bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of foot disease on quality of life: results of the Achilles Project
Authors: Katsambas A , Abeck D , Haneke E , Van De Kerkhof P , Burzykowski T , Molenberghs G , Marynissen G 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  Foot diseases have a high prevalence in the general population, but their impact on quality of life has not been assessed in large‐scale studies. The Achilles Project surveyed foot disease in patients visiting their primary care physician or dermatologist.Methods  A total of 43 593 patients were asked about the impact of their condition on their quality of life: pain, discomfort in walking, limitations in daily activities, and embarrassment.Results  Overall, 52.5% of patients had some aspect of their quality of life affected by their foot disease. More specifically, 30.7% of patients experienced pain, 40.3% had discomfort in walking, 19.6% had their daily activities limited, and 27.3% were embarrassed. The survey indicated a larger impact of foot disease on the quality of life of women vs. men in all categories, except for daily activities. Similarly, the elderly (≥ 65 years) were more affected by their foot disease, although they suffered no more embarrassment than other age groups. Participation in sports seemed to lower the proportion of patients who had their quality of life adversely affected. Non‐fungal foot diseases, particularly ulcer and gangrene, are more likely to cause pain, discomfort in walking and limit daily activities, than fungal diseases.Conclusions  In general, non‐fungal foot diseases caused pain, discomfort in walking and limitations in daily activities in more patients than fungal foot diseases, but a higher proportion of patients with fungal foot diseases were embarrassed by their condition than patients with non‐fungal foot diseases. The study found that the impact of foot disease on quality of life may be greater than previously suggested. Given that effective treatments are available, routine examination of patients’ feet by dermatologists and primary care physicians may help to reduce the burden of these foot conditions.
Successful UVA1 phototherapy in a patient with scleredema adultorum
Authors: Eberlein‐König B , Vogel M , Katzer K , Hein R , Köhn F‐M , Ring J , Abeck D 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTScleredema adultorum is a rare connective tissue disorder of unknown cause. Both bath‐PUVA and cream‐PUVA therapy were reported to be effective. We describe a patient with scleredema adultorum who showed a striking clinical improvement with a medium‐dose UVA1 phototherapy (single dose, 50 J/cm2; 35 treatments).
Dermatitis artefacta: unusual appearance in an older woman
Authors: Gregurek‐Novak T , Novak‐Bilić G , Vučić M 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTDermatitis artefacta is a rare and difficult condition for diagnosis and treatment, with the highest incidence of onset in late adolescence to early adult life. Most patients are young women who have a personality disorder; borderline features are common and the patient's denial of psychological distress makes management and treatment difficult. Patients use a variety of means to cause the skin changes. Clinical presentation of the skin lesions does not conform to those of known dermatoses and are located on easily reached parts of the skin. We report an unusual case of a 72‐year‐old woman with symmetrical changes under the breasts and in the right inguinal region. The lesions were composed partly of haemorrhagic round lesions and partly of scars. A skin biopsy was taken and consultations with the psychiatrist, internist and the patient's family led to the diagnosis of self‐induced dermatitis. The skin lesions were covered by occlusion techniques and the lesions improved very rapidly. The patient was discharged from the hospital under psychiatric and family care.
MODULE SIX: SPECIAL ISSUES
Authors: SCHNEIDER BENJAMIN , SCHÜKLENK UDO 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTThe objective of this module is to cover ground that was not covered in‐depth in any of the other modules, including: scientific misconduct, issues concerning the publication and ownership of research results (authorship guidelines – who is eligible to be considered an author, or contributor to a scientific paper etc.), special problems occurring in social science and epidemiological research, and the problems pertaining to conflicts of interest the various players in biomedical research activities could encounter.
Headaches in Women Undergoing in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo‐Transfer Treatment
Authors: Amir Ben‐Yehuda , Yaacov Bentov , Guy Bar , Gad Potashnik , Itzhak Wirguin , Gal Ifergane 
Published: March 2005

Background.—In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer has become a common therapeutic modality in modern fertility medicines. Treatment protocols are associated with exaggerated hormonal fluctuations in order to promote multiple follicular development and support of embryo survival. Estrogen is considered to be closely linked to migraine, and its extreme serum level fluctuations have been considered to trigger migrainous headaches.Objective.—To assess the prevalence, nature, and timing of headache attacks during the course of in vitro fertilization and embryo‐transfer treatments.Methods.—We retrospectively evaluated the prevalence and the characteristics of headache among 98 women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer therapy using a structured telephone interview.Results.—Out of the 98 evaluated patients 25 were migraine sufferers. Headache attacks during the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer protocol were reported by 28.6% (n = 28) of the women and were significantly more prevalent among the migraineurs. The attacks were of debilitating severity in 82% (n = 23) of patients who reported headaches during treatment. Headache occurred most frequently following gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analog induced hypothalamic‐pituitary‐ovarian axis downregulation, typically associated with very low 17‐β‐estradiol (17‐β‐E2) serum level.Conclusions.—In vitro fertilization and embryo‐transfer treatment might be associated with various degrees of headache. This is mostly observed in patients with migraine headache background and specifically during the downregulation stage of treatment, when very low levels of 17‐β‐E2 are observed.
Additive effects between platelet concentrates and desmopressin in antagonizing the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide
Authors: Reiter Rosemarie , Jilma‐Stohlawetz Petra , Horvath Michaela , Jilma Bernd 
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: Platelet (PLT) glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists have demonstrated efficacy in decreasing ischemic complications of percutaneous coronary intervention and/or unstable angina. In case of bleeding, the drug can be stopped and PLT transfusions can be given.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This crossover study tested the additive effects of PLT concentrates (PCs) after desmopressin (DDAVP) infusion in antagonizing the anti‐PLT effects of GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors and aspirin. After eptifibatide and aspirin infusion (at standard dosages), 10 healthy volunteers received DDAVP or placebo. Thereafter, increasing amounts of PLTs from fresh single‐donor apheresis concentrates were added in vitro to blood samples of all volunteers to increase PLT counts by 30 × 109, 60 × 109, or 120 × 109 per L.RESULTS: Adding platelets in vitro further improved PLT function after DDAVP: it shortened collagen‐adenosine diphosphate closure times (p < 0.01), to normal ranges as measured by the PLT function analyzer (PFA‐100). In contrast, normal PLT function could not be restored even when PLT counts were increased by 50 percent (120 × 109/L) in the placebo group.CONCLUSION: Combined use of PLTs from fresh apheresis PC and DDAVP additively enhances recovery of normal PLT function after eptifibatide infusion. Such a strategy may help to avoid excessive transfusion of PC.
Monocyte enrichment of mononuclear apheresis preparations with a multistep back‐flush procedure on a cord blood filter
Authors: Wagner Stephen J. , Myrup Andrew , Xu Yanwen , Walker M. Susan , Welbon Craig , Celluzzi Christina M. 
Published: March 2005

INTRODUCTION: Monocytes or mononuclear cells have been investigated for the treatment of chronic wounds and spinal cord injuries, as well as serve as a source for dendritic or endothelial cell culture. Because these cells may have clinical benefit yet no rapid and inexpensive closed system for monocyte purification is commercially available, a method was investigated to enrich monocytes from mononuclear apheresis units using a cord blood filter.METHODS: A 4‐step method for monocyte enrichment was developed which involved 1) filtering a mononuclear apheresis unit through a cord blood filter, 2) chasing with medium to remove non‐adherent residual cells and plasma, 3) back‐flushing under low shear conditions to remove loosely adherent lymphocytes, and 4) back‐flushing under high shear conditions to collect a fraction enriched in monocytes. Apheresis units and enriched monocyte preparations were characterized by cell count and differential, filter‐isolated preparations were cryopreserved, and thawed preparations were assayed for viability, and phagocytosis. Enriched monocyte preparations were also assayed for inflammatory cytokines secretion and secretion of prostaglandin E2 during short‐term culture.RESULTS: Monocytes were viable, capable of phagocytosis, and enriched using the multistep filter elution technique to represent 42 ± 13‐percent of white cells in the final preparation. Fifty‐three‐percent of monocytes were recovered in the final preparation, while total cell counts of red cells, platelets, neutrophils and lymphocytes were reduced to 3.0, 3.0, 4.5 and 16‐percent, respectively, from levels present in mononuclear apheresis units. Filter enriched monocyte preparations secreted IL‐8, IL‐6, MCP‐1, and MIP‐1α, during short term culture.CONCLUSION: The use of a multi‐step back flush procedure with a cord blood filter resulted in rapid enrichment of viable and functional monocytes from mononuclear apheresis units with significant reduction of contaminating platelets and red cells.
Mononuclear cell variability and recruitment in non‐cytokine‐stimulated donors after serial 10‐liter leukapheresis procedures
Authors: Strasser Erwin F. , Zimmermann Robert , Weisbach Volker , Ringwald Jürgen , Zingsem Jürgen , Eckstein Reinhold 
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: We introduced monitoring of mononuclear cell (MNC) counts to obtain enhanced donor control and a stable quality of MNC products, because there are limited data available about blood donors after serial leukapheresis (LP) procedures.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective paired study, 13 male healthy blood donors underwent 10‐L LP procedures performed on two apheresis devices by use of two MNC program settings (COBE Spectra, Gambro BCT, SF 250 vs. SF 500; and AS.TEC 204, Fresenius Hemocare, CP 129 vs. CP 194). Donors’ pre‐ and postdonation MNC counts were analyzed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting.RESULTS: After each 10‐L LP procedure, a transient decline (p < 0.05) of CD14+ monocyte and platelet counts appeared in donors. Loss of donors’ CD3+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, and CD16+56+ natural killer (NK) cells during MNC collection was partly compensated by cell recruitment. The MNC recruitment factor (RF) seems to be higher with high‐yield MNC program settings. Negative correlations (p < 0.01) were noticed between predonation counts and RFs of CD3+ T cells and CD16+56+ NK cells. Four serial 10‐L LP procedures did not result in long lasting MNC depletion for donors.CONCLUSION: MNC recruitment seems to depend on MNC program settings and collected cell yields. Low MNC counts could result in high cell recruitment that may contribute to stable collection results to some degree. Nevertheless, there seems to be a considerable individual variation of MNC recruitment in donors that should be investigated in more detail.
NondeletionalABO*Oalleles express weak blood group A phenotypes
Authors: Seltsam Axel , Das Gupta Christa , Wagner Franz F. , Blasczyk Rainer 
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND:Owing to a single‐base deletion, the vast majority ofABO*Oalleles encode for a truncated and catalytically inactive ABO glycosyltransferase, leading to the generation of a premature stop codon. Less frequent nondeletionalABO*Oalleles such asABO*O03, in contrast, have nonsynonymous mutations that may abolish the protein's enzyme activity by altering its sugar‐binding site.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Extensive ABO phenotyping and genotyping were performed in healthy blood group O donors with weak anti‐A isoagglutinins and their relatives as well as in blood group O donors selected for the presence ofABO*O03. HeLa cells were used to transfect ABO expression plasmids.RESULTS:Donors or relatives carryingABO*O03and/or its rare variantABO*Aw08in homozygous (n = 2) or heterozygous (n = 14) form showed weak A antigen expression detectable only by adsorption‐elution (n = 15) or by monoclonal anti‐A typing (n = 1). The serum samples of most donors (n = 13) contained weak anti‐A; in the remaining donors, anti‐A isoagglutinin reactivity was in the normal range. In the transfection studies, weak A antigen expression on HeLa cells transfected with plasmids containingABO*O03orABO*Aw08expression constructs was detectable only by adsorption‐elution.CONCLUSION:The data provide evidence that nondeletionalABO*O03‐like alleles produce detectable amounts of A antigens.
Molecular characterization of D– Korean persons: development of a diagnostic strategy
Authors: Kim Ji Yeon , Kim Sung Yeun , Kim Chong‐Ahm , Yon Gyu Sung , Park Sung Sup 
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: D– frequencies show wide racial differences: in particular, in Korean persons it is approximately 1/100th of that in Caucasians (0.15% vs. 15%). The molecular mechanisms of D– may be unique to races, and thus specific molecular diagnostic approaches are necessary for individual races. Such marked racial differences have been attributed to the founder effect. It was hypothesized that D– frequencies may be affected by genomic variations of Rhesus boxes, which are instruments of unequal crossing‐over.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: First, the molecular basis of D– in Korean donors was characterized. A total of 264 D– persons were analyzed by performing RHD exon polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Rhesus box hybrid PCR‐PstI, RHD sequencing, and a novel RHD‐CE‐D hybrid PCR. Second, with sequencing analysis, Rhesus boxes in Korean and Caucasian persons were compared.RESULTS: Of 264 D– Korean individuals, 74 percent completely lacked RHD, 9 percent had RHD‐CE‐D hybrid, and 17 percent had point mutations. Three genetic causes, RHD deletion, RHD‐CE(2‐9)‐D2, and 1227G>A, explained 99.4 percent of D– alleles in Korean persons. Three novel mutations were also found. The identity region of 10 Rhesus boxes in Korean persons was in complete concordance with that in Caucasian persons.CONCLUSION: In this study, a molecular diagnostic strategy was established and the genetic causes of almost all D– Korean persons was able to be diagnosed with a simple decision tree. The study provides a good example of the molecular diagnosis of D– persons, especially in low‐frequency areas. Our hypothesis that D– frequencies are affected by genomic variations in Rhesus boxes was excluded. Rather, racial differences may be influenced by the founder effect.
Influence of prey quality on the fitness of two phenotypes of Harmonia axyridis adults
Authors: Onofre Soares António , Coderre Daniel , Schanderl Henrique 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe performance of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) adults of the aulica and nigra phenotypes fed on Aphis fabae Scopoli and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) was compared by measuring their voracity, daily biomass consumption, daily weight gain, efficiency of food utilisation, and reproductive capacity. Our results demonstrated differences in the suitability of A. fabae and M. persicae for the two phenotypes of the predator. This suggests that either differences occur in the nutritive requirements of the predators, or in the nutritive value of the two prey species. Both A. fabae and M. persicae supported the growth and oviposition of the aulica and nigra phenotypes. Although nigra females consumed fewer M. persicae, they achieved the same daily weight gain as aulica females. The predator phenotypes consumed the same amount of A. fabae, but the daily weight gain of aulica females was higher than that of nigra. The two predator phenotypes had the same feeding efficiency when consuming M. persicae or A. fabae. The reproductive capacity of nigra females was higher, when this phenotype consumed A. fabae rather than M. persicae.
Tongue disease in advanced AIDS
Authors: de Faria PR , Vargas PA , Saldiva PHN , Böhm GM , Mauad T , de Almeida OP 
Published: March 2005

Objective:  This study describes the involvement and the histological alterations found in the tongues of 92 autopsied patients who died with AIDS.Materials and methods:  Sex, age, CD4 cell count and clinical history were obtained from the files of 92 patients who died with AIDS. All the tongues were examined for macroscopical alterations and stained using H&E, Gomori‐Grocott, Ziehl‐Neelsen, PAS, Brow‐Hopps and Mucicarmine. Histological autopsy findings were grouped based on a protocol that was designed following the World Health Organization recommendations.Results:  The mean age of the patients who died of AIDS and CD4 cell count were 36 years and 82 cells μL−1, respectively. Histological alterations of the tongues were found in 75% of the cadavers. The most common lesions were hairy leukoplakia (HL) (42 cases), candidosis (31 cases) and non‐specific chronic glossitis (29 cases), followed by concomitant lesions (28 cases), non‐specific chronic ulceration (17 cases), melanotic pigmentation (13 cases), herpes simplex (10 cases), lymphoepithelial cysts (two cases), cryptococcosis (two cases), mycobacteriosis (one case), histoplasmosis (one case), cytomegalovirus infection (one case) and non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma (one case). HL with oral candidosis (n = 13) were the most common concomitant lesions.Conclusion:  These findings indicate that the tongue is a favorite site to occurrence of reactive, infectious and concurrent lesions in the end‐stage of AIDS patients.
Estimating the prevalence of urinary and faecal incontinence in Australia: systematic review
Authors: Chiarelli Pauline , Bower Wendy , Wilson Amanda , Attia John , Sibbritt David 
Published: March 2005

Objectives:  To quantify the prevalence of urinary and faecal incontinence in the Australian population by deriving age and gender‐specific rates of urinary and faecal incontinence from the literature. Methods:  Systematic review and meta‐analysis. A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE from 1995 to 2001 was performed in duplicate. The following a priori inclusion criteria were applied to studies: community based sampling frame, response rate > 65%, > 125 participants per gender group, and age and gender separation of results (stratification). Results:  There were significant differences in the definitions used, the time frames of interest, and the populations surveyed. There was significant heterogeneity across studies. Overall prevalence of urinary incontinence for Australian adults was estimated to be 19.3% and 2.2% in Australian women and men, respectively. Overall prevalence of faecal incontinence was estimated to be 5.3% and 5.5% in Australian women and men, respectively. Conclusions:  It is disappointing that with so many studies published in this area, there is still a lack of high quality, basic descriptive epidemiology of this important health problem. These estimates of the prevalences of urinary and faecal incontinence should assist policy making in this area.
Development of a self‐sustaining speech pathology service for residents in rural aged care facilities
Authors: Payne Rachel , Stevens John 
Published: March 2005

Objective:  The literature suggests that approximately 90% of residents in aged care facilities have communication difficulties and between 40 and 60% of residents experience dysphasia. The ability of residents to attend outpatient clinics or private consultation, especially in a rural setting, is severely restricted. In an attempt to address this service gap a speech pathology service for residents in rural aged care facilities was developed and trialed over a 12‐month period. Method:  Thirty aged care facilities in the Northern Rivers Area of New South Wales (NSW) agreed to participate in the trial. Results and Conclusion:  An analysis of the first 9 months of data collected showed 331 resident consultations, 94 general practitioner (GP) consultations, and 111 education sessions showed that the quality of life of residents was greatly improved. As well, the skills, knowledge and the overall provision of service provided by GPs, nursing and allied health staff to residents of aged care facilities was greatly enhanced. The speech pathology service also proved to be financially self‐sustainable and was able to generate income for: (i) GPs through improved access to Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) funding; and (ii) aged care facilities through significant movements within the Resident Classification Scale.
An elementary introduction to practical holography
Authors: Porter Alan G. , George S. 
Published: March 2005

Holography is not only a new branch of modern optics; it is also a new art form. The beginning holographer, whether he is an artist, an engineer, or a scientist, usually has difficulty in finding an easily understandable article describing the ’’how to do it’’ aspects of making a hologram. This article is intended to alleviate some of the difficulties by presenting both an understandable geometric model of the hologram and a step-by-step guide to the procedures involved in making a hologram.
Editor’s note: Reviewers of this article have found it technically correct but question whether a presentation that treats a subject ’’from the beginning’’ is suitable in level for the American Journal of Physics. We feel that an occasional clearly written ’’how to do it’’ article that enables the nonspecialist to set up the simplest demonstrations in a field are entirely suitable for the Journal, provided an overall balance in level and subject is maintained in the Journal as a whole.
Detection of
Cryptosporidium
and Identification to the Species Level by Nested PCR and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
Authors: Coupe Stephane , Sarfati Claudine , Hamane Samia , Derouin Francis 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

Cryptosporidiosis is an emerging protozoan disease associated with large waterborne outbreaks. Diagnosis relies on microscopic examination of stools, but this method cannot identify the infecting species of
Cryptosporidium
. We have developed a test based on nested PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) that offers simple identification of
Cryptosporidium hominis
,
Cryptosporidium parvum
, and most other human infective species in stool samples. Purified
C. parvum
oocysts were used for PCR development. Extracted DNA was amplified by nested PCR targeting a 214-bp fragment of the 18S RNA gene. Enzymatic restriction sites were identified by bioinformatic analysis of all published
Cryptosporidium
18S rRNA sequences. Experiments with spiked stool samples gave an estimated PCR detection limit of one oocyst. Specificity was assessed by testing 68 stool samples from patients with microscopically proven cryptosporidiosis and 31
Cryptosporidium
-negative stools. Sixty-seven (98.5%) of the 68 stool samples from patients with microscopically proven cryptosporidiosis and 2 of the other stool samples were positive by PCR and could be genotyped. RFLP analysis identified 36
C. hominis
, 19
C. parvum
, 8
Cryptosporidium meleagridis
, and 6
Cryptosporidium felis
or
Cryptosporidium canis
samples. Species determination in 26 PCR-positive cases was in full agreement with DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA hypervariable region. The excellent sensitivity of PCR, coupled with the accuracy of RFLP for species identification, make this method a suitable tool for routine diagnosis and genotyping of
Cryptosporidium
in stools.