bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical reactivation during lamivudine treatment correlates with mutations in the precore/core promoter and polymerase regions of hepatitis B virus in patients with anti‐hepatitis B e‐positive chronic hepatitis
Authors: MARRONE A. , ZAMPINO R. , KARAYANNIS P. , CIRILLO G. , CESARO G. , GUERRERA B. , RICCIOTTI R. , MIRAGLIA DEL GIUDICE E. , UTILI R. , ADINOLFI L. E. , RUGGIERO G. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryBackground : Drug‐resistant mutants may emerge in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving lamivudine therapy.Aim : To evaluate whether different viral mutational patterns may be associated with clinical reactivation during lamivudine treatment in patients with chronic B hepatitis.Methods : Eight anti‐hepatitis B e‐positive patients with (group A) and 14 patients without clinical exacerbation (five anti‐hepatitis B e‐positive, group B1; nine hepatitis B e antigen‐positive, group B2) during lamivudine treatment were investigated.Results : ‘Polymerase region’: M204V/I variants were found in all group A patients, but in none of group B1 (P = 0.0007) and in four of nine of group B2 (44%; P = 0.02) patients. The L180M substitution was detected in four of eight (50%) of group A and in none of groups B1 and B2. ‘Core promoter’: the double basic core promoter (A1762T/G1764A) variant was detected in seven of eight (87%) of group A and in one of five (20%; P = 0.03) of group B1 and one of nine (11%; P = 0.002) of group B2 patients. ‘Precore’: the G1896A stop codon mutation was present in seven of eight (87%) of group A and in zero of five (P = 0.004) of group B1 and one of nine (11%; P = 0.002) of group B2.Conclusions : Different mutational patterns were observed in the lamivudine‐treated patients with and without exacerbation. There was an association of the basic core promoter and stop codon mutations with lamivudine resistance in patients with disease exacerbation.
Social and medical impact, sleep quality and the pharmaceutical costs of heartburn in Taiwan
Authors: LU C.‐L. , LANG H.‐C. , CHANG F.‐Y. , CHEN T.‐J. , CHEN C.‐Y. , LUO J.‐C. , LEE S.‐D. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryBackground : Little is known about the social and medical burdens of heartburn in Asia.Aim : To assess the impact of heartburn in Taiwan.Methods : We applied a questionnaire to 2018 apparently healthy adult Chinese receiving a routine health maintenance programme. Costs of heartburn‐related prescriptions were obtained from the Bureau of National Health Insurance of Taiwan.Results : Heartburn prevalence (>1 episode/week) was 7%. Smoking and increased body mass index were associated with heartburn occurrence. Heartburn sufferers reported more atypical gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms, e.g. chest pain, dysphagia and globus. They were more likely to consult physicians, and have an increased frequency and number of days of absenteeism, irrespective of upper gastrointestinal or nongastrointestinal‐related illnesses. They experienced sleep disturbances more frequently. The 62 heartburn consulters (48%) were more likely to have co‐existing globus, visited physicians more, had more absenteeism, suffered from more sleep disturbances and had higher costs for antacids, proton pump inhibitors, hypnotic/sedatives, tranquilizers and antidepressants than nonconsulters.Conclusions : Heartburn prevalence in Taiwan is lower than in Western countries. Nevertheless, heartburn in Taiwanese creates a significant burden in terms of social impact, health resource utilization, sleep quality and pharmaceutical costs. The increased costs of psychoactive drugs in consulters suggest that anxiety/depression affects their health‐seeking behaviour.
Changes in marine faunal distributions and ENSO events in the California Current
Authors: LLUCH‐BELDA DANIEL , LLUCH‐COTA DANIEL B. , LLUCH‐COTA SALVADOR E. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractInterannual variability in the California Current System is analyzed through its effects on the temporal distribution of fauna, particularly southern‐origin organisms moving north during warming events and south during cooling ones. In temperate waters north of 24°N latitude, northward movements of southern fauna occur at intervals of about 5 yr. This is different from El Niño events, whose frequency of occurrence is mostly centered in the 3‐yr period but with considerable dispersion. Possible causes for northward displacement of fauna include relaxation of the California Current, intensification of the countercurrent, and the formation and persistence of mesoscale eddies among others. Strong events appear to be a consequence of the decadal variation peaks.
North–south contrasts in decadal scale variations in lower trophic‐level ecosystems in the Japan Sea
Authors: CHIBA S. , HIROTA Y. , HASEGAWA S. , SAINO T. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractRegional comparisons of interannual variations in springtime lower trophic‐level ecosystems were made for northern subarctic regions, and for southern Tsushima Current regions of the Japan Sea, based on archival hydrographic and biological data sets collected from the mid‐1960s to the early 1990s. Variations related to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation were detected for plankton biomass in both northern and southern regions, although there were regional differences with respect to mechanisms and timing. Springtime stratification increased after the late 1970s in the north, roughly coinciding with the northern Pacific regime shift in 1976/77. Stratification also increased due to warming in the south in the early 1980s, several years after the 1976/77 regime shift. Responding to the increase in stratification, springtime biomass of phytoplankton and zooplankton increased in the north and decreased in the south. Principal component analysis revealed that hydrographic conditions during spring, rather than winter, determined springtime phytoplankton biomass. In northern regions, spring phytoplankton production may be enhanced by increased light availability, due to mixed layer stabilization. In the south, where background nutrient concentration within the water column was low, increases in stratification were likely to limit nutrient supply to the surface layer, resulting in decreases in phytoplankton production. A positive relationship between phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass suggested bottom‐up control of secondary production in northern regions. The nature of the links between phytoplankton and zooplankton production was not clear in southern regions, where hydrographic conditions during winter seemed to be responsible for variations in springtime secondary production.
Prurigo nodularis: A review
Authors: Lee Michael R , Shumack Stephen 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARYPrurigo nodularis is a chronic condition characterized by a papulonodular pruriginous eruption of unknown aetiology. This condition is a difficult disease to treat and causes frustration to both the patient and the treating doctor. A variety of systemic conditions have been reported to be associated with prurigo nodularis. The mechanism by which these disorders may trigger prurigo nodularis is unknown. Nerve growth factor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of prurigo nodularis. Calcitonin gene‐related peptide and substance P immunoreactive nerves are markedly increased in prurigo nodularis when compared with normal skin. These neuropeptides may mediate the cutaneous neurogenic inflammation and pruritus in prurigo nodularis. Topical or intralesional glucocorticoids are the treatment of choice. Other topical treatments such as topical vitamin D3, and topical capsaicin have also been reported to be effective. Oral treatments such as cyclosporin and thalidomide have been shown to improve both appearance of the skin and pruritus. We review the clinical features, associations, pathology, pathogenesis and treatment of prurigo nodularis.
Comparison of desmoglein ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence using two substrates (monkey oesophagus and normal human skin) in the diagnosis of pemphigus
Authors: Ng Patricia PL , Thng Steven TG , Mohamed Khatija , Tan Suat Hoon 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARYA prospective study was performed to assess the usefulness of desmoglein enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay testing compared with indirect immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of new cases of pemphigus, as well as to compare the relative sensitivities of monkey oesophagus and normal human skin as substrates for indirect immunofluorescence. These tests were performed on the sera of 29 consecutive new cases of pemphigus diagnosed over a 2‐year period based on clinical, histological and direct immunofluorescence findings. Desmoglein enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was positive in all patients whereas indirect immunofluorescence was positive in only 25 of 29 patients. All four patients with negative indirect immunofluorescence had positive antinuclear antibodies or cytoplasmic fluorescence that could have masked the anti‐intercellular antibodies. Desmoglein enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay appeared to reflect the disease activity better than indirect immunofluorescence in a few patients who had active disease of recent onset. Monkey oesophagus was found to be superior or equal to human skin as a substrate for indirect immunofluorescence in both pemphigus vulgaris and foliaceus.
A case of PHACE syndrome
Authors: Ross Gayle , Bekhor Philip , Su John , Marks Michael 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARYA young girl with PHACE syndrome presented with a posterior fossa malformation, a segmental telangiectatic right facial haemangioma, a novel aortic arch anomaly, a congenital right fourth cranial nerve palsy (not previously described in this syndrome) and Horner's syndrome. Hydrocephalus was limited to the intrauterine period and detection of the cardiovascular anomalies was a direct result of recognition of this syndrome. She has received laser treatment for the haemangioma and is awaiting surgical correction of her cranial nerve palsy.
Intravascular B‐cell lymphoma diagnosed by skin biopsy
Authors: Le Katie , Lim Adrian , Bullpitt Peter , Wood Glenda 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARYA 58‐year‐old man presented with unexplained fever, constitutional symptoms, worsening respiratory failure and gross, generalized oedema. He was eventually diagnosed with intravascular B‐ cell lymphoma on a random skin biopsy. Examination of the skin showed patchy erythema and induration, with peau d’orange. Despite multiorgan failure requiring intensive care, he responded dramatically to multiagent chemotherapy (six cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) and is currently in clinical remission.
Multiple squamous cell carcinomas in a patient with mycosis fungoides
Authors: Le Katie , Lim Adrian , Samaraweera Ushma , Morrow Christine , See Adrian 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARYA 51‐year‐old man with type IV skin presented for evaluation of a generalized rash associated with multiple ulcerated, nodular lesions on his legs. The nodular lesions occurred approximately 18 months after the initial onset of generalized rash, which had been diagnosed as plaque/patch stage mycosis fungoides. He continued to develop further nodular lesions on his trunk in the weeks following presentation. The nodular lesions were shown to be squamous‐cell carcinoma on histopathology. He had received only topical hydrocortisone prior to the development of the second cutaneous malignancy and had no past exposure to carcinogens. His squamous cell carcinomas were treated with surgical excision and split‐skin grafting. He received total skin electron‐beam therapy to treat the mycosis fungoides. Second malignancy in mycosis fungoides is a recognized phenomenon and usually occurs after potentially carcinogenic therapy. This case demonstrates the occurrence of second malignancy in the absence of a precipitating factor, suggesting that there are innate, immune‐mediated mechanisms in the development of cancer in patients with mycosis fungoides.
Effect of ascorbic acid treatment on endothelium‐dependent and neurogenic relaxation of corpus cavernosum from middle‐aged non‐insulin dependent diabetic rats
Authors: GÜR SERAP , KARAHAN S TUNA , ÖZTÜRK BÜLENT , BADILLI MEHMET 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Aim:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate functional responses and nitric oxide synthase activity in the corpus cavernosum of young control, middle‐aged control and middle‐aged non‐insulin dependent diabetic rats.
Methods:
The animal groups were treated with ascorbic acid.
Results:
Acetylcholine‐mediated endothelium‐dependent relaxation of cavernosal tissue was significantly attenuated from a maximum of 58.0 ± 4.1% (1 mmol, n = 10) in young rats to 44.3 ± 1.6% in aged‐matched controls (P < 0.05) and to 23.3 ± 2.8% in non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus rats (P < 0.01). These deficits in acetylcholine responsiveness were completely prevented by ascorbic acid treatment. Non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic relaxations evoked by electrical field stimulation (0.5–64.0 Hz) in the corpus cavernosum of middle‐aged control and non‐insulin dependent (NID) diabetic rats are blunted and were not restored by ascorbic acid. The histochemical ﬁndings demonstrated a decrease of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐diaphorase staining in the cavernosal tissue obtained from middle‐aged control rats and middle‐aged diabetic rats.
Conclusion:
Partial correction by ascorbic acid may suggest the importance of reactive oxygen species and a therapeutic approach in impotent NID diabetic men.
Solvent‐dehydrated cadaveric dermis: a new allograft for pubovaginal sling surgery
Authors: ONUR RAHMI , SINGLA AJAY 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of solvent‐dehydrated cadaveric dermis in pubovaginal sling surgery for the first time in the literature.
Methods
Twenty‐five women with stress urinary incontinence underwent pubovaginal sling surgery using 2 × 12 cm allograft dermis. Preoperatively, all patients were evaluated by a detailed urogynecologic evaluation, voiding diary, pelvic examination and urodynamic investigation. Outcome was assessed by the Urogenital Distress Inventory short form and standardized follow‐up questionnaires.
Results
Twenty (80%) patients were cured of stress incontinence symptoms. Seventeen wore no pad and three reported occasional stress urinary incontinence and used no or one pad at a mean follow up of 12 months. Five (20%) patients in our series experienced the same amount of leakage as before the surgery. Seventy‐six percent of the patients indicated that urinary incontinence was no longer negatively affecting their daily life and were satisfied with the procedure.
Conclusions
Questionnaire‐based assessment of outcome suggests that solvent‐dehydrated cadaveric dermis is effective in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. However, larger and comparative prospective studies with long‐term results and randomized comparison of tissue preparation techniques are warranted.
Oral clonidine advances spermatogenesis in oligozoospermic patients with spermatogenetic maturation arrest
Authors: TERADA HIROSHI , FUJITA KIMIO , OTSUKA ATSUSHI , SHINBO HITOSHI , MUGIYA SOICHI , OZONO SEIICHIRO 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Background:
Growth hormone (GH) plays an important role in the pubertal development of males and females, and inﬂuences the male reproductive function after puberty. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cause of GH deficiency in infertile men with spermatogenetic maturation arrest using the clonidine loading test (GH stimulation test). Based on the results of the loading test, we tried to conﬁrm whether clonidine might be usable as a male infertility remedy.
Methods:

We studied 75 infertile men (55 oligozoospermic and 20 azoospermic men) and 25 normal fertile volunteers. We used the oral clonidine (0.15 mg/m2) loading test to evaluate the GH secretory reserve. Histological diagnoses were performed using testicular biopsy and testicular sperm extraction specimens.
Results:
The most important finding was that the clonidine loading test caused a good response in 41 out of 55 (74.6%) patients with oligozoospermia. We treated these 41 good‐response patients with oral clonidine, and the sperm count improved in 34 (82.9%) cases, increasing to 12–79 million/mL. Spontaneous pregnancy was subsequently achieved by 10 (24.4%) couples.
Conclusions:
These findings also suggest that GH is necessary for spermatogenesis, at least for the process of spermatozoa maturation. Oral clonidine therapy improved the sperm count in patients who showed an excessive response to the clonidine loading test.
Clinical study of six cases showing late relapse of germ cell tumors
Authors: MURAMAKI MOTOTSUGU , HARA ISAO , MIYAKE HIDEAKI , YAMADA YUJI , KAWABATA GAKU , KAMIDONO SADAO 
Published: September 2005

Abstract Late relapse of germ cell tumors has been considered rare. We report six patients treated at our institution with relapses of germ cell tumors more than 2 years after first successful management. Median time to late relapse for pure seminomas and non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors was 30.0 and 75.5 months, respectively. The sites of the late relapses in two cases of pure seminoma were located out of the fields of irradiation. After systematic chemotherapy, both these patients remain disease free. Two patients with non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors received salvage chemotherapy at the time of late relapse, but tumor markers did not normalize in either case. A complete resection of relapsed masses was performed in three cases of non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors. All three patients are without evidence of disease. The incidence of late relapse in patients with pure seminomas and non‐seminomas was 2.4% and 3.3%, respectively, which suggests the necessity for long‐term follow up.
Ureteral obstruction caused by a duplicated anomaly of inferior vena cava
Authors: WANG LIANG‐TSAI , LO HUA‐CHENG , YU DAH‐SHYONG , SUN GUANG‐HUAN , WU CHING‐CHUN , FONG CHAU‐JYE 
Published: September 2005

Abstract Developmental anomalies of inferior vena cava are a rare cause of ureteral obstruction. We report a case that presented with right upper ureteral obstruction that radiologically simulated a retrocaval ureter. An aberrant vessel, which caused obstruction of the right ureter was identified at operation and surgical relief of ureteral obstruction was performed. Inferior venocavography was performed postoperatively and disclosed an unusual incomplete duplication of inferior vena cava. Our findings suggested that ureteral obstruction by incompletely duplicated anomaly of the inferior vena cava should be included in the differential diagnosis of extrinsic ureteral obstruction.
Fatigue of single‐ and double‐rivet self‐piercing riveted lap joints
Authors: IYER K. , HU S. J. , BRITTMAN F. L. , WANG P. C. , HAYDEN D. B. , MARIN S. P. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTThe fatigue behaviour of single‐ and double‐rivet aluminum alloy 5754‐O self‐piercing riveted (SPR) lap joints has been investigated experimentally and analytically. With the single rivet, the experimental program involves a set of 27 cyclic tension tests on joints with 1‐, 2‐ or 3‐mm‐thick sheet coupons. In most cases (85%), fatigue cracks are found to initiate in the gross section on the faying surface of the upper sheet. With two rivets (installed in two rows), the experimental program consists of nine cyclic tension tests, three for each of the three combinations of riveting orientation possible, on SPR joints consisting of 2‐mm‐thick sheet specimens. The fatigue life of double‐rivet joints is found to be strongly dependent on the orientation combination of the rivets. Monotonic tests with the double‐rivet joints also reveal an influence of orientation combination. In addition to experiments, values of local stress and rivet‐sheet microslip in the single‐rivet joints have been evaluated through three‐dimensional elastic finite‐element analysis. The analyses are used to interpret experimental observations of fatigue crack initiation location, life and fretting damage severity.
Epidermoid carcinoma and perforating necrobiosis lipoidica: a rare association
Authors: Vanhooteghem O , André J , de la Brassinne M 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTWe report the case of a 33‐year‐old patient who had had insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) since he was 11 months old, and who presented with major perforating necrobiosis lipoidica (PNL) complicated by a well‐differentiated epidermoid carcinoma. PNL is a rare clinical form of NL, always associated with diabetes. Only seven cases have been reported to date in the literature, and to the best of our knowledge, an association of epidermoid carcinoma and PNL has never been described. The development of a tumoral transformation on a classical NL plaque has only been described 12 times. The presence of an epidermoid carcinoma on a weakened background with permanent ulceration suggests that early surgical excision of the tumour and of the NL followed by a skin graft might be the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy seems to be a poor therapeutic option.
The clinical benefit of moisturizers
Authors: Lodén M 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTMoisturizing creams marketed to consumers often contain trendy ingredients and are accompanied by exciting names and attractive claims. Moisturizers are also an important part of the dermatologist's armamentarium to treat dry skin conditions and maintain healthy skin.The products can be regarded as cosmetics, but may also be regulated as medicinal products if they are marketed against dry skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis.When moisturizers are used on the so‐called dry skin, many distinct disorders that manifest themselves with the generally recognized symptoms of dryness are treated. Dryness is not a single entity, but is characterized by differences in chemistry and morphology in the epidermis depending on the internal and external stressors of the skin. Patients and the society expect dermatologists and pharmacists to be able to recommend treatment for various dry skin conditions upon evidence‐based medicine.Learning objective  Upon completing this paper, the reader should be aware of different types of moisturizers and their major constituents. Furthermore, s/he will know more about the relief of dryness symptoms and the functional changes of the skin induced by moisturizers.