bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bowen's disease concealed by purpura
Authors: YOON Tae Young , KIM Hee Jung , KIM June Woo , KIM Mi Kyeong , LEE Ji Yeoun 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTBowen's disease (BD) is a squamous cell carcinoma in situ characterized by a well‐demarcated scaly erythematous thin plaque with an irregular outline. Clinically, BD is frequently misdiagnosed as superficial basal cell carcinoma, patches of dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus, actinic keratosis, benign lichenoid keratosis, irritated seborrheic keratosis, viral warts, amelanotic melanoma or melanoma. However, angiosarcoma has not usually been mentioned in the differential diagnosis of BD before. Herein, we describe two cases of BD presenting as purpura on the scalp of the elderly with an initial clinical suspicion of angiosarcoma.
The Journal of Inebriety (1876–1914): history, topical analysis, and photographic images
Authors: Weiner Barbara , White William 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTAims  The publication of the Journal of Inebriety (1876–1914) chronicled the rise and fall of the first era of organized addiction medicine in the United States.Methods  Findings from historical research, a content analysis of the Journal's 35 volumes and 141 issues and images from the Journal illustrate visually the medical treatment of addiction in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Results  Under the editorial direction of Dr T. D. Crothers, the Journal of Inebriety published papers and reviews focused primarily on the medical treatment of alcohol and opiate addiction within a growing international network of inebriate homes and asylums.Conclusions  The history of the Journal of Inebriety mirrors efforts in America to forge a legitimized field of addiction medicine amid conflicting conceptualizations of the nature of severe alcohol and other drug problems.
The vulnerability and resilience of Dioscorea species in utilized and nonutilized zones of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Authors: Byarugaba Dominic , Ndemere P. , Midgley J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe aim of this investigation was to present a status of Dioscorea species inventory, looking at abundance, distribution and on‐farm trials to sustain the need for its extraction from the forest by the Abayanda. The study looked at the vulnerability and resilience of Dioscorea species in and around Bwindi Impenetrable forest, south‐western Uganda. The biological association of Dioscorea species in eleven research sites of Nteko, Rubuguri, Nyabwishenya, Buhoma, Mpungu, Mushorero, Kagote, Migyera, Kitariro, Ntendure and Rwanju was ascertained. The success of this study was aided by the collaboration with the indigenous community of pygmies (Abayanda). This entailed the interpretation, description, analysis and identification of the data and voucher specimens of the Dioscorea species encountered in the research area. The study focused on the wild yams, a delicacy among the indigenous Abayanda people of Bwindi and Mgahinga forests presently known as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP). These two Afromontane forests are known to be rich in plant diversity. The study of Dioscorea species was confined to BINP forest where the numbers of Abayanda are more than those around MGNP and Echuya forest reserves.
Implications of assumption violation in density estimates of antelope from dung‐heap counts: a case study on grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) in Zimbabwe
Authors: Lunt Nicola , Bowkett Andrew E. , Plowman Amy B. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractDung‐heap counts were used to estimate density of grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia Linnaeus 1758) in the Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe. To test assumptions of this method, defecation rate and defecation site selection were investigated under captive and field conditions, and densities were compared with independent estimates derived from territory mapping. Many assumptions were violated: males defecated more frequently than females with mean dry mass per deposit greater in females, but total daily faecal production was similar between sexes. Spatial distribution of faeces was clumped, and 52.8% of locations contained multiple deposits. Duikers exhibited habitat type preferences (i.e. low‐ to medium‐density woodland) with herbaceous layer heights 40–100 cm and visibility >20 m. Calculated grey duiker density from dung‐heap counts in cleared plots was 9.7 ± 1.3 animals km−2, approximately double the territory‐mapping estimate based on Minimum Convex Polygons (5.13 animals km−2) but similar to the 75% Fixed Kernel estimate (10.95 animals km−2). Provided that sex ratios approach parity and sampled area is representative of all utilized habitats, violation of basic assumptions of the dung‐heap count method has a minor effect on density estimate accuracy.
Remission in acute refractory and relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following rituximab is associated with a reduction in IgG antibodies to ADAMTS‐13
Authors: Scully Marie , Cohen Hannah , Cavenagh Jamie , Benjamin Sylvia , Starke Richard , Killick Sally , Mackie Ian , Machin Samuel J. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life‐threatening disorder and plasma exchange (PEX) remains the primary treatment modality. Twenty‐five patients with acute refractory/relapsing idiopathic TTP received rituximab in conjunction with PEX because of progressive clinical disease or deterioration in laboratory parameters, despite intensive standard therapy. In relapsing TTP, rituximab was started if antibody to ADAMTS‐13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif‐13) was demonstrated during previous episodes. All 25 patients attained complete clinical and laboratory remission in a median of 11 d after initiating rituximab. In 21 cases, ADAMTS‐13 activity was within the normal range following rituximab. Inhibitors were detected in 24/25 patients by mixing studies and/or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to ADAMTS‐13 pre‐rituximab. There was no evidence of inhibitors and/or IgG activity <10% in 23/25 patients following rituximab. In acute refractory cases, the median number of PEX pre‐rituximab and following the first rituximab infusion was 13 and 9, respectively. There have been no infectious complications, despite low CD 19 levels and no relapses. In patients with acute refractory/relapsing idiopathic TTP, rituximab appears to be a safe, effective, targeted therapy with a significant reduction in the requirement for PEX.
‘Thoughtful’ practice: child care social work and the role of case discussion
Authors: Ruch Gillian 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTSince the publication of Lord Laming’s inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbé there have been a number of insightful and thoughtful papers into the professional context and circumstances that surrounded this tragedy. Those papers highlight the insufficient thought given to the psychosocial dimensions of Victoria’s situation, their impact on professional practice and the support needs of practitioners. This paper explores the tensions between ‘doing’ and ‘thinking’ in contemporary practice and draws on psychodynamic concepts to inform our understanding of why individuals and organizations behave in repetitiously compulsive ways. A case discussion model is outlined and its potential for addressing the psychodynamic demands facing practitioners and front‐line managers is considered.
Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate in atopic and non‐atopic preschool children with recurrent wheezing
Authors: Kim D. K. , Choi S. H. , Yu J. , Yoo Y. , Koh Y. Y. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
It is well known that atopy is a major determinant of bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (BHR) in both asymptomatic and asthmatic children. However, the relationship between atopy and BHR has not been well studied in preschool children with wheezing. BHR is usually measured by bronchial challenges using direct and indirect stimuli.Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate whether atopic and non‐atopic preschool wheezers display similar or different BHR profiles for direct and indirect stimuli.Methods
Methacholine and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP) bronchial challenges were performed in 4 to 6‐year‐old children with recurrent wheezing, using a modified auscultation method. The end‐point was defined as the appearance of wheezing and/or oxygen desaturation. Atopy was determined to be present when a child had at least one positive reaction to a panel of 13 common airborne allergens in the presence of positive and negative controls.Results
A positive response to methacholine (an end‐point concentration 8 mg/mL) was observed in 89.3% (50/56) of atopic wheezers and in 83.8% (31/37) of non‐atopic wheezers (P=0.44) for the difference. By contrast, the frequency of a positive response to AMP (an end‐point concentration 200 mg/mL) was significantly higher in the atopic group (47/56, 83.9%) compared with the non‐atopic group (12/37, 32.4%; P<0.01).Conclusion
While a majority of both atopic and non‐atopic preschool wheezers were hyper‐responsive to methacholine, atopic subjects were more hyper‐responsive to AMP than non‐atopic subjects. These findings suggest that atopic and non‐atopic wheeze in preschool children are related to distinctive pathophysiologic pathways.
Standardized training for healthcare professionals and its impact on patients with perennial rhinitis: a multi‐centre randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sheikh A. , Khan‐Wasti S. , Price D. , Smeeth L. , Fletcher M. , Walker S. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Perennial rhinitis is common and often results in substantial, potentially avoidable, impairment of quality of life. Quality of rhinitis care has been shown to be sub‐optimal in general practice. Rigorous evaluation of educational interventions for healthcare professionals using randomized controlled trials is very uncommon.Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of standardized allergy training for healthcare professionals on patients' disease‐specific quality of life.Methods
Patients with clinician diagnosed perennial rhinitis and/or a prescription for relevant nasal medication were recruited from general practice. Following baseline measurement of quality of life using the validated rhino‐conjunctivitis questionnaire (RQLQ), patients were centrally randomized to receive care from an allergy‐trained primary healthcare professional or routine care. RQLQ was measured again at 13 months after randomization.Results
Process measures revealed that the training was well received. 202 patients were included in the intention‐to‐treat analysis and 157 in the per‐protocol analysis. There was a 0.23 greater mean improvement in quality‐of‐life scores in the intervention group when compared with controls (P=0.08) in the intention‐to‐treat analysis, this increasing to a 0.3 greater mean improvement if confined to a per‐protocol analysis (P=0.05). The intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that 39/101 (39%) in the intervention group showed a clinically significant 0.5 improvement in RQLQ compared with 28/101 (28%) of controls (risk difference=11%, number needed to treat=9, P=0.1).Conclusions
Standardized allergy education given to primary healthcare professionals leads to modest improvements in disease‐specific quality of life in patients with perennial rhinitis.
Asthma in young south Asian women living in the United Kingdom: the importance of early life
Authors: Kuehni C. E. , Strippoli M‐P. F. , Low N. , Silverman M. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Studies of immigrants suggest that the environment during fetal life and duration of residence in the host country might influence the development of asthma. Little is known about the importance of the timing of the exposure in the host country and whether migrants might be especially vulnerable in certain age windows.Objective
We compared the reported prevalence of asthma between young white and south Asian women in the United Kingdom, and investigated associations with country of birth and age at immigration.Methods
A questionnaire on atopic disorders was posted to 2380 south Asian and 5796 white young mothers randomly sampled in Leicestershire. Data on ethnicity were also available from maternity records. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression and a propensity score approach.Results
The reported prevalence of asthma was 10.9% in south Asian and 21.8% in white women. South Asian women who migrated to the United Kingdom aged 5 years or older reported less asthma (6.5%) than those born in the United Kingdom or who migrated before age 5 (16.0%), with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.38 [95% Confidence Interval 0.23–0.64, P<0.001]. For those who migrated aged over 5 years, the prevalence did not alter with the duration of residence in the United Kingdom. Current exposure to common environmental risk factors had relatively little effect on prevalence estimates.Conclusion
These data from a large population‐based study support the hypothesis that early life environmental factors influence the risk of adult asthma.
Inhaled allergen‐driven CD1c up‐regulation and enhanced antigen uptake by activated human respiratory‐tract dendritic cells in atopic asthma
Authors: McCarthy N. E. , Jones H. A. , Marks N. A. , Shiner R. J. , Ind P. W. , Al‐Hassi H. O. , English N. R. , Murray C. M. , Lambert J. R. , Knight S. C. , Stagg A. J. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Dendritic cells (DC) mediate inflammation in rodent models of allergic airway disease, but the role played by human respiratory‐tract DC (hRTDC) in atopic asthma remains poorly defined. Recent data suggest that CD1 antigen presentation by hRTDC may contribute to asthma pathogenesis.Objective
To investigate the influence of hRTDC on the balance between atopy and allergic asthma in human subjects and to determine whether CD1 expression by hRTDC is modulated during asthmatic inflammation.Methods
Sputum cells were induced from steroid‐naïve, allergen‐challenged and allergen‐naïve subjects (atopic asthmatics, atopic non‐asthmatics and non‐atopic controls). hRTDC were identified using monoclonal antibody labelling and analysis by flow cytometry.Results
hRTDC stained HLA‐DR+ (negative for markers of other cell lineages) were predominantly myeloid and comprised ∼0.5% of viable sputum cells. Sputum cells were potent stimulators of allogeneic CD4+ naïve T cells and enrichment/depletion experiments correlated stimulatory potency with DC numbers. Sputum contained cells that exhibited typical dendritic morphology when analysed by electron microscopy. Myeloid hRTDC were endocytically active, but uptake of FITC‐dextran was enhanced in cells from asthmatics (P<0.001). Despite their increased endocytic capacity, asthmatic myeloid hRTDC appeared mature and expressed increased levels of maturation markers (P<0.05–P<0.001), CD1c, CD1d and langerin (P<0.05). CD1c expression by asthmatic myeloid hRTDC was enhanced upon in vivo allergen challenge (three to ninefold within 24 h; P<0.05). CD11c−CD123high hRTDC were only detected in asthmatic sputum and were increased in number following allergen challenge.Conclusion
Despite limited cell numbers, it proved possible to analyse human RTDC in induced sputum, providing evidence that increased antigen uptake and enhanced CD1 presentation by activated hRTDC may contribute to allergic airway disease. CD1 presentation by hRTDC in atopic asthma may therefore constitute a novel target for future intervention strategies.
Histamine prevents apoptosis in human monocytes
Authors: Soga F. , Katoh N. , Kishimoto S. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackgroundAs chronic atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with activation of circulating and infiltrating monocytes, monocytes are considered to play a pivotal role in the establishment of chronic lesions in AD. Histamine is an important mediator of inflammatory and allergic responses. Although new immunomodulatory functions of histamine have recently become apparent, the effect of histamine on the life span of monocytes remains unclear.ObjectiveIn the present study, we investigated the effect of histamine on the life span of human monocytes from normal healthy donors and patients with AD.MethodsMonocyte apoptosis was induced by serum deprivation, CD95/Fas ligation, or dexamethasone in the presence of histamine, and measured using annexin V‐and propidium iodide‐staining. Bcl‐2 protein and activated caspase‐3 were determined by flow cytometry. We also examined the effect of soluble, histamine‐induced factors produced by monocytes on apoptosis. Furthermore, we examined whether monocytic apoptosis is dependent on the cAMP pathway.ResultsHistamine prevented monocytic apoptosis induced by serum deprivation, CD95/Fas ligation, or dexamethasone in a dose‐ and time‐dependent fashion. The inhibitory effects of histamine on monocytic apoptosis were blocked by an H2R antagonist, and mimicked by an H2R agonist. Histamine also up‐regulated the expression of Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1, and inhibited the activation of caspase‐3. The culture supernatants from histamine‐treated monocytes inhibited monocytic apoptosis, which was partly reversed by the removal of IL‐10. Monocytes cultured with anti‐IL‐10 mAb and histamine did not exhibit an inhibitory effect on apoptosis. The histamine‐induced anti‐apoptotic effect was attenuated when monocytes were cultured in the presence of a cAMP inhibitor.ConclusionsThese results indicate that the H2R signals induced by histamine allow monocytes to prolong their life span and infiltrate to the site of inflammation. This process may contribute to the establishment of chronic allergic disorders, such as AD.
Effects of egg albumen removal on yellow‐legged gull chick phenotype
Authors: ALQUATI A. BONISOLI , RUBOLINI D. , ROMANO M. , BONCORAGLIO G. , FASOLA M. , SAINO N. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryEgg size is an important maternal trait that can have major consequences on offspring phenotype. However, the effects of the variation of different components of cleidoic eggs have been little investigated.Here, we addressed whether a reduction of the relative egg albumen content within the natural range of variation affects viability, time to hatching, early post‐natal begging displays, morphology and immune response of yellow‐legged gullLarus michahellischicks.Egg mass strongly positively predicted chick size and mass at all ages, while time to hatching positively predicted tarsus length and immune response, irrespective of albumen removal. Variation in time to hatching may thus affect immune system maturation.Albumen removal resulted in a lower embryonic viability and increased time to hatching of individual eggs. The probability that an egg originated a chick surviving until 8 days of age increased with original egg mass among controls, but not among chicks hatching from eggs with reduced albumen content (‘albumen chicks’).Begging rate increased with laying order among albumen chicks while it decreased among controls. Concomitantly, begging rate decreased with egg mass among controls while it did not vary among albumen chicks. Surprisingly, albumen removal did not affect body mass or tarsus length except at 8 days of age, when control chicks were lighter than albumen chicks.In conclusion, our study indicates that a reduction of the relative egg albumen content can have complex effects on offspring development, behaviour and viability of a semiprecocial bird, suggesting that the relative albumen content of the eggs represents an important mechanism of maternal effects.
Host condition and host immunity affect parasite fitness in a bird–ectoparasite system
Authors: TSCHIRREN BARBARA , BISCHOFF LINDA L. , SALADIN VERENA , RICHNER HEINZ 
Published: December 2006

SummaryParasites might preferentially feed on hosts in good nutritional condition as such hosts provide better resources for the parasites’ own growth, survival and reproduction. However, hosts in prime condition are also better able to develop costly immunological or physiological defence mechanisms, which in turn reduce the parasites’ reproductive success. The interplay between host condition, host defence and parasite fitness will thus play an important part in the dynamics of host–parasite systems.In a 2 × 2 design, we manipulated both the access to food in great titParus majorbroods and the exposure of the nestlings to hen fleasCeratophyllus gallinae, a common ectoparasite of hole‐breeding birds. We subsequently investigated the role of manipulated host condition, host immunocompetence, and experimentally induced host defence in nestlings on the reproductive success of individual hen flea females.The food supplementation of the nestlings significantly influenced the parasites’ reproductive success. Female fleas laid significantly more eggs when feeding on food‐supplemented hosts.Previous parasite exposure of the birds affected the reproductive success of fleas. However, the impact of this induced host response on flea reproduction depended on the birds’ natural level of immunocompetence, assessed by the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin test. Flea fecundity significantly decreased with increasing PHA response of the nestlings in previously parasite‐exposed broods. No relationship between flea fitness and host immunocompetence was, however, found in previously unexposed broods. The PHA response thus correlates with the nestlings’ ability to mount immunological or physiological defence mechanisms against hen fleas. No significant interaction effect between early flea exposure and food supplementation on the parasites’ reproductive success was found.Our study shows that the reproductive success of hen fleas is linked to the hosts’ food supply early in life and their ability to mount induced immunological or physiological defence mechanisms. These interactions between host quality and parasite fitness are likely to influence host preference, host choice and parasite virulence and thus the evolutionary dynamics in host–parasite systems.
Functional analysis of Drosophila melanogaster hexokinase Hex‐A locus: multiple Initiator‐like elements enhance DPE containing promoter activity
Authors: Jayakumar P. C. , Shouche Y. S. , Patole M. S. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractFlight muscle Hexokinase‐A (HEX‐A) is the most conserved and essential hexokinase isoenzyme among Drosophila species. In this study, the Hex‐A locus, encoding the HEX‐A isoenzyme, has been analysed for the elements regulating its expression. By sequencing the 5′ ends of Hex‐A cDNA amplified by 5′ RACE, we identified a transcription start site that overlapped the Initiator and downstream promoter elements. A 214 bp sequence, encompassing transcription start sites and promoter elements, was required for minimal promoter activity. DNA sequence to the 5′ end of the minimal promoter element did not demonstrate any promoter activity; however, its inclusion with the basal promoter element enhanced the promoter activity. Oligonucleotide competition and site‐directed mutagenesis identified the Initiator‐like sequences, TCAWT, present in this region that were responsible for enhancing the promoter activity. The Hex‐A locus is expressed as a single protein in Drosophila cell line, whereas in pupae, larvae and adult flies, it is expressed as two distinct types.