bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different patterns of TCR β chain regulation following allo‐ and xeno‐transplantation
Authors: Guillet Marina , Gagne Katia , Lair David , Heslan Jean‐Marie , Doré Jean‐Christophe , Soulillou Jean‐Paul , Brouard Sophie 
Published: June 2004

Abstract:  Background:  In the concordant hamster‐to‐rat cardiac xenograft model, recipients treated with cobra venom factor for the first 10 days following transplantation and daily with Cyclosporine A (CsA) do not reject their grafts. However, when CsA is withdrawn on day 40, an acute cellular rejection occurs within 4 ± 1 days. Allografts performed in the same conditions are rejected within 18 ± 4 days.Methods:  In this model, we have compared graft infiltrating T cells through both a quantitative (number of Vβ transcripts) and qualitative (CDR3 length distribution) assessment of the T cell receptor (TCR) β chain transcriptome in allo‐ and xeno‐transplantations.Results:  We report striking differences in TCR usage at day 15 following allo‐ and xeno‐transplantation as well as during rejection following CsA withdrawal. The number of Vβ transcripts was high in both rejected allo‐ and xenografts. However, whereas in xenografts acute rejection occurred without skewing of Vβ CDR3 length distribution, T cells infiltrating allografts during rejection after CsA interruption had a highly altered CDR3 length distribution pattern. In addition, using a correspondence factor analysis of the β chain transcriptome, we show that some families can clusterize and can discriminate allo‐ or xeno‐patterns at the level of both the number of Vβ transcripts and the CDR3 length distribution.Conclusions:  Our data show that, in vivo, even in the hamster‐to‐rat concordant combination, the anti‐xenograft T cell response is strong and will likely represent another challenge for xenotransplantation.
Initial experience with the human anti‐human CD154 monoclonal antibody, ABI793, in pig‐to‐baboon xenotransplantation
Authors: Knosalla C. , Ryan D.J.J. , Moran K. , Gollackner B. , Schuler W. , Sachs D.H. , Awwad M. , Schuurman H.‐J. , Cooper D.K.C. 
Published: June 2004

Abstract:  Background:  ABI793 (ABI) is a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for human CD154. To assess the suitability of ABI for baboon transplantation studies, we carried out in vitro studies to determine ABI's reactivity with baboon cells expressing CD154, performed in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in two baboons, and tested the effect of ABI administration on elicited antibody production in two baboons undergoing either pig hematopoietic progenitor cell (PBPC) or heterotopic heart transplantation.Methods:  In vitro: Baboon peripheral blood mononuclear cells were activated in vitro to upregulate CD154, and binding of ABI to CD154 was measured by flow cytometry. In vivo: Serum levels of ABI were measured immediately before and 15 min after the intravenous administration of ABI (20 mg/kg) to two baboons over 28 days. Subsequently, ABI (25 mg/kg on days 0, 1, 4 and 7, and then 20 mg/kg every 5 days) was included in the immunosuppressive regimen in two pig‐to‐baboon transplants (PBPC or heart transplantation).Results:  In vitro: ABI was almost non‐reactive to baboon T cells before stimulation, but bound to activated T cells. In vivo: In the pharmacokinetic study, trough levels of ABI (before the next dose) ranged between 190 and 580 μg/ml, and the estimated half‐life was 10–15 days. There was no apparent toxicity. Following pig PBPC or heart transplantation, no elicited antibody was detected while ABI was being administered or during several weeks of follow‐up.Conclusions:  ABI functions in baboons, is well‐tolerated, and prevents an elicited antibody response to pig antigens.
Effects of post‐operative pain treatment using non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory analgesics, opioids or epidural blockade on systemic and local immune responses in children
Authors: Vuori A. , Salo M. , Viljanto J. , Pajulo O. , Pulkki K. , Nevalainen T. 
Published: June 2004

Background:  Many studies have been carried out on the effects of anaesthetic drugs and methods on the immune response, but pain and its relief also affect the immune response. We measured systemic immune responses in the blood circulation and local responses in the surgical wound when non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDs), opioids or epidural blockade was used in the peri‐operative treatment of pain.Methods:  Responses were measured in 51 children, aged from 2 to 12 years and undergoing major surgery under balanced anaesthesia. Bolus doses of diclofenac intravenously (i.v.) and rectally (NSAID group), continuous i.v. infusion of oxycodone (opioid group) or continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine + fentanyl (epidural group) were used peri‐operatively for pain relief.Results:  The only difference related to the analgesic method was shorter duration of post‐operative leucocytosis and lower phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)‐induced lymphocyte proliferative responses in peripheral blood in the opioid group than in the NSAID or epidural groups. By contrast, time‐related alterations were seen overall in leucocyte and differential counts, lymphocyte and their subset counts, lymphocyte proliferative responses, and in serum cortisol, C‐reactive protein, plasma interleukin‐6 and group II phospholipase A2 concentrations and in the appearance of different cell types in the wound.Conclusions:  Post‐operative pain treatments using diclofenac (NSAID), oxycodone (opioid) and epidural blockade have basically similar effects on systemic and local immune responses with only slight, probably clinically unimportant differences in children undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia.
Cutaneous alternariosis revealing acute myeloid leukaemia in an adult patient
Authors: Ioannidou D. , Maraki S. , Krüger Krasagakis S. , Stefanidou M. , Krasagakis K. , Alexandrakis M. , Tosca A. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryWe report a case of cutaneous alternariosis in a 69‐year‐old male patient. During hospitalization for treatment of the skin disorder, acute myeloid leukaemia was diagnosed. He received multiple chemotherapeutic agents but the leukaemia remained refractory to therapy and the patient died. The clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous alternariosis will be discussed and a review of the literature regarding patients with haematological diseases will be given.
Disseminated dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum in an AIDS patient: response to terbinafine and amorolfine
Authors: Galhardo M. C. G. , Wanke B. , Reis R. S. , Oliveira L. A. , Valle A. C. F. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryA 51‐year‐old white male, native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with advanced AIDS and in chronic use of imidazoles for oral candidosis, presented erythematous, desquamative, pruriginous plaques of 1 month evolution on the trunk, inguinal/crural region, and lower limbs. The diagnosis of dermatophytosis was based on the isolation of Microsporum gypseum from scales scraped from the skin lesions. The lesions regressed after 30 days treatment with itraconazole, 100 mg day−1. After interruption of this antifungal, the mycosis recurred 2 months later, along with a toe onychomycosis also caused by M. gypseum. Attempted reintroduction of itraconazole at higher dose was unsuccessful. Patient responded well to treatment with terbinafine 250 mg day−1 for 45 days. However, the medication had to be interrupted as a result of the emergence of a disseminated erythematous/papulous rash. Topical treatment with amorolfine cream was then performed, with a good clinical and mycological response.
Aspergillus endocarditis presenting as femoral artery embolism
Authors: Verghese S. , Maria C. F. , Mullaseri A. S. , Asha M. , Padmaja P. , Padhye A. A. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryFungal valvular endocarditis is an unusual cause of endocarditis, yet very important because of its historically poor prognosis. We report two fatal cases of fungal valvular endocarditis following cardiovascular surgery, presenting as femoral artery embolism. Aspergillus terreus and A. flavus were the causative agents of endocarditis in the two patients. Diagnosis was established very early by culture of the emboli and was confirmed later by isolation of the same Aspergillus species from the resected valve tissue.
Susceptibility of sequential Fonsecaea pedrosoi isolates from chromoblastomycosis patients to antifungal agents
Authors: Andrade Tânia S. , Castro Luiz G. M. , Nunes Ricardo S. , Gimenes Viviane M. F. , Cury Arlete E. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryFourteen Fonsecaea pedrosoi isolates from six chromoblastomycosis patients were submitted to susceptibility testing. Some patients were undergoing treatment with itraconazole (ITZ) and/or cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen. The antifungal agents amphotericin B (AMB), ITZ, fluconazole (FCZ), ketoconazole (KCZ), 5‐fluorocytosine (5‐FC), and terbinafine (TBF) were tested. AMB and FCZ showed less activity for all isolates. The most active agents were KCZ and TBF. Sequentially isolates from four patients presented ITZ minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) higher than the previous ones; for two of these patients, response to therapy with this agent was not observed. These results suggest development of microbiologic resistance to ITZ in four instances, two of them coinciding with lack of clinical response to this drug.
Tinea capitis favosa in Poland
Authors: Niczyporuk W. , Krajewska‐Kułak E. , Łukaszuk C. 
Published: June 2004

SummaryTinea capitis favosa is uncommon in Europe. We describe two patients who had local alopecia caused by Trichophyton schoenleinii. In the first case, we observed good clinical response after griseofulvin treatment and in the second case after topical application of ciclopirox cream.
Congenital syphilis presenting with nephrotic syndrome and leucocytoclastic vasculitis
Authors: Çam H , Taytan Y , Aji DY , Bilgi Z , Aydemir E , Demirkesen C 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTNephrotic syndrome is a well‐recognized entity in congenital syphilis but leucocytoclastic vasculitis has not yet been described. We report a case of nephrotic syndrome and leucocytoclastic vasculitis associated with congenital syphilis in a 45‐day‐old male infant who did well after treatment with intravenous penicillin.
Elephantoid oedema of the eyelids
Authors: Marzano AV , Vezzoli P , Alessi E 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTWe describe a male patient with rosacea who had a 2‐year history of persistent bilateral oedema of the eyelids, leading to an elephantoid condition with blepharoptosis. An upper eyelid blepharoplasty was performed, but swelling progressively recurred over a few months. Based on the case history, clinical appearance and histological findings, rosaceous lymphoedema was considered to be the diagnosis. The latter is a bilateral, solid oedema of the mid‐third of the face, regarded as a rare complication of rosacea. It is thought to occur as a result of chronic inflammation and lymphatic stasis, but its exact aethiopathogenesis remains elusive. Predominant eyelid involvement, causing severe visual impairment as in our patient, is unique.
Cutis verticis gyrata secondary to acne scleroticans capitis
Authors: Ulrich J , Franke I , Gollnick H 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTWe report the case of a 35‐year‐old patient with secondary cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) that histologically presented as acne scleroticans capitis. Clinically, the diagnosis of acne conglobata was made. The CVG developed under systemic corticosteroid treatment of an ulcerative colitis. Corticosteroids were discontinued and a therapeutic attempt was made with isotretinoin. Although under this treatment the conglobate acne healed, the CVG remained unaltered. Dermatosurgical intervention by a scalp reduction plasty finally resulted in a marked improvement of symptoms and acceptable cosmetic outcome.
Treatment of head and neck dermatitis comparing itraconazole 200 mg and 400 mg daily for 1 week with placebo
Authors: Svejgaard El , Ølholm Larsen P , Deleuran M , Ternowitz T , Roed‐Petersen J , Nilsson J 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTBackground  Head and neck dermatitis (HND) is a variant of atopic dermatitis often seen in young adults. A hypersensitivity to Malassezi antigens is considered to be of pathogenic importance. Previous mostly uncontrolled studies have shown that oral antimycotics might be of use in this condition.Objective  To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole in the treatment of HND in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.Patients  Adult patients with HND were included. Systemic steroids and oral/topical antimycotics were avoided 1 and 2 months prior to the trial. Topical steroids were not allowed in the head and neck area within 2 weeks. Patients in generally good health were included and female patients had to have had a negative urine pregnancy test. The patients signed an informed consent.Study design  The study included a 7‐day treatment period and a follow‐up period of 105 days. Control visits were carried out on days 3, 7 and 14 and after 15 weeks.Methods  The SCORAD index (one for the head and neck area and one for the remaining surface area) and global evaluations by patient and investigator were used for clinical evaluation at each visit. Prick tests with Malassezia antigens and Candida albicans antigen were carried out at the start of the trial and included positive and negative controls. The patients were randomized into three groups, which were treated with 400 mg itraconazole daily, 200 mg itraconazole daily or placebo, respectively, for 7 days.Results  The number of patients included was 53: 18 had 200 mg itraconazole daily, 17 had 400 mg itraconazole daily and 18 placebo. At days 7 and 14, significant improvement was seen in the SCORAD of the head and neck area for the groups given 400 mg itraconazole daily (P = 0.0385 and P = 0.0134), and 200 mg daily (P = 0.0104 and P = 0.0006). Patients in the placebo group improved slightly (P = 0.0785). At day 14, comparison of improvement of SCORAD of the head and neck area between all three groups showed a significant difference in favour of the 200 mg itraconazole group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.0318). The prick test was positive for Pityrosporum ovale in 37% and negative for C. albicans in all patients.Conclusions  One week of treatment with 200 or 400 mg itraconazole as a single treatment has a significant effect on the head and neck area. Compared to placebo there was a significant improvement in SCORAD of the head and neck area in favour of the 200 mg itraconazole group after 14 days. The important observation seems to be that antifungal systemic treatment has a significant SCORAD reduction of atopic dermatitis, irrespective of the presence of allergy.
Intralesional 5‐fluorouracil, lidocaine and epinephrine mixture for the treatment of verrucae: a prospective placebo‐controlled, single‐blind randomized study
Authors: Isçimen A , Aydemir EH , Göksügür N , Engin B 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTBackground  The treatment of viral warts remains challenging. A variety of treatment modalities have been used with a range of success. Fluorouracil has been shown to be effective in treating warts but the method of its delivery directly onto the affected tissue has been of little efficacy. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of intralesional 5‐fluorouracil in the treatment of verrucae.Methods  Seventy‐six patients with a total 315 verrucae were randomized to receive either a 5‐fluorouracil, lidocaine and epinephrine (5‐FU + LE) mixture or serum saline injection into the paired verrucae in the same patient. The mixture of 5‐FU (4 cm3, 50 mg/mL), lidocaine (1 cm3, 20 mg/mL) and epinephrine (0.0125 mg/mL) was injected into the base of the wart using a mantoux needle. Each lesion was infiltrated with either of the solutions once a week for up to a maximum of 4 weeks, and the patients were followed up for 6 months.Results  Complete response was noted in an average of 70% of the verrucae treated with the 5‐FU + LE mixture and in 29% of those in the placebo group (P < 0.001). No clinically significant systemic and local adverse effects occurred. Pain and burning were noted as an immediate injection pain. Recurrence rates were evaluated and no statistically significant difference between the two groups was found.Conclusions  The results demonstrate that treatment of verrucae with 5‐FU + LE mixture is safe and effective.
The politics of engagement between Islam and the secular state: ambivalences of ‘civil society’1
Authors: Turam Berna 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe paper reveals contemporary transformations of the interaction between Islam and secular states from opposition to engagement. In‐depth ethnographic evidence challenges the predominant juxtaposition of Islam against the secular state. Following micro‐sites of interaction between the Gülen movement and the state from Turkey to Kazakhstan, my fieldwork revealed a continuum of engagements between them. The paper analyses the engagements ranging from contestation and negotiation to co‐operation. The case illustrates the extent to which scholarly interest in opposition and clash has left a wide‐ranging variety of state–Islam interaction understudied with regard to civil society. It also reveals the conditions under which effective Islamic horizontal organizations have provided the platforms of vertical engagements with the secular states. The major argument of the paper is that both civil and uncivil outcomes in the Muslim world are primarily shaped by the nature of state–Islam interaction. The evidence suggests that the key to understanding the relationship between Islam and civil society is the state.
Consumption and its discontents: addiction, identity and the problems of freedom
Authors: Reith Gerda 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe focus of this paper is on the notion of ‘addictive consumption’, conceived as a set of discourses that are embedded within wider socio‐historical processes of governance and control. It examines the discursive convergences and conflicts between practices of consumption and notions of addiction, which it notes are consistently represented in terms of the oppositional categories of self‐control vs. compulsion and freedom vs. determinism. These interrelations are explored with reference to the development of notions of addiction, and their relation to shifting configurations of identity, subjectivity and governance.Finally, it suggests that the notion of ‘addiction’ has particular valence in advanced liberal societies, where an unprecedented emphasis on the values of freedom, autonomy and choice not only encourage the conditions for its proliferation into ever wider areas of social life, but also reveal deep tensions within the ideology of consumerism itself.
High‐ratio differentiation of embryonic stem cells into hepatocytes in vitro
Authors: Hu An‐Bin , Cai Ji‐Ye , Zheng Qi‐Chang , He Xiao‐Qing , Shan Yu , Pan Yun‐Long , Zeng Gu‐Cheng , Hong An , Dai Yun , Li Ling‐Song 
Published: June 2004

Abstract: Background/Purpose: To date, in differentiating system of embryonic stem (ES) cells into hepatocytes, hepatic differentiation ratio was still not shown. Here, after investigating hepatic differentiation from ES cells, we determined the differentiation ratios of hepatocytes and studied how to improve the ratios in ES cell differentiating system.Methods: Embryonic bodies (EBs) formed from ES cells for 5 days were plated onto culture dishes and some growth factors were added into medium for hepatic differentiation. Expressions of hepatic genes and proteins were analysed using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry (ICC) and radioimmunoassay. The relative counts of hepatocyte‐like cells among all EBs cells were analysed by flow cytometry by which hepatic differentiation ratios were determined. Then, we observed the spatial distribution of ICC‐positive cells in EB cells cluster and isolated the cells of positive areas in other EBs clusters without ICC examined. At last, isolated cells were re‐cultured with previous condition and hepatic differentiation ratios were also determined.Results: The hepatic genes and proteins were, respectively, expressed in cytoplasm. Hepatic differentiation ratio was first determined at day 11 to be 12.1% and the level reached maximum to be 33.4% at day 21. In isolated cells culture system, hepatic genes and proteins expressed stronger than that expressed in EBs cluster and hepatic differentiation ratio was got to 72.6% at day 21.Conclusions: Isolating hepatocyte‐like cells from EBs cell cluster and re‐culturing them could produce hepatocytes with high differentiation ratio. This culture system may produce a new source of cell types for hepatocytes replacement therapies in hepatic failure.
Critical soft tissue parameters of the zygomatic implant
Authors: Al‐Nawas B. , Wegener J. , Bender C. , Wagner W. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAim: Zygomatic implants have been introduced for the rehabilitation of patients with severe bone defects of the maxilla. The soft tissue aspects of the palatal emergence situation have not been described yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical impact of possible periimplant alterations of zygomatic implants.Materials and methods: From 1998 to 2001 all patients with zygomatic implants were included into this study (24 patients, 37 zygomatic implants). One implant was lost in the loading phase giving a survival rate of 97%. Fourteen patients with 20 zygomatic implants fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were all available for the recall examination. Thirteen zygomatic implants were inserted in cases of severe maxillary atrophy, seven in cases of tumour‐resection of the maxilla. Clinical examination and microbial analysis using a DNA probe was performed. The implants had a mean time in situ of 598 days (min: 326, max: 914).Results: Colonisation with periodontal pathogens was found at four of the 20 implants. A positive microbiologic result of the periimplant pocket and the maximum pocket probing depth were not statistically related. Nine of the 20 implants showed bleeding on probing, four of these had positive microbiologic results. At sites without bleeding on probing only negative microbiologic samples were found (p=0.026). The mean palatal and mesial probing depth was 1 mm deeper than at the vestibular and distal aspect. Thus at nine out of the 20 implants both, bleeding on probing and pocket probing depth 5 mm indicated soft tissue problems resulting in a success rate of only 55%. The patient's history (tumor versus atrophy) or smoking habits seemed not to have influence the situation.Conclusion: These soft tissue problems should be taken into account if zygomatic implants are considered as an alternative therapy option in the maxilla.