bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A clinical study comparing PureSperm and SpermFilter for density gradient separation of human spermatozoa in assisted reproduction
Authors: Laursen Steen B. , Andersen Claus Yding , Hindkjær Johnny , Erb Karin 
Published: September 2003

Objective.  To compare a new density gradient medium, SpermFilter, for purifying spermatozoa in assisted reproduction with the more established medium, PureSperm.Design.  Part 1, a multicenter study on 225 semen samples purified using either PureSperm (115 semen samples) or SpermFilter (110 semen samples). Part 2, a retrospective, single center study on a total of 898 assisted reproductive cycles (245 insemination cycles using husband semen, 58 insemination cycles using donor semen and 595 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles.Setting.  Part 1, three fertility clinics in Denmark (two university‐affiliated fertility clinics and one private clinic). Part 2, one university‐affiliated fertility clinic in Denmark.Main outcome parameters.  Part 1, purity of purified spermatozoa (% motile), motility index and recovery of motile spermatozoa. Part 2, malformation and baby take‐home rates (insemination cycles), fertilization, cleavage, implantation, malformation and baby take‐home rates (IVF/ICSI cycles).Results.  No statistical differences were observed in any of the parameters investigated.Conclusion.  SpermFilter is a valid alternative to PureSperm in assisted reproduction technology (ART).
Effects of 0.2% chlorhexidine spray applied once or twice daily on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in a geriatric population
Authors: Clavero Javier , Baca Pilar , Junco Pilar , González Ma Paloma 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground/aims:
Chlorhexidine (CHX) spray has proven to be an easily applicable method for the chemical control of plaque in elderly and handicapped patients. A randomized double‐blind cross‐over placebo‐controlled trial was undertaken to compare the effects of 0.2% CHX spray applied once or twice daily on the plaque and gingival indexes in 13 institutionalized elderly patients.Method:
The study subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. During the first 30‐day period, one group received 0.2% chlorhexidine spray twice daily and the other received 0.2% CHX spray once daily plus placebo spray once daily. A washout period of 42 days then followed, after which the groups were interchanged and the process was repeated for another 30‐day period. Plaque index and gingival index were determined at the beginning and end of each period. The patients continued with their usual oral hygiene practices throughout the study.Results:
A significant reduction in plaque and gingival indexes was produced in both the groups. There were no significant differences in index scores between the groups.Conclusions:
The results of the present study suggest that a single‐daily application of 0.2% CHX spray is equally as effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in institutionalized elderly patients as are two‐daily applications of the same spray.
The systemic immune response is more prominent than the mucosal immune response in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease
Authors: Lappin D. F. , McGregor A. M. P. , Kinane D. F. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground, aim:  The diseased periodontium appears to express features of a systemic and a mucosal immune response. Our aims were to determine differences in immunoglobulin expression between gingivitis and periodontitis lesions and to ascertain whether immune and inflammatory cells were recruited into the diseased periodontium by the mucosal addressin adhesion molecule (MAdCAM‐1).Methods:  In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of chemokines, adhesion molecules and immunoglobulins in tissue sections of gingival and granulation tissues excised from periodontitis‐affected sites and of healthy tissue and gingivitis‐affected tissue excised during crown‐lengthening procedures.Results:  Greater numbers of plasma cells were observed in periodontitis gingival/granulation tissue lesions compared with gingivitis lesions. While IgA1 were predominant in all lesions, IgA2 and J‐chain expressing plasma cells were present in increased proportions in gingival tissues compared with granulation tissue. Intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) was higher in periodontitis than in gingivitis and interleukin‐8 mRNA was higher in lesions with a pronounced neutrophil infiltrate. Vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) localized to the deep connective tissue and indicated the presence of a systemic type of immune response in this region. Periodontal tissues (n=71 biopsies) did not appear to express MAdCAM‐1, in positive control sections of small intestine where it was detected.Conclusion:  Overall, the systemic‐type immune response is predominant, and although the mucosal immune response is minor and limited to the superficial tissues it may have an important role in the host defense to periodontal pathogens.
Analysis of etiologic factors and periodontal conditions involved with 309 abfractions
Authors: Miller Neal , Penaud Jacques , Ambrosini Pascal , Bisson‐Boutelliez Catherine , Briançon Serge 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjectives: Non‐carious cervical lesions (NCCL), also termed abfractions, have long been thought to be produced by excessive brushing. Nearly 20 years ago an occlusal etiology was proffered (Lee & Eagle 1984). Controversy still exists concerning these two concepts. The present work was carried out to verify the occurrence of signs of excessive brushing or occlusal disturbances associated with abfractions.Material and methods: All first consultants were screened for the presence of abfractions during one trimester. NCCL were found in 61 patients who consequently received a thorough examination searching for clinical evidence of excessive brushing or occlusal disturbances. The presence of plaque, calculus, periodontitis, or mobility was also noted. Simple frequency and percentage were used to describe the occurrence of different clinical signs in association with the presence of abfractions.Results: Abfractions often exist in mouths presenting plaque (40.1%), calculus (41.7%), or periodontitis (20.4%). Ulceration of the gingiva is a rare finding (1.6%). However, subgingival apical limits were frequent (32.5%). NCCL coexist almost systematically with occlusal wear facets (94.5%). Lack of canine disclusion (77.2%) was also closely associated with the presence of abfractions. Conversely, mobility was seldom found (1.9%).Conclusions: Clinical signs of excessive brushing were lacking, whereas signs of occlusal disturbance were very consistent with the presence of abfractions.
Comparison between panoramic and intra‐oral radiographs for the assessment of alveolar bone levels in a periodontal maintenance population
Authors: Persson Rigmor E. , Tzannetou Sappho , Feloutzis Andreas G. , Brägger Urs , Persson G. Rutger , Lang Niklaus P. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground:  Information about the agreement between intra‐oral (I‐O) and panoramic (OPG) radiographs is limited.Aims:  (1) To assess the agreement between I‐Os and OPGs for direct measurements of the distance between the cemento‐enamel junction (CEJ) and the alveolar bone level (BL) as well as the proportional values in relation to the root length (CEJ–BL/root length), and (2) to explore the symmetry between the left‐ and right‐side measurements.Material and Methods:  I‐Os and OPGs were studied in 292 periodontal maintenance subjects (mean age 55.5 years, SD±12.6) with on average 22.4 teeth (SD±4.1 range: 6–28). The images were measured using a PC software program. Site‐based I‐O and OPG values for CEJ–BL as well as CEJ–BL/root length were compared. OPG values of CEJ–BL/root length values between the left and right sides were also studied.Results:  A total of 11,395 linear distances (CEJ–BL plus CEJ–apex) from the I‐Os and 21,462 linear distances from the OPGs were measured. The intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICCs) between sets of readings of CEJ–BL varied between 0.80 and 0.89 (p<0.001), with the best agreement for tooth 22 (ICC: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83–0.92). The ICCs for CEJ–BL/root length varied between 0.54 and 0.92. Mean differences between I‐O and OPG values were in the 0.00–0.04 mm range for the CEJ–BL/root length comparisons. The maxillary anterior sextant demonstrated a 1.4 × enlargement by OPG for the CEJ–BL/root length comparisons. No distortions were observed for mandibular sextants. Left‐ and right‐side symmetry of periodontal bone loss was demonstrated. ICC varied between 0.79 (95.00% CI: 0.71–0.84, p<0.01) and 0.53 (95.00% CI: 0.36–0.65, p< 0.01).Conclusions:  I‐O and OPG radiograph readings are in great agreement. Alveolar bone loss appeared to have a symmetrical distribution pattern. Hence for periodontal assessments, OPG radiographic readings may, at least in part, substitute for full‐mouth periapical radiographic evaluation.
Introducing a nutrition screening tool: an exploratory study in a district general hospital
Authors: Jordan Sue , Snow Dawn , Hayes Chris , Williams Anne 
Published: September 2003

Background. Concerns have been raised that patients’ nutrition is a neglected aspect of care. Accordingly, ‘nutrition screening tools’ have been devised to ensure that all patients are assessed by nurses and, where appropriate, referred to dieticians. The tool adopted in our hospital was the ‘Nursing Nutritional Screening Tool’.Aim. To investigate the impact of this screening tool on: nutrition‐related nursing documentation; patient care at mealtimes; dietician referral.Methods. This study was conducted on two similar general medical wards in a United Kingdom (UK) district general hospital, with the help of staff and patients (n = 175) admitted during two study periods, May 1999 and January 2000. Data were collected over 28 days before and after introduction of the screening tool on one of the wards. For both wards, in each stage of the study, data were collected b: review of patients’ notes, non‐participant observations of mealtimes. Frequencies of dietician referral and documentation of weight were compared by cross‐tabulations and χ2 tests. Nine months later, the findings were discussed with ward sisters in a group interview.Findings. Introduction of the screening tool impacted on the process but not the outcomes of screening. Use of the screening tool increased the frequency of nutrition‐related documentation: the proportion of patients with weights recorded increased on the intervention ward (P < 0·001), and decreased on the comparator ward. Frequency of dietician referral decreased on both wards, but differences were statistically insignificant. There was no observable change in patient care at mealtimes. The nurses in charge of the wards felt that introduction of the screening tool had raised awareness of nutrition‐related care.Conclusions. Meeting patients’ nutritional needs is a complex aspect of care which may benefit from introduction of structured guidelines. However, the potential of screening tools to improve care is limited by diverse factors, which warrant further exploration.
Sexual health and women with bipolar disorder
Authors: McCandless Fiona , Sladen Claire 
Published: September 2003

Aim. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the importance of sexual health promotion strategies for women with bipolar disorder in order to stimulate interest and debate in this area of care.Background. Sexual health promotion is an important aspect of holistic nursing care. However, the literature indicates that nurses are reluctant to discuss sexual health and sexual behaviour with their clients. People with bipolar disorder warrant special consideration with regards to sexual health because the nature of the manic, or hypomanic, mood state is associated in some cases with sexually risky behaviour. For women with bipolar disorder, the associated risks include the threat of unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. To ignore sexual health and sexual behaviour in mental health care increases the vulnerability of women who may already be at risk of sexual exploitation.Case example. A brief case example is included to demonstrate how the sexual health of a young woman with bipolar disorder was promoted. The sexual health promotion that was incorporated into her care enabled her to make a choice about appropriate contraception, and also provided her with the opportunity to explore acceptable boundaries in different types of interpersonal relationships. As a result of the episodic nature of Bipolar disorder, it is impossible to state whether the positive outcomes from this strategy will be enduring or not.Conclusion. Consideration of sexual health is an essential element of the care of women with Bipolar disorder. To ignore it is to neglect an important sphere of human behaviour that can be affected by the condition.
Disseminated mucocutaneous leishmaniasis resulting from chronic use of corticosteroid
Authors: Motta Ana Carolina F. , Arruda Darlene , Souza Cacilda S. , Foss Norma T. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractMucocutaneous leishmaniasis is a granulomatous disease clinically characterized by ulcerated skin and mucosal lesions whose clinical manifestations can regress spontaneously, but with possible long subclinical evolution. The course of the disease is often related to the host immune response. The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical and microscopic findings of cutaneous and mucosal lesions of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient who presented an unusual form of the disease associated with an immunosuppressive state.
The papulokeratotic type of solitary benign lichenoid keratosis
Authors: Schepis Carmelo , Lentini Maria , Batolo Dario , Palazzo Rosaria 
Published: September 2003

A 67‐year‐old housewife was referred to us for a papulonodular keratotic lesion on the left side of the left eyebrow (Fig. 1). The lesion had started to develop 6 months earlier and had gradually reached a size of 2 cm in diameter. It was firm, nonitching, and painless on pressure.Papulokeratotic lesion on the left eyebrowimageHistologic examination of a punch biopsy obtained from the reddish edge of the nodule showed a jagged epidermal profile with areas of hyperplasia alternating with areas in which the epidermis was thin. The epidermis showed multifocal acanthosis, diffuse hypergranulosis, and hyperorthokeratosis; only focal hyperparakeratosis was present. The basal layer showed spotty areas of liquefaction degeneration, with superimposed lymphocytic infiltrate, and exocytoses that indented the profile of the dermo‐epidermal junction. Focally, some eosinophilic bodies were present. Keratinocytes with hyperchromatic nuclei were also present in the lower layer of the epidermis (Fig. 2).Histologic examination showing epidermis with acanthosis, hypergranulosis, and hyperorthokeratosis; keratinocytes with hyperchromatic nuclei can also be seen in the lower layer. The papillary dermis shows a band‐like lymphocytic infiltrate (original magnification, × 10)imageThe papillary dermis showed a mostly band‐like infiltrate consisting predominantly of lymphocytes, a few melanin‐poor histiocytes, and very rare eosinophils; telangiectases and solar elastosis were also present.
Sporotrichosis with widespread cutaneous lesions: report of 24 cases related to transmission by domestic cats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: De Lima Barros Mônica Bastos , De Oliveira Schubach Armando , Galhardo Maria Clara Gutierrez , Schubach Tânia Maria Pacheco , VMD  , Reis Rosani Santos dos , Conceição Maria José , Valle Antônio Carlos Francesconi do 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground Sporotrichosis most commonly presents as a localized lymphocutaneous infection following traumatic inoculation of soil, vegetables or organic substrates contaminated with the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Cases of widespread cutaneous lesions are rare. There have been isolated reports of household outbreaks of sporotrichosis involving cats and humans.Methods We report 24 cases of culture‐proven sporotrichosis presenting with widespread cutaneous lesions.Results These 24 cases are part of an epidemic currently occurring in Rio de Janeiro. All patients reported contact with cats with sporotrichosis and 17 reported a history of a scratch or bite. Clinical manifestations included fixed lesions at multiple anatomical sites, and fixed lesions associated with the lymphocutaneous, bilateral lymphocutaneous and mucosal forms of the disease. Two patients were alcoholics and one patient was diabetic, while the remaining patients did not present any immunosuppressing condition. All patients responded to treatment with itraconazole.Conclusions The domestic cat has played an important role in the transmission of sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro and seems to have contributed to this unusual clinical manifestation.
A case of cutaneous paragonimiasis with pleural effusion
Authors: Dainichi Teruki , Nakahara Tsuyoshi , Moroi Yoichi , Urabe Kazunori , Koga Tetsuya , Tanaka Masato , Nawa Yukifumi , Furue Masutaka 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground  Paragonimiasis is an infectious disease caused by Paragonimus, which persists in the lung of mammals. Infection in the skin is very rare.Results  A subcutaneous tumor with itching developed on the right lateroabdominal region of a 55‐year‐old man 10 days after eating fresh‐water crab. It was surgically excised 2 months later. Examination of a specimen of the surgically excised tumor revealed an abscess containing many eosinophils. Parasites or other infectious organisms were not found in sections. The blood eosinophil count of the patient was elevated, and P. westermani‐specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titer was strongly detected in the serum. The tumor was diagnosed as cutaneous paragonimiasis caused by P. westermani. Three months after eating the crab, a chest X‐ray film showed a pleural effusion. P. westermani‐specific IgG antibody was also detected in the pleural fluid. The patient was given 75 mg/kg/day of praziquantel for 3 days. The pleural effusion gradually disappeared after the medication.Conclusions  This patient had cutaneous paragonimiasis with a skin tumor that was diagnosed prior to the expression of a pleural effusion.
Demodex infestation in a child with leukaemia: treatment with ivermectin and permethrin
Authors: Damian Diona , Rogers Maureen 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground  Demodex mites are almost ubiquitous on older adult skin but are infrequent in young children. In immunocompromised patients, demodicosis may be more frequent and severe, and systemic therapy may be needed to achieve clinical resolution.Case report  A six‐year‐old boy having maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with widespread erythema and scaling of the face. Skin scrapings were negative and the eruption worsened despite the completion of chemotherapy and the use of topical corticosteroids. Pustules developed on the face and around the eyelids, associated with bilateral blepharitis and lower lid chalazia. Skin biopsy then revealed heavy infestation with Demodex folliculorum. The child was treated with a combination of topical permethrin and oral ivermectin, with a total of four doses of ivermectin given over 6 weeks. The facial eruption had completely resolved 3 months after initiation of this combined treatment.Comment  Demodex infestation can cause dramatic facial and eyelid inflammation in immunocompromised patients. Oral ivermectin, in combination with topical permethrin, can be a safe and effective treatment for severe demodicosis.
Linear polarized infrared irradiation using Super Lizer™ is an effective treatment for multiple‐type alopecia areata
Authors: Yamazaki Masashi , Miura Yuko , Tsuboi Ryoji , Ogawa Hideoki 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground  Super Lizer™ is a linear polarized light instrument, which has been used with good effect in orthopedics and anesthesiology to treat arthralgia and neuralgia with a high output of infrared radiation.Aim  To test Super Lizer™'s efficacy for the treatment of alopecia areata.Methods  Fifteen patients over 18 years of age, diagnosed with alopecia areata and displaying symptoms of patchy hair loss, were topically irradiated with infrared radiation using the Super Lizer™. The patients were irradiated intermittently for an interval of 3 min once every week or every 2 weeks.Results  Seven of 15 (46.7%) of the irradiated areas showed hair regrowth 1.6 months earlier than the nonirradiated areas (χ2 official approval, P = 0.003). With regard to adverse effects caused by Super Lizer™ treatment, only one patient complained of a sensation of heat in the irradiated area.Conclusions  These findings suggest that Super Lizer™, with its noninvasive properties, is a useful apparatus for the treatment of mild forms of alopecia areata.
Physiological regulation of P‐glycoprotein, MRP1, MRP2 and cytochrome P450 3A2 during rat ontogeny
Authors: Rosati Anna , Maniori Silvia , Decorti Giuliana , Candussio Luigi , Giraldi Tullio , Bartoli Fiora 
Published: September 2003

P‐glycoprotein and the multidrug resistance‐related proteins MRP1 and MRP2 belong to the ATP binding cassette family of proteins and transport a wide range of substrates. These proteins are also involved in metabolic and excretory processes of xenobiotics. The rat genes mdr1a and mdr1b code for P‐glycoproteins, while mrp1 and mrp2 genes code for MRP1 and MRP2 proteins, respectively. In this study, the physiological modulation of the level of transcript for these genes during rat ontogeny in the liver, kidney, lung, brain and heart was analyzed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. An increasing level of transcript during ontogeny was demonstrated for mdr1a and mdr1b in all tissues considered, as well as for mrp2, which was detected only in the liver and kidney. In contrast, mrp1 transcript, present in all tissues, did not show any modulation. The maximum level of expression was reached in adult animals and a significant decrease was demonstrated in aging rats. Western blot analysis with C219 and M2III‐6 monoclonal antibodies confirmed this different pattern of expression during ontogeny in the liver. The physiological regulation of cytochrome P450 3A2 was also considered: in the rat liver, an increase in the level of transcript during ontogeny, with a maximum in 60‐day‐old rats and a decrease in 8‐month‐old rats, was evident.
Variation in Caenorhabditis elegans dauer larva formation
Authors: Viney Mark E. , Gardner Michael P. , Jackson Joseph A. 
Published: September 2003

Dauer larvae of Caenorhabditis elegans are formed when young larvae experience conditions of low food availability and high conspecific population density; non‐dauer, third stage larvae are formed in conditions of plenty. This developmental response to environmental conditions is an example of phenotypic plasticity; that is, an environmentally induced change in phenotype and, as such, a manifestation of a genotype–environment interaction. Extensive variation was found in reaction norms of phenotypic plasticity of dauer formation among wild lines of C. elegans. Recombinant‐inbred lines were constructed from parental lines with very different reaction norms of dauer formation. These recombinant‐inbred lines had a wide range of reaction norms, of a range greater than that set by the parental lines. The natural variation in reaction norms of dauer formation in C. elegans is, presumably, an adaptation to enhance fitness under the lines' different natural prevailing conditions. The genetic basis of this variation, as well as its phenotypic consequences, are now ripe for further investigation.