bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Biological Activities of a New Soya Biopeptide Studied in an In Vitro Skin Equivalent Model and Human Volunteers
Authors: Andre‐Frei V. , Perrier E. , Augustin C. , Damour O. , Bordat P. , Schumann K. , Förster TH. , Waldmann‐Laue M. 
Published: March 2003

During aging, the epidermis and dermis become thin and an efficient anti‐aging product should be able to stimulate the metabolism of senescent fibroblast and keratinocytes, in order to increase the quantity of extra‐cellular matrix components such as collagen and glycosaminoglycans. A study performed in parallel on an in vitro skin equivalent model, and in vivo, with human volunteers, demonstrated the efficacy of one specific soya biopeptide for anti‐aging properties.Such a biopeptide induces a significant increase of glycosaminoglycans synthesis in vitro and in vivo after a one‐month treatment. We also showed that this new cosmetic ingredient is able to stimulate favourably the collagen synthesis in vitro and in vivo.This study provided the proof for anti‐aging properties of a new soya biopeptide and also validated the skin equivalent model developed for this experimentation as an alternative method to animal or human testing for some cosmetic efficacy evaluations.
Change of amphiphilic association structures during evaporation from emulsions in surfactant–fragrance–water systems
Authors: Zhang  , Friberg  , Aikens  
Published: March 2003

Synopsis The phase diagrams of a nonionic surfactant (Laureth 4), water, and three different fragrance compounds, limonene, phenethyl alcohol and benzaldehyde, were compared. The location of the fragrance molecules in the lamellar liquid crystals (LLC) was investigated using the small‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The evaporation processes of the fragrance emulsions, consisting of 80 wt.% water, 15 wt.% fragrance and 5 wt.% surfactant, were followed both experimentally through an optical microscope, and theoretically through calculation based on the knowledge of the vapour pressure of the fragrance along the demixing line of the water‐in‐oil microemulsion (L2) phase boundary.Evaporation of the phenethyl alcohol emulsion led the system directly into the L2 phase region, with very little phenethyl alcohol evaporated in 20 min. For the limonene system, during evaporation the system experienced several multi‐phase regions, then reached the water‐surfactant axis, and finally went into the L2 phase region. By contrast to phenethyl alcohol, limonene evaporated completely within 10 min. Benzaldehyde emulsion went through structural changes similar to those of limonene, while the fragrance evaporated continuously until completion in 20 min. Résumé On a comparé les diagrammes de phase d’un tensioactif non ionique (Laureth 4), de l’eau, et de trois composés parfumés différents, le limonène, l’alcool phénéthylique et le benzaldéhyde. La présence et la localisation des molécules de parfum dans les cristaux liquides lamellaires (LLC) ont étéétudiées par diffraction rayons X à angle faible. Les processus d’évaporation des émulsions parfumées, constituées de 80 % en poids d’eau, de 15 % en poids de parfum et de 5 % en poids de tensioactif, ont été suivis expérimentalement avec un microscope optique, et par le calcul théorique basé sur la connaissance de la tension de vapeur du parfum le long de la ligne de décantation de la frontière de la phase de microémulsion eau dans huile (L2).L’évaporation de l’émulsion d’alcool phénéthylique conduit le système directement dans la zone de phase L2, avec très peu d’alcool phénéthylique évaporé en 20 min. Pour le système au limonène, durant l’évaporation le système présente plusieurs zones multiphases, puis atteint l’axe eau‐tensioactif, et finalement arrive dans la zone de phase L2. Contrairement à l’alcool phénéthylique, le limonène est complètement évaporé en 10 min. L’émulsion de benzaldéhyde passe par des changements de structure similaires à ceux du limonène, tandis que le parfum s’évapore en continu jusqu’à achèvement en 20 min.
Temperature sensitive diphtheria toxin confers conditional male‐sterility in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Guerineau François , Sorensen Anna‐Marie , Fenby Nick , Scott Rod. J. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryA gene encoding a temperature‐sensitive diphtheria toxin A chain (DTA) polypeptide was fused to the Arabidopsis thaliana tapetum‐specific A9 promoter. Expression of the chimaeric gene in transgenic A. thaliana lines resulted in plants that were male‐sterile, but female‐fertile, when grown at 18 °C, and fully self fertile at 26 °C. No pollen grains were found on the anthers of transgenic plants grown at 18 °C, although aggregated pollen grains were found inside the anthers. Electron microscopy revealed discrete alterations in the tapetal cells of the male‐sterile transgenic plants. The strength of the phenotype observed in segregants correlated with the level of expression of the gene and the copy number. The low frequency at which fully male‐sterile plants were generated suggests that the temperature‐sensitive DTA protein is disabled as a cytotoxin, relative to the wild‐type protein activity.
Predictors of weight gain: the biological‐behavioural debate
Authors: Filozof C. , Gonzalez C. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity, in spite of an unchanged gene pool, makes it interesting to search for biological factors which increase the susceptibility at the individual level as well as searching for the responsible environmental factors. Among the identified metabolic factors is a low resting metabolic rate for given body size and composition, a high respiratory quotient RQ) indicating a low fat oxidation and a low spontaneous physical activity, all factors which are regarded as being under substantial genetic influence. Among the environmental factors, it is low levels of physical activity, increasing inactivity and a high fat diet that are probably the most important ones. In this review we have focused on controversies in this area. Understanding the interaction between the constitutional biological factors and the environmentally determined lifestyle factors it is important to produce better options for both the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Childhood overweight: a contextual model and recommendations for future research
Authors: Davison K. K. , Birch L. L. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe prevalence of overweight among children has doubled within the past two decades. Increases in the rate of childhood overweight are of particular concern due to the negative health and psychological effects noted among overweight children. As shown by previous research, the development of childhood overweight involves a complex set of factors from multiple contexts that interact with each other to place a child at risk of overweight. This multifaceted system can be conceptualized using Ecological Systems Theory (EST). EST highlights the importance of considering the context(s), or ecological niche, in which a person is located in order to understand the emergence of a particular characteristic. In the case of a child, the ecological niche includes the family and the school, which are in turn embedded in larger social contexts including the community and society at large. In this review, EST is used as a framework with which to summarize research assessing predictors of childhood overweight. Specifically, child characteristics that place children at risk of the development of overweight (including dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour) will be reviewed while taking into consideration the influence of the familial environment, the school environment, and the community and larger social environments. It is concluded that future research needs to adopt a broader contextual approach in order to understand and intervene against the processes leading to the development of overweight among children and that the use of theories or paradigms such as EST will facilitate developing and testing models of causal processes.
Obesity, haemostasis and the fibrinolytic system
Authors: Mertens I. , Gaal L. F. Van 
Published: March 2003

SummaryObese patients are at risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases, which can in part be explained by disturbances in the haemostatic and fibrinolytic systems. Indeed, obese subjects tend to have higher values of fibrinogen, factor VII, factor VIII, von Willebrand factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor compared to non‐obese subjects. Abdominal obesity, in particular, has been shown to be associated with disturbances in fibrinogen, factor VIII and von Willebrand factor, while less consistent results have been found for factor VII. Recently it has been demonstrated that the adipocyte itself is able to produce plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, possibly explaining the high levels found in obesity. Different studies have investigated the association between haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters and the insulin resistance syndrome, often present in obese subjects. Fibrinogen has been found to be related to insulin, but it has been suggested that this relationship is not independent of the accompanying inflammatory reaction. Results from studies on the relationship between insulin resistance and factor VII, factor VIII and von Willebrand factor levels are inconsistent. In contrast, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 has been found to correlate with all components of the insulin resistance syndrome, and can be considered as a true component of this metabolic syndrome. Weight loss seems to have a beneficial effect on factor VII – probably mediated through a reduction in triglycerides. Data on factor VIII and von Willebrand factor are scarce but weight loss does not seem to have an effect. Fibrinogen does not seem to be reduced by modest weight loss and a more substantial weight loss seems necessary to lower fibrinogen levels. In contrast, both modest and substantial weight loss have been found to significantly reduce plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 levels. In conclusion, the increased cardiovascular risk observed in obesity could in part be explained by the association between insulin resistance and components of the fibrinolytic and haemostatic systems. Whether this relationship is truly causal or indirect needs to be elucidated further.
Type A Niemann–Pick disease
Authors: Raddadi Ali A , Al Twaim Abdulaziz A 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNiemann–Pick disease (NPD) represents a type of lysosomal storage diseases in which sphingomyelin accumulates in the histocytes and reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow and central nervous system. We report a child with massive hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, mental retardation and widespread papulonodular lesions. His clinical features conform to the type A subgroup of NPD.
Morphoea in three siblings
Authors: Iranzo P , Lopez I , Palou J , Herrero C , Lecha M 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAtrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (APP) is an uncommon form of localized morphoea that occurs as superficial, hyperpigmented plaques distributed mainly on the trunk and proximal part of the limbs. There is little information about the influence of genetic and environmental factors on disease susceptibility and expression for localized scleroderma, although APP familial cases have been reported.1 We report three siblings without a family history of autoimmune disease presenting cutaneous lesions suggesting morphoea (APP variant).
Persistent erythema multiforme: a report of three cases
Authors: Pavlović MD , Karadaglić DM , Kandolf LO , Mijušković Z̆P 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThree cases of persistent erythema multiforme, two of unknown aetiology and one precipitated by influenza are reported. Lesions were widespread, mostly atypical in appearance and regressed in response to immunosuppressants (systemic steroids and/or azathioprine) or, in one case, to dapsone. One patient developed erythroderma responding eventually to etretinate. Histology in all patients was consistent with the mixed, epidermodermal pattern of erythema multiforme. There were no significant laboratory abnormalities nor marked symptomatology apart from itching. The persistent form appears to belong to the spectrum of erythema multiforme being heterogeneous with respect to inducing stimuli, including viral antigens, neoplastic or inflammatory disease or unknown causes. Whenever it is possible, treatment should be adjusted depending on the causative agent.
The acetowhite test in genital human papillomavirus infection in men: what does it add?
Authors: Kumar B , Gupta S 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackgroundMany genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are clinically invisible epithelial lesions. They remain so for a considerable time before some develop into clinically apparent lesions. The inapparent and asymptomatic nature of these lesions poses a problem in the detection and management of genital HPV infection. Without reliable, and readily available diagnostic methods, no definite therapeutic approach can be recommended or followed. The acetowhite test has been recommended to help determine the extent of the affected area.ObjectiveTo evaluate the acetowhite test in detecting inapparent subclinical HPV involvement in male patients with clinically apparent warts.MethodsTwo hundred and two uncircumcised patients with genital warts were included. Patients with concomitant inflammatory lesions were excluded. The warts and adjacent normal skin/mucosa of normal appearance were wrapped in gauze soaked in 5% acetic acid for about 3–5 min. The area was subsequently examined with a hand lens (× 8).ResultsAll of the 116 hyperplastic warts became acetowhite, as well as a narrow rim of surrounding skin. Few flat warts in dry areas only became dull white and none pure white. No whiteness was observed in the surrounding area. Only 15 of 26 flat warts in moist areas became acetowhite. One (eroded lesion) of 13 verruca vulgaris type lesions and none of the pigmented papules gave positive results to the acetowhite test.ConclusionsThe sensitivity of the acetowhite test for hyperplastic warts is very high, but for other types of warts is low. Detection of subclinical HPV‐infected areas is difficult; the acetowhite test did not assist in the identification of additional areas of infection in our patients.
Itraconazole pulse therapy for the treatment of Candida onychomycosis
Authors: Gupta AK , De Doncker P , Haneke E 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn this open label, multicentre trial, 44 patients with clinical and mycological evidence of Candida onychomycosis were treated with itraconazole pulse therapy. Onychomycosis of the toes alone and concomitant disease involving the fingers and toes was treated with three pulses, and onychomycosis of the fingers alone with two pulses. Final evaluation for patients with finger and toe onychomycosis was at 6–9 months and 9–12 months, respectively. There were 29 patients with toe onychomycosis (C. albicans, 27; C. glabrata, one; Candida species, one), 12 patients with finger onychomycosis (C. albicans, two; C. glabrata, one) and three patients had combined toe and finger onychomycosis (C. albicans, two; C. guillermondii, one). In the patients with toe onychomycosis mycological cure was observed in 29 of 32 patients (90.6%). There was complete cure [mycological cure (negative culture and KOH at endpoint evaluation) with clinical cure] or marked improvement (mycological cure with 75% or greater decrease in area of involvement of target nail compared with pretherapy) in 24 of 32 patients (75.0%). All 12 patients with finger onychomycosis alone due to Candida species achieved a mycological cure (100%). In this group of patients complete cure or marked improvement was observed in 11 of 12 patients (91.7%). Itraconazole pulse therapy was well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported in the patients treated with this triazole. In conclusion, itraconazole pulse therapy is an effective and safe treatment for both finger and toe onychomycosis associated with Candida.
Syringoid eccrine carcinoma
Authors: Gregurek‐Novak T , Talan‐Hranilović J , Troskot N , Vučić M , Krušlin B 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA rare case of a syringoid eccrine carcinoma in a 52‐year‐old male patient is described. During the first hospitalization, syringoma was diagnosed, both clinically and histologically, keeping in mind the possibility of its malignant alteration. Difficulties in making a diagnosis with histological and immunohistochemical examinations are reported. The possibility of differential diagnosis of primary breast carcinoma and methods of its exclusion are also described. Treatment of the patient was surgical with good results.
Control of the differentiation state and function of human epidermal Langerhans cells by cytokines in vitro
Authors: Prignano F , Gerlini G , Fossombroni V , Pimpinelli N , Giannotti B , Nestle FO , Romagnoli P 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLangerhans cells can originate in vitro from immature precursors stimulated with granulocyte macrophage‐colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and stem cell factor (SCF). We asked whether these cytokines also control the differentiation state of Langerhans cells within the epidermis and upon leaving this tissue. We harvested sheets of human epidermis by controlled dispase hydrolysis of keratomes, cultured them in RPMI and 10% fetal calf serum for 48 h and analysed the sheets and the cells migrated spontaneously into the medium, most of which were Langerhans cells containing Birbeck granules.1 By flow cytometry, the intensity of CD1a expression was reduced quite evenly among Langerhans cells migrated from sheets within 48 h. The cells in the sheets underwent loss of dendrites, with a significant reduction in the cell perimeter that was prevented by GM‐CSF and TNF‐α together. Either of these cytokines induced expression of CD18 by cells in the sheets and those in the medium. Moreover, TNF‐α induced expression of CD54 by cells in the medium, but not by those retained in the sheets, whereas human SCF induced, dose dependently, expression of CD54 by cells in the sheets, but not from those in the medium.2 The proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes was much higher when stimulating Langerhans cells were harvested from cultures with any cytokine, rather than from cultures without cytokines. We conclude the following: (i) GM‐CSF and TNF‐α help to maintain full differentiation of Langerhans cells within the epidermis; (ii) cytokine influence on Langerhans cells adhesiveness is in part context dependent; and (iii) pretreatment with cytokines influences positively the number or accessory activity of Langerhans cells on lymphocytes during subsequent mixed leucocyte reaction.
Assessing psychological distress in patients with skin diseases: reliability, validity and factor structure of the GHQ‐12
Authors: Picardi A , Abeni D , Pasquini P 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveWe studied reliability, validity and factor structure of the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) in dermatological patients.MethodsSubjects attending a dermatological outpatient clinic were administered the GHQ‐12 and the Skindex‐29. A random subsample was mailed another copy of the questionnaires to be completed within 1 week.ResultsA total of 2579 subjects completed the GHQ‐12. The internal consistency of the GHQ‐12 was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.88). Test–retest reliability on 137 subjects was also fairly satisfactory (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.72), notwithstanding a re‐test artefact probably related to reassurance from the physician. Evidence of construct validity was provided by the pattern of correlation between scores on the GHQ‐12 and on the scales of Skindex‐29, which were as hypothesized. Also, GHQ‐12 scores of patients in different clinical groups varied as hypothesized, with patients affected by inflammatory skin diseases scoring significantly higher than patients with isolated skin lesions. We obtained both a two‐factor and a three‐factor solution: the latter seemed theoretically more appropriate, although the first may have practical advantages. A ‘social dysfunction’ factor emerged in both analyses, while the other items loaded on a ‘general dysphoria’ factor or on two separate factors interpreted as ‘anxiety’ and ‘loss of self‐esteem’.ConclusionsThe GHQ‐12 is a reliable and valid instrument with a factor structure that is quite stable across different samples as well as across diverse cultures. Its brevity and easiness of completion make it a useful tool to assess psychological distress in dermatological patients.
Lichen planus pigmentosus–inversus
Authors: Pock L , Jelínková L , Drlík L , Abrhámová S , Vojtechovská Š , Sezemská D , Borodácová I , Hercogová J 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe examined seven patients with lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) clinically and microscopically. Clinically, all patients had a striking predominance of lesions in an intertriginous location, with most of them in the axillae. Microscopically, two biopsies were of significance. Except for the regressive lichen planus, which is usual in LPP, the active inflammatory phase was also present. In these biopsies the very intensive hydropic degeneration of basal keratinocytes was combined with the absence of compensatory increased proliferation of keratinocytes, i.e. without acanthosis. The short duration of this process probably led to the quick transformation into a long noninflammatory regressive phase with incontinence of the pigment. These specific morphogenetic dynamics are possibly why most of the morphs of LPP present as brown, non‐pruritic, small inflammatory macules. Because of the highly characteristic inverse location of the lesions in our patients we propose the designation LPP–inversus for this variant of the disease.
Pemphigus vulgaris with oral involvement: evaluation of two different systemic corticosteroid therapeutic protocols
Authors: Femiano F , Gombos F , Scully C 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially life‐threatening disease characterized by cutaneous and mucosal blistering. Systemic corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy, transforming an invariably fatal disease into one with a mortality that is now less than 10%. Nevertheless, oral lesions are often recalcitrant and corticosteroid therapy can provoke adverse effects.Objective To determine whether two different regimens of systemic corticosteroid therapy based on prednisone gave different benefits.Method We examined two different regimens of systemic corticosteroid therapy based on prednisone in an open study. Ten patients (group A) were treated with systemic corticosteroids, in a therapeutic protocol made up of orally administered prednisone. Ten matched patients (group B) were treated with systemic corticosteroids alternating a pulse of intravenous betamethasone with orally administered prednisone.Results and conclusions The pulse protocol appeared to have some advantages both in a shorter time to resolution of symptoms and oral lesions, and in terms of minor adverse effects.
Botryomycosis in an HIV‐positive subject
Authors: De Vries HJC , Van Noesel CJM , Hoekzema R , Hulsebosch HJ 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTA 28‐year‐old male AIDS patient with generalized painful skin ulcers, fever and malaise presented to us. The differential diagnosis included varicella zoster infection, herpes simplex infection, actinomycosis, sporotrichosis and botryomycosis. Histopathology revealed clusters of Gram‐positive coccoid bacteria in the deep dermis, surrounded by a mixed dense inflammatory infiltrate. A bacterial culture grew Staphylococcus aureus. Viral cultures remained negative. Based on these findings botryomycosis was diagnosed. Large lesions were excised surgically and with antimicrobial therapy all skin symptoms disappeared. We discuss this case with reference to a short review of the literature on botryomycosis in relation to HIV infection.