bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of pruritus on quality of life in sulfur mustard‐exposed Iranian veterans
Authors: Panahi Yunes , Davoudi Seyyed Masoud , Sadr Seyyed Bardia , Naghizadeh Mohammad Mehdi , Mohammadi‐Mofrad Mostafa 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  Sulfur mustard, a chemical warfare agent, has various verified chronic effects on the skin. One of the foremost negative impacts of this agent is chronic pruritus, which plagues chemically injured veterans for life and can downgrade their quality of life.Aim  To assess the association between the quality of life and pruritus severity in chemically injured veterans.Methods  One hundred and twenty‐five consecutive chemically injured veterans suffering from pruritus were assessed via the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and pruritus score. Pruritus scores less than 15, between 16 and 30, and more than 30 were considered as mild, moderate, and severe pruritus, respectively. Patients with different levels of pruritus were compared with respect to their DLQI and its subscores.Results  All subjects were male with a mean age of 44.3 ± 8.0 years; 11.2% had mild, 35.2% moderate, and 53.6% severe itching. The DLQI median scores in the mild, moderate, and severe cases were 16, 20, and 21, respectively (P = 0.014). The DLQI subscores of symptoms and feelings (P = 0.015), personal relationships (P = 0.002), and daily activities (P = 0.036) were worst in patients with severe itching.Conclusion  Chemically injured veterans suffering from severe itching have a significantly poorer quality of life than do patients with milder symptoms.
Epidemiologic and clinicomycologic profile of onychomycosis from north India
Authors: Sarma Smita , Capoor Malini R. , Deb Monorama , Ramesh V. , Aggarwal Pushpa 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  Onychomycosis is an important public health problem because of the increase in immunosuppressive states. Large‐scale studies in India are scarce, and so the baseline incidence of onychomycosis is not firmly established.Methods  Three hundred and two clinically suspected cases of onychomycosis were included in this study. Nail samples were collected for direct microscopic examination and culture. Clinical patterns and associated relevant factors were noted according to a predetermined protocol.Results  The associated predisposing conditions included diabetes mellitus (3.9%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (2.3%). Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis was the most common clinical pattern (62%), followed by total dystrophic onychomycosis (20.2%). The most common fungal isolates were dermatophytes (49.5%), followed by Candida spp. (40.4%) and nondermatophyte molds (10.1%). Of the dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum (47%) was the most common isolate, followed by Trichophyton tonsurans (20.4%). Of the Candida spp., Candida albicans was the most common (60%).Conclusions  Until recently, yeasts and nondermatophyte molds were regarded as contaminants, but their emergence as a significant cause of onychomycosis in immunocompromised patients calls for mycologic diagnosis and antifungal susceptibility testing in onychomycosis. The recognition of the changing patterns of onychomycosis will aid in the therapeutic approach and the implementation of control measures.
The role of the armadillo and sooty mangabey monkey in human leprosy
Authors: Hamilton Heather K. , Levis William R. , Martiniuk Frank , Cabrera Aloys , Wolf John 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  The armadillo was the first animal model of leprosy. Its role in the transmission of leprosy remains controversial. The sooty mangabey model of leprosy led to the discovery that rhesus monkeys were more susceptible to leprosy when coinfected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), but that leprosy may play a protective role against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) mortality. Recently, molecular methods have been developed for leprosy and may help resolve the role of zoonoses in leprosy.Observations  The recent identification of a case of leprosy in a native‐born American on the east coast of the USA and the identification of leprosy as an immunologic reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive cases raise the question of what role zoonoses may play in leprosy.Conclusions  Leprosy in armadillos and sooty mangabeys has been manipulated by human experimentation. In the case of the armadillo, further study, including molecular techniques, is required to elucidate the role of the armadillo as a zoonosis in human leprosy. Experimentation with the sooty mangabey led to the discovery of an interaction between SIV and leprosy in rhesus monkeys, and prompted the continued investigation of the relationship between HIV and leprosy.
Lymphocutaneous nocardiosis and cutaneous pheohyphomycosis in a liver transplant recipient
Authors: Parra Isabel Hidalgo , Galimberti Ricardo , Galimberti Gastón , Guanella Barbara , Kowalczuk Alicia 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  Infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in transplanted patients. The increasing number of immunocompromised patients has not only augmented infections by specific pathogens, but also by opportunistic microbial agents.Methods  A mixed cutaneous infection caused by Nocardia brasiliensis and Exophiala jeanselmei is reported in a liver transplant patient.Results  The cutaneous lesions were painful nodules which drained purulent material. They were located on the right lower limb, with lymphadenopathies in the groin.Conclusions  The patient was treated with itraconazole (600 mg/day) plus trimethoprim (1600 mg/day)–sulfamethoxazole (320 mg/day) for 8 weeks, with complete remission of the lesions.
Daclizumab therapy for children with corticosteroid‐resistant acute graft‐vs.‐host disease
Authors: Schechter Tal , Afzal Samina , Finkelstein Yaron , Koren Gideon , Doyle John , Dupuis L. Lee 
Published: May 2008

Abstract: MAbs such as daclizumab have shown promising results in the treatment of corticosteroid‐resistant aGVHD. Data describing the efficacy of MAbs in children are limited. We describe the efficacy of daclizumab in children with corticosteroid‐resistant aGVHD. Seventeen children (0.4–16.2 yr) received daclizumab for aGVHD. Safety was evaluated in all 17. Response was evaluated in the 15 children who received a full course of daclizumab. A PR was defined as improvement of aGVHD symptoms in at least one organ without worsening in other organs. We observed an overall response rate (CR plus PR) of 40% (6/15). Four children had a CR and two had a PR. aGVHD involving the gut had the highest response rate (five of 10; 50%). Adverse effects attributed to daclizumab were limited to an episode of reactive arthritis. Mortality was high (47%; eight of 17) though five of the six responders to daclizumab survived. The mean length of follow‐up in the surviving nine patients was 32 months (range seven to 48). We conclude that daclizumab is effective in the treatment of children with corticosteroid‐resistant aGVHD, especially in patients with gut involvement.
Macroscopic and Microscopic Anatomy of the Oviduct in the Sexually Mature Rhea (Rhea americana)
Authors: Parizzi R. C. , Santos J. M. , Oliveira M. F. , Maia M. O. , Sousa J. A. , Miglino M. A. , Santos T. C. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe morphological characteristics of the oviduct of 12 sexually mature rheas (Rhea americana) were studied. Only the left oviduct is developed as a long tube with a length of 122 ± 23.1 cm, and is subdivided into infundibulum (15.2 ± 4.0 cm), magnum (63.3 ± 9.4 cm), isthmus (5.6 ± 3.1 cm), uterus (16.0 ± 4.2 cm) and vagina (11.5 ± 1.4 cm). The mucous membrane of the oviduct, as a whole, possesses luminal folds covered by ciliated columnar epithelium with secretory cells. The infundibulum part presents a cranial opening with thin and long fimbriae with few tubular glands in caudal tubular portion. In the magnum, the largest portion of the oviduct, the folds are thicker and are filled with tubular glands. The isthmus is short and presents less bulky folds and a few tubular glands. A bag‐shaped uterus in the cranial area shows thin folds, and in the caudal region (shell gland) more ramified folds with few tubular glands. The vagina has long luminal folds and a thick muscular tunic; no glands with sperm‐storage characteristics have been observed. In conclusion, the oviduct in sexually mature rhea has morphological similarities with the other species of birds already described; however it presents its own characteristics to produce a big egg.
Sustained Release Carriers Used to Delivery Bone Morphogenetic Proteins in the Bone Healing Process
Authors: Issa J. P. M. , Bentley M. V. L. B. , Iyomasa M. M. , Sebald W. , De Albuquerque R. F. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multi‐functional growth factors belonging to the transforming growth factor β superfamily, especially BMP‐2, induce bone formation in vivo, and clinical application in repair of bone fractures and defects is expected. However, appropriate systems to delivery BMPs for practical use need to be developed with the objective to heal cartilage and bone‐related diseases in medical, dental and veterinary practice. Thus, the aim of this article was to present an overview of the principals carriers used to delivery BMPs and alternative delivery systems for these proteins.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Haptoglobin in Porcine Lungs
Authors: Hiss S. , Schulze Willbrenning G. , Suntz M. , Reinacher M. , Sauerwein H. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe extravasation of erythrocytes into the lower respiratory tract occurs in numerous lung injuries and may lead to oxidative damages in lung tissues. Haptoglobin (Hp), the major haemoglobin‐binding protein, is known to reduce lung injury associated with exposure to blood in mice. In pigs, Hp is a major acute phase protein and its serum concentrations are elevated in various infections of the respiratory tract. However, information on the porcine Hp response towards inflammatory stimuli is restricted to blood. We herein investigated the presence of Hp in lung tissues from pigs with acute and chronic bronchopneumonia via immunohistochemistry. Hp was localized in airway epithelial cells and immigrated leucocytes whereas in alveolar epithelial cells there was no distinct signal. Unaltered lungs showed less Hp‐positive cells compared with lungs from pigs with acute or chronic bronchopneumonia.
Histological Evaluation of the Sheep’s Cervical Spine Segment 3/4 – A Histomorphological and Histomorphometrical Study
Authors: Koch C. , Kandziora F. , Huenigen H. , Plendl J. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe 2‐year‐old sheep is a frequently used model in spinal orthopaedic research; however, so far no investigations have been performed on physiological tissue of untreated animals. In this study, the cervical spine segment 3/4 of eight 2‐year‐old female Merino sheep was evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically. Specimens were stained with Masson‐Goldner‐Trichrome, Safranin‐Orange/Lightgreen, Safranin‐Orange/von Kossa and Astrablue. Analysis of bone mass, mass of cartilage and mineralized cartilage in a defined region of interest was performed. A new finding of the study was that – although 2‐year‐old sheep is regarded as adult – tissue of the growth plate was still detected. Moreover, this study revealed that in the nucleus pulposus of the 2‐year‐old sheep notochordal cells are still existent, suggesting a complex remodelling of the nucleus pulposus in sheep.
One hundred times the intended dose of caudal clonidine in three pediatric patients
Authors: MEYER CARI , CAMBRAY RACHEL 
Published: May 2008

SummaryWe report three sequential cases in which children received 100 times the intended dose of clonidine in their single shot caudals. Although all experienced excessive somnolence for up to 24 h, none had respiratory depression, oxygen desaturation, supplemental oxygen requirement, or hemodynamic instability. These cases suggest a large margin of safety exists for caudally administered clonidine in healthy children.
Dose–response study of intrathecal fentanyl added to bupivacaine in infants undergoing lower abdominal and urologic surgery
Authors: BATRA YATINDRA KUMAR , LOKESH VANAJAKSHI C. , PANDA NIDHI BIDYUT , RAJEEV SUBRAMANYAM , RAO KATRAGADDA L.N. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBackground:  Intrathecal (IT) adjuncts often are used to enhance the duration of spinal bupivacaine. Fentanyl is a spinal analgesic that could be a useful adjunct, and enhances the duration and quality of sensory block in adult surgical and obstetric population. However, no data exist to assess the dose–response characteristics of IT fentanyl when added to bupivacaine in infants.Methods:  Fifty‐eight infants undergoing lower abdominal and urologic procedures were randomized into four groups to receive plain 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine F0 (<5 kg = 0.5 mg·kg−1; 5–10 kg = 0.4 mg·kg−1). Groups F0.25, F0.5, and F1 groups received bupivacaine added with 0.25, 0.5, and 1 μg·kg−1 of fentanyl, respectively. Duration of spinal anesthesia (SA) as assessed by the recovery of hip flexion in the postoperative period was the primary variable analyzed. In addition, the duration of analgesia in the postoperative period, rescue postoperative analgesic requirements and hemodynamic changes were recorded.Results:  Fifty‐six infants were studied. The four groups were similar for age, weight, duration of surgery, onset of sensory, motor block, and the highest level of analgesia attained. The addition of 1 μg·kg−1 fentanyl (F1) significantly increased the duration of SA (74.27 ± 6.1 min) compared to the control group (51.21 ± 5.2 min) (P = 0.001). Postoperative pain‐free interval was prolonged (P = 0.004) and significantly less rescue analgesics were required after 1 μg·kg−1 IT fentanyl (P = 0.032). These parameters did not show any significant difference among groups F0, F0.25, and F0.5.Conclusions:  The addition of 1 μg·kg−1 IT fentanyl to spinal bupivacaine prolonged the duration of spinal block in infants undergoing lower abdominal and urologic procedures.
Effect of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, on beta‐cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes: a model‐based approach
Authors: Xu L. , Man C. Dalla , Charbonnel B. , Meninger G. , Davies M. J. , Williams‐Herman D. , Cobelli C. , Stein P. P. 
Published: May 2008

Purpose:  The purpose of this exploratory analysis was to assess the effect of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, on pancreatic beta‐cell function using a model‐based analysis.Methods:  Data for this analysis were from three large, placebo‐controlled clinical studies that examined sitagliptin 100 mg q.d. as add‐on to metformin therapy or as monotherapy over 18 or 24 weeks. In these studies, subsets of patients consented to undergo extensive blood sampling as part of a nine‐point meal tolerance test performed at baseline and study end‐point. Blood samples were collected at −10, 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min relative to the start of a meal and subsequently were assayed for plasma glucose and serum C‐peptide concentrations. Parameters for beta‐cell function were calculated using the C‐peptide minimal model, which estimates insulin secretion rate (ISR) and partitions the ISR into basal (Φb; ISR at basal glucose concentrations), static (Φs; ISR at above basal glucose concentrations following a meal) and dynamic (Φd; ISR in response to the rate of increase in above basal glucose concentrations following a meal) components. The total responsivity index (Φtotal; average ISR over the average glucose concentration) is calculated as a function of Φs, Φd and Φb. Insulin sensitivity was assessed with a validated composite index (ISI). Disposition indices (DI), which assess insulin secretion in the context of changes in insulin sensitivity, were calculated as the product of Φand ISI.Results:  When administered in combination with ongoing metformin therapy or as monotherapy, sitagliptin was associated with substantial reductions in postprandial glycaemic excursion following a meal challenge relative to placebo. Sitagliptin produced significant (p < 0.05 vs. placebo) improvements in Φs and Φtotal, regardless of treatment regimen (add‐on to metformin or as monotherapy). For Φd, there was a numerical, but not statistically significant, improvement with sitagliptin relative to placebo. Treatment with sitagliptin increased Φb, but the difference relative to placebo was only significant with monotherapy. ISI was not significantly different between sitagliptin and placebo. The DIs for the static, dynamic and total measures were significantly (p < 0.05) increased with sitagliptin treatment relative to placebo.Conclusions:  In this model‐based analysis, sitagliptin improved beta‐cell function relative to placebo in both fasting and postprandial states in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and chronic ischaemia of the lower urinary tract in elderly women and men: assessment using colour Doppler ultrasonography
Authors: Pinggera Germar‐Michael , Mitterberger Michael , Steiner Eberhard , Pallwein Leo , Frauscher Ferdinand , Aigner Friedrich , Bartsch Georg , Strasser Hannes 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVESTo investigate, using transrectal colour Doppler ultrasonography, (TRCDUS) whether perfusion of the bladder and prostate is reduced in elderly patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), common in later life, as experimental data suggest that chronic ischaemia has a key role in the development of LUTS.PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODSIn 32 elderly patients with LUTS (12 women, mean age 82.3 years, group 1; and 20 men, 79.4 years, group 2) perfusion of the bladder neck (in women) and of the bladder neck and prostate (in men) was measured using TRCDUS and the resistive index (RI) and colour pixel density (CPD) determined, assessed by a TRUS unit and special software. To assess the age‐related effect two control groups of 10 young healthy women (mean age 42.3 years, group 3) and 10 age‐matched healthy men (mean age 41.5 years, group 4) were also enrolled.RESULTSIrrespective of gender, there was markedly lower bladder perfusion in elderly patients with LUTS than in the younger subjects. The mean (sd) RI of the bladder neck in group 1, of 0.88 (0.06), and group 2, of 0.80 (0.08), was higher than in control groups 3, of 0.62 (0.05), and group 4, of 0.64 (0.09). The results were similar for the CPD measurements. The frequency of daily and nightly micturition showed a strong negative correlation with perfusion in the urinary bladder.CONCLUSIONIn elderly patients with LUTS there was decreased perfusion of the bladder neck and prostate when assessed using TRCDUS. Therefore, decreased perfusion in the urinary bladder might be responsible for the development of LUTS with advancing age.
Is there a relationship between prostate volume and Gleason score?
Authors: Mir Maria Carmen , Planas Jacques , Raventos Carles Xavier , De Torres Ines Maria , Trilla Enrique , Cecchini Lluis , Orsola Anna , Morote Juan 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVESTo review the relationship between the Gleason grade and prostate volume in biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens, and thus assess the hypothesis that smaller prostates have a greater incidence of high‐grade tumours.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe selected 390 patients who had RP at our institution, with a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of <10 ng/mL and who had not had hormonal therapy. We retrospectively reviewed the data for transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided prostate biopsies from these patients and the RP specimens. Indications for biopsy included a PSA level of ≥4 ng/mL or an abnormal digital rectal examination. High‐grade tumours were defined as having a Gleason score of ≥7.RESULTSThe TRUS volume was statistically related to the rate of high‐grade tumours at biopsy and RP. On multivariate analyses, TRUS volume was a significant predictor of high‐grade tumour for biopsy and RP specimens, with an inverse relationship between high‐grade tumours and prostate volume for biopsy and RP specimens.CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that there is a relationship between the rate of high‐grade tumours and prostate volume even in biopsy and RP specimens and it is not an artefact related to the biopsy.
Microarray gene‐expression profiling to predict lymph node metastasis in penile carcinoma
Authors: Kroon Bin K. , Leijte Joost A.P. , Van Boven Hester , Wessels Lodewijk F.A. , Velds Arno , Horenblas Simon , Van’t Veer Laura J. 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVETo determine the value of gene‐expression profiling as a predictor of the status of the regional nodes in patients with penile carcinoma.PATIENTS AND METHODSTumour samples of 56 patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma were analysed for the gene expression on 35 k oligoarrays; 32 were from patients with histopathologically confirmed lymph node metastases and 24 from those with no lymph node involvement. The 56 patients were divided into a training and validation set. For the training set, 15 patients with histopathologically confirmed nodal metastases and 15 without were selected. The validation set consisted of the remaining 26 patients, containing 17 node‐positive and nine with no nodal metastases.RESULTSA 44‐probe classifier had the best performance within the training set; this classifier correctly assigned 29 of 30 specimens in the training set to the two outcome groups. In the validation set of 26 tumours, the classifier correctly assigned 14 of the 26 (54%) specimens to the two outcome groups. Of the 17 specimens with histologically confirmed nodal involvement, 12 were classified as node‐positive and five as node‐negative, resulting in a sensitivity of 71%. Of the nine specimens from node‐negative patients, two were correctly classified as node‐negative and seven as node positive, resulting in a specificity of 22%.CONCLUSIONSIn this series, gene expression profiling did not produce a useful classifier to predict nodal involvement in patients with penile carcinoma.
Why a combined intracavernosal injection with trimix and oral sildenafil is reliable therapy in the ultrasonographic evaluation of erectile dysfunction
Authors: Park Jong Kwan , Park Jung Sun , Jeon Sang Bong , Cui Wan Shou , Kim Sung Zoo , Kang Kyung Koo , Lee Sung Won 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate prospectively and compare the clinical response and the change in nucleotides correlating with haemodynamic changes in the cavernosal arteries after an intracavernosal injection (ICI) with vasoactive agents with or without oral sildenafil in men with erectile dysfunction (ED).PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 80 patients with ED were prospectively evaluated by clinical assessments, measuring nucleotides in blood plasma and haemodynamics in cavernosal arteries. All patients had colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) twice with an interval of 5 h. First, each patient had CDU after ICI with trimix (0.25 mL) or prostaglandin E1 (PGE1, 5 µg), and the second CDU was after ICI trimix given 1 h after oral placebo (group I), sildenafil 25 mg (group II) or 100 mg (group III) and after ICI with PGE1 at 1 h after oral placebo (group IV) or 100 mg sildenafil (group V). Levels of cGMP and cAMP in peripheral venous and penile cavernosal blood plasma were measured at 15 min after ICI.RESULTSThe mean peak systolic velocity (PSV) at 5, 10, 15 min, and resistive index at 10 min in the second CDU after ICI with trimix, were significantly increased in group III. The mean (sem) levels of cavernosal cGMP were significantly increased in group III and V, from 1130.1 (313.5) to 2056.7 (580.4) and 1017.0 (214.2) to 1905.2 (915.0) fmol/mL, respectively. cAMP was significantly increased in group V, from 9533.1 (2068.4) to 12150 (3684.2) fmol/mL.CONCLUSIONSThe haemodynamic changes and cGMP and cAMP production in the cavernosum were improved by trimix plus sildenafil more than with than PGE1 plus sildenafil or one ICI with trimix or PGE1. The results suggest that ICI with trimix and sildenafil is the best combination for a pharmacological erection test.