bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do ethnicity and gender have an impact on pain thresholds in minor dermatologic procedures?
Authors: Yosipovitch Gil , Meredith Gregory , Chan Yiong Huak , Goh Chee Leok 
Published: January 2004

Background and Objectives: The perception of pain is a personal experience influenced by many factors, including genetic, ethnic and cultural issues. Understanding these perceptions is especially important in dermatologic patients undergoing minor surgical operations and who often differ in their pain response to surgical treatments. Little is known about how these differences affect the perception of experimental pain. The purpose of this study was to determine experimental pain perception differences in three distinct East Asian ethnic populations.Methods: Pain thresholds were examined with a psychophysical computerized quantitative thermal sensory testing device (TSA 2001) in healthy volunteers recruited from three different Asian ethnic groups. Using the methods of limits, experimental pain perception threshold was measured on the forehead and volar aspect of the forearm in 49 healthy subjects. The measurements were then repeated after skin barrier perturbation with adhesive tape stripping of the stratum corneum. All three ethnic groups were analyzed separately with respect to age, gender educational level and skin type.Results: A total of 20 Chinese, 14 Malay and 15 Indian subjects completed the study. Thermal pain thresholds were similar in all three ethnic groups before and after tape strippings. No significant differences were noted between genders.Conclusions: Using quantitative sensory thermal testing, we demonstrated that no significant differences in pain occur between different races and genders.
Visual evaluationin vivoof ‘complexion radiance’ using the C.L.B.T.™ sensory methodology
Authors: Musnier C. , Piquemal P. , Beau P. , Pittet J. C. 
Published: January 2004

Purpose:The aim of this study was to develop a new technique enabling visual evaluationin vivoof ‘complexion radiance’ based on sensory analysis, and to apply this methodology to a practical case.Methods:This evaluation, conducted by trained assessors, was based on a visual analysisin vivoof the following seven descriptors, clearly defined by consensus: a red‐pink, olive, beige, and light‐pink skin coloring (C), as well as the luminosity (L), brightness (B), and transparency (T) of each subject's facial skin. The scoring of perceived skin descriptor intensity was made possible with the help of structured and analogical scales. Once the assessors were considered to be accurate and repeatable, a method was designed to evaluate a cosmetic product's effect on complexion radiance. The study was conducted on 20 healthy female subjects, between 20 and 35 years of age, who met the ‘dull complexion’ criteria. Product ‘A’ (Oligo 25, Laboratoires Vichy, Asnieres, France), formulated to improve ‘complexion radiance,’ was applied by each subject for 28 days, once a day in the morning, in a homogeneous fashion over the entire face, using a standard quantity and a specific way of massaging the product in. The clinical parameters were evaluated at T0, T+1 h, and at T+28 days. This test was a non‐comparative open study and each subject served as her own reference.Results:One hour after its application, product A produced an immediate significant effect by decreasing the complexion's ‘olive’ skin cast and improving its ‘light‐pink’ coloring, its ‘luminosity,’ and ‘brightness.’ The data concerning the long‐term effect of product A following 28 days of application showed that there was significant improvement in these first four descriptors, while the ‘beige’ skin coloring was ultimately diminished in addition.Conclusion:Thisin vivoC.L.B.T.™ sensory methodology is a technique enabling the visual evaluation of a product's multi‐factorial claim that it improves ‘the complexion's radiance.’ It made it possible to show, in a reliable and repeatable fashion, the efficacy of a cosmetic product in improving the ‘radiance of the complexion’ of members of a test panel. This methodology also substantiated the immediate and long‐term effects produced by product A, which made the skin pinker and less sallow, more luminous, more uniform (skin coloring), more regular (skin texture), and then lighter. To conclude, five descriptors out of the seven determining complexion radiance were improved.
Ultrasonographic subepidermal low‐echogenic band, dependence of age and body site
Authors: Sandby‐møller Jane , Wulf Hans Christian 
Published: January 2004

Background/purpose: The presence of an age‐dependent subepidermal low‐echogenic band (SLEB) is well established at specific body sites. Several studies have also proposed it to be a marker of photoaging, but only few studies have included children in their material, and UVR exposure has predominantly been evaluated as differences between body sites with different UVR exposure. The aim of this study was to further investigate the existence of SLEB and exploring its relation to both age and body site/UVR exposure.Methods: In all 137 healthy volunteers from 4 to 68 years of age were included. In vivo high‐frequency ultrasonography (B‐mode, 20 MHz) was obtained from sun‐exposed and sun‐protected skin in a period with negligible environmental exposure to solar UVR. The SLEB was evaluated both visually and quantitatively.Results: We found a significant correlation between visual scoring of SLEB and dermal echogenicity, which supports the usefulness of SLEB scoring.We found that the grade (existence and development) of SLEB increased significantly with age at both the forehead and at the dorsal aspect of the forearm, where a well‐defined SLEB was absent in children and present in over 50% of adults above the age of 40 years. No such age dependence was found either at the buttock or at the shoulder, and remarkably a well‐defined SLEB was present in 37% of the adolescents at the buttock.Conclusion: These results indicate that the age‐related increase in SLEB grade at highly sun‐exposed body sites might be attributed to UVR exposure. The presence of SLEB in both the young and at the sun‐protected buttock points to a multifactorial etiology, where anatomical differences may play an important role as well as water content. SLEB might not be a very sensitive and specific marker of photoaging.
Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection
Authors: Kimberlin David W. 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYTremendous advances have occurred over the past 30 years in the diagnosis and management of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) disease. Mortality in patients with disseminated disease has decreased from 85 to 29%, and that in patients with central nervous system (CNS) disease has decreased from 50 to 4%. Morbidity has been improved more modestly: the proportion of patients with disseminated disease who are developing normally at 1 year has increased from 50 to 83%. While the proportion of patients with neurologic morbidity following CNS disease has remained essentially unchanged over the past three decades, the total number of patients who are developing normally following HSV CNS disease has increased due to the improved survival. Although additional therapeutic advances in the future are possible, more immediate methods for further improvements in outcome for patients with this potentially devastating disease lie in an enhanced awareness of neonatal HSV infection and disease. A thorough understanding of the biology and natural history of HSV in the gravid woman and the neonate provides the basis for such an index of suspicion and is provided in this article.
Global Change and Human Vulnerability to Vector-Borne Diseases
Authors: Sutherst Robert W. 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYGlobal change includes climate change and climate variability, land use, water storage and irrigation, human population growth and urbanization, trade and travel, and chemical pollution. Impacts on vector-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, infections by other arboviruses, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and leishmaniasis are reviewed. While climate change is global in nature and poses unknown future risks to humans and natural ecosystems, other local changes are occurring more rapidly on a global scale and are having significant effects on vector-borne diseases. History is invaluable as a pointer to future risks, but direct extrapolation is no longer possible because the climate is changing. Researchers are therefore embracing computer simulation models and global change scenarios to explore the risks. Credible ranking of the extent to which different vector-borne diseases will be affected awaits a rigorous analysis. Adaptation to the changes is threatened by the ongoing loss of drugs and pesticides due to the selection of resistant strains of pathogens and vectors. The vulnerability of communities to the changes in impacts depends on their adaptive capacity, which requires both appropriate technology and responsive public health systems. The availability of resources in turn depends on social stability, economic wealth, and priority allocation of resources to public health.
Strongyloides stercoralisin the Immunocompromised Population
Authors: Keiser Paul B. , Nutman Thomas B. 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYStrongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode of humans that infects tens of millions of people worldwide. S. stercoralis is unique among intestinal nematodes in its ability to complete its life cycle within the host through an asexual autoinfective cycle, allowing the infection to persist in the host indefinitely. Under some conditions associated with immunocompromise, this autoinfective cycle can become amplified into a potentially fatal hyperinfection syndrome, characterized by increased numbers of infective filariform larvae in stool and sputum and clinical manifestations of the increased parasite burden and migration, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and respiratory distress. S. stercoralis hyperinfection is often accompanied by sepsis or meningitis with enteric organisms. Glucocorticoid treatment and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infection are the two conditions most specifically associated with triggering hyperinfection, but cases have been reported in association with hematologic malignancy, malnutrition, and AIDS. Anthelmintic agents such as ivermectin have been used successfully in treating the hyperinfection syndrome as well as for primary and secondary prevention of hyperinfection in patients whose exposure history and underlying condition put them at increased risk.
Staphylococcus aureusCapsular Polysaccharides
Authors: O'Riordan Katherine , Lee Jean C. 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYSerotype 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides predominate among clinical isolates ofStaphylococcus aureus.The results of experiments in animal models of infection have revealed that staphylococcal capsules are important in the pathogenesis ofS. aureusinfections. The capsule enhances staphylococcal virulence by impeding phagocytosis, resulting in bacterial persistence in the bloodstream of infected hosts.S. aureuscapsules also promote abscess formation in rats. Although the capsule has been shown to modulateS. aureusadherence to endothelial surfaces in vitro, animal studies suggest that it also promotes bacterial colonization and persistence on mucosal surfaces.S. aureuscapsular antigens are surface associated, limited in antigenic specificity, and highly conserved among clinical isolates. With the emergence of vancomycin-resistantS. aureusin the United States in 2002, new strategies are needed to combat staphylococcal infections. Purified serotype 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides offer promise as target antigens for a vaccine to prevent staphylococcal infections, although the inclusion of other antigens is likely to be essential in the development of an effectiveS. aureusvaccine. The genetics and mechanisms of capsule biosynthesis are complex, and much work remains to enhance our understanding of capsule biosynthesis and its regulation.
History, Dynamics, and Public Health Importance of Malaria Parasite Resistance
Authors: Talisuna Ambrose O. , Bloland Peter , D’Alessandro Umberto 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARYDespite considerable efforts, malaria is still one of the most devastating infectious diseases in the tropics. The rapid spread of antimalarial drug resistance currently compounds this grim picture. In this paper, we review the history of antimalarial drug resistance and the methods for monitoring it and assess the current magnitude and burden of parasite resistance to two commonly used drugs: chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Furthermore, we review the factors involved in the emergence and spread of drug resistance and highlight its public health importance. Finally, we discuss ways of dealing with such a problem by using combination therapy and suggest some of the research themes needing urgent answers.
Infection Control in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Saiman Lisa , Siegel Jane 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARY

Over the past 20 years there has been a greater interest in infection control in cystic fibrosis (CF) as patient-to-patient transmission of pathogens has been increasingly demonstrated in this unique patient population. The CF Foundation sponsored a consensus conference to craft recommendations for infection control practices for CF care providers. This review provides a summary of the literature addressing infection control in CF.
Burkholderia cepacia
complex,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
have all been shown to spread between patients with CF.
Standard precautions
,
transmission-based precautions
including contact and droplet precautions, appropriate hand hygiene for health care workers, patients, and their families, and care of respiratory tract equipment to prevent the transmission of infectious agents serve as the foundations of infection control and prevent the acquisition of potential pathogens by patients with CF. The respiratory secretions of all CF patients potentially harbor clinically and epidemiologically important microorganisms, even if they have not yet been detected in cultures from the respiratory tract. CF patients should be educated to contain their secretions and maintain a distance of >3 ft from other CF patients to avoid the transmission of potential pathogens, even if culture results are unavailable or negative. To prevent the acquisition of pathogens from respiratory therapy equipment used in health care settings as well as in the home, such equipment should be cleaned and disinfected. It will be critical to measure the dissemination, implementation, and potential impact of these guidelines to monitor changes in practice and reduction in infections.
Cryptosporidium
Taxonomy: Recent Advances and Implications for Public Health
Authors: Xiao Lihua , Fayer Ronald , Ryan Una , Upton Steve J. 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARY
There has been an explosion of descriptions of new species of Cryptosporidium during the last two decades. This has been accompanied by confusion regarding the criteria for species designation, largely because of the lack of distinct morphologic differences and strict host specificity among Cryptosporidium spp. A review of the biologic species concept, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), and current practices for Cryptosporidium species designation calls for the establishment of guidelines for naming Cryptosporidium species. All reports of new Cryptosporidium species should include at least four basic components: oocyst morphology, natural host specificity, genetic characterizations, and compliance with the ICZN. Altogether, 13 Cryptosporidium spp. are currently recognized: C. muris, C. andersoni, C. parvum, C. hominis, C. wrairi, C. felis, and C. cannis in mammals; C. baïleyi, C. meleagridis, and C. galli in birds; C. serpentis and C. saurophilum in reptiles; and C. molnari in fish. With the establishment of a framework for naming Cryptosporidium species and the availability of new taxonomic tools, there should be less confusion associated with the taxonomy of the genus Cryptosporidium. The clarification of Cryptosporidium taxonomy is also useful for understanding the biology of Cryptosporidium spp., assessing the public health significance of Cryptosporidium spp. in animals and the environment, characterizing transmission dynamics, and tracking infection and contamination sources.
Health Impacts of Environmental Mycobacteria
Authors: Primm Todd P. , Lucero Christie A. , Falkinham Joseph O. 
Published: January 2004

SUMMARY

Environmental mycobacteria are emerging pathogens causing opportunistic infections in humans and animals. The health impacts of human-mycobacterial interactions are complex and likely much broader than currently recognized. Environmental mycobacteria preferentially survive chlorination in municipal water, using it as a vector to infect humans. Widespread chlorination of water has likely selected more resistant environmental mycobacteria species and potentially explains the shift from
M. scrofulaceum
to
M. avium
as a cause of cervical lymphadenitis in children. Thus, human activities have affected mycobacterial ecology. While the slow growth and hydrophobicity of environmental mycobacteria appear to be disadvantages, the unique cell wall architecture also grants high biocide and antibiotic resistance, while hydrophobicity facilitates nutrient acquisition, biofilm formation, and spread by aerosolization. The remarkable stress tolerance of environmental mycobacteria is the major reason they are human pathogens. Environmental mycobacteria invade protozoans, exhibiting parasitic and symbiotic relationships. The molecular mechanisms of mycobacterial intracellular pathogenesis in animals likely evolved from similar mechanisms facilitating survival in protozoans. In addition to outright infection, environmental mycobacteria may also play a role in chronic bowl diseases, allergies, immunity to other pulmonary infections, and the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination.
VIRTUE AND TALENT: WOMEN AND FUSHI IN EARLY CHINA
Authors: Yiqun Zhou 
Published: January 2004

AbstractA study of two early historical records shows that women had a share in fushi (presenting the Odes), a social ritual and high art that is otherwise known as a preserve of the male elite. The paper retrieves the context of women's participation and analyzes the Confucian morality underlying the portrayals of the two female practitioners, both in light of the principle of sexual separation. The formulation of the relationship between female virtue and talent in these early records exemplifies the parameters of the later development of the dichotomy, and the metamorphosis of the images of the two female fushi practitioners in the first-century-BCE Lienü zhuan represents the first definitive version of the orthodox Confucian position on that issue.
THE BOURGEOIS HOUSEWIFE AS LABORER IN LATE QING AND EARLY REPUBLICAN SHANGHAI
Authors: Orliski Constance 
Published: January 2004

AbstractDuring the late Qing and early Republic, Chinese reformers, such as Liang Qichao, argued that because all women were "consumers" and not "producers," they had weakened the state by posing a financial burden to the family and a collective impediment to economic development. This article examines the diverse responses inspired by this construction of womanhood as they appeared in the burgeoning female press of the period. Deploying this new medium of communication, the women and men who endeavored to define nügong, female labor, embedded in their representations of "women's work" contrary interpretations of what it meant to be a productive citizen, an industrious member of the middle class, and an educated woman who labored in public or private. Thus, nügong discourse not only considered new characterizations of female labor in the context of a society and an economy in transition, but it also acted as a site for negotiating competing and intersecting conceptions of nationalism, class, and gender.
VISUAL EVIDENCE FOR THE EVOLUTION OF "POLITICALLY CORRECT" DRESS FOR WOMEN IN EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY SHANGHAI
Authors: Laing Ellen Johnston 
Published: January 2004

AbstractIn China in the first half of the twentieth century, official and unofficial efforts were made to regulate or influence women's dress, despite the fact that for urban, sophisticated, independent, middle-class urbanites, fashions were largely determined by the women who wore them. The first official mandate for women's dress, promulgated by the new Republican government in 1912, had little lasting effect. Unofficial efforts in 1915 and 1920 to influence women's garb, stemming from the antiforeign National Goods Movement, which the textile industry had originated much earlier and which urged patriotic Chinese to "buy Chinese," was also largely inconsequential. Only the Nationalist official designation in 1927 of a "national" feminine dress was effective. Using dated visual evidence from the print media, this paper assesses the failures and successes of these two official and one unofficial attempt to define proper attire for Chinese women.
TEXTILES AND FEMALE VIRTUE IN EARLY IMPERIAL CHINESE HISTORICAL WRITING
Authors: Hinsch Bret 
Published: January 2004

AbstractIn China, cloth making became more than just an economic activity. The female cloth maker was an important cultural image in early imperial China. Writers of various persuasions agreed that making cloth is a highly virtuous female activity, although they disagreed as to why this particular kind of labor is good. The moralization of cloth making became an important component of early Chinese female identity. Influential male writers and women of different social strata deployed this image for powerful rhetorical effect.
Sextus Empiricus and the Tripartition of Time
Authors: Warren James 
Published: January 2004

AbstractA discussion of the arguments against the existence of time based upon its tripartition into past, present, and future found in SE M 10.197-202. It uncovers Sextus' major premises and assumptions for these arguments and, in particular, criticises his argument that the past and future do not exist because the former is no longer and the latter is not yet. It also places these arguments within the larger structure of Sextus' arguments on time in SE M 10 and considers these arguments as an example of his general strategy for producing ataraxia by assembling opposing sets of argument on a given question.
Chlorites: occurrence, genesis and crystal chemistry – introduction
Authors: Berger G. , Beaufort D. 
Published: January 2004

The crystal chemistry and mechanisms of chlorite formation (more particularly the ferrous varieties) are currently attracting growing interest in various fields of application. In oil prospection, this interest is linked to the origin and formation of diagenetic chlorite rims that preserve the quality of sandy reservoirs down to unusual depths of burial. In the nuclear industry, the use of iron containers for the storage of radioactive waste is likely to produce ferrous chlorites by interaction with the clayey barrier within which the waste is stored. The ditrioctahedral and tri-trioctahedral chlorites are also some of the best clay mineral markers of hydrothermal activity leading to the formation of uranium deposits underlying the Proterozoic unconformity that make up the largest current economic reserves.The high chemical and structural variability of chlorite is an obstacle in understanding its mechanism of formation, transformation and alteration. This also applies to the determination of the thermodynamic parameters that are required for digital models based on thermo-kinetic laws.