bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early phase of reperfusion of human kidney allograft does not affect an erythrocyte anti‐oxidative system
Authors: DOMAŃSKI LESZEK , DOŁ GOWSKA BARBARA , SAFRANOW KRZYSZTOF , MYŚLAK MAREK , RÓŻAŃSKI JACEK , ROMANOWSKI MACIEJ , OSTROWSKI MAREK , DOMAŃSKI MACIEJ , PAWLIK ANDRZEJ , CIECHANOWSKI KAZIMIERZ 
Published: September 2006

SUMMARY:Background: Generation of reactive oxygen specimens is the basic mechanism leading to ischaemia/reperfusion injury of the kidney graft. Oxygen burst is a trigger for sophisticated biochemical changes leading to generation of oxygenated lipids and changes in microcirculation, which recruit recipient’s neutrophils and contribute to delayed graft function. It has been shown that the free radicals generation correlates with the activity of anti‐oxidative system. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) are involved in protection against free radicals.Aim: To examine the activity of erythrocyte anti‐oxidative system during reperfusion of the transplanted kidney allograft.Methods: The study included 40 renal transplant recipients. Blood was taken from the iliac vein before transplantation and from the graft’s renal vein immediately, as well as 2 and 4 min after total reperfusion. The authors assessed the process of reperfusion using ThermaCAM SC500 termovision camera. Spectrophotometric methods were used to measure superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity as well as glutathione concentrations in erythrocytes.Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase as well as glutathione concentrations during the first 4 min after total graft reperfusion. Nevertheless, there was a positive correlation between the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.Conclusion: The results suggest that the erythrocyte anti‐oxidative system is stable during the early phase after reperfusion. An association between some anti‐oxidative enzymes was noted.
Role of C‐reactive protein, reticulocyte haemoglobin content and inflammatory markers in iron and erythropoietin administration in dialysis patients
Authors: EL‐KHATIB MAHMOUD , DUNCAN HEATHER J , KANT K SHASHI 
Published: September 2006

SUMMARY:Aim:  C‐reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant protein, which becomes elevated in response to inflammation, infections or malignancies. These conditions are well known causes of bone marrow hyporesponsiveness and erythropoietin resistance in dialysis patients. The role of iron‐deficiency as a cause of hyporesponsiveness under these conditions is not clear. Reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) is one of several iron indices used to determine iron deficiency in dialysis patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of CRP and CHr in iron administration and anaemia management in dialysis patientsMethods:  In 47 haemodialysis patients with ferritin levels of >500 ng/mL, CRP, CHr, transferrin saturation (TSAT), other markers and erythropoietin dose were evaluated. Patients with CRP < 5 mg/L (Group A) were compared to patients with CRP > 5 mg/L (Group B).Results:  Ferritin levels in the two groups were not different. Weekly erythropoietin was significantly different between the two groups. Group B required an average of 121% more erythropoietin than Group A to maintain similar haemoglobin levels of 11–12 g/dL 36% of Group B had CHr < 29 pg versus 7% of patients in Group A. 39% of patients in Group B also had TSAT < 20% versus 0% in Group A. Group A also had more arteriovenous (AV) fistulae as dialysis access than group B.Conclusion:  Data indicate that low CHr, similar to low TSAT, could be associated with inflammatory process and erythropoietin resistance, but not necessarily with iron‐deficiency. High CRP association with low CHr and low TSAT levels can explain the lack of response to further IV iron therapy. AV grafts, contrary to AV fistulae, are associated with high inflammatory markers and also with a higher erythropoietin requirement.
Postoperative neuroleptic malignant syndrome that occurred repeatedly in a patient with cerebral palsy
Authors: TSUCHIYA NAOHISA , MORIMURA ERI , HANAFUSA TETSUJI , SHINOMURA TETSUTARO 
Published: September 2006

SummaryA wide variety of neuroleptic agents are associated with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). However, the association between general anesthesia and NMS is uncertain. We report a case of a patient with cerebral palsy, who showed signs of NMS only after repeated general anesthesia. The patient received general anesthesia three times in a period of 9 months. The first anesthetic passed uneventfully. NMS symptoms were observed only after the second and third anesthetics. The NMS was effectively treated with IV dantrolene and the patient recovered on both occasions. Inhalational anesthetics, muscle relaxants and fentanyl were suspected as possible triggering factors for NMS. After examining the three anesthesia records and previous publications, we surmized that a nondepolarizing muscle relaxant was associated with NMS in this patient.
The Coral Probiotic Hypothesis
Authors: Reshef Leah , Koren Omry , Loya Yossi , Zilber‐Rosenberg Ilana , Rosenberg Eugene 
Published: September 2006

SummaryEmerging diseases have been responsible for the death of about 30% of corals worldwide during the last 30 years. Coral biologists have predicted that by 2050 most of the world's coral reefs will be destroyed. This prediction is based on the assumption that corals can not adapt rapidly enough to environmental stress‐related conditions and emerging diseases. Our recent studies of the Vibrio shiloi/Oculina patagonica model system of the coral bleaching disease indicate that corals can indeed adapt rapidly to changing environmental conditions by altering their population of symbiotic bacteria. These studies have led us to propose the Coral Probiotic Hypothesis. This hypothesis posits that a dynamic relationship exists between symbiotic microorganisms and environmental conditions which brings about the selection of the most advantageous coral holobiont. Changing their microbial partners would allow the corals to adapt to changing environmental conditions more rapidly (days to weeks) than via mutation and selection (many years). An important outcome of the Probiotic Hypothesis would be development of resistance of the coral holobiont to diseases. The following evidence supports this hypothesis: (i) Corals contain a large and diverse bacterial population associated with their mucus and tissues; (ii) the coral‐associated bacterial population undergoes a rapid change when environmental conditions are altered; and (iii) although lacking an adaptive immune system (no antibodies), corals can develop resistance to pathogens. The Coral Probiotic Hypothesis may help explain the evolutionary success of corals and moderate the predictions of their demise.
A NOTE ON SAMPLING DESIGNS FOR RANDOM PROCESSES WITH NO QUADRATIC MEAN DERIVATIVE
Authors: Mukherjee Bhramar 
Published: September 2006

SummarySeveral authors have previously discussed the problem of obtaining asymptotically optimal design sequences for estimating the path of a stochastic process using intricate analytical techniques. In this note, an alternative treatment is provided for obtaining asymptotically optimal sampling designs for estimating the path of a second order stochastic process with known covariance function. A simple estimator is proposed which is asymptotically equivalent to the full‐fledged best linear unbiased estimator and the entire asymptotics are carried out through studying this estimator. The current approach lends an intuitive statistical perspective to the entire estimation problem.
GIBBS SAMPLERS FOR A SET OF SEEMINGLY UNRELATED REGRESSIONS
Authors: Griffiths William E. , Valenzuela Ma. Rebecca 
Published: September 2006

SummaryBayesian estimation of a collection of seemingly unrelated regressions, referred to as a ‘set of seemingly unrelated regressions’ is considered. The collection of seemingly unrelated regressions is linked by common coefficients and/or a common error covariance matrix. Gibbs samplers useful for estimating posterior quantities are described and one of them is applied to a set of linear expenditure functions to estimate household equivalent scales.
Getting the Ball Rolling: Voluntary Contributions to a Large‐Scale Public Project
Authors: YILDIRIM HUSEYIN 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis paper examines dynamic voluntary contributions to a large‐scale project. In equilibrium, contributions are influenced by the interplay of two opposing incentives. While agents prefer to free ride on others for contributions, they also prefer to encourage others to contribute by increasing their own. Main findings of the paper are that (1) agents increase their contributions as the project moves forward; (2) as additional agents join the group, existing agents increase their contributions in the initial stages of the project while reducing them in the stages close to completion; (3) groups that are formed by more patient agents and that undertake larger projects tend to be larger; and (4) groups that rely on voluntary contributions tend to be too small compared to the social optimum. The empirical evidence on contributions to open‐source software projects provides partial support for these findings.
Product Quality and the Optimal Structure of Commodity Taxes
Authors: DELIPALLA SOFIA , KEEN MICHAEL 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe comparison between ad valorem and specific taxation is among the oldest issues in formal public finance and is important for policy in the European Union (EU) and elsewhere. This paper develops and articulates simple but very general elasticity rules that characterize the optimal balance between the two in a model of endogenous product quality. These rules temper the preference for ad valorem taxation that emerges from homogeneous product models, pointing to relatively heavy reliance on whichever form of taxation has the least effect on product quality.
The Economics of Bipartisan Campaign Reform
Authors: CADIGAN JOHN 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis essay evaluates two provisions in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA): raising contribution limits and banning soft money. The model highlights the importance of marginal cost ratios for candidates and their parties. The results suggest that raising contribution limits protects incumbents. Importantly, this generates efficiency gains that come at the expense of electoral competitiveness. When a party has an advantage in a large number of districts, the soft money ban may also reduce rent‐seeking effort while exacerbating existing advantages. Ultimately, the two provisions underscore an “equity‐efficiency” trade‐off. While restricting rent‐seeking effort, they probably lead to less competitive elections.
Passive Industry Interests in a Large Polity
Authors: LEAVER CLARE , MAKRIS MILTIADIS 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe seek to explain the puzzle of passive industry interests. Taking the formation decision as given, we focus on the ability of a political action committee (PAC) to elicit voluntary donations for campaign giving. We show that, when the number of stakeholders is large and uncertain, PACs behave counteractively. That is, a single PAC that does not oppose the government's prior preference raises resources whenever an opponent poses a credible threat to secure policy favors. By implication money never actually changes hands, prompting the suggestion that counteractive behavior may lie behind the well‐documented, and consistently low, levels of PAC disbursements.
The Optimal Use of Fines and Imprisonment If Governments Do Not Maximize Welfare
Authors: DITTMANN INGOLF 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe consider a stylized model of crime and punishment in which the prosecution policy is defined by three variables: the size of punishment, the type of punishment, and the detection probability. We derive the optimal type of punishment under the assumption that the detection probability is chosen by a government whose objective function places a higher weight on the government's budget than the social welfare function does. We show that for serious crimes exclusive imprisonment is welfare maximizing. If costs of imprisonment are taken into account, the optimal punishment is a prison term with an additional fine that is smaller or equal to the costs of the prison term. For less serious crimes, fines without imprisonment are welfare maximizing. Therefore, this paper demonstrates that the standard result of the literature that fines should be used whenever feasible need not hold in the presence of a rent‐seeking government. Moreover, it offers a new explanation for the widespread use of mandatory imprisonment for serious crimes.
Optimal Age‐Specific Income Taxation
Authors: LOZACHMEUR JEAN‐MARIE 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis paper studies optimal earnings taxation in a three‐period life‐cycle model where taxes can be differentiated according to age. Agents choose their level of education when young and their retirement age when old. I study the problem both without and with borrowing constraints. It is shown that, without borrowing constraints, a first‐best optimum can be decentralized by setting a zero tax rate in the third period and a first‐period tax lower than the second‐period one. With borrowing constraints, the first best can no longer be achieved. The gap between the first‐ and second‐period tax rates is larger, while the third‐period tax rate is generally different from zero.
Familial occurrence of pseudoxanthoma‐elasticum‐like papillary dermal elastolysis
Authors: Orlandi Augusto , Bianchi Luca , Nini Gabriele , Spagnoli Luigi Giusto 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe report the morphological, immmunohistochemical and ultrastructural cutaneous findings of two sisters, aged 72–74, with pseudoxanthoma‐elasticum‐like papillary dermal elastolysis (PDE), recently defined as an age‐related condition. To our knowledge, these are the first familial cases of PDE reported in the literature. The lesions appeared as small, asymptomatic, soft papules around the neck and axillary regions. The affected skin revealed a marked decrease of normal elastic network of papillary dermis without alterations in either the relevant collagen or reticular dermis. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical examinations showed activated dermal fibroblasts with abundant elongated dendritic cytoplasmic processes and the absence of myofibroblasts. The well documented avoidance of sun exposure (the patients are both nuns), the rare incidence of the disorder (only six cases reported), and the familial occurrence suggest that genetic or inherited predisposition should also be considered in the pathogenesis of PDE.
Erythrokeratoderma variabilis: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Papadavid E. , Koumantaki E. , Dawber R.P.R. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe report two patients, mother and daughter, with Erythrokeratoderma variabilis (EV). This rare genodermatosis is characterized by the presence of two components: migratory erythema and fixed hyperkeratosis. Our patients experienced symptomatic relief of pruritus associated with erythema with the use of an oral, low‐sedating H1antihistamine. Revision of the literature in order to allocate the frequency of pruritus in EV and discussion of this association will follow.
Topical therapy in acne
Authors: Gollnick H. , Schramm M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe majority of acne patients will receive a topical treatment either as monotherapy or in combination with a systemic drug therapy depending on the severity of the disease. The currently available topical agents affect at least one of the four main pathogenetic factors responsible for the development of acne, i.e. hyperkeratosis, microbial colonization, immune response and inflammation. Retinoids, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics represent the spectrum of the established and proven topical agents. Presumably, antiandrogenic agents will soon be available for topical use to treat the important factor of seborrhea. In general, by combining topical agents, their potency can be enhanced and toxicity diminished. Unfortunately, bacterial resistances are beginning to emerge as a significant problem.
Generalized pustular drug eruptions: confirmation by in vitro tests
Authors: Lazarov A. , Livni E. , Halevy S. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground Generalized pustular eruptions are characterized by acute onset of aseptic pustules in febrile patients with leukocytosis after exposure to the offending drug. They have been regarded as uncommon manifestations of adverse drug reactions. Until now few confirmation studies have been carried out.Objective Our purpose was to describe a series of patients with generalized pustular drug eruption. The diagnosis and etiological role of drugs in these cases was confirmed by two in vitro tests, namely the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and the mast cell degranulation (MCD) tests.Methods The clinical, pathological and laboratory findings in six patients with generalized pustular eruption were studied prospectively. The MIF and MCD tests were performed with the drugs taken by the patients.Results The dermatological manifestations included numerous pustules on large erythematous areas, papules and erythema multiforme‐like lesions. The pustular eruption developed between 12 h and 5 days after the administration of the provoking drug. The histopathological changes were characterized by subcorneal pustules, papillary edema and mixed cell inflammatory infiltrate. In two biopsies the infiltrate displayed numerous eosinophils. Laboratory investigations revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia (4 of 6 patients) and eosinophilia and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (2 of 6 patients).MCD tests with the suspected drugs (Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Tetracycline, Griseofulvin, Enalapril Maleate) were positive in all patients. Positive MIF results were seen in five of the six patients. Withdrawal of the drug led to fast recovery.Conclusion The diagnosis of pustular drug eruptions depends on circumstantial evidence, some characteristic clinico‐pathological findings and exclusion of alternative diagnoses of other disseminated pustular eruptions. In vitro tests, namely MIF and MCD tests, are a useful diagnostic aid in the identification of the offending drugs.
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by low‐dose methotrexate: in vitro evidence for an immunologic mechanism
Authors: Halevy Sima , Giryes Hani , Avinoach Liana , Livni Ella , Sukenik Shaul 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe rare occurrence of methotrexate (MTX)‐induced vasculitis has been associated mainly with high or intermediate MTX doses. We report herein a case of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) following treatment with low‐dose oral MTX (7.5 mg/week) for rheumatoid arthritis. The histological findings of a cutaneous lesion were consistent with drug‐induced vasculitis. The clinical and histological findings, including the temporal relationship between MTX intake and the onset of vasculitis, and the results of withdrawal and rechallenge tests, suggest a causal relationship, and indicate a drug‐induced LCV due to MTX. The role of MTX in the induction of the vasculitis was further supported by a positive mast cell degranulation (MCD) test.
Contact allergens in patients with leg ulcers
Authors: Katsarou‐Katsari A. , Armenaka M. , Katsenis K. , Papageorgiou M. , Katsambas A. , Bareltzides A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground Contact dermatitis can complicate the treatment of leg ulcers and is an acquired phenomenon resulting from the use of topical medications.Objective To show the incidence of contact dermatitis reactions to topical medications applied to leg ulcers and to evidence changing trends in such reactions through comparison of two case series about 20 years apart.Subjects and methods We studied two groups of patients with leg ulcers that were patch tested with contact allergens in 1973–1974 and in 1994–1995.Results One or more positive patch tests was present in 75% and 40% of the patients, respectively. A decrease in the incidence of positive reactions to neomycin, local anesthetics and parabens mix was seen in 1994–1995. The most important contact allergens in 1994–1995 were fragrance mix, colophony and the excipients wool alcohols and amerchol. Other relevant sensitizers were formaldehyde, neomycin and gentamycin.Conclusion The changing trends in contact allergens over the last 20 years may be explained by changes in the components of topical agents used for treatment.
South American cutaneous leishmaniasis: report of ten cases in Israeli travelers
Authors: Zlotogorski A. , Gilead L. , Jonas F. , Horev L. , Klaus S.N. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground Cutaneous South American leishmaniasis is caused by several species of leishmaniasis. Lack of appropriate treatment may lead to mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, mainly with L. b. braziliensis and L. b. panamensis.Objective To describe the clinical findings of Israeli travelers infected with cutaneous South American leishmaniasis and to draw attention to this problem.Subjects Ten patients were interviewed, examined and treated.Results Twenty‐two lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis were found, all in exposed areas. Patients were seen by an average three physicians (range 1–6) before the final diagnosis was confirmed by direct smear, after an average period of 125 days (range 88–270 days). Treatment with Pentostam was started after an average period of 134 days (range 94–275 days). All lesions healed completely, but with scarring.Conclusion Travelers to endemic areas, as well as physicians, should be instructed about the potential risks and the clinical manifestations of cutaneous and mucocutaneous South American leishmaniasis. Such awareness will prevent undue delay in diagnosis and treatment.