bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dermatophytoses in Split and Dalmatia, Croatia, 1996–2002
Authors: Babić‐Erceg Andrea , Barišić Zvonimir , Erceg Marijan , Babić Ana , Borzić Elmica , Zoranić Vinko , Kaliterna Vanja 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThe aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology of dermatophyte infections in Split and Dalmatia County, Croatia, between 1996 and 2002. Of 5792 samples 1318 (23.8%) were positive. Tinea corporis and tinea cruris were the most common types of dermatophytoses. Microsporum canis (36.5%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (24.8%), and T. rubrum (21.5%) were the main etiologic factors.
Yeasts species distribution in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in northeast Argentina
Authors: Giusiano G. E. , Mangiaterra M. , Rojas F. , Gómez V. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine the distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile of yeast species isolated from neonates in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in northeast of Argentina. With this purpose 92 strains isolated from 25 blood stream cultures, 20 venous catheters, 23 suprapubic aspirations and 24 rectal swabs were studied. Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis appeared with similar frequencies (36%) in blood stream isolates. Candida parapsilosis (50%) was the most frequent catheters colonizer and C. tropicalis (54.2%) was the most frequent yeast associated with gastrointestinal tract colonization. Candida krusei, C. glabrata and Trichosporon cutaneum appeared with a very low frequency. A high rate of susceptibility to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole was observed.
Estrogen‐dependent induction of persistent vaginal candidosis in naïve mice
Authors: Hamad M. , Abu‐Elteen K. H. , Ghaleb M. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThe capacity of estrogen to induce vaginal candidosis (VC) in the absence of previous or concurrent Candida albicans infections was examined. Adult female Balb/c mice were evaluated for vaginal C. albicans burden, C. albicans‐specific delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses and vaginal lymphocyte population kinetics at several time‐points while receiving weekly injections of 0.5 mg estrogen. Estrogen treatment resulted in the appearance of significant levels of C. albicans vaginal colonization, which persisted for a period of 4 weeks. A marked suppression of DTH responses mounted against subsequent C. albicans challenge was observed. Absolute number of vaginal T lymphocytes gradually increased by several folds especially at weeks 5–6 following the start of estrogen treatment. These results clearly indicate that estrogen, independent of other predisposing factors, is capable of perturbing the commensal relationship between the host and the fungus, which results in the induction of persistent VC.
Prevalence, serotypes and mating patterns of Cryptococcus neoformans in the pellets of different avifauna in Madras, India
Authors: Gokulshankar S. , Ranganathan S. , Ranjith M. S. , Ranjithsingh A. J. A. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryA total of 887 pellets of different avifauna were screened for the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans. One hundred and six of 887 samples (12%) yielded Cr. neoformans in culture. The report on the isolation of Cr. neoformans from the pellets of the crow appears to be new and of greater significance because of the ubiquitous prevalence of this bird in India. The prevalence of both MAT a and MAT alpha mating types were recorded. The serotype D was predominant over serotype A. The findings of the present study reveal the growing diverse ecological niche of Cr. neoformans in a the pellets of various avifauna in India.
Candida carriage and Candida dubliniensis in oropharyngeal samples of type‐1 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Tekeli A. , Dolapci I. , Emral R. , Cesur S. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThe carriage of Candida dubliniensis in the oral cavities of type‐1 diabetic patients were investigated. Of 230 patients 81 (35%) had Candida spp. in their oral cavity; C. albicans was the most frequently isolated species (58%). No C. dubliniensis was found in the study population.
Coexistence of pityriasis versicolor and erythrasma
Authors: Karakatsanis G. , Vakirlis E. , Kastoridou Chionoula , Devliotou‐Panagiotidou Despina 
Published: August 2004

SummaryWe describe a 53‐year‐old woman with pityriasis versicolor together with erythrasma that was localized in the axillary and genitocrural region. The coexistence of these infections is rare and we propose the use of methylene blue stain for the diagnosis of both diseases.
Effects of several antifungal drug combinations against clinical and environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from China
Authors: Zhu Li‐Ping , Gil‐Lamaignere Cristina , Müller Frank‐Michael C. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThe in vitro interactions of caspofungin (CSP) with terbinafine (TRB) and ravuconazole (RVC) with 5‐fluorocytosine (5‐FC) were tested against 82 clinical and environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from China. The interaction of CSP with TRB proved synergistic against those isolates with a CSP MIC ≤2 μg ml−1 (5% of the isolates), additive against 42% of the isolates and indifferent against 53%. The effects of RVC with 5‐FC were synergistic, additive or indifferent against 8%, 26% and 67% of the isolates, respectively. No antagonistic effects were found among any of the drugs. The combinations of CSP with TRB and RVC with 5‐FC may display beneficial effects in a strain‐dependent manner, while in no case showed antagonistic effects. These data might be of use to design safer and more efficient treatments for patients with cryptococcosis and warrant further evaluation.
Onychomycosis due to Ulocladium botrytis
Authors: Romano C. , Maritati E. , Paccagnini E. , Massai L. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryA case of disto‐lateral onychomycosis of the third toe of the right foot of a 45‐year‐old man is reported. The agent of infection was Ulocladium botrytis, a mycete not hitherto reported to infect humans. The patient underwent mycological examination consisting of direct microscope observation and culture of pathological material. Diagnosis was based on the macro‐ and microscopic characteristics of the colonies. Fragments of the latter were also examined by scanning electron microscope. Clinical and mycological recovery was achieved after 3 months of topical therapy with ciclopiroxolamine.
Dermatophytosis in children and adolescents in Gdansk, Poland
Authors: Lange M. , Nowicki R. , Barańska‐Rybak W. , Bykowska B. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryDuring a 3‐year period (1999–2001) a total of 94 cases of dermatophytosis were seen in patients from 0 to 18 years of age attending the Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology of Gdańsk Medical University. Mycoses were diagnosed on the basis of clinical picture and direct microscopy and were confirmed by positive cultures. The most frequent pathogens were Microsporum canis (62%) and Trichophyton rubrum (12%). The most often forms of dermatophytosis in children were tinea cutis glabrae (42%) and tinea capitis (30%). Microsporum canis predominated in both locations. Glabrous skin lesions were the most frequent in children aged 8–15 years; the peak of scalp lesions was observed mainly in children aged 4–7 years. Tinea pedis occurred more frequently than suspected. Tinea pedis was observed mainly in adolescents (above the age of 12 years) – the majority of cases were caused by T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes var. granulosum. Onychomycosis was highly uncommon, caused mainly by T. rubrum. Dermatomycoses in general were most frequent in October and November.
Update on antifungal treatment of invasive Candida and Aspergillus infections
Authors: Maschmeyer G. , Ruhnke M. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryInvasive Candida and Aspergillus infections are among the most common serious complications occurring in chronically immunosuppressed patients, in particular those with hematological malignancies and transplant recipients. A rational, early systemic antifungal treatment can be based upon imaging diagnostic techniques as well as upon conventional mycological and non‐culture‐based procedures. The availability of well tolerable and highly efficacious systemic antifungals has improved the spectrum of therapeutic options and the success rates of antifungal treatment. However, with respect to high treatment costs associated with these new agents, it is mandatory to specify indications and limitations for the use of these substances. Voriconazole may well become the new standard primary treatment of invasive aspergillosis. The role of the new echinocandins such as caspofungin, which has recently been approved for salvage treatment of resistant and refractory Aspergillus infections, in primary or combination treatment of invasive aspergillosis must be further studied. Caspofungin is at least as effective as, yet significantly better tolerated than amphotericin B for primary treatment of invasive candidosis in non‐neutropenic patients, and has been approved for this indication. The selection of systemic antifungals in patients with invasive Candida infection critically depends upon the identification of Candida species involved, because some non‐albicans Candida spp. are resistant to azole antifungals.
Influence of voriconazole and fluconazole on reconstituted multilayered oesophageal epithelium infected by Candida albicans
Authors: Bernhardt J. , Bernhardt H. , Knoke M. , Ludwig K. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryReconstituted multilayered oesophageal epithelium appears to be a good basis to test the efficacy of voriconazole (VOR) and fluconazole (FLU) in the tissue. The resulting model of a Candida oesophagitis was approaching the in vivo situation. We infected the tissue with 2 × 106 cfu of the Candida albicans strain SC5314. In the trials with FLU we also used clinical strains. Four hours after infection a good growth of C. albicans appeared mainly with hyphae on the surface of the tissue and a tendency to invasion. The destruction of the tissue began after 36 h. VOR (2 and 16 μg ml−1, respectively) prevented the penetration of hyphae into the tissue, when it was given 4–8 h after infection. It was less effective in reduction of Candida growth on the tissue surface. When VOR was given 16–24 h postinfection, the Candida infiltration stopped more slowly. Thirty‐six hours after infection VOR application could not stop the destruction of the tissue despite reducing the fungi. The results with FLU (32 μg ml−1) were in principle the same, but not so distinct. FLU seems to be more effective against clinical strains of C. albicans than against the type strain.
Structured treatment and teaching of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired cognitive function—the DICOF trial
Authors: Braun A. , Muller U. A. , Muller R. , Leppert K. , Schiel R. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractBackground  Patient education is integral part of any diabetes therapy in Germany, but elderly patients are not able to follow the variety of topics comprising standard treatment and teaching programmes (TTP), primarily due to impaired neuropsychological function. This leads to deficits in diabetes knowledge and hindered ability for diabetes self‐management.Aim  To evaluate structured TTP for geriatric patients with impaired cognitive function.Patients and methods  A neuropsychological examination was performed on all patients over 54 years [n = 102, age 68.6 ± 8.7 years, diabetes duration 10.3 (0.03–35.4) years, HbA1c 10.3 ± 1.7% (HPLC, Diamat®, NR 4.5–6.3%), cognitive function 87.7 ± 12.3 IQ points] who took part in TTP for insulin therapy. Patients with impaired cognitive function participated either in the standard TTP of Berger [n = 35, age 67.6 ± 8.9 years, diabetes duration 9.9 (0.04–35.4) years, HbA1c 10.3 ± 2.0%] or in the specialized structured geriatric DICOF‐TTP [n = 33, age 70.4 ± 8.2 years, diabetes duration 10.4 (0.03–24.9) years, HbA1c 10.7 ± 1.8%].Results  After TTP there were no differences in knowledge and ability for diabetes self‐management (standard/DICOF: knowledge 11.0 ± 2.6 vs. 12.2 ± 2.7 points, P = 0.11; handling 14.9 ± 3.3 vs. 15.9 ± 2.5 points, P = 0.18). However, patients who took part in the DICOF programme showed better scores in satisfaction with the education programme [standard/DICOF 44.7 (31–57) vs. 52.5 (45–59) points, P < 0.001]. Six months later the DICOF participants showed better results regarding diabetes self‐management (standard/DICOF: handling 12.5 ± 4.1 vs. 15.9 ± 3.1 points, P = 0.001). Both groups showed HbA1c decrease (8.3 ± 1.4 vs. 8.5 ± 1.3%, P = 0.62) and similar incidence of acute complications.Conclusions  Elderly patients with impaired cognitive function should take part in specialized structured TTP. This leads to both better satisfaction with the education programme and an improved ability for diabetes self‐management.
Online Financial Information: Law and Technological Change*
Authors: Bradley Caroline 
Published: August 2004

Two contrasting narratives about the impact of the Internet on investors point to different responses by regulators: a narrative of empowerment suggests that regulators should encourage investors to make investment decisions for themselves. But a narrative of vulnerability suggests that these investors may not be able to use the information that is available, and may be at increased risk of loss. Regulators should aim to promote investor empowerment while taking due account of investor vulnerabilities. Three characteristics (immediacy, interactivity, and interjurisdictionality) distinguish online investment information from offline investment information and have implications for the regulation of online information.
Capacity to consent to participate in research – a recontextualization
Authors: Dye Linda , Hendy Steve , Hare Dougal Julian , Burton Mark 
Published: August 2004

SummaryCapacity to consent is an important concept when working with people with learning disabilities. The current concept of consent is based on a dichotomous categorization: people either have or do not have capacity to consent. Several research studies have focused on the assessment of capacity to consent and these studies report a range from 0 to 65% of people with learning disabilities identified as having capacity to consent. Findings from these studies reflect several limitations with the current concept of consent. A recontextualization is needed in order to address these limitations. This should include the concept of risk and benefit assessment, i.e. the seriousness of the consequences involved determines the level of capacity needed for a specific decision. Moreover, the emergence of participatory research paradigms in the field of learning disabilities further challenges the validity of such concepts of consent. Therefore, it is proposed that it is more helpful to present the concept of capacity to consent within a broader contextual framework rather than as a unitary dichotomous categorization.
Hidden learning disability
Authors: Whitaker Simon 
Published: August 2004

SummaryAlthough it has been suggested that about 2.5% of the population as a whole should be regarded as having a mild‐to‐moderate learning disability, only about 0.25% of the population is registered as having a learning disability. This paper considers why this disparity exists. It is suggested that although 2.5% of the population may be a good estimate for people with IQs less than 70, a better estimate of the proportion of the population who reach a dual criteria of having both a low IQ and social/skill defects is about 1%. It is pointed out that even if true prevalence rate of learning disability is nearer to 1% rather than 2.5%, services still only know of a small proportion of people who could be considered to have a learning disability, and there are probably a large number of people with unidentified learning disabilities. It is also noted that the term ‘learning disability’ can be very confusing as it is not clear if it refers to people who have IQs below 70, people with both intellectual and adaptive disabilities or people who have been given a learning disability label. The implications of this for services and research are discussed.
Delirium in learning disability: case series and literature review
Authors: Van Waarde Jeroen A. , Van Der Mast Rose C. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryAlthough predisposing and facilitating factors for delirium are common in learning disabled patients, little is known about the occurrence of delirium in these patients. This paper presents three case reports and results of a manual and computer (Medline, Embase Psychiatry) search. In the literature only two case reports of delirium in learning disabled patients were found. These data were added to those of our three cases. The respective age of the patients was 16, 17, 51, 55 and 78 years. Delirium was associated with eye surgery, anticholinergic overdose, urinary infection, Alzheimer's disease and pulmonary infection, respectively. All patients had predisposing factors for delirium. The literature on delirium in learning disability is scarce. A reason for this may be that the diagnosis is often missed. Delirium is very distressing and raises morbidity and mortality. However, it is treatable, so more attention should be given to diagnosis and treatment, especially in these vulnerable patients. A practice guideline for the assessment and treatment of delirium in learning disability is given.
Use of an in‐patient psychiatric service by learning disabled children
Authors: Hepper Felicity , Rose Gillian 
Published: August 2004

SummaryDespite recent political commitment to increasing access to all levels of health service provision for learning disabled people, there is still limited access to in‐patient child psychiatric care for learning disabled children. This article describes the experiences of an in‐patient unit integrating learning disabled children into a peer group, the majority of whom have normal intellectual function. A case note review was undertaken of all children with a global learning disability admitted to the Collingham Gardens in‐patient Unit between January 2000 and December 2001. We discuss how similar services may be developed to be more inclusive for learning disabled children.
The use of social stories in a psychology service for children with learning disabilities: a case study of a sleep problem
Authors: Moore P. S. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThis paper overviews the phenomena of social stories in conveying social messages to children with autistic spectrum disorder and learning disabilities. The use of social stories in a clinical psychology service for children with predominantly severe learning disabilities is discussed. A case study is presented describing the use of a social story as part of a conventional behavioural intervention on a boy presenting problems surrounding sleep behaviours.
Prevalence of hearing impairment in a community population of adults with learning disability: access to audiology and impact on behaviour
Authors: Timehin C. , Timehin E. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThere is a paucity of studies exploring the frequency of problem behaviours in people with learning disability and hearing impairment. Deafness in learning disability has been described as a ‘double jeopardy‘ because the difficulties are compounded to be more than the sum of their parts. The aim of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of hearing impairment in a community population of adults with learning disability and then investigate their access to audiology. We also aimed to collect information on the prevalence of problem behaviours in this population and explore links between hearing impairment and the use of hearing aids and problem behaviours. The prevalence of hearing impairment was 9.2%, 70% had been seen by audiology services at some time in their life but only 24% had ongoing assessments and hearing‐aid maintenance. Sixty‐two percent of the population had problem behaviours and 34% had self‐injurious behaviour. The high prevalence of problem behaviours and self‐injurious behaviour found in this population compared with other studies suggests a need for further research. These findings also reveal that the hearing status of people with a learning disability continues to be overlooked as the deafness often gets lost among their other problems.
Activation of the human diaphragm during a repetitive postural task
Authors: Hodges Paul W. , Gandevia S. C. 
Published: August 2004

The co‐ordination between respiratory and postural functions of the diaphragm was investigated during repetitive upper limb movement. It was hypothesised that diaphragm activity would occur either tonically or phasically in association with the forces from each movement and that this activity would combine with phasic respiratory activity.Movements of the upper limb and ribcage were measured while standing subjects performed repetitive upper limb movements ‘as fast as possible’. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings of the costal diaphragm were made using intramuscular electrodes in four subjects. Surface electrodes were placed over the deltoid and erector spinae muscles.In contrast to standing at rest, diaphragm activity was present throughout expiration at 78 ± 17% (mean ± s.d.) of its peak inspiratory magnitude during repeated upper limb movement.Bursts of deltoid and erector spinae EMG activity occurred at the limb movement frequency (≈2.9 Hz). Although the majority of diaphragm EMG power was at the respiratory frequency (≈0.4 Hz), a peak was also present at the movement frequency. This finding was corroborated by averaged EMG activity triggered from upper limb movement. In addition, diaphragm EMG activity was coherent with ribcage motion at the respiratory frequency and with upper limb movement at the movement frequency.The diaphragm response was similar when movement was performed while sitting. In addition, when subjects moved with increasing frequency the peak upper limb acceleration correlated with diaphragm EMG amplitude. These findings support the argument that diaphragm contraction is related to trunk control.The results indicate that activity of human phrenic motoneurones is organised such that it contributes to both posture and respiration during a task which repetitively challenges trunk posture.
Involvement of purinergic nerves in the NANC inhibitory junction potentials in pigeon oesophageal smooth muscle
Authors: Vetri T. , Postorino A. , Fileccia R. , Bonvissuto F. , Abbadessa Urso S. 
Published: August 2004

Summary 1 Electrical field stimulation (EFS) (0.5 ms in train of 2–32 Hz for 300 ms) in smooth muscle of pigeon oesophagus, in the presence of atropine (1 μm) and guanethidine (1 μm), elicited an inhibitory response consisting of a transient hyperpolarization (inhibitory junction potential, IJP) associated with muscle relaxation. 2 Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 100 μm) induced hyperpolarization correlated to mechanical relaxation. 3 The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine (from 0.1 to 100 μm) caused a concentration‐dependent reduction of electromechanical response to EFS indicating a role for NO in this response. 4 Apamin (1 μm) reduced both IJP and relaxation to EFS but was without effect on the response to SNP indicating a role for purines, which are also blocked by apamin. 5 Adenosine, AMP, ADP and ATP (all from 1 μm to 1 mm) application caused transient hyperpolarization and muscular relaxation with the following order of potency: adenosine > AMP > ADP > ATP. 6 Inhibitory responses evoked by purines are TTX (1 μm) insensitive but they were inhibited by apamin. This indicates that a purine component for the non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic (NANC) response exists but the purine receptor site is not located on the neurone. 7 Overall these results suggest that NANC inhibitory response elicited by EFS presents two different components apamin‐sensitive, probably purines‐mediated and apamin‐insensitive probably NO‐mediated as apamin only partially block the response to EFS.