bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discolouration of the fingernails from using hydroquinone skin‐lightening cream
Authors: Parlak A Haydar , Aydoǧan İ , Kavak A 
Published: October 2004

SummaryA 23‐year‐old left‐handed white male was referred with a complaint of brown discolouration of the fingernails of his left hand. He had been applying 4% hydroquinone cream to facial melasma. The discolouration began in winter and worsened in March and April. It resolved within 2 months of cessation of hydroquinone.There are only a few reports of nail staining as a result of hydroquinone in the literature. Nail discolouration as a result of hydroquinone may occur on only one hand.
Atopic eczema. What has caused the epidemic in industrialised countries and can early intervention modify the natural history of atopic eczema?
Authors: Thestrup‐Pedersen K 
Published: October 2004

SummaryAtopic eczema (AE) has a lifetime prevalence of between 15 and 20% in industrialized countries, but a very low prevalence in rural Africa. The ‘atopic eczema epidemic’ has developed in industrialized countries within the last four decades. The disease has a strong genetic influence, so environmental factors must be responsible for the dramatic increase in disease prevalence. It is therefore fair to consider what interventions may change its prevalence. In this article, several factors are considered: the increased number of doctors in industrialized countries, the development of drugs like topical steroids and emollients, the ‘demanding parents’ and ‘old mother’ syndromes, introduction of vaccination programmes, allergen exposure, breastfeeding and the possible beneficial effects of probiotics.In 90% of children with AE, onset is before the age of 5. Its course runs over years. Approximately two out of three outgrow the disease between 7 and 12 years of age. Although its cause is unknown, type I allergic reactions are common and allergen avoidance has been attempted in many studies as a preventive measure in atopic dermatitis. However, results are rather disappointing.The use of probiotics, i.e. daily intake of Lactobacillus, has proven effective in preventing, or at least delaying, the development of atopic eczema. So has breastfeeding, although some studies cannot confirm its beneficial effect. Therapeutic interventions using antihistamines, desensitisation and control of skin inflammation using topical steroids have not proven successful in shortening the course of atopic eczema, although controlled studies are lacking. The use of emollients has, however, a documented effect in up to one of three children with mild atopic eczema. It will be interesting to observe if the new topical immuno‐modulators, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, may be able to shorten the natural course of the disease.
Language Experience and the Organization of Brain Activity to Phonetically Similar Words: ERP Evidence from 14- and 20-Month-Olds
Authors: Mills Debra L. , Prat Chantel , Zangl Renate , Stager Christine L. , Neville Helen J. , Werker Janet F. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe ability to discriminate phonetically similar speech sounds is evident quite early in development. However, inexperienced word learners do not always use this information in processing word meanings [Stager & Werker (1997). Nature, 388, 381–382]. The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine developmental changes from 14 to 20 months in brain activity important in processing phonetic detail in the context of meaningful words. ERPs were compared to three types of words: words whose meanings were known by the child (e.g., “bear”), nonsense words that differed by an initial phoneme (e.g., “gare”), and nonsense words that differed from the known words by more than one phoneme (e.g., “kobe”). These results supported the behavioral findings suggesting that inexperienced word learners do not use information about phonetic detail when processing word meanings. For the 14-month-olds, ERPs to known words (e.g., “bear”) differed from ERPs to phonetically dissimilar nonsense words (e.g., “kobe”), but did not differ from ERPs to phonetically similar nonsense words (e.g., “gare”), suggesting that known words and similar mispronunciations were processed as the same word. In contrast, for experienced word learners (i.e., 20-month-olds), ERPs to known words (e.g., “bear”) differed from those to both types of nonsense words (“gare” and “kobe”). Changes in the lateral distribution of ERP differences to known and unknown (nonce) words between 14 and 20 months replicated previous findings. The findings suggested that vocabulary development is an important factor in the organization of neural systems linked to processing phonetic detail within the context of word comprehension.
A Comparison of the Electroencephalogram between Institutionalized and Community Children in Romania
Authors: Marshall Peter J. , Fox Nathan A. , Group BEIP Core 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Electroencephalographic (EEG) data were collected from a sample of institutionalized infants and young children in Bucharest, Romania, and were compared with EEG data from age-matched children from the local community who had never been institutionalized and who were living with their families in the Bucharest area. Compared with the never-institutionalized group, the institutionalized group showed a pattern of increased low-frequency (theta) power in posterior scalp regions and decreased high-frequency (alpha and beta) power, particularly at frontal and temporal electrode sites. This finding is consistent with EEG studies of children facing environmental adversity and children with learning disorders. The institutionalized group also showed less marked hemispheric EEG asymmetries than the never-institutionalized group, particularly in the temporal region. The results are discussed in the context of two models: that the pattern of EEG in the institutionalized children reflects a maturational lag in nervous system development, or that it reflects tonic cortical hypoactivation.
The Faces of Development: A Review of Early Face Processing over Childhood
Authors: Taylor M. J. , Batty M. , Itier R. J. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe understanding of the adult proficiency in recognizing and extracting information from faces is still limited despite the number of studies over the last decade. Our knowledge on the development of these capacities is even more restricted, as only a handful of such studies exist. Here we present a combined reanalysis of four ERP studies in children from 4 to 15 years of age and adults (n = 424, across the studies), which investigated face processing in implicit and explicit tasks. We restricted these analyses to what was common across studies: early ERP components and upright face processing across all four studies and the inversion effect, investigated in three of the studies. These data demonstrated that processing faces implicates very rapid neural activity, even in young children— at the P1 component—with protracted age-related change in both P1 and N170, that were sensitive to the different task demands. Inversion produced latency and amplitude effects on the P1 from the youngest group, but on N170 only starting in mid childhood. These developmental data suggest that there are functionally different sources of the P1 and N170, related to the processing of different aspects of faces.
Asynchronies in the Development of Electrophysiological Responses to Motion and Color
Authors: Mitchell Teresa V. , Neville Helen J. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Recent reports have documented greater plasticity in the dorsal visual stream as compared with the ventral visual stream. This study sought to test the hypothesis that this greater plasticity may be related to a more protracted period of development in the dorsal as compared with the ventral stream. Age-related effects on event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by motion and color stimuli, designed to activate the two visual streams, were assessed in healthy individuals aged 6 years through adulthood. Although significant developmental effects were observed in amplitudes of ERPs to both color and motion stimuli, marked latency effects were observed only in response to motion. These results provide support for the hypothesis that the dorsal stream displays a longer developmental time course across the early school years than the ventral stream. Implications for neural and behavioral plasticity are discussed.
An Interacting Systems Model of Infant Habituation
Authors: Sirois Sylvain , Mareschal Denis 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Habituation and related procedures are the primary behavioral tools used to assess perceptual and cognitive competence in early infancy. This article introduces a neurally constrained computational model of infant habituation. The model combines the two leading process theories of infant habituation into a single functional system that is grounded in functional brain circuitry. The HAB model (for Habituation, Autoassociation, and Brain) proposes that habituation behaviors emerge from the opponent, complementary processes of hippocampal selective inhibition and cortical long-term potentiation. Simulations of a seminal experiment by Fantz [Visual experience in infants: Decreased attention familiar patterns relative to novel ones. Science, 146, 668–670, 1964] are reported. The ability of the model to capture the fine detail of infant data (especially age-related changes in performance) underlines the useful contribution of neurocomputational models to our understanding of behavior in general, and of early cognition in particular.
Mechanisms of Eye Gaze Perception during Infancy
Authors: Farroni Teresa , Johnson Mark H. , Csibra Gergely 
Published: October 2004

AbstractPrevious work has shown that infants are sensitive to the direction of gaze of another's face, and that gaze direction can cue attention. The present study replicates and extends results on the ERP correlates of gaze processing in 4-month-olds. In two experiments, we recorded ERPs while 4-month-olds viewed direct and averted gaze within the context of averted and inverted heads. Our results support the previous finding that cortical processing of faces in infants is enhanced when accompanied by direct gaze. However, this effect is only found when eyes are presented within the context of an upright face.
Knowing Where Things Are in the Second Year of Life: Implications for Hippocampal Development
Authors: Sluzenski Julia , Newcombe Nora S. , Satlow Eric 
Published: October 2004

AbstractPrior data have revealed striking contrasts between 18 and 24-month-old children in place learning, an ability knownto dependon the hippo campus(Newcombe, Huttenlocher, Drummey, & Wiley, 1998). The current research examined the development of three other basic abilities of mature spatial competence: the representation of multiple locations, the learning of relations among objects, and the recall of a single location after a substantial filled delay. Results indicated a transition from 18 to 24 months in all three abilities. This evidence supports a general transition in spatial representation that occurs towards the end of infancy. Existing neurobehavioral data suggest that a corresponding change in hippocampal functioning underlies this development.
Polychlorinated biphenyls, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) polymorphisms, and breast cancer risk among African American women and white women in North Carolina: a population-based case-control study
Authors: Li Yu , Millikan Robert C , Bell Douglas A , Cui Lisa , Tse Chiu-Kit J , Newman Beth , Conway Kathleen 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Introduction
Epidemiologic studies have not shown a strong relationship between blood levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and breast cancer risk. However, two recent studies showed a stronger association among postmenopausal white women with the inducible M2 polymorphism in the cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) gene.

Methods
In a population-based case-control study, we evaluated breast cancer risk in relation to PCBs and the CYP1A1 polymorphisms M1 (also known as CYP1A1*2A), M2 (CYP1A1*2C), M3 (CYP1A1*3), and M4 (CYP1A1*4). The study population consisted of 612 patients (242 African American, 370 white) and 599 controls (242 African American, 357 white).

Results
There was no evidence of strong joint effects between CYP1A1 M1-containing genotypes and total PCBs in African American or white women. Statistically significant multiplicative interactions were observed between CYP1A1 M2-containing genotypes and elevated plasma total PCBs among white women (P value for likelihood ratio test = 0.02). Multiplicative interactions were also observed between CYP1A1 M3-containing genotypes and elevated total PCBs among African American women (P value for likelihood ratio test = 0.10).

Conclusions
Our results confirm previous reports that CYP1A1 M2-containing genotypes modify the association between PCB exposure and risk of breast cancer. We present additional evidence suggesting that CYP1A1 M3-containing genotypes modify the effects of PCB exposure among African American women. Additional studies are warranted, and meta-analyses combining results across studies will be needed to generate more precise estimates of the joint effects of PCBs and CYP1A1 genotypes.
The effect of interruption to propofol sedation on auditory event-related potentials and electroencephalogram in intensive care patients
Authors: Yppärilä Heidi , Nunes Silvia , Korhonen Ilkka , Partanen Juhani , Ruokonen Esko 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Introduction
In this observational pilot study we evaluated the electroencephalogram (EEG) and auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) before and after discontinuation of propofol sedation in neurologically intact intensive care patients.

Methods
Nineteen intensive care unit patients received a propofol infusion in accordance with a sedation protocol. The EEG signal and the ERPs were measured at the frontal region (Fz) and central region (Cz), both during propofol sedation and after cessation of infusion when the sedative effects had subsided. The EEG signal was subjected to power spectral estimation, and the total root mean squared power and spectral edge frequency 95% were computed. For ERPs, we used an oddball paradigm to obtain the N100 and the mismatch negativity components.

Results
Despite considerable individual variability, the root mean squared power at Cz and Fz (P = 0.004 and P = 0.005, respectively) and the amplitude of the N100 component in response to the standard stimulus at Fz (P = 0.022) increased significantly after interruption to sedation. The amplitude of the N100 component (at Cz and Fz) was the only parameter that differed between sedation levels during propofol sedation (deep versus moderate versus light sedation: P = 0.016 and P = 0.008 for Cz and Fz, respectively). None of the computed parameters correlated with duration of propofol infusion.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that use of ERPs, especially the N100 potential, may help to differentiate between levels of sedation. Thus, they may represent a useful complement to clinical sedation scales in the monitoring of sedation status over time in a heterogeneous group of neurologically intact intensive care patients.
Subjective health and fibrinogen in a healthy Chinese cohort
Authors: Fielding Richard , Lam Tai Hing , Ho Sai Yin , Janus Edward D. 
Published: October 2004

Objectives: This study explores standard cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors in a healthy population sample, with low CVD prevalence and presumed higher social connectedness as potential mechanisms linking subjective health (SH) and physical health.Method: A population‐based, telephone‐sampled, cross‐sectional study recruited a healthy subset of 2280 Chinese adults who subsequently underwent a free medical examination. Serum total cholesterol, low‐density lipoproteins (LDL), high‐density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides, fibrinogen, fasting glucose, 2‐hour post‐load glucose, blood pressure and adiposity were compared between respondents reporting good SH and those reporting poor SH over the past 3 months, on a 4‐point, single‐item measure.Results: After adjustment for age, gender, education, exercise, marital and smoking status, only serum fibrinogen significantly differentiated the two groups. Respondents reporting Very poor or Poor SH had a significantly greater likelihood of raised mean fibrinogen levels compared with those reporting Good or Very good SH (Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.37, 95% CL 1.002–1.84,p < .05).Conclusions: There is a small but robust association between SH and fibrinogen in this low CVD prevalent population unexplained by known pre‐existing disease.
Social support, anxiety and depression after chemotherapy for ovarian cancer: A prospective study
Authors: Hipkins Jane , Whitworth Melissa , Tarrier Nicholas , Jayson Gordon 
Published: October 2004

Objectives: We aimed to describe the levels of anxiety and depression in patients during the 3 month period following the end of chemotherapy treatment and to identify factors that predict psychological morbidity.Method: We performed a prospective study in women with ovarian cancer to determine the changes in psychological status in the 3 months following completion of chemotherapy. Sixty‐three consecutive patients were assessed at the completion of chemotherapy (Time 1) and 57 at 3 months follow‐up (Time 2). Relevant disease and patient characteristics were recorded and patients were assessed at Time 1 for anxiety, depression and their perception of emotional support, an index of their psychosocial environment. Anxiety and depression were re‐assessed at Time 2.Results: The results indicate significant initial psychological morbidity, with clinical caseness for anxiety (38%) and depression (33%) being common. Follow‐up at Time 2 shows that patients undergo a significant reduction in cases (19%) and symptoms of depression but an increase in cases of anxiety (47%). The principal factors associated with symptoms of anxiety at Time 2 were poor perceived social support, increased intrusive thoughts and, to a lesser extent, younger age. Medical parameters, such as the stage of disease, response of the cancer to treatment, Ca125 (a tumour glycoprotein) and Karnofsky Performance status (a measure of how well the patients is) were not associated with worse psychological outcome.Conclusion: These data show for the first time that social support and intrusive thoughts, rather than physical parameters, are the principal determinants of psychological morbidity in patients with ovarian cancer.
Differences between out‐patients with physical disease and those with medically unexplained symptoms with respect to patient satisfaction, emotional distress and illness perception
Authors: Jackson Judy , Kincey John , Fiddler Magdalen , Creed Francis , Tomenson Barbara 
Published: October 2004

Objectives: This study aimed to assess whether patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) attending cardiology and neurology out‐patient clinics were less satisfied with their consultation than patients whose presenting symptoms were explained by an organic diagnosis. The multidimensional nature of satisfaction and its relationships with emotional distress and illness perception were also assessed within the two groups.Design and setting: A prospective cohort study was carried out at a large inner city teaching hospital.Participants: New attenders at cardiology and neurology out‐patient clinics participated in the study.Measures: The Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Health Anxiety Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) were used in the study.Results: There were no overall significant differences in satisfaction between organic and MUS patients. Factor analysis yielded four factors: satisfaction with information, satisfaction with style of doctor — patient interaction, satisfaction with clinic environment, and satisfaction with patient's health. Levels of internal consistency were good, with Cronbach's alphas between .74 and .95 for the four subscales.Conclusion: When considering patients with MUS, these findings emphasize the need to examine healthcare satisfaction from a detailed and multidimensional perspective. Relationships between satisfaction dimensions, clinic specialties and measures of psychological well‐being and of illness perception show interesting patterns. These findings raise both theoretical and service delivery questions concerning communication strategies.
Validation of a New Automated Renin Assay
Authors: de Bruin René A , Bouhuizen Angelique , Diederich Sven , Perschel Frank H , Boomsma Frans , Deinum Jaap 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background: Measurement of plasma renin is important for the treatment of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and in the evaluation of patients with suspected hyperaldosteronism. Immunologic assays for plasma renin offer easier implementation and standardization than enzyme-kinetic assays for plasma renin activity, but their sensitivity and specificity have been questioned. We studied a renin immunochemiluminescence assay on an automated platform.
Methods: Renin was measured by an enzymatic assay, by IRMA, and by the new Nichols Advantage Specialty System immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA), in plasmas from unselected individuals from our outpatient departments and in samples from patients with selected diagnoses.
Results: The detection limit in the ICMA was 0.1 mU/L. The recovery was &gt;90%, and the imprecision (CV) was generally &lt;9%. Mean (SD) concentrations measured by ICMA were 32 (21)% lower than those measured by IRMA. Renin concentrations as measured by ICMA were identical in serum and EDTA-, heparin-, and citrate-anticoagulated plasmas. Prolonged incubation of whole blood at room temperature before centrifugation did not affect renin concentrations. The central 95% interval for 80 healthy adults was 6–85.5 mU/L. Plasma renin as assessed by ICMA in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism was &lt;0.2 mU/L.
Conclusions: The performance characteristics of the new renin ICMA allow its use for patients with CAH and for the diagnosis of mineralocorticoid hypertension. In view of the variability of renin concentrations, use for other forms of hypertension or physiologic research calls for the development of uniform sampling protocols.