bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local treatment of chronic cutaneous leg ulcers with recombinant human granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor
Authors: Bianchi L , Ginebri A , Hagman JH , Francesconi F , Carboni I , Chimenti S 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAim To test the efficacy and safety of recombinant granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (rHuGM‐CSF) in the treatment of chronic cutaneous leg ulcers.Methods Five patients with chronic cutaneous leg ulcers were recruited for this 4‐month study using only rHuGM‐CSF to treat the ulcers. One patient had a neuropathic‐diabetic ulcer, and four had long‐standing vascular leg ulcers.Results The patient with the neuropathic diabetic ulcer showed complete healing after 1 month of treatment. The other four patients with vascular leg ulcers with a long history of ulceration had a poor prognosis for healing. The first, with three venous ulcerative lesions, presented complete resolution of one ulcer and stabilization of the other two; the second and third patients, with large vascular ulcers, improved with more then 50% reduction of the mean diameter of the ulcers; the fourth patient, with one large venous ulcer, did not show any improvement.Conclusions Pathogenesis, size and duration of the ulcers seemed to be the most important parameters regarding wound repairing capability of rHuGM‐CSF. None of the ulcers increased in size and none of the patients developed clinical side‐effects or peripheral blood cell count abnormalities during the treatment. All the results described were stable after 6 months of follow up. The absence of peripheral leucocyte count variation and the size‐dependent therapeutic effect indicate that the drug exercises local rather than systemic actions.
The role of psychological factors in palmoplantar pustulosis
Authors: Sáez‐Rodríguez M , Noda‐Cabrera A , Álvarez‐Tejera S , Guimerá‐Martín‐Neda F , Dorta‐Alom S , Escoda‐García M , Fagundo‐González E , Sánchez‐González R , García‐Montelongo R , García‐Bustínduy M 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective

The aim of the present study was to find out whether emotional stress is related to palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP).Subjects and methods

Our 21 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis and 21 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were studied with the help of a psychological interview and two psychological tests: Eysenk's Personality Questionnaire for Adults (EPQ‐A) and Inventory of Situations and Response of Anxiety (ISRA).Results

Anxiety, ranging from moderate to severe was higher in PPP patients than in controls (P < 0.001).Conclusion

Our findings seem to indicate that stress may be related to exacerbation of the palmoplantar pustulosis.
Current treatments and perceptions of genital herpes: a European‐wide view
Authors: Strand A , Barton S , Alomar A , Kohl P , Kroon S , Moyal‐Barracco M , Munday P , Paavonen J , Volpi A 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTA European panel of physicians reviewed the current treatments and perceptions of recurrent genital herpes (GH) across the continent. The panel consisted of specialists in dermatology and venereology from France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. A wide variety of factors that influence GH management were considered, including different health delivery systems, funding and cultural differences. The poor awareness of GH among both the general public and physicians was highlighted. The effectiveness of GH management was then examined from a patient's viewpoint, including the confirmation of the diagnosis, information and counselling about GH, as well as prescriptions for treatment. It was agreed that both physicians and patients often feel uncomfortable about discussing the disease, and that a European‐wide effort is needed to re‐educate patients and physicians about GH. The panel identified clear and unmet needs to manage a patient with clinical recurrences and to attempt to reduce the risk of GH transmission. Finally, resiquimod, an immune response modifier, was considered as a potential treatment option for GH.
Long‐term remission of recalcitrant tumour‐stage mycosis fungoides following chemotherapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
Authors: Tsatalas C , Martinis G , Margaritis D , Spanoudakis E , Kotsianidis I , Karpouzis A , Bourikas G 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTAdvanced stage mycosis fungoides (MF) generally has a poor prognosis, and currently there is no standard treatment available. Here we report the case of a young woman with recalcitrant tumour‐stage MF (T3, stage IIb) whose disease was unresponsive to several therapeutic modalities, but who has showed sustained clinical response to pegylated liposomal doxorubucin. No severe infectious complications have been observed. The use of this drug in tumour‐stage MF should be investigated further.
A Group Treatment for Men with Intellectual Disabilities who Sexually Offend or Abuse
Authors: Rose John , Jenkins Rosemary , O'Connor Christopher , Jones Catherine , Felce David 
Published: March 2003

Background  This report describes a group intervention for men with an intellectual disability who have sexually offended or abused others. The group was in response to referrals to a psychology department. The majority of these individuals had not been subject to legal proceedings.Methods  A number of assessments were conducted prior to the group, immediately after the group and at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up.Results  Attitudes consistent with offending reduced after participation for most participants, however, these tended to revert to pre‐group levels over time. Locus of control became more external after the group treatment, this was contrary to expectations and results obtained with interventions for individuals without an intellectual disability. Knowledge tended to increase after the group, however, problems with the questionnaire used made interpretation of the results difficult. No further incidents of sexual abuse have been recorded by any of the five group members who completed the group, since the start of the group (a period of 1 year to date).Conclusions  This group should be seen as a pilot project. However, further therapeutic work is indicated as is theoretical and questionnaire development.
The Effect of Group Intervention on the Relationships of Parents with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: McGaw S. , Ball K. , Clark A. 
Published: March 2003

Background  Parents with intellectual disabilities frequently feel socially excluded and often become dependent on statutory agencies for support. This study aimed to tackle these difficulties by means of a group intervention.Methods  Group intervention was provided to 12 parents with borderline or mild intellectual disabilities over 14 weeks. The effects of intervention were evaluated by comparing the intervention group with a borderline or mild intellectual disabilities control parent group (n = 10). Both experimental parent group (EPG) and control parent group (CPG) received home‐based teaching programmes during this period. Parents' self‐concept and perception of the quality of relationship with their children, partners, family members and professionals were assessed (Judson Rating Scale and Behaviour Problem Index) during baseline, post‐intervention and at 27‐week follow‐up.Results  The results indicate that self‐concept improved significantly for the EPG with no observable gains made by the CPG. However, the ‘feel good factor’ which came from improvements in parents' self‐concept did not immediately benefit their children. In addition, the quality of relationship between EPG parents and their children, as well as parents' expectations of their children's capabilities did not improve as a result of group intervention. Nonetheless, follow‐up data revealed that group training did result in (i) all of the EPG parents making new friends and (ii) other positive social and practical changes taking place within their families. Single parent status and the accumulative effect of multiple group attendance were identified as important factors affecting parents' perception of themselves and the quality of their relationships.Conclusions  The immediate and long‐term benefits of group attendance for parents with intellectual disabilities and secondary benefits for their children are discussed.
Transitions: Placing a Son or Daughter with Intellectual Disability and Challenging Behaviour in Alternative Residential Provision
Authors: Alborz Alison 
Published: March 2003

Introduction  The timing of moves to alternative care has implications for the effective support of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Essex et al. (1997) proposed three transition profiles: ‘normative’, ‘stress process’ and ‘postponed’. The applicability of these profiles to people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour was tested.Methods  Qualitative analysis of interviews with families of 13 males and five females aged between 11 and 35 years, who had left home, was undertaken.Results  Few people moved due to ‘normative’ family life cycle changes. The majority left because of family difficulties (‘stress process’). This model was elaborated and three transition routes described: ‘forensic’– involving police contact (actual/potential), ‘family’– reflecting problems in the family and ‘service’– deficits leading to placement out of district.Conclusions  This research suggests that people (particularly young men) with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour enter statutory care earlier than their counterparts, and people with different levels of intellectual and physical disabilities follow different transition routes.
Conservative management of pelvic abscess in recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease
Authors: Picker R. H. , McLennan A. C. , Robertson R. D. , Porter R. N. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe recent incidence of acute‐on‐chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, with associated abscess formation, has dramatically increased. Recurrent abscess formation in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease that fails to respond to maximal antibiotic treatment has been traditionally treated by open surgical drainage, frequently accompanied by pelvic clearance.With the development of techniques associated with in vitro fertilization, treatment can now be effected allowing conservation of fertility. This paper describes 12 cases of ultrasound‐directed transvaginal fine‐needle aspiration of pelvic abscess. A positive outcome occurred in all patients, thus avoiding major surgery. Copyright © 1991 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Screening for fetal anomalies during the first trimester of pregnancy: transvaginal versus transabdominal sonography
Authors: Achiron R. , Tadmor O. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractUltrasound is a sensitive tool for the diagnosis of fetal anomalies during the prenatal period. Most knowledge about the ultrasound images of such anomalies is based on abdominal scanning during the second trimester of pregnancy. The value of transvaginal sonography for evaluating fetal anomalies and a comparison with transabdominal sonography in the first trimester has, to our knowledge, so far not been studied.During a 12‐month period, 800 pregnant women between 9 and 13 weeks of gestation, underwent first a transabdominal scan followed by a transvaginal examination, in order to compare the value of the two techniques. Eight cases of fetal abnormality, including anencephaly, exencephaly, cervical myelomeningocele, cystic hygroma, omphalocele, posterior fossa cyst and syndactyly, were diagnosed by using the transvaginal sonographic approach. The standard abdominal technique failed to detect four of these anomalies, while in the other four only vague and non‐specific fetal abnormalities could be demonstrated. All women with normal abdominal and vaginal sonograms in the first trimester were rescreened transabdominally at mid‐gestation. Five patients with a variety of fetal anomalies, including hydrocephalus, agenesis of corpus callosum, bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction, right heart hypoplasia and tetralogy of Fallot, were identified in the rescreening procedure. One case of ventricular septal defect and coarctation of the aorta was not detected at either of the first or second screening procedures. Our findings show that transvaginal sonography is more sensitive than transabdominal sonography in the detection of first‐trimester anomalies. However, since not all fetal anomalies are manifest so early in pregnancy, standard abdominal sonography in the second trimester is still recommended. Copyright © 1991 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Changes in tubal blood flow in evaluating ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Kirchler H. Ch. , Kölle D. , Schwegel P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractEctopic pregnancy is not recognized in 5523% of all cases using state‐of‐the‐art diagnostic procedures. In this study, blood flow in tubal arteries was measured using a transvaginal duplex Doppler ultrasonography system. A 3.5 MHz Doppler transducer coupled to a 5 MHz imaging transvaginal sector probe was used to depict flow characteristics in the tubal branch of the uterine artery. This was performed in 102 patients. There was a significant increase in the blood flow on the tubal gestation side (p < 0.0001; z = −4.08). This between‐side difference was determined using qualitative frequency shift analysis. The mean reduction in the resistance index on the side with the ectopic pregnancy as compared to the contralateral side was 15.6%. These changes appear to be due to trophoblast invasion. Between‐side differences showed no dependence on gestational age (between gestational weeks 4 and 12 postmenstruation). We compared these data with those from three control groups (‘early viable intrauterine pregnancy’, ‘early intrauterine pregnancy failure’, ‘non‐gravid state’). In all these control groups, the impedance to flow, expressed as ‘resistance index’, showed no significant between‐side difference. All control groups had significantly higher mean resistance index values than the ectopic pregnancy side, but did not differ from the contralateral side of the ectopic pregnancy group. The advantages of this new method in diagnosing ectopic pregnancy are early detection, non‐invasivity, and immediate results. Copyright © 1992 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Doppler assessment of the normal early fetal circulation
Authors: Huisman T. W. A. , Stewart P. A. , Wladimiroff J. W. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractCombined transvaginal and transabdominal Doppler ultrasound allows recording of fetal intra‐ and extracardiac flow velocity waveforms in late first‐ and early second‐ trimester pregnancies. At 10–12 weeks, end‐diastolic flow velocities were always absent in the fetal descending aorta and umbilical artery, but were present in over half of the intracerebral artery waveforms. The pulsatility index in the three vessels decreased significantly with advancing gestational age, suggesting a reduction in fetal and umbilical placental vascular resistance. Peak velocities during atria1 contraction (A‐wave) were nearly twice as high as those during early diastolic filling (E‐wave), reflecting low ventricular compliance. Continuous forward flow in the umbilical vein was associated with a pulsatile systolic and diastolic forward flow in the ductus venosus. Retrograde flow was only present in the inferior vena cava. Copyright © 1992 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Echocontrast agent enhanced color flow imaging of the breast
Authors: Duda V. F. , Rode G. , Schlief R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAn ultrasound contrast agent which survives transit through the pulmonary circulation after injection into a peripheral vein can also be used for the demonstration of flow characteristics in the peripheral organs. Such a substance (SH U 508 A, Schering AG, Berlin) was tested in the Gynecological Department of the University of Marburg for its suitability for enhancing color‐coded Doppler signals in mammary diagnosis in a group of ten women with breast tumors. The observations made are compared with the histologically confirmed diagnoses. The very distinct enhancement of the color‐coded Doppler signals allows reliable demonstration of the vascularization characteristics, not only of the malignant, but also of all benign solid tumors examined. Color signals were even recorded from normal mammary tissue, which means that the demonstration of perfusion can no longer be used on its own as a diagnostic criterion. Observation of the characteristics of the blood supply to a tumor might, on the other hand, be an advantage, not only in respect of tumor typing, but also as regards the prognosis of a tumor. In this connection, the registration of the arrival, retention and wash‐out phases specific to a contrast agent appears to furnish particularly interesting information about the growth dynamics of a tumor. Copyright © 1993 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Abnormal membranes in obstetrical ultrasound: incidence and significance of amniotic sheets and circumvallate placenta
Authors: Sistrom C. L. , Ferguson J. E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAmniotic sheets were identified in ten of 1784 patients having routine obstetric ultrasound scans, giving an incidence of 0.6%. In the same population, findings suggesting circumvallate placenta were seen in three patients, giving an incidence of 0.2%. The overall frequency of finding abnormal membranes projecting into the gestational sac was 0.8% which is an order of magnitude greater than the incidence of amniotic bands, which are only present in up to 0.08% of pregnancies. It is important to distinguish amniotic sheets and circumvallate placenta from amniotic bands, since they are much more likely to be found during the ultrasound examination and need to be properly identified so as to avoid needlessly alarming pregnant patients or inappropriately considering termination of pregnancy for relatively benign entities. Copyright © 1993 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ductus venosus index: a method for evaluating right ventricular preload in the second‐trimester fetus
Authors: DeVore G. R. , Horenstein J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis study was designed to examine ventricular preload by measuring the ductus venosus index during the second trimester of pregnancy. A total of 137 women were entered into the study. Each fetus was examined with real‐time, color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound. The color Doppler maximal velocity setting was adjusted so that the umbilical vein was homogeneous in color, did not demonstrate aliasing, and filled the venous lumen. The pulsed Doppler gate was placed within the ductus venosus in all subjects. Color Doppler identified a turbulent flow velocity within the ductus venosus which was not present in the umbilical vein, hepatic vein or inferior vena cava. The ductus venosus pulsed Doppler waveform demonstrated flow velocity from the umbilical vein to the heart during ventricular systole, the rapid filling phase of ventricular diastole, and atrial systole. However, flow velocity was decreased during atrial systole compared to ventricular systole and the rapid filling phase of diastole. The ductus venosus index was computed from the Doppler waveform of the ductus venosus at points consistent with ventricular and atrial systole ((ventricular systole ‐ atrial systole)/ventricular systole). Regression analysis demonstrated a significant (p = 0.001) relationship between the ductus venosus index and gestational age (ductus venosus index = 75.5757 − 7.25484 × weeks gestation), standard error of the estimate = 7.21959; R = −0.451. One fetus with a hypoplastic left atrium and ventricle demonstrated a normal ductus venosus index. Two fetuses, one with pulmonary atresia and the second with severe cardiovascular dysfunction, demonstrated an abnormal ductus venosus index associated with absent flow velocity during atrial systole. This was associated with notching in the umbilical vein. The ductus venosus index is an angle‐independent measurement from which right ventricular preload may be evaluated. Copyright © 1993 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Transvaginal color Doppler in the detection of external iliac vein thrombosis in pregnancy
Authors: Vine S. J. , Pugh N. D. , Pearson J. F. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA case is described where transvaginal color Doppler was used to demonstrate upward external iliac vein extension of thrombus at 26 weeks' gestation. Normally, transabdominal color Doppler can visualize the iliac vessels, but in advanced pregnancy the uterus obstructs the view. This technique is useful in determining of there is a ‘high’ deep vein thrombosis in pregnancy, and may also prove useful in the obese patient. Copyright © 1994 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Strawberry‐shaped skull in fetal thanatophoric dysplasia
Authors: Seymour R. , Jones A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe sonographic finding of a strawberry‐shaped skull is a marker of serious fetal malformation, most commonly associated with trisomy 18. We report a novel association of this sign with thanatophoric dysplasia. Copyright © 1994 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Development of a training model for ultrasound‐guided invasive procedures in fetal medicine
Authors: Ville Y. , Cooper M. , Revel A. , Frydman R. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTraining in ultrasound‐guided procedures in fetal medicine is currently available in a few major fetal medicine units. Unlike elective surgical procedures, cordocentesis is usually performed without sedation as an outpatient procedure and active supervision of the trainee intensifies the anxiety already felt by the patient. In addition, the complication rate is higher in the initial few procedures or when the procedure is not regularly practiced. We have developed a comprehensive method of training for transabdominal invasive procedures using a medical model that simulates the in vivo situation. Copyright © 1995 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology