bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and efficiency of new Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus formulations against Afrotropical anophelines in Western Kenya
Authors: Fillinger Ulrike , Knols Bart G. J. , Becker Norbert 
Published: March 2003

SummaryWe evaluated the efficacy of new water‐dispersible granular (WDG) formulations of Bacillus thuringienis var. israelensis (Bti; VectoBac®) and B. sphaericus (Bs; VectoLex®, Valent BioScience Corp., Illinois, USA) for the control of larval Anopheles gambiae sensu lato Giles mosquitoes in a malaria‐endemic area around Lake Victoria, Western Kenya. WDG and powder formulations were compared in laboratory bioassays and followed by efficiency and residual effect assessments of both WDG formulations in open field experiments. LC50 and LC95 values for the Bti/Bs strains and their formulations show high susceptibility of A. gambiae sensu stricto under laboratory conditions. The larvae proved more susceptible to Bs than to Bti and the WDG formulations were slightly superior to the powder formulations. High efficiency was also shown in the open field trials, and a minimum dosage of 200 g/ha Bti WDG, representing the LC95 of the laboratory tests, was sufficient to fully suppress emergence of mosquitoes when applied at weekly intervals. Bti WDG did not show a residual effect, irrespective of the concentration applied. The Bs WDG formulation, however, showed significant larval reductions up to 11 days post‐treatment at application doses of either 1 or 5 kg/ha. We conclude that the main malaria vector in our study area is highly susceptible to these microbial control agents. Minimum effective dosages to achieve elimination of the larval population in a given habitat are extremely low and environmental impact is negligible. Microbial products for larval control have therefore great potential within Integrated Vector Management programmes and may augment control efforts against adult vector stages, such as the use of insecticide‐treated bednets, in many parts of Africa.
Epidemiologic observations on the natural course of pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Kyriakis MD Kyriakos P. , Tosca MD Androniki D. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundDuring the last 20 years, few prospective studies on the natural course of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) have been performed. MethodsVarious correlations of disease duration, clinical activity fluctuations, serology, and coexistence with other disease states were analyzed with regard to their impact upon the natural history of pemphigus. Thirty‐seven consecutive PV patients were involved in this 1‐year retrospective follow‐up study. ResultsThe disease activity decreases with time, but when exacerbated it is of unpredictable intensity; skin involvement is equally distributed between the sexes; relapses occur mostly during the first 2 years after disease onset, and can be marginally predicted by autoantibody titers. ConclusionsNotice should be taken of the relative frequencies of PV associated with neoplasia, ionizing radiation, and familial occurrence.
Skin diseases in Bamako (Mali)
Authors: Mahé Antoine , Cissé Idrissa Ah.. , Faye Ousmane , N′Diaye Hawa Thiam , Niamba Pascal 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Skin diseases have only recently been considered as a possible public health problem in developing countries. Data supporting this matter are scarce. The aim of this study is to report the experience of a specialized dermatologic center in Bamako (Mali) in order to complete two previous studies conducted in the Bamako area: a prevalence study in the general population and a study in nonspecialized health centers of Bamako. It is our intention to provide a comprehensive picture of the problem of skin diseases in an African developing country.Methods We retrospectively collected all cases of skin diseases diagnosed during consultations provided at the Institut Marchoux in Bamako, the only center specializing in dermatology in Mali, during the year 1993.Results A total of 10,575 new outpatients were seen with 10,889 skin diseases. The main skin diseases registered were as follows: infectious dermatoses (41% of all diagnoses, including scabies (16.6%), superficial mycoses (13.6%), and primary pyoderma (5.6%)), dermatitis (20.4%), papular urticaria (4.4%), acne (4.2%), pityriasis alba (3.6%), keratoderma (3.6%), and urticaria (3%). Typical tropical infectious diseases accounted for only 1% of all diagnoses.Conclusions It appears that certain skin diseases (mainly scabies and pyoderma) are an important health problem for the population of the Bamako area. Public health policies should be implemented in order to manage this problem rationally.
Quantitative estimation and recommendations for supplementation of protein lost through scaling in exfoliative dermatitis
Authors: Kanthraj Garehatty R.. , Srinivas Chakravarthy R.. , Devi Pathirisseri Uma , Ganasoundari Adikesavan , Shenoi Shrutakirthi D. , Deshmukh Ravindra P. , Suresh Ben Jan , Pai Satish B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Exfoliative dermatitis (ED) can result in protein loss due to scaling causing a negative nitrogen balance. Freedberg and Baden (J Invest Dermatol 1962; 38:277–284) estimated the amount of scale lost in ED by collecting it in an occlusive suit. Subsequently, the nitrogen content was determined by the Kjeldahl method. The exact amount of protein supplementation in ED, dependent on scale loss, is not well established. As occlusion and hyperthermia caused by the suit can inhibit scaling, the objectives of the present study were to design an alternative method to measure the amount of scale lost, to estimate the protein content of the scale, and to propose suitable recommendations for protein supplementation.Methods In 40 patients with ED, the total protein content lost through scaling per day (P) was determined by the following equation: P = T×I×Y×X/25×104 g, where T is the total body surface area in square meters, I is the percentage area involved in scaling, estimated using computer‐aided design (CAD graph), Y is the amount of scale lost per unit area (0.0025 m2 ) in milligrams, and X is the quantity of protein present in 1 g of scale in milligrams estimated by a spectrophotometer.Results It was observed that patients with ED secondary to drug reactions, eczema, and psoriasis lost 7.2, 9.6, and 22.6 g of scale with a protein content of 4.2, 5.6, and 12.8 g respectively. The difference in the amount of protein lost in ED secondary to drug reactions and eczema was not statistically significant; however, the protein lost in psoriasis was significant (p < 0.01 to p < 0.05).Conclusions ED may increase the daily protein loss by approximately 25–30% in psoriasis and 10–15% in other causes. Standard treatment for ED and protein supplementation based on our recommendations can minimize the adverse effects of a negative nitrogen balance.
Acne neonatorum: a study of 22 cases
Authors: Katsambas Andreas D.. , Katoulis Alexander C.. , Stavropoulos Panayiotis 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Acne is not uncommon in the neonatal period. Acne neonatorum is characterized by a mainly facial eruption of inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions. It is most commonly mild and transient. Hyperactivity of sebaceous glands, stimulated by neonatal androgens, has been implicated as the underlying pathogenetic mechanism.Materials and methods All patients diagnosed with acne neonatorum in “A. Sygros” Hospital, Athens, Greece, during the years 1993–1996, were evaluated clinically and epidemiologically. Histologic examination and smears for Propionibacterium acnes and Pityrosporum ovale were performed in selected cases.Results Of the 22 patients studied, 18 were male (81.8%) and 4 were female. The mean age at onset was 3 weeks and the mean duration of the disease was 4 months. Papules and pustules were the most frequent types of lesions (72.7%), followed by comedones only (22.7%). The cheeks were the most common site of predilection (81.8%). A family history of acne was reported in only three patients. Histologic examination showed hyperplastic sebaceous glands with keratin‐plugged orifices. Smears for P. ovale were negative.Conclusions Our findings are consistent with previous experience, although inflammatory lesions were encountered more often than previously reported. Hereditary factors did not seem to play a significant role in our series. Topical treatment hastened the resolution of this self‐limited condition. Recalcitrant cases warrant investigation for underlying androgen excess.
Cost‐effective post‐exposure prevention of poison ivy dermatitis
Authors: Stibich Adam S. , Yagan Mark , Sharma Vidya , Herndon Betty , Montgomery Christopher 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background Poison ivy (toxicodendron) dermatitis is the most common allergic contact dermatitis in the USA. No studies have shown an effect of washing after a short period of time for the prevention of binding of urushiol to the skin. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of three different modes of postcontact prevention using a surfactant (Dial® ultra dishwashing soap), an oil‐removing compound (Goop®), and chemical inactivation (a commercial product Tecnu®). Methods A consented, unsponsored, volunteer experimental study on medical students from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City. Each subject served as his/her own control, comparing four 2.5‐cm exposed squares on the inner aspect of the forearm, three of which were treated and one untreated. Results Comparisons between the different agents were nonsignificant with P > 0.05. Each treatment, however, was significantly improved over the untreated control. Conclusions Our study showed 70%, 61.8%, and 56.4% protection with Tecnu, Goop, and Dial, respectively, when compared to the positive control, or to the possible maximum response, with a cost per ounce (in a local drug and automotive store) of $1.25, $0.07, and $0.07, respectively, for a decrease in protection that is nonsignificant.
The effect of skin diseases on quality of life in patients from different social and ethnic groups in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Jobanputra Raj , Bachmann Max 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  Skin diseases can greatly affect the quality of life (QoL). Little is known, however, of their impact on QoL in the developing world. This study was designed to assess the effect of skin diseases in such a setting.Methods  A questionnaire survey of patients using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), modified to the cultural needs of the population. The adapted instrument was translated into Afrikaans and Xhosa. Six hundred and seven patients attending general dermatology clinics at Groote Schuur Hospital and 53 controls were recruited. Influences on QoL of clinical severity, employment, education, age, sex, and home language were examined.Results  Participants included 313 (52%) English‐speaking, 215 (35%) Afrikaans‐speaking, and 79 (13%) Xhosa‐speaking dermatology patients. Independent risk factors for having a high disability score were dermatologists' assessment of severity, younger age, unemployment, and language (odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.03–0.5 for Xhosa speakers compared to Afrikaans speakers). Gender was not associated with a high score, but females were more likely to report effects of skin disease on self‐esteem, clothing choice, treatment problems, and anxiety.Conclusions  In this multicultural setting, social class and language group, but not gender, influenced the impact of skin disease on overall QoL. Xhosa speakers were apparently less affected than other patients. This could be due to cultural differences in the experience of skin disease and in the perception of disability, or to biases in questionnaire responses. Anxiety and depression were relevant dimensions of QoL in this study and should be considered for inclusion in future research. The adapted and translated DLQI was valid and reliable.
Biweekly serial glycolic acid peels vs. long‐term daily use of topical low‐strength glycolic acid in the treatment of atrophic acne scars
Authors: Erbağcı Zülal , Akçalı Cenk 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  and objective Treatment of atrophic acne scars is difficult and generally unsatisfactory. Although many clinical studies have been performed to investigate the efficacy of glycolic acid in the treatment of acne vulgaris, to the best of our knowledge no placebo‐controlled study has been carried out to ascertain the effect of glycolic acid on atrophic postacne scars.Design  A single, blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized comparative clinical study was conducted in 58 women with atrophic acne scars. The subjects were randomly divided into three study groups. Glycolic acid peels with 20%, 35%, 50%, and 70% concentrations were applied serially at 2‐week intervals to 23 patients in Group A. Twenty patients in Group B used a 15% glycolic acid cream once or twice daily for a period of 24 weeks. The remaining 15 patients in Group C applied a placebo cream twice daily during the same period.Results  The differences between the results in the different groups were statistically significant at week 24 (P < 0.001). Home application of low‐strength glycolic acid was better tolerated and had less side‐effects than glycolic acid peels; however, repeated short‐contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results compared with the maintenance regimen (P < 0.05), and apparently good responses were observed only in the peel group (P < 0.01).Conclusions  Glycolic acid peeling is an effective modality for the treatment of atrophic acne scars, but repetitive peels (at least six times) with 70% concentration are necessary to obtain evident improvement. Long‐term daily use of low‐strength products may also have some useful effects on scars and may be recommended for patients who cannot tolerate the peeling procedure.
Irritant contact dermatitis secondary to fiberglass: an unusual presentation
Authors: Chen Joy Y. ,   BA, Phillips Rhea , Lewis Alan T. , Quan Long T. , Hsu Sylvia 
Published: March 2003

37‐year‐old white man presented with a 4‐day history of an intensely pruritic eruption on both forearms. The symptoms began immediately after crawling over fiberglass insulation in his attic. The patient had been wearing long pants and a short‐sleeved shirt, exposing his forearms to the insulation. By the third day, pustules had begun to form on both arms. Physical examination revealed multiple erythematous pustules on both forearms Scrapings from a pustule dissolved in 10% potassium hydroxide revealed numerous rectangular refractile crystals which were easily visualized under polarized light ( Fig. 2). A Gram stain of a pustule revealed numerous neutrophils and Gram‐positive cocci in clusters. The patient was diagnosed with fiberglass dermatitis with secondary infection and was treated with a 14‐day course of cephalexin, 250 mg per os four times a day.Refractile crystal under polarized lightimage
Epidemiology of vitiligo in the French West Indies (Isle of Martinique)
Authors: Boisseau‐Garsaud Anne‐Marie , Garsaud Philippe , Calès‐Quist Danielle , Hélénon Raymond , Quénéhervé Catherine , Claire Romule Charles Sainte 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background The frequency of vitiligo in white populations has been generally estimated to be about 0.5–1%. The same prevalence is expected in black populations, despite the few investigations reported. No studies have been performed in black populations living in the Caribbean Islands. Therefore, our purpose was to report an epidemiologic study of vitiligo in the French West Indies (Isle of Martinique). Methods We performed a prospective study between October 1995 and March 1996; 2077 outpatients of the Department of Dermatology at the Fort de France University Hospital were examined to detect vitiligo. Concurrently, 32 patients (23 women and nine men), presenting with vitiligo, were questioned about their family history, personal diseases, age, and circumstances of vitiligo occurrence. Results Vitiligo was found in seven patients (five women and two men) out of 2077. The prevalence in the studied population was 0.34%. Of the 32 patients with vitiligo who were investigated, 11 (34%) had a family history of vitiligo, two (6%) suffered from thyroid disease, two (6%) from psoriasis, and one (3%) from atopic dermatitis. The median age at vitiligo onset was 29 years. Conclusions Despite the bias due to the recruitment of patients in the Dermatology Department, this study demonstrates a prevalence in a black population comparable, or slightly inferior, to the currently accepted data in white people. Our results concerning the age of onset and pathologic associations showed no difference with the literature data related to white populations.
The Spanish version of Skindex‐29
Authors: Jones‐Caballero María , Peñas Pablo F. , García‐Díez Amaro , Badía Xavier , Chren Mary Margaret 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background  Most currently available dermatologic quality‐of‐life measures were originally created in English, and must be translated and adapted for use in other cultures. Our purpose was to translate and adapt culturally into Spanish a skin‐related quality‐of‐life measure, Skindex‐29, and to begin preliminary assessments of its reliability and validity.Methods  Transcultural adaptation and cross‐sectional questionnaire studies were performed. One hundred and fourteen adult persons (patients and healthy people) responded to the Spanish version of Skindex‐29. Evaluations of the semantic equivalence of back‐translated items, reliability, construct validity, and content validity of the Spanish version were the main outcome measures. Comparison between Spanish and American responses was also performed.Results  Six problematic items required a second translation and back‐translation to achieve satisfactory agreement with the original instrument. The final Spanish version of Skindex‐29 was internally reliable (range of Cronbach α for the scales, 0.70–0.87). The instrument demonstrated both construct and content validity. As hypothesized, scores for dermatologic patients were higher than those for healthy persons (mean global scores 21 vs. 5, P < 0.01) and scores for patients with inflammatory diseases were higher than those for persons with isolated skin lesions (mean global scores 32 vs. 11, P < 0.01), indicating a poorer quality of life. In addition, most patients' responses to an open‐ended question about their skin disease were addressed by items in the instrument. Skindex scale scores of American and Spanish respondents were similar.Conclusions  We have developed a semantically equivalent translation of Skindex‐29 into Spanish. Our preliminary evaluation of its measurement properties suggests that it is a reliable and valid measure of the effects of skin disease on the quality of life in Spanish patients.
Necrotizing eosinophilic folliculitis as a manifestation of the atopic diathesis
Authors: Magro Cynthia M. , Crowson A. Neil 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background  Eosinophilic folliculitis (EF) is an idiopathic eruption of sterile pustules and papules involving the trunk, face, and extremities, associated in many cases with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The classic histopathology is one of follicular‐based, eosinophilic spongiosis with variable microabscess formation. We describe nine HIV‐negative patients who manifested a novel form of pustular EF in the setting of atopy.Materials and methods  Paraffin sections of skin biopsies from ten patients, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and special preparations to evaluate for microbial pathogens, were examined. Detailed clinical histories and serologic studies were obtained.Results  Among the clinical presentations in seven men, two women, and one girl (age range, 11–62 years) were ulcerative and/or nodular plaques mainly on the face and/or extremities, sometimes in an annular configuration. The clinical considerations included deep mycotic infection, ulcerative herpes, systemic vasculitis, Mucha Haberman disease, and pyoderma gangrenosum. All patients had a personal and/or family history of atopy. Co‐existent medical illnesses included psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, and lymphoproliferative disease. One patient was on a calcium channel blocker, one on multiple antidepressants, and two on antihistamines, all of which are associated with immune dysregulation. All skin biopsies showed variable intra‐ follicular eosinophilic microabscesses, follicular necrosis, folliculocentric necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis, marked degeneration of connective tissue fiber elements, and striking tissue eosinophilia, including flame figure formation and dermal eosinophilic abscesses. Apart from commensals, such as Pityrosporum and Demodex, microbial pathogens were not identified.Conclusions  The presentations differed from conventional EF by virtue of a strong association with atopy and by the presence of ulceration, nodule formation, follicular and dermal necrosis, and eosinophilic vasculitis. We propose the term ‘‘necrotizing eosinophilic folliculitis,’' and suggest that the basis of this novel form of EF is an unrepressed T‐helper lymphocyte type 2 (Th2)‐dominant response to various epicutaneous stimuli in patients with atopy, the prototypic immune dysregulatory state associated with a Th2‐dominant cytokine milieu.
Neurologic variant of epidermal nevus syndrome with a facial lipoma
Authors: Egan Conleth A. , Meadows Kappa P. , Van Orman Colin B. , Vanderhooft Sheryll L. 
Published: March 2003

A 1‐year‐old girl presented for evaluation of a linear plaque on her forehead. She was born at 36 weeks' gestation following an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. At birth, she was noted to have an enlarged right cheek. She had no seizure history, but developed grand mal seizures 1 year later.On examination, she had a yellow plaque on her forehead which extended onto her nose. Under her right jaw, extending onto her anterior neck, there was a café‐au‐lait macule within which there was a yellow plaque which followed the lines of Blaschko. Her right cheek was enlarged and was erythematous (Fig. 1).Epidermal nevus on the forehead and right hemifacial hypertrophyimageMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her face showed a mass in the right cheek deep to the subcutaneous fat tissue layer. The signal from the mass was identical to that from the fat, indicating that the mass represented a lipoma. This was later excised surgically and was histologically a lipoma. MRI of the brain demonstrated enlargement of the right lateral ventricle in addition to enlargement of the right cerebral hemisphere. There was also evidence of abnormal gyral architecture. Computerized tomography (CT) three‐dimensional reconstruction of the skull demonstrated overgrowth of the right maxilla, right mandible, and right orbit (Fig. 2).Computerized tomography reconstruction of skull showing overgrowth of the bones on the right sideimage