bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma causes an irreversible disappearance of the elastic fibres
Authors: Pock L , Blažková J , Caloudová H , Varjassyová I , Konkolová R , Hercogová J 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTA 67‐year‐old man presented with grouped red papules with a smooth surface coalescing to relatively well‐demarcated plaques on his left thigh, in the axillae and on the lateral parts of the trunk. The plaques were growing slowly, and the older ones had a frilled surface. A skin biopsy showed a zone of disappearance of the elastic fibres with a rim of giant multinuclear cells with fragments of the elastic fibres in their cytoplasm. This finding is typical of annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG). After corticosteroid therapy, the inflammation resolved, causing the frilled surface of the lesions due to the disappearance of the elastic fibres. Remission of the skin lesions lasted for 1.5 years. A second skin biopsy taken from the site of the previous lesion showed the absence of the elastic fibres, thus their phagocytosis was irreversible.
Lisch nodules of the iris in neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Richetta A , Giustini S , Recupero SM , Pezza M , Carlomagno V , Amoruso G , Calvieri S 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTNeurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common autosomal dominant disease. The Lisch nodule represents one of the most common NF1 ocular manifestations. Several studies have reported that the Lisch nodule is a melanocytic hamartoma but its pathogenesis is still debated. We have studied the histopathological and ultrastructural features of a Lisch nodule of a 50‐year‐old woman biopsied during an intracapsular cataract extraction. Our researches revealed that it was composed of three main cytotypes: pigmented cells, fibroblast‐like cells and mast cells, showing a pattern similar to a neurofibroma. Furthermore, we hypothesize that Lisch nodules are compatible with neurofibromas.
Paraneoplastic pemphigus secondary to fludarabine evolving into unusual oral pemphigus vegetans
Authors: Powell AM , Albert S , Oyama N , Sakuma‐Oyama Y , Bhogal B , Black MM 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTWe report a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who developed paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) soon after the initiation of fludarabine therapy. He presented with severe oral and cutaneous erosions. Initially, he had high titres of circulating autoantibodies as detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) on multiple epithelial substrates (normal human skin, monkey oesophagus, and rat bladder) and by desmoglein 1 and 3 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). His oral erosions have subsequently progressed into unusual hyperplastic papillomatous lesions affecting the inner aspect of lips and buccal mucosae, histologically consistent with pemphigus vegetans. Desmoglein 1 antibodies and IF on rat bladder substrate have become negative after 18 months of therapy. Several agents had been initiated to bring the disease under control originally, but a partial remission was achieved and maintained with mycophenolate mofetil and low‐dose prednisolone.
Superficial mycoses and HIV infection in Yaounde
Authors: Lohoué Petmy J , Lando AJ , Kaptue L , Tchinda V , Folefack M 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTThe incidence of superficial infections in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is increasing in Yaounde. To determine the prevalence of superficial mycoses in HIV‐positive subjects, a study was carried out in different hospital settings in Yaounde over a period of 18 months. Clinical observations were followed by the culture of samples on Sabouraud's glucose agar. Of the 148 HIVab‐positive patients examined, 79 (44 males and 35 females) had at least one superficial mycosis (53%). The clinical presentations and the causative organisms did not differ from those found in immunocompetent individuals. The main lesions were oral candidiasis (77%), tinea corporis (21%), tinea versicolor (15%), tinea pedis (13%) and tinea inguium (12%). Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans were the organisms most commonly isolated. These results indicate the benefit of studying superficial mycoses for optimal management of HIV patients.
Multiple granular cell tumour
Authors: Janoušková G , Campr V , Konkol’ová R , Zemanová R , Hoch J , Hercogová J 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTMyoblastic myoma was first described in 1926. Immunohistochemical methods have proven the neuroectodermal origin of this tumour. It most frequently affects individuals between 30 and 60 years of age, with a significant female predominance. In most cases it is a benign solitary tumour, with multiple lesions found in 25% of cases. The malignant variant of the tumour is diagnosed in less than 3% of cases. This case report of a 30‐year‐old woman describes the appearance of a solid resistance between her breasts following delivery of her child, with similar findings on the neck and wrists. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of a benign variant of myoblastic myoma.
Erbium:Yag laser therapy of lichenoid red tattoo reaction
Authors: De Argila D , Chaves A , Moreno JC 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTDelayed reactions caused by red tattoo pigments are often difficult to treat. We report a 31‐year‐old female patient with a lichenoid reaction to a red tattoo on the right ankle who was successfully treated with five sessions of a surgical Erbium:Yag laser, using several passes in each session. Our work leads us to consider that Er:Yag laser therapy may be an effective and safe treatment for these therapeutically challenging reactions.
Firms' Voluntary Recognition of Stock‐Based Compensation Expense
Authors: ABOODY DAVID , E. BARTH MARY , KASZNIK RON 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTWe investigate factors associated with firms' decisions in 2002 and early 2003 to recognize stock‐based compensation expense under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123. We find that the likelihood of SFAS 123 expense recognition is significantly related to the extent of the firm's participation in capital markets, the private incentives of top management and members of the board of directors, the level of information asymmetry, and political costs. Although recognizing firms have significantly smaller SFAS 123 expense, we find no significant incremental relation between recognition likelihood and SFAS 123 expense magnitude after controlling for other factors that we expect explain the recognition decision. We also find positive and significant announcement returns for earlier announcing firms, particularly those stating that increased earnings transparency motivates their decision.
Competitive Costs of Disclosure by Biotech IPOs
Authors: GUO RE‐JIN , LEV BARUCH , ZHOU NAN 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTThis study empirically examines the impact of various competitive cost proxies on the extent of product‐related information disclosed by biotech initial public offerings (IPOs) in their prospectuses. The choice of biotech companies, which operate in a fiercely competitive environment, crystalizes the importance of competitive disclosure costs. The focus on product‐related information is aimed at a disclosure set for which potential competitive harm is a priori substantial. Our empirical analyses establish three disclosure determinants: the stage of product development, availability of patent protection, and venture capital backing. Additionally, we find the relative size of ownership retained by pre‐IPO owners to be negatively related to the extent of disclosure, as predicted by signaling models. We also document the expected inverse relation between the extent of information conveyed by the biotech IPOs and widely used measures of information asymmetry: the bid‐ask spread and quoted depth, as well as stock return volatility.
Disclosure Practices of Foreign Companies Interacting with U.S. Markets
Authors: KHANNA TARUN , PALEPU KRISHNA G. , SRINIVASAN SURAJ 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTWe analyze the disclosure practices of companies as a function of their interaction with U.S. markets for a group of 794 firms from 24 countries in the Asia‐Pacific and Europe. Our analysis uses the Transparency and Disclosure scores developed recently by Standard & Poor's. These scores rate the disclosure of companies from around the world using U.S. disclosure practices as an implicit benchmark. Results show a positive association between these disclosure scores and a variety of market interaction measures, including U.S. listing, U.S. investment flows, exports to, and operations in the United States. Trade with the United States at the country level, however, has an insignificant relationship with the disclosure scores. Our empirical analysis controls for the previously documented association between disclosure and firm size, performance, and country legal origin. Our results are broadly consistent with the hypothesis that cross‐border economic interactions are associated with similarities in disclosure and governance practices.
Phase II and Pharmacokinetic Study of Ecteinascidin 743 in Patients With Progressive Sarcomas of Soft Tissues Refractory to Chemotherapy
Authors: Garcia-Carbonero R. , Supko J.G. , Manola J. , Seiden M.V. , Harmon D. , Ryan D.P. , Quigley M.T. , Merriam P. , Canniff J. , Goss G. , Matulonis U. , Maki R.G. , Lopez T. , Puchalski T.A. , Sancho M.A. , Gomez J. , Guzman C. , Jimeno J. , Demetri G.D. 
Published: April 2004

Purpose To assess the efficacy of the marine-derived alkaloid ecteinascidin 743 (ET-743) in patients with soft tissue sarcomas that progressed despite prior conventional chemotherapy and to characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles of ET-743 in this patient population. Patients and Methods Thirty-six previously treated soft tissue sarcoma patients from three institutions received ET-743 as a 24-hour continuous intravenous (IV) infusion at a dose of 1,500 μg/m2 every 3 weeks. Pharmacokinetic studies were also performed. Patients were restaged every two cycles for response by objective criteria. Results Objective responses were observed in three patients, with one complete response and two partial responses, for an overall response rate of 8% (95% CI, 2% to 23%). Responses were durable for up to 20 months. Two minor responses (43% and 47% tumor reduction) were observed, for an overall clinical benefit rate of 14%. The predominant toxicities were neutropenia and self-limited transaminitis of grade 3 to 4 severity in 34% and 26% of patients, respectively. The estimated 1-year time to progression and overall survival rates were 9% (95% CI, 3% to 27%) and 53% (95% CI, 39% to 73%), respectively. The maximum observed plasma concentration and total plasma clearance of ET-743 (mean ± standard deviation), 1.04 ± 0.48 ng/mL and 35.6 ± 16.2 L/h/m2, respectively, were consistent with previously reported values from phase I studies of the drug given as a 24-hour IV infusion. Conclusion ET-743 is a promising new option for the management of several histologic subtypes of sarcoma. Durable objective responses were obtained in a subset of sarcoma patients with disease progression despite prior chemotherapy. Additionally, the relatively high survival rate noted in this series of previously treated patients further justifies development of this agent.
Phase I Trial of Intratumoral Injection of an Adenovirus Encoding Interleukin-12 for Advanced Digestive Tumors
Authors: Sangro Bruno , Mazzolini Guillermo , Ruiz Juan , Herraiz Maite , Quiroga Jorge , Herrero Ignacio , Benito Alberto , Larrache Javier , Pueyo Jesus , Subtil Jose Carlos , Olagüe Cristina , Sola Josu , Sádaba Belén , Lacasa Carlos , Melero Ignacio , Qian Cheng , Prieto Jesus 
Published: April 2004

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and safety of intratumoral injection of an adenoviral vector encoding human interleukin-12 genes (Ad.IL-12) and secondarily, its biologic effect for the treatment of advanced digestive tumors. Patients and Methods Ad.IL-12 was administered in doses ranging from 2.5 × 1010 to 3 × 1012 viral particles, to seven cohorts of patients with advanced pancreatic, colorectal, or primary liver malignancies. Patients were thoroughly assessed for toxicity, and antitumor response was evaluated by imaging techniques, tumor biopsy, and hypersensitivity skin tests. Patients with stable disease and no serious adverse reactions were allowed to receive up to 3 monthly doses of Ad.IL-12. Results Twenty-one patients (nine with primary liver, five with colorectal, and seven with pancreatic cancers) received a total of 44 injections. Ad.IL-12 was well tolerated, and dose-limiting toxicity was not reached. Frequent but transient adverse reactions, including fever, malaise, sweating, and lymphopenia, seemed to be related to vector injection rather than to transgene expression. No cumulative toxicity was observed. In four of 10 assessable patients, a significant increase in tumor infiltration by effector immune cells was apparent. A partial objective remission of the injected tumor mass was observed in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. Stable disease was observed in 29% of patients, mainly those with primary liver cancer. Conclusion Intratumoral injection of up to 3 × 1012 viral particles of Ad.IL-12 to patients with advanced digestive malignancies is a feasible and well-tolerated procedure that exerts only mild antitumor effects.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Indolent Lymphoma Patients Treated With High-Dose Sequential Chemotherapy and Autografting: Evidence That Durable Molecular and Clinical Remission Frequently Can Be Attained Only in Follicular Subtypes
Authors: Corradini Paolo , Ladetto Marco , Zallio Francesco , Astolfi Monica , Rizzo Elena , Sametti Selina , Cuttica Alessandra , Rosato Rosalba , Farina Lucia , Boccadoro Mario , Benedetti Fabio , Pileri Alessandro , Tarella Corrado 
Published: April 2004

Purpose To evaluate the prognostic relevance of molecular monitoring of minimal residual disease in indolent lymphomas receiving high-dose sequential chemotherapy and autografting. Patients, Materials, and Methods A polymerase chain reaction- (PCR-)based strategy was used to evaluate the presence of residual tumor cells in a panel of 70 indolent lymphoma patients: 40 with follicular (FCL), 14 with small lymphocytic (SLL), and 16 with mantle-cell (MCL) lymphomas. They were treated either with first-line (n = 61) or second-line (n = 9) therapy with an intensified high-dose chemotherapy program followed by peripheral-blood progenitor cells autografting. The Bcl-1, Bcl-2, and immunoglobulin gene rearrangements were used as lymphoma-specific markers. Overall, a molecular marker was obtained from the diagnostic tissue in 60 of 70 patients (86%). Results The collection of PCR-negative cells and the achievement of posttransplantation molecular remission (MR) were common in patients with FCL subtype (54% and 70%, respectively), whereas they were not frequent among SLL and MCL (25% and 12.5%, respectively) patients. With a median molecular follow-up of 75 months, an 88% incidence of relapse was observed among patients never attaining MR. In contrast, relapse incidence was only 8% among patients attaining a durable MR (P < .005). At present, 26 patients (20 with FCL and six with non-FCL) are long-term survivors in absence of clinical and molecular disease. Conclusion Our results indicate that among indolent lymphomas, FCL and non-FCL subtypes show a significantly different behavior in terms of MR achievement, and MR after intensive chemotherapy and autografting is predictive for a prolonged disease-free survival, whereas persistent PCR positivity is associated with a high risk of relapse.
Identification and control of the raw material blending process in cement industry
Authors: Kural Ayhan , Özsoy Can 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis paper deals with the identification and advanced control of the raw material blending process in cement industry. The process is multivariable and coupled one, because the feeder tanks do not contain homogeneous raw materials chemically. The time delays in the system are also considerable. The disturbances coming from the variations in the chemical compositions of the raw materials from long‐term average compositions cause the changes of the system parameters. Therefore, for providing the target values of the oxide compositions of the raw meal determining the high quality of cement, the stochastic multivariable dynamic models are developed and model predictive controllers are designed to calculate the optimal feed ratios of the raw materials despite disturbances. This study consists of two parts; in the identification part, three different linear multivariable stochastic ARX models are proposed. The identification results show that these MISO and MIMO models are good models. In the control part, model predictive control strategy is applied. At the end of the simulation study, the output values reach the specified set points quickly. Also the significant decrease in the variance of controlled outputs is obtained. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical activity and levels of inactivity in adolescent females ages 11–16 years in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Henry C. Jeya K. , Lightowler Helen J. , Al‐Hourani Huda M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of physical activity and levels of inactivity in adolescent females in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 58 adolescent females, age 11–16 years, were recruited from two female‐only governmental schools in Abu‐Dhabi. Subjects were divided into two groups: 11–13 years (n = 22) and 14–16 years (n = 36). Physical activity patterns were determined from a 3‐day activity diary. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was estimated using a factorial approach. The amount of physical activity was expressed as the physical activity level (PAL) and the activity‐related energy expenditure (AEE). The number of hours spent watching television was estimated from the activity diaries. There were no significant differences in the energy expenditure parameters between age groups or between schooldays and weekends. PAL was low in both age groups. Television was the predominant leisure time pursuit. The number of hours per day spent watching television (median and interquartile range) was 2.5 (2.3–3.1) in 11–13 years and 2.5 (2.3–2.8) in 14–16 years. Television‐watching was significantly higher during the weekend than schooldays: 11–13 years (P = 0.006) and 14–16 years (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the amount of physical activity undertaken by adolescent females in the UAE was very low. Cultural and weather restrictions and social change of the community in the UAE are not conducive to physical activity and play a major role in levels of physical inactivity. This may explain, in part, the rise in the incidence of obesity in this population. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:346–353, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bilateral variation in limb articular surface dimensions
Authors: Plochocki Jeffrey H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractJoint form is frequently used to interpret locomotor and manipulative adaptations and infer physical behavioral patterns in past humans, yet the precise genetic and environmental determinants of joint size are incompletely understood. The aim of this research is to assess the plasticity of limb articular dimension through the use of directional asymmetry as an indicator of mechanical stress during skeletal development. Directional asymmetry is largely attributable to differential mechanical loading during bone growth related to handedness. Because the large majority of individuals are right‐handed, it is hypothesized that joint dimensions will be significantly larger in the upper right limb and lower left limb in the crossed symmetry pattern that is typically exhibited in bone lengths. Patterns of bilateral variation were explored by sex and skeletal location. Significant levels of directional asymmetry (P < 0.05) suggest that limb articular surfaces are adapted to the mechanical environment. Biomechanical factors are important in the development and maintenance of articular morphology. Further research, however, is needed to establish the exact relationship between joint size and the mechanical environment. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:328–333, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Substantial native American female contribution to the population of Tacuarembó, Uruguay, reveals past episodes of sex‐biased gene flow
Authors: Bonilla Carolina , Bertoni Bernardo , González Susana , Cardoso Horacio , Brum‐Zorrilla Nadir , Sans Mónica 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFor many years it has been assumed that the population of Uruguay is almost exclusively European‐derived and that the biological contribution of the native population as well as of individuals of African descent is negligible. Several recent studies based on a variety of genetic markers, mostly morphological and serological markers, have produced quite a different picture of the constitution of the Uruguayan population. The Native American contribution varies from 1–20%, while the African contribution ranges from 7–15%, in different regions of the country. In the present study we examine the way the admixture process took place in Uruguay by analyzing the ancestry of maternal lineages in a sample from the northern city of Tacuarembó. To accomplish this goal we typed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers of Native American, African, and European origin and estimated the proportions of each parental group in the admixed population. We found that 62% of all mtDNA haplogroups were of Native American descent, a surprising figure considering the “European roots” of the country. Consequently, this result assimilates Uruguay to the rest of Latin American populations where sex‐biased gene flow between European men and Native American women has been the rule. We further analyzed the distribution of the four major founding mitochondrial lineages in Tacuarembó and compared it to other South American populations. We discuss our findings in the light of historical records and assess the need for additional genetic studies. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:289–297, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme polymorphisms as maternal risk for down syndrome among Turkish women
Authors: Boduroğlu Koray , Alanay Yasemin , Koldan Berrin , Tunçbilek Ergül 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAdvanced maternal age is the only fully accepted risk factor for trisomy 21, while most children with Down syndrome (DS) are born to younger mothers (<35 years). The relationship between chromosomal nondisjunction leading to aneuploidy and folate metabolism has drawn attention in the recent years. In this study, we examined the two polymorphisms in genes encoding the folate metabolizing enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), namely, 677C > T and 1298A > C. The prevalence of these variant genotypes in mothers of DS children (case mothers) (n = 152) was compared with controls (n = 91). Frequencies of MTHFR 677C > T genotypes (CC, CT, and TT) and also combination of heterozygous and homozygous variant genotypes (CT or TT) (P = 0.28) demonstrated no difference between the case and control groups. Genotype frequencies of MTHFR 1298A > C (AA, AC, and CC) were similar among the case and control mothers. Variant genotypes of MTHFR 1298A > C (AC or CC) were also insignificant when compared between the two groups. This is yet the largest case‐control study conducted for MTHFR 677C > T and also the first to investigate a possible relation with MTHFR 1298A > C. The data presented in this study fail to support the relationship between MTHFR 677C > T and 1298A > C polymorphisms and risk of having a child with DS. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.