bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Spatial Decision Support System for Radar‐meteorology Data in South Africa
Authors: Löwe Peter 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe South African Weather Service (SAWS) operates a radar station network, providing data continuity back to 1994, which is unique for southern Africa. The Geographical Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) GIS was introduced to the SAWS “Meteorological Systems and Technology” (METSYS) radar research center in 1999 where it is still used for meteorologic research. The predominantly convective nature of precipitation in southern Africa creates a public demand for severe weather information systems for convective cells. Such a system was set up in GRASS GIS, using rule‐based expert systems to classify convective clouds. It isolates storm cells from stacks of reflectivity fields and derives information about their development stages. This data is both archived and also used to send out customised messages to target groups in specific areas of interest. Further, nationwide HTML‐maps can be created, serving as an interactive front‐end for a web‐based weather information system. This service can also be made accessible from remote locations by broad‐casting it as a datastream from satellite through the Worldspace digital radio system.
GRASS GIS‐embedded Decision Support Framework for Flood Simulation and Forecasting
Authors: García Sandra G 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis study presents a spatiotemporal analysis tool, called Shyska. This tool allows the simulation and prediction of flash floods in semiarid basins. Shyska has been developed by Geographical Information System (GIS)‐embedded functions, allowing the integration of hydrometeorological information from modern technologies of data acquisition in real time. A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is used in order to obtain the relevant parameters from the integrated rainfall‐runoff models. Some of its most relevant modules and methodology employed for its development are described. Case studies in basins of south‐east Spain illustrate the applicability of the proposed techniques.
Identifying Wrinkle Ridges from Mars MGS and Viking Mission Data: Using GRASS GIS in Planetary Geology
Authors: Frigeri Alessandro , Federico Costanzo , Pauselli Cristina , Minelli Giorgio 
Published: February 2004

AbstractDuring the past few decades, numerous missions to Mars have sent information about the red planet. The missions have shown that Mars has ice on its poles and that ice could be present all over the planet subsurface. The presence of ice on the subsurface could drive particular geological structures called ‘wrinkle ridges’. In this work, Viking image data and the latest Mars Global Suveyor (MGS) data have been imported and stored in a common geospatial database using GRASS GIS as a tool for planetary geology. This study has focused on a subregion of Solis Planum where wrinkle ridges have been localised and both Viking images and MGS altimetry and imagery data are available. Raster data at different resolutions and with different projection parameters have been imported into GRASS GIS and projected in a common reference system. Raw, unprojected data have been processed and rectified using the GRASS image modules. Imagery data have been used to detect planimetric features, whereas basic morphometrical analysis has been performed from the gridded elevation data coming from MGS Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter.
Environmental Thematic Map Prediction and Easy Probabilistic Classification within GRASS
Authors: Biagi Ludovico , Negretti Marco 
Published: February 2004

AbstractEnvironmental observations are usually sampled at irregularly spaced points, but, in most cases, are representative of continuous phenomena; therefore, to restore the original information a continuous thematic map should be interpolated from the available observations. To interpolate the thematic map, the stochastic approach is often the best method to apply: it is based on the hypothesis that the observed phenomenon is the sum of a deterministic trend and a stochastic process. Usually, the stochastic approaches implemented in GIS software require a priori knowledge of the deterministic trend: a simplified and automated approach to the trend model selection has been studied. One of the main advantages of the stochastic prediction approaches is that they make available both the prediction map (thematic map) and a related prediction error map; starting from these two information layers a procedure has been implemented to verify if in some areas the predicted data are within an assigned range or exceed a threshold value at some certain degree of probability. The procedures were developed by creating GRASS commands calling upon and integrating the Gstat statistics program, and commands which allow the probabilistic computing of risk areas.
Squamous cell carcinoma arising in long‐standing necrobiosis lipoidica
Authors: Santos‐Juanes J , Galache C , Curto JR , Carrasco MP , Ribas A , Sánchez del Río J 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTNecrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a disease of collagen. Squamous cell carcinomas developing in areas of chronic ulceration and scarring have been well documented in a variety of skin diseases but rarely in areas of necrobiosis lipoidica. The case history of a 76‐year‐old female is presented, whose squamous cell carcinoma appeared 30 years after the diagnosis of necrobiosis lipoidica. The clinical and histopathological picture is described, stressing the importance of the unusual association of the two pathologies in the prognostic.
Iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma and HCV infection
Authors: Monti M , Mancini Ll , Ceriani R , Hendrickx I , Guizzardi M 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTIatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma develops in patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment and is considered to be induced by activation of latent HHV8. In most cases the first manifestation of Kaposi's sarcoma develops after 1 year from when the drug was first administered. In a recent study from Italy on HHV8 positivity in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, it was found that 52% of the control group were positive (Masini C., et al. G Ital Dermatol Venereol 1999; 134: 315–320). For this reason we could expect a larger number of cases of iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma given the number of patients who undergo immunosuppressive treatment for one reason or another. Thus, we have to look to a contemporaneous presence of other factors that co‐operate with the HHV8. We present a case of a 49‐year‐old woman, HHV8 and HCV positive, who develops a Kaposi's sarcoma after 9 months of steroid therapy (methylprednisolone 16 mg/die). The low dose of steroids prescribed to our patient and the fact that the first skin manifestation developed after a shorter period than average from the start of therapy do not explain the acute onset of an extensive Kaposi's sarcoma even taking into account the HHV8 positive status. Both HHV8 and HCV produce proteins, such as IL6 and IL8 which are able to control cell growth. It can be supposed that the contemporaneus presence of the two viruses created a sinergy for the onset of the Kaposi's sarcoma.
Hirsutism secondary to topical testosterone: report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Hernández‐Núñez A , Daudén E , García‐F‐Villalta MJ , Ríos‐Buceta L , García‐Díez A 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTTopical testosterone has been used as a treatment for different vulvar conditions. It is usually well tolerated, although hirsutism and other signs of virilization have been described related to hormonal tests alteration. We report two female patients with vulvar diseases that developed hirsutism after treatment with topical testosterone. Because of its potential virilization, females under this treatment should be closely monitored.
Cutaneous necrosis induced by acenocoumarol
Authors: Valdivielso M , Longo I , Lecona M , Lázaro P 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTCutaneous necrosis is an infrequent but well‐documented complication of oral anticoagulants. In the pathogenesis of cutaneous necrosis induced by oral anticoagulants recent hypotheses favour the combined role of local factors and a transient unbalance of coagulation mechanisms leading to an hypercoagulable state. There exists a genetic factor that determines a decreased level of two vitamin‐K dependent glycoproteins, namely protein C and protein S. We present the case of an obese woman that developed an extensive cutaneous necrosis while receiving acenocoumarol for a deep venous thrombosis. She had an heterozygous deficit for protein C. The histopathologic findings of vessel thrombi and red blood cell extravasation were consistent with the clinical picture. A biopsy specimen taken from an initial lesion disclosed images of leucocytoclastic vasculitis. We reviewed the literature focusing on the pathogenesis and the histopathology of the disease.
Scalp tumour as a sign of systemic B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Magina S , Mesquita‐Guimarães J , Resende C , Bello M , Dias C 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTAn 86‐year‐old man presented with a painful reddish tumour on the scalp with a 3‐month history, mental confusion with recent onset and lymphadenopathies. Histological examination of the lymph node and cutaneous lesion revealed a dense infiltrate of atypical and large B cells. There was no evidence of bone marrow invasion. According to REAL (Revised European–American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms), this lymphoma was considered as a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma with concurrent cutaneous and nodal involvement. Cerebral computerized tomography (CT) scan showed bone and dura mater invasion in the right parieto‐occipital region with collapse of lateral ventricle. The patient was submitted to systemic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone (CVP). There was a good response with regression of the cutaneous lesion, but the patient died after the third cycle. We point out the unusual clinical presentation and aggressive behaviour of this lymphoma.
Atopic dermatitis and respiratory symptoms in Russian and northern Norwegian school children: a comparison study in two arctic areas and the impact of environmental factors
Authors: Dotterud LK , Odland JØ , Falk ES 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTBackground  The increase in atopic diseases during recent decades has been related to environmental factors such as indoor and outdoor pollution and the ingestion of certain foods. On the other hand, studies from Eastern Europe (with heavy air pollution) have reported a lower prevalence of atopic diseases and sensitization in their schoolchildren than in children living in Western Europe.Objectives  This study compares the frequency of atopic diseases and respiratory symptoms in two geographically close arctic areas and points to possible risk factors for development of the diseases.Methods  A total of 1734 schoolchildren (1183 in Nikel and 551 in Sør‐Varanger) were studied using identical, four‐page, self‐administered questionnaires.Results  Atopic diseases were reported in 38.7% of Norwegian and in 24.2% of Russian children (P < 0.001). Atopic dermatitis (AD) (23.6% vs 7.9%; P < 0.001) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) (20.6% vs 14.7%; P < 0.001) occurred more frequently in Sør‐Varanger, whereas ‘self‐reported’ asthma (12.3% vs 13.1%) was similar in both areas. However, respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, breathlessness and bronchitis were 3–4 times more frequent in Nikel (P < 0.001).Conclusion  This study disproves a previous hypothesis, i.e. that air pollution must be a major risk factor for the development of atopic diseases. Nevertheless, respiratory tract symptoms may be provoked by environmental pollution. Possible explanations for the higher frequency of atopic diseases in Sør‐Varanger may be found in socio‐economic and lifestyle differences between the two populations.
Erythema multiforme during cytomegalovirus infection and oral therapy with terbinafine: a virus–drug interaction
Authors: Carducci M , Latini A , Acierno F , Amantea A , Capitanio B , Santucci B 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTThe authors report a case of erythema multiforme in a 32‐year‐old woman who was also taking oral terbinafine for an onychomycosis. The patient data analysis showed serological positivity for cytomegalovirus (IgM and IgG) and hepatitis C virus and serological titre of antinuclear antibody was elevated. After a brief review of the literature the authors propose the possibility of virus–drug interaction as a model of adverse drug reactions.
Descriptive epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in Soria (north‐eastern Spain) 1998–2000: a hospital‐based survey
Authors: Revenga Arranz F , Paricio Rubio JF , Mar Vázquez Salvado Ma , Del Villar Sordo V 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTIntroduction  Better knowledge of the epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) will allow the development of more effective diagnostic and preventive measures.Material and methods  We have reviewed the clinical records of patients from the ‘Hospital General de Soria’ who were diagnosed with BCC and/or SCC (lower lip included) by histopathology between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2000. Recurrences and diagnostic duplicities (tumours first biopsied and then excised) were excluded.Results  The mean age was 71.4 years for BCC subjects and significantly older, 77.3 years, for SCC subjects. Photoexposed skin areas accounted for 92.6% and 93.8% of BCC and SCC tumours, respectively. The crude incidence rate for the population of 100 000 was 148.27 for BCC and 58.24 for SCC. The age‐adjusted incidence rate (adjusted for world standard population) was 57.97 and 17.87 years, respectively. Subjects with superficial BCC were significantly younger than the rest of the BCC patients and their tumours were located on non‐photoexposed skin. The ears and dorsum of the hands were the almost exclusive locations of SCC.Conclusions  Our results should be compared with those to be obtained in future years to determine trends in the descriptive epidemiology of BCC and SCC.
Crusted scabies in a healthy infant
Authors: Baysal V , Yildirim M , Türkman Ç , Aridogan B , Aydin G 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTCrusted scabies is generally seen in mentally retarded and immunosuppressed individuals. We report the case of a patient with crusted scabies with neither systemic disease nor immunosuppression; all the lesions were cured with applications of 5% permethrin lotion.
Efficacy and tolerability of 8 weeks’ treatment with terbinafine in children with tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis: a comparison of three doses
Authors: Devliotou‐Panagiotidou D , Koussidou‐Eremondi TH 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTBackground  Tinea capitis caused by Microsporum canis is the most common mycosis of the scalp in preschool and school‐aged children in Greece.Objective  To compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of an 8‐week course of oral terbinafine at different doses.Methods  Patients received oral terbinafine at doses ranging from 3.3 to 12.5 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks, as follows: group A, terbinafine 3.3 to ≤ 6.0 mg/kg/day (40 patients); group B, terbinafine > 6.0 to 7.0 mg/kg/day (23 patients); group C, terbinafine > 7.0 to 12.5 mg/kg/day (37 patients). Fungal microscopy and cultures were performed 4 weeks before the start of the treatment, at the end of the treatment (week 8) and at a follow‐up visit at week 16.Results  At week 8 mycological cure was achieved in one patient (2.7%) in group A, in 21 patients (91.3%) in group B and in 34 patients (97.1%) in group C. At week 16 mycological cure was achieved in one patient (2.7%) in group A, in 22 patients (95.7%) in group B and in 35 patients (100%) in group C. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0005) between dose level and efficacy of terbinafine at the end of the treatment period and also at the follow‐up visit at week 16. Five patients (three in group A and two in group C) discontinued treatment because of adverse events.Conclusions  The administration of terbinafine at a dose of either 6–7 or 7–12.5 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks is safe and effective for the treatment in children of tinea capitis caused by M. canis.
Immunological cell situation in the skin of atopic model mice
Authors: Sugiura K , Hiramoto K , Shamoto M , Sugiura M , Hayakawa R , Kato Y , Shinzato M , Osada A , Sakamoto N , Takahashi H 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTBackground  We observed nishikinezumi, cinnamon‐coloured (NC)/Fujita (F) mice aged between 5 and 28 weeks. These NC mice have skin eruptions that resemble human atopic dermatitis (AD) under conventional circumstances.Object  We investigated the skin of eruptive and non‐eruptive lesions in NC/F mice by using haematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining, toluidine blue staining and immunohistopathological study with immunoglobulin (Ig)EɛRI, CD23, interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5, interferon (INF)‐γ and Ia antigen.Results  Histological examination of the eruptive lesions revealed the perivascular infiltration of many lymphocytes and mast cells into the upper dermis. Intracellular oedema of the epidermis, lymphocyte infiltration into the epidermis and liquefaction degeneration of the basal layer were also observed. The numbers of IL‐4 and IL‐5 positive cells in the eruptive lesions were larger than those of the non‐eruptive lesions. IL‐4 and IL‐5 positive cells in the eruptive lesions increased weekly. Some IFN‐γ positive cells were observed in the eruptive lesions after 21 weeks. IFN‐γ positive cells were scarce in the skin of both the non‐eruptive and eruptive lesions before 21 weeks. Serum IgE increased from 7 weeks to 21 weeks.Discussion  We confirmed that these findings indicated that T helper (Th)2‐dominant immunological activation transformed to a Th1‐dominant situation. Many IgEɛRI positive cells were recognized in the dermis of the eruptive lesions by the time IgE had decreased. We assumed that the dermatitis before 21 weeks was an IgE‐mediated allergy. We have previously reported that older NC/F mice had positive patch‐test reactions to mites. Because serum IgE decreased after 21 weeks, dermatitis after 21 weeks might be associated more with cell‐mediated delayed hypersensitivity than with IgE‐mediated immediate allergy.
Videodermatoscopy enhances the ability to monitor efficacy of scabies treatment and allows optimal timing of drug application
Authors: Micali G , Lacarrubba F , Tedeschi A 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTBackground  Videodermatoscopy (VD) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that has recently been advanced as an alternative technique for the diagnosis of scabies, based on studies showing its ability to detect mites in vivo with results comparable to those obtained by traditional skin scraping.Objective  In this study we evaluated a group of patients undergoing topical treatment with a thermosensible foam containing 0.165% pyrethrins and 1.65% piperonyl butoxide to determine whether VD would enhance monitoring of the clinical response to treatment and indicate the optimal timing of drug application.Materials and methods  Twenty patients (12 M, 8 F; age 1–65 years) affected by scabies (diagnosis confirmed by VD), and who were treatment naïve, were included in the study. The foam was applied to the entire body once a day at bedtime for two consecutive days. To detect treatment response, VD evaluation of two targeted skin sites for each patient was performed at baseline and at 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. A video microscope system equipped with a zoom lens that allowed skin observation with incident light at magnifications ranging from × 20 to × 600 was used.Results  In all patients, VD showed active mite migration within burrows at 12 h. At 24 h, there was no evidence of active mite migration, and a majority of patients reported that itching had subsided. At 48 h, the mites were no longer visible in appreciable amounts by VD, and an amorphous material, probably resulting from mite decomposition, was detectable at one end of an empty burrow in the majority of patients. Skin scraping at 48 h, followed by standard microscopic observation, also showed only mite remnants in all patients. None of the 20 patients showed signs of infestation by VD at targeted skin sites at a 2‐week post baseline follow‐up visit.Conclusions  VD enhances the monitoring of clinical response to treatment and allows optimal timing of drug application. This may be particularly important in minimizing risk of overtreatment, reducing the potential for side‐effects, and enhancing patient compliance.
Secondary syphilis presenting as a lichen planus‐like rash
Authors: Tang MBY , Yosipovitch G , Tan SH 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTWe describe a case of secondary syphilis in a 29‐year‐old man who presented with a severely pruritic lichen planus‐like eruption that mimicked a lichenoid drug eruption histologically. Although uncommon, syphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any lichenoid eruption.
Parry–Romberg syndrome: A possible association with borreliosis
Authors: Şahin MT , Bariş S , Karaman A. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTProgressive facial hemiatrophy or Parry–Romberg syndrome is a rare entity characterized by unilateral atrophy of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and the underlying bony structures. This syndrome has many features of linear scleroderma ‘en coup de sabre’ but is distinguished by more extensive involvement of the lower face with only slight cutaneous sclerosis. The onset typically occurs in childhood or young adult years. The aetiology of the condition is unknown. A case of progressive hemifacial atrophy occurring in a 30‐year‐old woman is reported, in which the aetiology is thought to be Lyme disease, a borrelial infection first recognized in 1975 that has since become the most commonly reported vector‐borne disease in the world. No sure link is established between these two disease states, but their coincident occurrence in this patient is noted. We hypothesize that the aetiology of Parry–Romberg syndrome involves borreliosis.
C‐reactive protein and α2‐macroglobulin plasma activity in medium–severe and severe psoriasis
Authors: Chodorowska G , Wojnowska D , Juszkiewicz‐Borowiec M 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTBackground  An acute phase of psoriasis can be induced by cytokines involved in psoriatic pathogenic phenomena. Activation of the acute phase reaction by proinflammatory cytokines (including interleukins 1 and 6, tumour necrosis factor α) may account for systemic symptoms in severe psoriasis, especially in pustular and arthropathic forms of this disease.Objective  To study the activity of selected acute phase proteins in psoriatics before and after effective treatment.Method  Plasma concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and α2‐macroglobulin (α2‐MG) were examined in 175 males with medium–severe and severe psoriasis in the active stage, before treatment and in remission achieved with various treatments (local, acitretin, psoralen + ultraviolet A, retinoid + psoralen + UVA [Re‐PUVA] methotrexate, cyclosporin A). Clinical activity of psoriasis was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, ranging from 18 to 70.8 (mean 29.2). Measurements were done using the immunoenzymatic method. The control group consisted of 30 healthy male volunteers.Results  In the active stage of disease highly increased plasma levels of both CRP and α2‐MG were found (P < 0.001). It appeared that efficacious treatment was correlated with a considerable decrease of the proteins examined towards the control values. Mean levels of α2‐MG after treatment did not differ significantly from those of controls (P > 0.15). However, despite their strong decrease following all methods of treatment, mean plasma levels of CRP remained significantly elevated during remission compared with those of the healthy controls (P < 0.001).Conclusions  The results of this study indicate that in medium–severe and severe psoriasis the acute phase response can be initiated and is not completely extinguished in phases of clinical remission.