bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 antibody responses to Blomia tropicalis in atopic patients
Authors: Pereira E. A. L. , Silva D. A. O. , Cunha‐Júnior J. P. , Almeida K. C. , Alves R. , Sung S. J. , Taketomi E. A. 
Published: January 2005

Background:  Allergens from house dust mites (HDMs), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Blomia tropicalis are clinically relevant in atopic respiratory diseases in tropical countries.Aims of the study:  To evaluate immunoglobulin (Ig)E, IgG1, and IgG4 antibody responses to B. tropicalis in Brazilian atopic patients.Methods:  About 110 patients with allergic rhinitis with/without asthma and 33 control subjects underwent skin prick testing (SPT) with HDM extracts, and their sera were tested for IgE and IgG subclass antibodies to D. pteronyssinus and B. tropicalis by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting.Results:  Most patients (56%) had positive SPT to B. tropicalis extract (B. tropicalis+ group), although 51% were reactive to both B. tropicalis and D. pteronyssinus and 6% were sensitized to B. tropicalis only. IgE‐ELISA detected 43%B. tropicalis positivity with high‐specific IgE levels in B. tropicalis+ patients. Specific IgG4 levels were higher in B. tropicalis+ than B. tropicalis− groups and correlated with specific IgE levels. The IgG1 levels to B. tropicalis were higher in patients than controls. The major allergenic B. tropicalis components recognized by B. tropicalis+ patient sera were the 54, 66, and 68 kDa proteins. The IgG4‐binding protein profiles closely resembled that of IgE. The IgG1 antibodies recognizing multiple B. tropicalis protein species were detected in sera of all three patient groups.Conclusions:  A large percentage of our allergic patients are B. tropicalis+. They are more frequently sensitized to high‐molecular weight (HMW) B. tropicalis components than the major low‐molecular weight (11–15 kDa) allergens detected in other studies. The results suggest that HMW B. tropicalis antigenic components are potential candidates for evaluating allergen exposure and sensitization, and for immunotherapy treatment.
Intravenous immunoglobulin replacement prevents severe and lower respiratory tract infections, but not upper respiratory tract and non‐respiratory infections in common variable immune deficiency
Authors: Favre O. , Leimgruber A. , Nicole A. , Spertini F. 
Published: January 2005

Background:  Although the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) every 3–4 weeks is now standard for treating patients with common variable immune deficiency, studies demonstrating its long‐term benefits over low 200 mg/kg dose and its effects on infectious subsets (upper vs lower respiratory vs non‐respiratory infections) are rare.Methods:  All patients from a single center with the diagnosis of common variable immune deficiency and whose clinical chart was available during three successive therapeutic periods [a pre‐IVIG replacement period, a low‐dose (200 mg/kg every 3 weeks) and a standard‐dose replacement period (400 mg/kg every 3 weeks)] were screened retrospectively.Results:  Seven patients followed up for a total of 116 patient‐years over the three defined periods of observation were recruited. When compared with low‐dose therapy, standard‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy raised trough IgG levels from 4.3 to 6.5 g/l and significantly decreased the overall frequency of infections, with marked effects on lower respiratory tract and severe infection number. In contrast, non‐respiratory and upper respiratory infections were, in comparison, resistant to therapy.Conclusions:  Overall, these data support the use of standard‐dose 400 mg/kg intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, despite the high cost, to raise trough IgG levels to 5–7 g/l, but underlines that some categories of infectious events (non‐respiratory, upper respiratory) may need parallel surgical or pharmacological approaches to be optimally prevented or treated.
Use of magnetic beads to extract fungal DNA
Authors: Faggi E. , Pini G. , Campisi E. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryAuthors compare two methods of extracting DNA from different fungi: the classic method with phenol/chloroform (P/C) and that with magnetic beads. Both were tested on Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, belonging to the yeast group and Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum, T. interdigitale, T. ajelloi, Epidermophyton floccosum, belonging to the dermatophytes group. Extraction products underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting with the appropriate primers to point out any disagreement in the genomic profiles. After having determined that the genomic profiles obtained from the DNA extracted from the same strain with the two methods correspond perfectly, the authors concluded that the extraction method with magnetic beads from fungal cells is simpler and quicker than with P/C extraction, greatly facilitating the obtainment of fungal DNA.
Reassessment of the in vitro synergistic effect of fluconazole with the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agent ibuprofen against Candida albicans
Authors: Arai R. , Sugita T. , Nishikawa A. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryWe reassessed the in vitro synergistic effect of fluconazole with the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agent ibuprofen against the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. No synergistic effect of fluconazole combined with ibuprofen was seen against fluconazole‐susceptible strains, but a remarkable effect was seen against fluconazole‐resistant strains (FIX index: 0.02–0.03). Furthermore, vigorous growth of the microorganism, the so‐called ‘Eagle effect’, was observed at concentrations higher than the minimal inhibitory concentrations of ibuprofen and fluconazole. Our results suggest that the combination of ibuprofen and fluconazole should prove useful for treating infection caused by fluconazole‐resistant C. albicans.
Comparison of phospholipase and proteinase activity in Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis
Authors: Fotedar R. , Al‐Hedaithy S. S. A. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryAlthough the production of virulence enzymes by Candida albicans has been extensively explored, little attention has been given to the virulence factors of C. dubliniensis. In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate phospholipase activity (Pz value) and secretory aspartyl proteinase production of C. dubliniensis and compare it with C. albicans. None of the 87 C. dubliniensis isolates tested, produced phosholipases whereas, in contrast all the 52 (100%) C. albicans isolates tested demonstrated varying degree of phospholipase activity (Pz value: 0.37–0.74), with 35 (67.3%) of them eliciting a higher phospholipase activity (Pz values between 0.37 and 0.50). Only 32% of the C. dubliniensis isolates exhibited moderate activity (score of 1+) of secretory aspartyl proteinase whereas a vast majority (68%) of them were non‐proteolytic. On the contrary, a strong proteinase activity (score of 2+) was observed for 79% of C. albicans while the remaing 21% isolates showed moderate proteinase activity (score of 1+). As phospholipases and aspartyl proteinases of C. albicans are considered important virulence factors, the absence or lowered expression of these enzymes in C. dubliniensis may indicate the less virulent nature of this novel yeast species when compared with C. albicans.
Cutaneous sporotrichosis in Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Mahajan V. K. , Sharma N. L. , Sharma R. C. , Gupta M. L. , Garg G. , Kanga A. K. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryDuring the period 1990–2002 in Himachal Pradesh, India, 103 new patients with cutaneous sporotrichosis were detected. Lymphocutaneous and fixed cutaneous varieties were the most common and seen in 49% and 43% respectively. Chronic non‐specific inflammation without granuloma formation was seen in 46% skin biopsy specimens, 29% showed acute or chronic inflammation and tuberculoid granuloma formation was seen in 25%. In 32% of cases Sporothrix schenckii growth was seen on Sabouraud glucose agar. A saturated solution of potassium iodide was used as first‐line treatment and in 93% patients healing of lesions occurred in 4–32 weeks (average 8.7 weeks) without significant side‐effects. Itraconazole, used in 12 patients, was highly effective in recommended doses. Rapid healing was seen with higher than previously used doses of fluconazole in one patient who also had unusual exacerbation of lesional inflammation with saturated solution of potassium iodide.
Pansinusitis due to Sporothrix schenckii
Authors: Kumar R. , Kaushal V. , Chopra H. , Gupta R. , Chhina D. K. , Kaushal R. K. , Mohan U. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryA case of mucocutaneous sporotrichosis presenting as mycotic pansinusitis with polyposis with intracranial and intraorbital extension in a patient from Punjab, India is described. The patient had nasal discharge, sneezing and nasal obstruction for 12 years, had undergone repeated surgeries (for endoscopic clearance) but had recurrence. Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed pansinusitis. A definitive diagnosis of sporotrichosis was established by culture of Sporothrix schenckii, verification of its dimorphic character and a positive pathogenicity test. The patient was successfully treated with potassium iodide and itraconazole.
Tinea manuum bullosa
Authors: Aste N. , Pau M. , Aste N. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryWe report a case of tinea manuum bullosa in a 36‐year‐old male, a crop and livestock farmer by trade. The lesion, resembling contact dermatitis, was located in the palm of the right hand. We isolated Trichophyton verrucosum. No other skin lesion was detected. Blood chemistry and immunology test results were normal. Treatment with terbinafine 250 mg day−1 led to clinical and mycological healing.
Epidemiology of dermatomycoses in children living in Northern Greece 1996–2000
Authors: Koussidou‐Eremondi Thalia , Devliotou‐Panagiotidou Despina , Mourellou‐Tsatsou Olga , Minas A. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryIn the 5‐years period, 1996–2000, 1045 children under 13 years old were examined for suspected dermatomycosis. In 611 cases fungi were isolated. Male children were mainly affected on the scalp and body area. Girls were more affected in the location of the arms and legs. There was a greater proportion of cases in the age range 2–12 years. The most prominent fungus wasMicrosporum canis(515 cases) followed byTrichophyton rubrum(34) andCandida albicans(20). Tinea capitis (280 cases) mainly caused byM. canis(276 cases) was the most common clinical form. Tinea corporis (109 cases) mainly caused byM. canis(88 cases),C. albicans(10 cases) andT. rubrum(seven cases) was the second most frequent clinical form.
Proven pulmonary cryptococcosis due to capsule‐deficient Cryptococcus neoformans does not differ clinically from proven pulmonary cryptococcosis due to capsule‐intact Cr. neoformans
Authors: Torres H. A. , Prieto V. G. , Raad I. I. , Kontoyiannis D. P. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryWe compared the clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiologic findings, and outcomes of eight patients with proven pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) caused by capsule‐deficient Cryptococcus neoformans with those of six patients with PC caused by capsule‐intact Cr. neoformans. The presentations and outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups.
Trichophyton rubrum‐induced inflammatory tinea capitis in a 63‐year‐old man
Authors: Ziemer A. , Kohl K. , Schröder G. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryTinea capitis caused by Trichophyton rubrum is a rare event worldwide. We report on an elderly otherwise healthy man with inflammatory fungal disease of the scalp caused by this pathogen. He had no signs of concomitant mycosis of the skin and nails and no underlying immunosuppressive disease. The fungal infection primarily had been misdiagnosed in terms of a pyoderma. Failure of antibiotic treatment, a positive mycological study and molecular diagnostics eventually led to the correct diagnosis. After systemic and local administration of terbinafine the lesion improved totally.
Surgical margin status after radical retropubic prostatectomy
Authors: Khan Masood A. , Partin Alan W. 
Published: January 2005

This month there are two mini‐reviews on aspects of prostate cancer. The first, from the USA, presents the implications of surgical margin status after radical prostatectomy and the potential role of adjuvant radiation therapy. The second, from the USA and Belgium, discusses the use of hormonal therapy for PSA‐only recurrence of prostate cancer after previous local therapy.In the third mini‐review, the condition known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder is described, and that it is often ignored or erroneously treated as erectile dysfunction suggests to the authors that education of doctors and patients is required. Finally, there is a mini‐review of conventional and alternative methods for providing analgesia in renal colic.
Lymph node metastases in non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer are correlated with the number of transurethral resections and tumour upstaging at radical cystectomy
Authors: Wiesner Christoph , Pfitzenmaier Jesco , Faldum Andreas , Gillitzer Rolf , Melchior Sebastian W. , Thüroff Joachim W. 
Published: January 2005

The first paper in this section, from Mainz, attempts to identify the clinical variables associated with the prevalence of lymph node metastases in non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer. The authors found that delay in cystectomy in this potentially dangerous type of tumour is to be avoided, with a higher incidence of lymph node metastases as the number of transurethral resections increases.A paper from Austria shows that in renal carcinoma the pT1 subdivision is associated with differences in conventional histopathology and expression of biomarkers.OBJECTIVETo identify clinical variables associated with the prevalence of lymph node metastases (LNMs) in patients with non‐muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder treated with radical cystectomy.PATIENTS AND METHODSOf 866 patients treated by radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy between 1989 and 2002, 219 had non‐muscle invasive TCC of the bladder. A retrospective evaluation of these patients included univariate and multivariate analyses of sex, age, number of transurethral resections of the bladder tumour (TURBTs), interval between first TURBT and cystectomy, adjuvant therapy, maximum histopathological tumour stage and grade at TURBT, and tumour upstaging in the cystectomy specimen.RESULTSLNMs were diagnosed in 33 patients (15%). After multivariate analysis modelling, the number of TURBTs and tumour upstaging in the cystectomy specimen were correlated with the prevalence of LNMs at cystectomy. The number of TURBTs increased the prevalence of LNMs from 8% in patients with one TURBT to 24% in those with two to four TURBTs. Tumour upstaging in the cystectomy specimen increased the prevalence of LNMs from 4% to 36%.CONCLUSIONInappropriate delay and inadequate staging of high‐grade non‐muscle invasive TCC of the bladder are to be avoided. The present multivariate analysis showed that the number of TURBTs and tumour upstaging in the cystectomy specimen correlated with an increased prevalence of LNMs.
Urinary acetonitrile concentrations correlate with recent smoking behaviour
Authors: Pinggera Germar‐Michael , Lirk Philip , Bodogri Florian , Herwig Ralf , Steckel‐Berger Gabriele , Bartsch Georg , Rieder Josef 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVESTo assess the concentration of acetonitrile (a saturated aliphatic nitrile) in the urine of habitual cigarette smokers and non‐smokers, as exposure to smoke can be measured by monitoring ambient air or byin vivotests, but acetonitrile measured in exhaled breath is reportedly a quantitative marker of recent smoking behaviour.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe study included 101 volunteers (57 men and 44 women, mean age 49 years). An absence of urinary tract infection on urine analysis or clinical history was mandatory. The subjects were classified into five groups, i.e. a control group of non‐smokers and four groups according to the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Urine samples were stored at 8 °C until acetonitrile was measured, within 24 h of collection, using proton‐transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS). Each measurement was repeated at least 10 times, and the mean used for statistical analysis.RESULTSThe mean (sd) acetonitrile level in the urine of 46 non‐smokers was 3.74 (1.78) parts per billion volatile (ppbv). The concentration of acetonitrile increased with the number of cigarettes smoked daily, the highest concentration being in the subgroup of 13 very heavy smokers (>30 cigarettes/day) with means up to 28.04 (5.38) ppbv.CONCLUSIONPTR‐MS is a quick, noninvasive online method for determining urinary acetonitrile levels, a marker for recent active and passive smoking behaviour, and thus for checking compliance. As smoking has been shown to affect the genesis of bladder cancer, further studies are required to determine the association of acetonitrile with bladder cancer.
Surgery for localized prostate cancer after renal transplantation
Authors: Hafron Jason , Fogarty James D. , Wiesen Ari , Melman Arnold 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of perineal radical prostatectomy (RP) in renal transplant recipients with localized prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study comprised seven consecutive renal transplant patients who had a perineal RP between May 1991 and February 2004. All available clinicopathological data were reviewed.ResultsAll seven patients successfully tolerated RP with no major complications. The mean (sd, range) age at surgery was 62.3 (2.5, 55–74) years and the mean interval from renal transplant to RP 86.5 (25.25, 24–192) months. There was no evidence of increased blood loss, operative duration, transfusion requirement, hospital stay or deterioration of graft function. The presence of an allograft did not alter the surgical approach or management of the patients after RP. The mean follow‐up was 22 (2–130) months and all seven patients were followed. One patient had evidence of biochemical recurrence with no radiographic evidence of metastatic disease. Serum prostate‐specific antigen was undetectable in the remaining patients.CONCLUSIONA perineal RP in renal transplant recipients for treating localized prostate cancer offers many advantages over other treatments.
A critical review of diagnostic criteria for evaluating patients with symptomatic stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Chapple Christopher R. , Wein Alan J. , Artibani Walter , Brubaker Linda , Haab Francois , Heesakkers John P. , Lightner Deborah 
Published: January 2005

The first paper in this section is a review by several highly respected authors of diagnostic criteria for evaluating patients with symptomatic stress urinary incontinence, and is followed by a review of the role of urgency and its measurement in the overactive bladder symptom syndrome, with emphasis on current concepts and future prospects. These are two important papers, which point the reader in the direction of a greater understanding of these conditions.The concept of α‐blockade before a trial without catheter after acute urinary retention is revisited by authors from the UK, who used tamsulosin in a randomized controlled trial. They found that it is appropriate to recommend tamsulosin for such use in this condition.
The role of urinary urgency and its measurement in the overactive bladder symptom syndrome: current concepts and future prospects
Authors: Chapple Christopher R. , Artibani Walter , Cardozo Linda D. , Castro‐Diaz David , Craggs Michael , Haab Francois , Khullar Vik , Versi Eboo 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo review the concept of urinary urgency and its practical measurement in clinical trials, and advance the hypothesis that while urge is experienced by normal people, urgency is always pathological.METHODSAccording to the International Continence Society (ICS) definition, urgency is the primary symptom of the overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, but in clinical trials there are inconsistencies in both the definition and assessment of urgency. We searched the PubMed and BIOSIS databases for publications and abstracts related to the clinical assessment of urgency in patients with OAB.RESULTSThe differentiation of urgency from the normal physiological desire to void is discussed. In clinical studies of OAB, urgency has been measured both qualitatively and quantitatively. Existing qualitative assessment scales for urgency are deficient in accuracy, validation or both, and are largely inconsistent with the currently accepted ICS definition of urgency. The quantitative assessment of urgency by diary entry has been validated and may be the most accurate, reproducible and clinically meaningful method available for measuring this variable.CONCLUSIONBased on the existing ICS definition of urgency as ‘a compelling desire to pass urine that is difficult to defer’, the concept of qualitative assessment of urgency may be flawed.
Tubularized‐incised plate urethroplasty in adults
Authors: Sharma Gyanendra 
Published: January 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the results of tubularized incised‐plate (TIP) urethroplasty for distal and midshaft hypospadias in adults, and to underline technical aspects to decrease complications.PATIENT AND METHODSFrom December 1999 to January 2004, 13 patients with hypospadias and aged 18–26 years had a TIP urethroplasty as a primary repair. Five had distal penile and eight had midshaft hypospadias. In all cases a TIP urethroplasty was used as described for children. Urinary drainage was by a urethral Nelaton catheter connected to a urine bag.RESULTSThe catheter was removed after 10 days and the patients asked to attend a follow‐up at 1, 3 and 6 months and then 6‐monthly; the maximum follow‐up was 3 years and the minimum was 3 months. One patient developed a fistula after the repair of distal penile hypospadias, which closed spontaneously after a month. All patients with a successful repair voided with a single straight urinary stream in a forward direction. They had a normally situated slit‐like glanular meatus.CONCLUSIONTIP repair in adults is associated good results. There is no difference in terms of wound healing, infection, complication rates and overall success between the TIP repair in children and adults. The cosmetic and functional outcome was comparable to that in children.