bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microscale oxygen distribution in various invertebrate burrow walls
Authors: ZORN M. E. , LALONDE S. V. , GINGRAS M. K. , PEMBERTON S. G. , KONHAUSER K. O. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTProfiles of dissolved oxygen were measured in pore waters of unburrowed sediment and the burrow walls of seven invertebrate dwellings. Burrows studied include those of Corophium volutator, Heteromastus filiformis, Arenicola marina, Saccoglossus bromophenolosus, Clymenella sp., Hemigrapsus oregonensis and Cirriformia luxuriosa all from mudflats in Willapa Bay, Washington. These animals comprise a range of burrow architectures ranging from simple, unlined burrows to more complex, mucous lined burrows. Oxygen penetrated unburrowed sediment between depths of 0.4–2.6 mm, whereas oxygen penetrated the burrow walls from 0.3 mm to 2.3 mm. Three groups of burrows are recognized based on the oxygen diffusive properties relative to the unburrowed sediment including those that: (1) slightly impeded oxygen penetration, (2) clearly inhibited oxygen penetration, and (3) enhanced oxygen penetration. Differences in the diffusive properties of the burrow wall are related to the burrow microstructure and presumably the microbial communities living within the burrow microenvironment. The results of this study suggest that burrow shape and burrow‐wall architecture may play an important role in controlling the diffusion of oxygen, and possibly of other dissolved gases (i.e. CO2, H2S). The results further demonstrate that simplified assumptions (i.e. that bioturbation uniformly enhances oxygen diffusion into suboxic and anoxic sediments), while requisite for numerical modelling, are not necessarily representative of field data.
Determination of isotope fractionation factors and quantification of carbon flow by stable carbon isotope signatures in a methanogenic rice root model system
Authors: PENNING H. , TYLER S. C. , CONRAD R. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTMethanogenic processes can be quantified by stable carbon isotopes, if necessary modeling parameters, especially fractionation factors, are known. Anoxically incubated rice roots are a model system with a dynamic microbial community and thus suitable to investigate principal geochemical processes in anoxic natural systems. Here we applied an inhibitor of acetoclastic methanogenesis (methyl fluoride), calculated the thermodynamics of the involved processes, and analyzed the carbon stable isotope signatures of CO2, CH4, propionate, acetate and the methyl carbon of acetate to characterize the carbon flow during anaerobic degradation of rice roots to the final products CO2 and CH4. Methyl fluoride inhibited acetoclastic methanogenesis and thus allowed to quantify the fractionation factor of CH4 production from H2/CO2. Since our model system was not affected by H2 gradients, the fractionation factor could alternatively be determined from the Gibbs free energies of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. The fractionation factor of acetoclastic methanogenesis was also experimentally determined. The data were used for successfully modeling the carbon flow. The model results were in agreement with the measured process data, but were sensitive to even small changes in the fractionation factor of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Our study demonstrates that stable carbon isotope signatures are a proper tool to quantify carbon flow, if fractionation factors are determined precisely.
Condom Versus Indwelling Urinary Catheters: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Saint Sanjay , Kaufman Samuel R. , Rogers Mary A. M. , Baker Paul D. , Ossenkop Kathleen , Lipsky Benjamin A. 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES: To compare condom and indwelling urinary catheters in terms of infection risk and patient satisfaction.DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, unblinded, controlled trial.SETTING: An academically affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Center.PARTICIPANTS: Hospitalized men aged 40 and older who required a urinary collection device.MEASUREMENTS: The incidence of adverse outcomes (bacteriuria, symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI), or death) and patient device‐related satisfaction as determined according to a questionnaire. Dementia status was recorded to assess effect modification by the presence of dementia.RESULTS: Seventy‐five subjects were randomized: 41 receiving an indwelling catheter and 34 a condom catheter. The incidence of an adverse outcome was 131/1,000 patient‐days with an indwelling catheter and 70/1,000 patient‐days with a condom catheter (P=.07). The median time to an adverse event was 7 days in the indwelling group and 11 days in the condom group. After adjusting for other risk factors, it was found that condom catheter use reduced adverse outcomes (P=.04). Patients without dementia who had an indwelling catheter were approximately five times as likely to develop bacteriuria or symptomatic UTI or to die (hazard ratio=4.84, 95% confidence interval=1.46–16.02) as those with a condom catheter (P=.01). Patients reported that condom catheters were more comfortable (P=.02) and less painful (P=.02) than indwelling catheters.CONCLUSION: The use of condom catheters is less likely to lead to bacteriuria, symptomatic UTI, or death than the use of indwelling catheters. This protection is especially apparent in men without dementia.
Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture with Positive Affect Have Better Functional Recovery over 2 Years
Authors: Fredman Lisa , Hawkes William G. , Black Sandra , Bertrand Rosanna M. , Magaziner Jay 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether patients with hip fracture with high positive affect had better functioning than those with low positive affect or depressive symptoms in three performance‐based measures over 2 years after the fracture.DESIGN: Longitudinal study with assessments at baseline and 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months posthospitalization.SETTING: Community.PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred thirty‐two patients, aged 65 and older, hospitalized for hip fracture in Baltimore, Maryland, between 1990 and 1991.MEASUREMENTS: High and low positive affect and depressive symptoms were based on baseline Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score, usual and rapid walking speed, one chair stand, demographic factors, comorbidities, and history of cognitive impairment.RESULTS: At each follow‐up point, respondents with high positive affect at baseline (36% of sample) had faster walking and chair stand speeds than those with low positive affect (13%) and depressive symptoms (51%). For example, at 6 months, the mean usual walking pace was 0.4 m/s (standard error (SE)=0.02) for respondents with high positive affect, versus 0.4 m/s (SE=0.03) and 0.35 m/s (SE=0.02) for patients with low positive affect and depressive symptoms, respectively; adjusted differences were 0.02 (95% confidence interval (CI)=−0.06–0.09) and 0.06 (95% CI=0.01–0.11). Respondents with high positive affect appeared to achieve their maximum improvement in usual pace approximately 6 months before other respondents, but this interaction was not statistically significant. Respondents with consistently high positive affect had the best functioning over the follow‐up period.CONCLUSION: High positive affect seems to have a beneficial influence on performance‐based functioning after hip fracture.
Risk of Cognitive Decline in Older Patients After Carotid Endarterectomy: An Observational Study
Authors: Bo Mario , Massaia Massimiliano , Speme Stefania , Cappa Giorgetta , Strumia Khenya , Cerrato Paolo , Ponzio Federico , Poli Leone 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CE) for symptomatic left internal carotid artery (LICA) stenosis have greater risk of cognitive decline than patients with asymptomatic LICA disease or right internal carotid artery (RICA) disease.DESIGN: Observational.SETTING: Vascular surgery day hospital.PARTICIPANTS: The analysis included 103 patients (mean age 72.6±7.0, 73 men), of whom 50 had LICA disease (29 symptomatic).MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive function was evaluated (age‐ and education‐adjusted Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Clock tests (CLOX1 and 2)) at baseline and at the end of the study period (average follow‐up±standard deviation 44.4±14.3 months) in a sample of patients aged 65 and older, free from cognitive impairment, consecutively undergoing CE.RESULTS: At the end of the study period, MMSE, CLOX1, and CLOX2 scores were significantly lower in patients with symptomatic LICA disease (P<.001, P<.001, and P=.002, respectively) and not in the other groups of patients. Patients with symptomatic LICA disease had greater risk of cognitive decline than other individuals according to MMSE score (F=5.18, P=.002) or CLOX1 and 2 scores (F=5.66, P=.001, and F=4.33, P=.006, respectively).CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing CE for symptomatic LICA disease appear to be at greater risk of cognitive decline than other subjects. These findings suggest that future studies should evaluate the effects on cognitive function of different timing for CE in patients with LICA and RICA disease.
Development of a Protocol for Capillary Blood Glucose Testing in Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Settings
Authors: Mader Scott L. , Fuglee Kathleen A. , Allen Deanna S. , Werner Lisa R. , Wanlass Wendy A. , Pagel Keith J. , Beliel Kay L. , McEuen Judy A. , Stephens Elizabeth A. , Allison Nancy L. , McWhorter Karen A. , Vandling Julie E. 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES: To develop an algorithm to standardize capillary blood glucose (CBG) testing in nursing home and rehabilitation patients.DESIGN: Descriptive study in which an interdisciplinary team from a nursing home, a rehabilitation center, and a diabetes mellitus care program developed and tested a protocol to standardize diabetes management parameters and CBG testing frequency.SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home and rehabilitation unit.PARTICIPANTS: One hundred one patients admitted to the units during the 6‐month study period who had orders for CBG testing.INTERVENTION: Use of a standardized CBG testing protocol.MEASUREMENTS: Use of management goal, use of CBG testing protocol, total CBG tests/month.RESULTS: One hundred one subjects received orders for CBG testing; 72 (72%) received orders for a management goal, and 69 (69%) received orders to use the CBG protocol. Of these 69 patients, 22 met their CBG goals and were advanced to less‐frequent CBG testing using the protocol, and 15 did not meet their CBG goals and were not advanced. An additional 15 patients were advanced to less‐frequent CBG testing but not using the protocol. In all, 54 of 69 patients (78%) were advanced or could have been advanced by protocol to less‐frequent CBG testing. Total CBG testing per month did not change before, during, or after the study period.CONCLUSION: This protocol would be useful in long‐term care facilities and in other congregate living settings where patients with diabetes mellitus have staff assisting with their diabetes management. Barriers to successful implementation are discussed.
A Prospective, Longitudinal Study of the Functional Status and Quality of Life of Older Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Hurria Arti , Hurria Anju , Zuckerman Enid , Panageas Katherine S. , Fornier Monica , D'Andrea Gabriella , Dang Chau , Moasser Mark , Robson Mark , Seidman Andrew , Currie Violante , VanPoznak Catherine , Theodoulou Maria , Lachs Mark S. , Hudis Clifford 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES: To examine the toxicity experienced by a cohort of older women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and the longitudinal effect on their functional status and quality of life (QOL).DESIGN: A geriatric assessment measuring functional status, comorbidity, mood, nutritional status, and QOL was performed before chemotherapy, at the end of chemotherapy, and 6 months later.SETTING: This prospective longitudinal study was conducted at Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients aged 65 and older with Stage I to III breast cancer receiving any adjuvant chemotherapy; 49 were evaluable.MEASUREMENTS: The chemotherapy regimen and the toxicity to chemotherapy were recorded. A geriatric assessment was performed before the start of chemotherapy, on completion of chemotherapy, and 6 months after completion of chemotherapy. QOL testing was performed at the same times.RESULTS: Patients (mean age 68, range 65–84) received an anthracycline‐based chemotherapy regimen (n=15) or cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 intravenously (IV), methotrexate 40 mg/m2 IV, 5‐fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 IV every 3 weeks for eight cycles (n=34). Grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurred in 53% (n=26), hematological toxicity in 27% (n=13), and nonhematological toxicity in 31% (n=15). Despite toxicity, there was no significant longitudinal change in functional status or QOL.CONCLUSION: Despite toxicity from adjuvant chemotherapy, this cohort of relatively young older patients maintained their functional status and QOL from before chemotherapy to 6 months postchemotherapy. Subtle changes in higher‐order functioning would require assessment using different geriatric assessment tools.
Minimal heating dose: a novel biological unit to measure infrared irradiation
Authors: Lee Hyoun Seung , Lee Dong Hun , Cho Soyun , Chung Jin Ho 
Published: May 2006

Background and Objective: Infrared (IR) rays, which comprise approximately 40% of the solar radiation which reaches the earth's surface, have received relatively scant attention. As no standard method has yet been agreed upon for the biological evaluation of IR irradiation, the objective of this study is to suggest a new unit for IR irradiation.Methods: The skin temperature of 38 Korean volunteers was measured after IR irradiation with varying irradiance.Results: Skin temperature after IR irradiation at an irradiance of 2.02 W/cm2 remained unchanged after 652±22 s (mean±standard error), which corresponds, in this case, to a total radiation dose of IR 1317.3±44.84 J/cm2. This quantity was designated as the minimal heating dose (MHD). We also demonstrated that MHD increased with increasing IR irradiance at lower IR irradiance (1.17 and 2.02 W/cm2), whereas it became constant at higher irradiance (2.87 and 3.22 W/cm2). No statistically significant correlations were detected between MHD and volunteers' ages, erythema index, or melanin index.Conclusion: We propose ‘MHD’ as a biological unit for the measurement of IR irradiation.
Photodynamic action of red light for treatment of erythrasma: preliminary results
Authors: Darras‐Vercambre S. , Carpentier O. , Vincent P. , Bonnevalle A. , Thomas P. 
Published: May 2006

Background: Erythrasma is a superficial cutaneous infection caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum and is characterized by fluorescence under Wood's light (UV) because of the presence of porphyrins. These molecules are photosensitizing and we propose to assess efficacy of red light that activates porphyrins (photodynamic reaction) in treatment of this pathology.Objectives: Assessment of effects of photodynamic action of red light for treatment of erythrasma without exogenous photosensitizing molecules.Methods: Thirteen patients with erythrasma were treated by one illumination (80 J/cm2) by red light (broad band, peak at 635 nm) without exogenous photosensitizing molecules. Disappearance or reduction of extent of lesions were observed 2 weeks later. If lesions were still present, a second irradiation was conducted with the same method.Results: Preliminary results are presented. As a result of red light irradiation, we noticed a complete recovery for three patients and, in most other cases, reduction of extent of lesions (mean: −29% after one session). The treatment was well tolerated.Conclusion: We report first cases of photodynamic treatment of erythrasma. There are other reports of clinical applications of antimicrobial action of photodynamic therapy in dermatology (acne vulgaris, leishmaniasis, warts, etc.). But there are few applications without addition of exogenous photosensitizing agent. The originality and interest of our study is to use spontaneous presence of porphyrins in the lesions. This technique seems to be an interesting alternative, inexpensive and easy, for the treatment of this localized infection. But an optimal method is still to be determined to improve efficacy.
Pheomelanin and eumelanin in human skin determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography and its relation to in vivo reflectance measurements
Authors: Kongshoj Brian , Thorleifsson Ari , Wulf Hans Christian 
Published: May 2006

Background/purpose: Clinical experience has shown that red haired, fair‐skinned people have an increased frequency of skin cancer and in addition a relatively high content of pheomelanin and low content of eumelanin in their skin. Of these, eumelanin is presumed photoprotective, and pheomelanin phototoxic. Thus, a fast, easy, and non‐invasive method for determining skin content of eumelanin and pheomelanin was sought.Methods: Skin reflectance measurements using a UV‐Optimize apparatus were performed before taking suction blisters of the same skin area. Each skin sample was freeze dried and submitted to alkaline hydrogen peroxide degradation. Two eumelanin degradation compounds:Pyrrole‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) and pyrrole‐2,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid (PTCA), and two pheomelanin degradation compounds: Thiazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid (TDCA) and 1,3‐thiazole‐2,4,5‐tricarboxylic acid (TTCA) were determined in a single chromatographic analysis. Each degradation compound was correlated to reflectance measurements of red (660 nm), green (555 nm), and blue (488 nm) light and additionally correlated to the pigmentation % and redness % given by UV‐Optimize.Results: Neither of the investigated parameters were significantly correlated to either PDCA or TTCA. Contrarily, a highly significant correlation was found for the eumelanin marker, PTCA (r2=0.79, P<0.0001). The pheomelanin marker, TDCA, was likewise found to be significantly correlated (r2=0.43, P<0.0001).Conclusion: Based on the coefficients of determination it was concluded that in vivo spectrophotometric reflectance measurements of human skin were highly useful for determining the eumelanin content of skin and to classify the pheomelanin content of skin non‐invasively. This may be used individually and in population‐based studies.
Treatment of localized vitiligo with targeted broadband UVB phototherapy: a pilot study
Authors: Asawanonda Pravit , Charoenlap Marisa , Korkij Wiwat 
Published: May 2006

Background: Narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy and 308 nm excimer laser have produced encouraging therapeutic results for vitiligo. Repigmentation of various degrees was obtained in different studies.Materials and methods: Twenty‐nine vitiliginous lesions from six patients were treated with targeted, broadband UV‐B phototherapy. UV fluences were started at 50% of the minimal erythema dose, then increased gradually. Treatments were carried out twice weekly for 12 weeks.Results: Some degree of repigmentation occurred in all subjects. Responses varied among the different anatomic locations, with acral lesions achieving the least improvement. Onset of repigmentation was as early as 3 weeks of treatment in some subjects. Treatments were well tolerated, with only minimal erythema and hyperpigmentation.Limitations: This study was carried out in a smaller number of patients with skin types III and IV. The irradiation device was a broadband UVB device, and thus the results may not be similar to those obtained from a more monochromatic system such as an excimer laser.Conclusions: Targeted broadband UVB is an efficacious and safe modality for the treatment of localized vitiligo.
Evaluation of the effects of NB‐UVB in both segmental and non‐segmental vitiligo affecting different body sites
Authors: Anbar T. S. , Westerhof W. , Abdel‐Rahman A. T. , El‐ Khayyat M. A. 
Published: May 2006

Background: Narrow band (NB)‐UVB has been used in the treatment of vitiligo for years but statistical evaluation of the clinical response in both segmental and non‐segmental vitiligo patients has yet to be assessed.Objectives: Statistical evaluation of the clinical response of vitiligo patients to NB‐UVB in both segmental and non‐segmental types affecting different body sites.Methods: This study included 150 patients with vitiligo either segmental (10%) or non‐segmental (90%). NB‐UVB therapy was given twice weekly till reaching our end point of 100% re‐pigmentation or a cut point in unresponsive cases. Evaluation of the percentage of re‐pigmentation was performed by total body photography and planimetry every 8 weeks.Results: The overall response to therapy in the non‐segmental vitiligo group demonstrated that 48% of the patients showed marked response, 27% showed moderate response and 25% showed mild response after UVB therapy. The patients showed marked response in 76.3% in face lesions, 41.9% in trunk lesions and 37.6% in limbs lesions. None of the patients in the acral areas achieved marked response. The mean duration of therapy was 7.8 months. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the earlier the patient was treated, the better the response was especially for lesions on the face, trunk and limbs. On the other hand, in the segmental vitiligo group, patients showed no more than mild response to NB‐UVB whatever the site of the lesion was. No side effects were encountered with NB‐UVB therapy except for aggravation of the disease in two cases and erythema in one patient who was an outdoor worker and was skin type II.Conclusion: The type of vitiligo, the affected anatomical area and the disease duration are important factors that influence potential re‐pigmentation.
Eruptive melanocytic nevi of the palms and soles in a patient with Crohn disease
Authors: Binder Barbara , Ahlgrimm‐Siess Verena , Hofmann‐Wellenhof Rainer 
Published: May 2006

SummaryEruptive melanocytic nevi of the palms and soles are a rare phenomenon which has been associated with a number of different diseases. A variety of pathogenetic mechanisms have been proposed. A 22‐year‐old woman with Crohn disease since 1998 presented with multiple eruptive melanocytic nevi of the palms and soles. She is the second case in the literature describing the association between Crohn disease and eruptive melanocytic nevi. In contrast to the first report by Belloni‐Fortina et al.[7], in our case the melanocytic nevi appeared only on the palms and soles.
Dystrophic calcinosis cutis after subcutaneous administration of para‐aminosalicylic acid for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Meissner Markus , Varwig Domenica , Beier Christian , Jacobi Volkmar , Kaufmann Roland , Gille Jens 
Published: May 2006

SummaryAn 81‐year‐old women presented with monstrous subcutaneous mobile masses on the ventral and ventrolateral surfaces of her thighs. Radiography as well as computer tomography showed extensive soft tissue calcifications. We interpreted these alterations as dystrophic calcinosis cutis, most likely resulting from repeated subcutaneous PAS infusions for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Vacuum therapy in dermatology: a review
Authors: Renner Regina , Rogalski Christina , Friedlein Helmut , Simon Jan C. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryModern wound therapy is developing continuously. Vacuum therapy is an estab‐lished procedure to treat wounds. Available on the market is, among others, the V.A.C.® (Vacuum Assisted Closure) therapy system. Here, we report the various effects of the vacuum therapy on wounds such as reducing the bacterial contamination, improving granulation and microcirculation and focus on the practical use of the V.A.C.®, possible complications, contraindications and the economic aspects of the therapy. Since V.A.C.® therapy allows rapid mobilization of patients especially with postoperative or posttraumatic wounds, infrequent dressing changes and relative analgesia, this treatment modality is well‐accepted by patients with acute or chronic wounds. One explanation for the high acceptance on part of the therapists and the widespread use of the method are the excellent clinical results.