano G. , Portincasa P. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTBackground  Little is known about nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and redox changes with hepatocyte adipocytic transformation. The aims of this study were to investigate the changes occurring in plasma and hepatic NO metabolites and redox balance in a rat experimental model of simple fatty liver, and to relate plasma with hepatic and mitochondrial changes at different degrees of steatosis.Materials and methods  Circulating and hepatic redox active and nitrogen regulating molecules thioredoxin, glutathione, protein thiols (PSH), mixed disulfides (PSSG), NO metabolites nitrosothiols, nitrite plus nitrate (NOx), and lipid peroxides (TBARs) were measured in rats fed a choline deprived (CD) diet for 30 days.Results  At histology, the CD diet resulted in hepatocellular steatosis (75% of liver weight at day 30) with no signs of necro‐inflammation. In plasma, thioredoxin, nitrosothiols and NOx were unchanged, while TBARs levels increased significantly and were positively related with hepatic TBARs (r = 0·87,P < 0·001) and lipid content (r = 0·90,P < 0·001). In the liver, glutathione initially increased (day 3) and then decreased. From day 14, PSH decreased and NO derivatives increased. Thioredoxin 1 had initially increased (days 7–14) and then decreased. In the mitochondria, on day 14, nitrosothiols were inversely related to thioredoxin 2 (r = 0·988,P < 0·05); on day 30, PSH were decreased by 70%, PSSG were doubled and related with nitrosothiols levels (r = 0·925,P < 0·001).Conclusion  Adipocytic transformation of hepatocytes is accompanied by major interrelated modifications of redox parameters and NO metabolism especially at mitochondrial level, suggesting an early adaptive protective response but also an increased predisposition towards pro‐oxidant insults.
Visfatin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of pre‐menopausal women: relation to hormones and weight reduction
Authors: Kovacikova M. , Vitkova M. , Klimcakova E. , Polak J. , Hejnova J. , Bajzova M. , Kovacova Z. , Viguerie N. , Langin D. , Stich V. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTBackground   A novel adipokine, visfatin, was found to be related to adiposity in humans and regulated by a number of hormonal signals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of visfatin expression in adipose tissue with potential regulatory factors such as insulin, testosterone and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and to elucidate the effect of a diet induced weight reduction on adipose tissue mRNA expression and plasma levels of visfatin.Materials and methods   Biopsies of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SCAAT) and plasma samples were obtained at the beginning of the study from 47 pre‐menopausal women (age 38·7 ± 1·7 years, body mass index (BMI) 27·9 ± 1·4 kg m−2), consisting of 15 lean, 16 overweight and 16 obese subjects. The subgroup of 32 overweight/obese women (age 42·1 ± 1·9 years, BMI 31·2 ± 0·9 kg m−2) underwent a 12 week hypocaloric weight reducing diet and samples were obtained at the end of the diet. Biopsy samples were analysed for visfatin and TNF‐α mRNA levels and plasma was analysed for relevant metabolites and hormones.Results   In the group of 47 subjects visfatin mRNA expression in SCAAT was negatively correlated with plasma free testosterone (r = –0. 363, P < 0·05) and BMI (r = –0·558, P < 0·01) and positively associated with adipose tissue TNF‐α mRNA expression (r = 0·688, P < 0·01). The diet resulted in the reduction of body weight and in the decrease of plasma insulin, free testosterone and TNF‐α levels. In the group of overweight/obese subjects visfatin mRNA in SCAAT increased after the diet and the diet induced increase was positively correlated with the magnitude of body weight loss.Conclusion   Visfatin mRNA expression in SCAAT is associated with TNF‐α expression, plasma free testosterone and BMI in pre‐menopausal women. A weight reducing hypocaloric diet results in the increase of visfatin mRNA in SCAAT.
Muscle myostatin signalling is enhanced in experimental cancer cachexia
Authors: Costelli P. , Muscaritoli M. , Bonetto A. , Penna F. , Reffo P. , Bossola M. , Bonelli G. , Doglietto G. B. , Baccino F. M. , Fanelli F. Rossi 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTBackground/Aims   Myostatin belongs to the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily and negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. Its deletion induces muscle overgrowth, while, on the contrary, its overexpression or systemic administration cause muscle atrophy. The present study was aimed at investigating whether muscle depletion as occurring in an experimental model of cancer cachexia, the rat bearing the Yoshida AH‐130 hepatoma, is associated with modulations of myostatin signalling and whether the cytokine tumour necrosis factor‐α may be relevant in this regard.Materials and methods   Protein levels of myostatin, follistatin (myostatin endogenous inhibitor) and the activin receptor type IIB have been evaluated in the gastrocnemius of tumour‐bearing rats by Western blotting. Circulating myostatin and follistatin in tumour hosts were evaluated by immunoprecipitation, while the DNA‐binding activity of the SMAD transcription factors was determined by electrophoretic‐mobility shift assay.Results   In day 4 tumour hosts muscle myostatin levels were comparable to controls, yet follistatin was reduced, and SMAD DNA‐binding activity was enhanced. At day 7, both myostatin and follistatin increased in tumour bearers, while SMAD DNA‐binding activity was unchanged. To investigate whether tumour necrosis factor‐α contributed to induce such changes, rats were administered pentoxifylline, an inhibitor of tumour necrosis factor‐α synthesis that partially corrects muscle depletion in tumour‐bearing rats. The drug reduced both myostatin expression and SMAD DNA‐binding activity in day 4 tumour hosts and up‐regulated follistatin at day 7.Conclusions   These observations suggest that myostatin pathway should be regarded as a potential therapeutic target in cancer cachexia.
Finite‐frequency tomography in a crustal environment: Application to the western part of the Gulf of Corinth
Authors: Gautier S. , Nolet G. , Virieux J. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTIn this paper we investigate finite‐frequency effects in crustal tomography. We developed an inversion procedure based on an exact numerical computation of the sensitivity kernels. In this approach we compute the 3D travel‐time sensitivity kernels by using (1) graph theory and an additional bending to estimate accurately both rays and travel‐times between source/receiver and diffraction points and (2) paraxial ray theory to estimate the amplitude along theses rays. We invert both the velocity and the hypocentre parameters, using these so‐called banana‐doughnut kernels and the LSQR iterative solver. We compare the ray‐theoretical and the finite‐frequency tomography to image the intermediate structures beneath the Gulf of Corinth (Greece), which has long been recognized as the most active continental rifting zone in the Mediterranean region. Our dataset consists of 451 local events with 9233 P‐ first‐arrival times recorded in the western part of the Gulf (Aigion area) in the framework of the 3F‐Corinth European project. Previous tomographic images showed a complex velocity crustal model and a low‐dip surface that may accommodate the deformation. Accurate velocity models will help to better constrain the rifting process, which is still a subject of debate. The main results of this study show that finite‐frequency tomography improves crustal tomographic images by providing better resolved images of the 3D complicated velocity structure. Because the kernels spread the information over a volume, finite‐frequency tomography results in a sharpening of layer boundaries as we observed for the shallower part of the crust (down to 5 km depth) beneath the Gulf of Corinth.
Yardsticks for industrial tomography
Authors: Vesnaver A. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTSeismic tomography has been developed and applied for decades in seismological applications and for basic research purposes. During the last decade, large‐scale applications in the oil and gas industry became standard as tomostatics and velocity modelling for pre‐stack depth migration. In this paper, I take a snapshot of some current industrial applications, quantifying practical aspects by yardsticks such as data and model size and I try to draw a road map for the current decade.