bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunohistological study of involucrin expression in Darier's disease skin
Authors: Kassar Selma , Charfeddine Cherine , Zribi Hela , Tounsi‐Kettiti Haifa , Bchetnia Mbarka. , Jerbi Emna , Cassio Doris , Mokni Mourad , Abdelhak Sonia , Ben Osman Amel , Boubaker Samir 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Darier’s disease (DD) is an autosomal dominant skin disorder characterized by acantholysis and abnormal keratinization. The gene responsible for DD, ATP2A2 encodes for the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+‐ATPase isoform 2 protein. Involucrin, considered as a marker of terminal epidermal differentiation, could be altered in some keratinization disorders including DD.Patients and methods:  An immunohistochemical staining using anti‐involucrin antibody was carried out on 16 DD patients epidermis. Involucrin staining was compared with biopsies from cutaneous lesions of three healthy individuals and of patients with Hailey‐Hailey disease (five cases) and Mal de Meleda (four cases). A semi‐quantitative analysis was performed in order to evaluate involucrin immunostaining on the basis of intensity, extension and epidermal distribution. The involucrin expression was examined afterward with confocal laser scanning microscopy.Results:  In contrast to normal skin, all DD cases showed premature expression of involucrin in the lower epidermal layers in four cases with a strong labeling in both keratinocytes cell membrane and cytoplasm. Other keratinization disorders share premature expression of involucrin but displayed differences in cytoplasm/cell membrane labeling.Conclusions:  DD skin displayed a constant immunohistochemical involucrin pattern characterized by both premature expression and a particular cytoplasmic/cell membrane localization distribution.
Facets of lupus erythematosus: panniculitis responding to thalidomide
Authors: Wienert Simone , Gadola Stephan , Hunziker Thomas 
Published: February 2008

SummaryLupus erythematosus profundus or lupus panniculitis is a rare clinical variant of lupus erythematosus, which involves the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat. Diagnosis may be difficult in cases with isolated involvement. Further manifestations of lupus erythematosus may thus be essential for diagnosis, which depends on the clinical picture, histopathology and a positive lesional lupus band test. We report a severe, mutilating case of lupus panniculitis, which responded well to thalidomide.
Sentinel lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor for thick (≥ 4 mm) melanomas
Authors: Gutzmer Ralf , Satzger Imke , Thoms Kai‐Martin , Völker Bernward , Mitteldorf Christina , Kapp Alexander , Bertsch Hans Peter , Kretschmer Lutz 
Published: February 2008

Summary Background: The value of the status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in patients with thick melanomas (Breslow thickness ≥ 4 mm) is controversial. Patients and Methods: Using Kaplan‐Meier estimates and Cox regression models, we studied 152 patients with primary melanomas ≥ 4 mm thickness who underwent sentinel lymph node excision (SLNE) at the university hospitals of Hannover and Göttingen, Germany, between 1998 and 2006. Results: The median tumor thickness was 5.2 (4–18) mm; 58.5% of primary melanomas were ulcerated. Micrometastasis to a SLN was found in 48.7%. The patients with positive SLNs were significantly younger than those with negative SLN (p = 0.01). Of the complete lymph node dissections, 32% contained positive non‐SLN. The estimated 5 year recurrence‐free survival was 42.5 ± 5% (± standard error) (26.3 ± 6.6% after positive SLNE, 58.7 ± 7.1% after negative SLNE). The 5 year overall survival rate was 53.2 ± 5.4% (37.5 ± 8.1% after positive SLNE, 67.6 ± 6.7% after negative SLNE). By multivariate analysis, the SLN was a highly significant predictor for overall survival (p = 0.007, relative risk 2.3, 95%, confidence interval 1.2–4.2). The overall survival was significantly associated with penetration of nodal metastases into the SLN > 0.3 mm (p = 0.001). Other parameters such as tumor thickness, ulceration, age and sex were not significant. In the subgroup of patients with negative SLN, neither tumor thickness nor ulceration was significant. Conclusions: The status of the SLN represents the most important prognostic parameter in patients with thick melanomas, whereas other parameters such as tumor thickness and ulceration loose their prognostic value.
Taurine Prevents Tamoxifen‐Induced Mitochondrial Oxidative Damage in Mice
Authors: Parvez Suhel , Tabassum Heena , Banerjee Basu Dev , Raisuddin Sheikh 
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  Tamoxifen is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator widely used in the treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen potentially affects mitochondrial functions as it acts as an uncoupling agent and a powerful inhibitor of mitochondrial electron transport chain. There is concern for the deleterious effects of tamoxifen. Taurine is known to have membrane stabilizing and antioxidant properties. We studied effect of taurine pre‐treatment on the toxicity of tamoxifen in mouse liver mitochondria focusing specifically on the redox cycle biomarkers. Tamoxifen caused a significant rise in the mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and superoxide radical generation. There was a significant change in the mitochondrial thiol profile in the tamoxifen‐treated animals. Pre‐treatment of mice with taurine (100 mg/kg) markedly lowered mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and superoxide radical generation. It also restored decreased enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants of mitochondria. It is suggested that taurine has a potential role in ameliorating tamoxifen‐induced mitochondrial toxicity, and the protection is afforded either by reversing the decline of antioxidants or by the direct free radical‐scavenging activity.
Developing an Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System at a Teaching Hospital
Authors: Baniasadi Shadi , Fahimi Fanak , Shalviri Gloria 
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a frequent cause for hospitalization and occur often in hospitalized patients. The objective of this study was to establish an ADR reporting and monitoring system at a teaching hospital. The pharmacovigilance unit of Masih Daneshvari hospital was established by a clinical pharmacist and a clinical pharmacologist. Healthcare professionals were encouraged to report any suspected ADRs encountered in in‐patients. The incidence, pattern, seriousness, severity and preventability of the reported ADRs were analysed. During the period of 12 months, for 6840 patients, 112 spontaneous reports were received. The most frequently reported reactions were due to anti‐infective agents (58.2%). Ceftriaxone accounted for the highest number of the reported ADRs among anti‐infective agents. The skin and appendages system was the most frequently affected system (32.5% of all reactions). Seventeen per cent of the ADRs were reported as serious reactions. Although the incidence of ADRs reported by physicians and nurses was found to be low, this programme was useful as a preliminary programme in initiating a culture of ADR reporting among healthcare professionals. Improved communication between the physicians and nurses with the pharmacovigilance centre in the hospital is suggested.
Increased mast cell numbers in human patellar tendinosis: correlation with symptom duration and vascular hyperplasia
Authors: Scott A , Lian Ø , Bahr R , Hart D A , Duronio V , Khan K M 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:The cellular basis of painful tendon overuse pathology (tendinosis) is poorly understood. It has been suggested that because of the close anatomical associations between mast cells and vessels in connective tissues, mast cells may mediate the development of tendon hypervascularity or oedema.Objectives:To examine the distribution of mast cells in men and women with patellar tendinopathy.Design:Case–control study.Methods:Tendinopathic tissue was collected at open debridement of the patellar tendon and a control tendon from patients undergoing intramedullary nailing of the tibia. The tendon was assessed immunohistochemically by evaluating the distribution of mast cells (AA1), and markers for T lymphocytes (CD3) and macrophages (CD68). The vessel-area fraction was quantified using computer-assisted digital image analysis.Results:The prevalence of mast cells per mm2(mean 3.3 (SD 3.0)) was greater in tendinosis tissue than in controls (1.1 (1.5); p = 0.036). In patients with tendinosis, mast cell density was moderately correlated with the vessel-area fraction (r2 = 0.49) and with symptom duration (r2 = 0.52).Conclusion:Mast-cell prevalence in patellar tendinopathy was increased and was predominantly associated with vascular hyperplasia, particularly in patients with longstanding symptoms. Future research should investigate whether mast cells play direct or indirect modulatory roles in the development and progression of human tendinosis.
Effect of glucocorticosteroid injections in tennis elbow verified on colour Doppler ultrasonography: evidence of inflammation
Authors: Torp-Pedersen T E , Torp-Pedersen S T , Qvistgaard E , Bliddal H 
Published: February 2008

Objectives:It has previously been reported that lateral epicondylitis may be diagnosed with colour Doppler ultrasonography (US) by detecting hyperaemia inside the common extensor origin (CEO).This study reports on the association between Doppler US findings and the short-term response of US-guided corticosteroid injection in patients with LE.Design:Case-only, blinded intervention study.Setting:Secondary care at a government hospital.Patients:62 patients with LE verified by colour Doppler US.Intervention:One US-guided corticosteroid injection was given into the CEO.Main outcome measures:Patients were evaluated at baseline before the injection and at 2 weeks of follow-up. Outcome measures were changes in pain score and US parameters (resistive index (RI) and the amount of colour within the CEO). Prognosticators for outcome were: use of computer mouse, symptom duration, elbow strain, RI, colour fraction, Likert pain score, pain at rest, pain during activity, age, height, weight, disease in dominant versus nondominant arm.Results:All but one patient experienced improvement of general elbow pain perception at follow-up at 2 weeks. In parallel, Doppler US showed significant reduction in colour fraction (mean (standard deviation) with 95% confidence limits: baseline 0.14 (0.10), at follow-up 0.02 (0.02), p<0.0001). All but five patients showed a decrease in colour fraction; 74% decreased to 0. No clinical or US parameter could distinguish responders from non-responders.Conclusion:Corticosteroid injection has a marked short-term effect on pain and Doppler parameters. The reduction in hyperaemia mediated by an anti-inflammatory drug can be interpreted as evidence of an inflammatory component in LE.
Heart rate-based protocols for exercise challenge testing do not ensure sufficient exercise intensity for inducing exercise-induced bronchial obstruction
Authors: Trümper C , Mäueler S , Vobejda C , Zimmermann E 
Published: February 2008

Objective:To determine if a heart rate-based protocol for bronchial provocation testing ensures sufficient exercise intensity for inducing exercise-induced bronchial obstruction.Participants:100 clinically healthy non-asthmatic sports students.Design:Subjects underwent an exercise challenge test (ECT) on a treadmill ergometer for bronchial provocation according to the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Heart rate (HR), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), pH (pH) and lactate concentration were measured before and after exercise.Results:After exercise in 56% of the examined subjects lactate concentrations were <6 mmol/l. A highly significant decrease in FEV1(mean −4.41 (SD 1.5%)) was found at concentrations of >6 mmol/l, whereas at concentrations <6.48 mmol/l, no participant showed an impairment of lung function (FEV1values ⩽90%). In five subjects, a bronchial obstruction was found, as shown by decreases in FEV1of −10 to −47% after exercise. The lactate concentrations in these individuals were between 6.48 and 11.7 mmol/l, indicating a predominantly anaerobic metabolic response to exercise.Conclusion:These results show that the ATS standard protocol, using a heart rate formula for assessing the exercise intensity, is not sufficient to cause predominantly anaerobic lactate metabolism and hence exercise-induced hyperventilation. Therefore, a potential bronchial obstruction could not be induced in 56% of the subjects. For a sensitive study design, exercise intensities demanding anaerobic lactate metabolism should always be ensured. A more precise protocol is required.
Is heart rate a convenient tool to monitor over-reaching? A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Bosquet L , Merkari S , Arvisais D , Aubert A E 
Published: February 2008

Objective:A meta-analysis was conducted on the effect of overload training on resting HR, submaximal and maximal exercise HR (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV), to determine whether these measures can be used as valid markers of over-reaching.Methods:Six databases were searched using relevant terms and strategies. Criteria for study inclusion were: participants had to be competitive athletes, an increased training load intervention had to be used, and all necessary data to calculate effect sizes had to be available. An arbitrary limit of 2 weeks was chosen to make the distinction between short-term and long-term interventions. Dependent variables were HR and HRV (during supine rest). Standardised mean differences (SMD) in HR or HRV before and after interventions were calculated, and weighted according to the within-group heterogeneity to develop an overall effect.Results:In these competitive athletes, short-term interventions resulted in a moderate increase in both resting HR (SMD = 0.55; p = 0.01) and low frequency/high frequency ratio (SMD = 0.52; p = 0.02), and a moderate decrease in maximal HR (SMD = −0.75; p = 0.01). Long-term interventions resulted in a small decrease in HR during submaximal (SMD = −0.38; p = 0.006) and maximal exercise (SMD = −0.33; p = 0.007), without alteration of resting values.Conclusion:The small to moderate amplitude of these alterations limits their clinical usefulness, as expected differences may fall within the day-to-day variability of these markers. Consequently, correct interpretation of HR or HRV fluctuations during the training process requires the comparison with other signs and symptoms of over-reaching to be meaningful.
The practice of primary care sports medicine in the USA
Authors: Diehl J J , Pirozzolo J J , Best T M 
Published: February 2008

Objective:To investigate and to characterise the practice patterns, academic rank, and income variables that exist in order to better understand the career of a sports medicine physician in the USA.Design:A cross-sectional survey of family physicians holding a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine through the American Board of Family Medicine as of January 2006.Results:The survey was completed by 325 of 862 physicians (a return rate of 38%). Of all respondents, 212 (65%) reported completing a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, 276 (85%) were male and 49 (15%) were female, and 300 (92%) reported having a MD, while 25 (8%) had a DO. Clinical duties represented the largest proportion of the physicians’ schedules (7.94 half days/week), and the majority of physicians performed routine athletic event coverage. The average salary for all physicians was $166 000 US. Higher-income groups included: men ($172 000 vs $132 000 for women); regions including Central, South East, and South West; full professors; and non-student health or urgent care clinical work. With control for all other variables, four groups demonstrated significantly higher odds of being high income earners (annual gross salary > $200 000 US). These groups included age over 40, male sex, practice owner, and seeing over 10 patients per half day.Conclusions:Salary can be related to age, gender, number of patients seen, and practice ownership. No statistical difference among salaries was found between MDs and DOs, osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) practice, region of the country, or how practices are marketed.
Does the presence of proximal humerus growth plate changes in young baseball pitchers happen only in symptomatic athletes? Anxray evaluation of 21 young baseball pitchers
Authors: Murachovsky J , Ikemoto R Y , Nascimento L G P , Serpone Bueno R , Strose E , Almeida L H 
Published: February 2008

ObjectiveTo evaluate the presence ofxray changes in the proximal humerus growth plate of 21 young pitchers.DesignCase series.SettingThis study was conducted at the Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department of the ABC College of Medicine, Santo Andre, São Paulo, Brazil, tertiary institution.Patients21 male adolescent baseball pitchers, with a mean age of 14.5 years and selected from the Brazilian National Team, were studied.InterventionsThe patients underwentxray examinations of the shoulders.Main outcome measurementsThexrays of the pitchers’ shoulders were studied to determine any changes in the proximal humeral growth plate and correlate them with clinical findings.ResultsFourteen athletes (66%) had radiographic changes in the humerus growth plate but only 5 (36%) had pain complaints. Nine of these 14 cases (64%) whom the observers found radiographic changes did not complain of pain. It was also observed that there was a correlation in only 11 cases between clinical and radiographic evaluations.ConclusionRadiographic changes in the proximal humerus growth plate were found in 66% of the cases, but 64% were asymptomatic. These changes indicate possible evolution, in the future, to a greater degree of retroversion in pitchers’ dominant shoulders.
Walking or vitamin B for cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment? A randomised controlled trial
Authors: van Uffelen J G Z , Chinapaw M J M , van Mechelen W , Hopman-Rock M 
Published: February 2008

Objective:To examine the effects of aerobic exercise or vitamin B supplementation on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Design:Randomised placebo-controlled trial.Setting:General community.Participants:Community-dwelling adults aged 70–80 with MCI.Interventions: The 152 participants were randomly assigned to two interventions: (1) a twice-weekly, group-based, moderate-intensity walking programme (WP, n = 77) or a low-intensity placebo activity programme (n = 75) for one year; and (2) daily vitamin pill containing 5 mg folic acid, 0.4 mg vitamin B-12, 50 mg vitamin B-6 (FA/B12/B6, n = 78) or placebo pill (n = 74) for one year.Outcome measures:Cognitive function, measured with neuropsychological tests at baseline and after six and 12 months.Results:Median session attendance at the exercise programmes (25th–75th percentile) was 63% (2%–81%) and median compliance with taking pills (25th–75th percentile) was 100% (99%–100%). Gender was an effect modifier. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no main intervention effect for either intervention. In women in the WP, attention (Stroop combination task) improved by 0.3 seconds (p = 0.04) and memory (auditory verbal learning test) by 0.04 words (p = 0.06) with each percentage increase in session attendance. In men attending at least 75% of the sessions, the WP improved memory (β 1.5 (95% CI: 0.1 to 3.0) words).Conclusion:The walking programme and/or FA/B12/B6 supplementation were not effective in improving cognition within one year. The walking programme, however, was efficacious in improving memory in men and memory and attention in women with better adherence.Trial registration:International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register, 19227688,http://www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/
Comparison of interdevice measurement difference of pedometers in younger and older adults
Authors: Ayabe M , Ishii K , Takayama K , Aoki J , Tanaka H 
Published: February 2008

ObjectivesIn this study, the relationship between inter-instrument differences in regard to the daily number of steps with the intensity distribution of daily physical activity in younger and older adults was examined.Methods17 younger individuals and 28 older individuals wore two pedometers (Lifecorder (LC) and EC-200 (YM)) simultaneously for 7 days, in order to determine the number of steps each took. Furthermore, LC determined the time spent in light, moderate and vigorous physical activity, corresponding to <3 metabolic equivalent (METs), 3 to 6 METs and >6 METs, respectively.ResultsThe LC detected a significantly larger number of steps than YM (p<0.001), yet there was a strong relationship between the two measurements (r = 0.962, p<0.001). The interdevice difference with the number of steps significantly decreased in inactive older individuals compared with the active older and younger individuals, and it was also significantly negatively correlated with the time spent in light-intensity physical activity (LPA) (r = 0.523, p<0.01).ConclusionThis study showed that the interdevice difference with the number of steps significantly increased in older participants due to the greater length of time spent in LPAs.
Evolutionary Consequences of Coevolving Targets
Authors: Pagie Ludo , Hogeweg Paulien 
Published: February 2008

Most evolutionary optimization models incorporate a fitness evaluation that is based on a predefined static set of test cases or problems. In the natural evolutionary process, selection is of course not based on a static fitness evaluation. Organisms do not have to combat every existing disease during their lifespan; organisms of one species may live in different or changing environments; different species coevolve. This leads to the question of how information is integrated over many generations. This study focuses on the effects of different fitness evaluation schemes on the types of genotypes and phenotypes that evolve. The evolutionary target is a simple numerical function. The genetic representation is in the form of a program (i.e., a functional representation, as in genetic programming). Many different programs can code for the same numerical function. In other words, there is a many-to-one mapping between “genotypes” (the programs) and “phenotypes”. We compare fitness evaluation based on a large static set of problems and fitness evaluation based on small coevolving sets of problems. In the latter model very little information is presented to the evolving programs regarding the evolutionary target per evolutionary time step. In other words, the fitness evaluation is very sparse. Nevertheless the model produces correct solutions to the complete evolutionary target in about half of the simulations. The complete evaluation model, on the other hand, does not find correct solutions to the target in any of the simulations. More important, we find that sparse evaluated programs are better generalizable compared to the complete evaluated programs when they are evaluated on a much denser set of problems. In addition, the two evaluation schemes lead to programs that differ with respect to mutational stability; sparse evaluated programs are less stable than complete evaluated programs.