bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human papillomavirus frequency in oral epithelial lesions
Authors: Lazzari Carmen Maria , Krug Luciano Percival , Quadros Onofre Francisco , Baldi Cristiano Bozzetti , Bozzetti Mary Clarisse 
Published: April 2004

Background:  Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence varies according to geographical occurrence, the type of lesion, and the method of diagnosis. The polymerase chain reaction method (PCR) appears to be more sensitive and can be easily applicable to epidemiologic studies.Objectives:  To determine the frequency of HPV and its genotypes in oral lesions among patients attending a reference clinic of a university hospital.Methods:  PCR was performed to identify HPV DNA from samples of oral epithelial lesions in 80 patients. For HPV DNA amplification, MY09/MY11 consensus primers were used and specific genotypes were identified through restriction fragment of length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern.Results:  HPV DNA was present in 11.3% of patients, and the identified genotypes were 6b, MM4 (W13B), and MM9 (PAP238A).Conclusions:  HPV DNA frequency in patients with oral epithelial lesions was 11.3%. The genotypes MM4 and MM9 are uncommon in oral lesions, and they are characterized as high‐risk HPV types in those types of lesions.
Delayed cutaneous reactions to heparin in antiphospholipid syndrome during pregnancy
Authors: Kim Jessica , Smith Kathleen J. , Toner Charles , Skelton Henry 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground  Clinical symptoms related to antiphospholipid antibodies often first occur during pregnancy with the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low‐dose aspirin are considered as first‐line treatments for pregnant women with APS and recurrent fetal loss. However, in addition to an increased incidence of hemorrhagic side‐effects and thrombocytopenia there are a number of drug eruptions with cutaneous components secondary to the use of UFH. One of these eruptions has been classified as a delayed type I.V. hypersensitivity reactions at the sites of UFH injections. The majority of these reactions occur in pregnant women.Method  We present three pregnant patients who developed delayed hypersensitivity reactions at the sites of UFH injections. Two patients had documented APS and the other patient had two previous spontaneous abortions.Results  The histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings in the biopsy specimens from the sites of the delayed reactions were distinctive. The inflammatory infiltrate contained CD3+ and CD4+ lymphoid cells with plasma cells, and eosinophils. There was a marked increased in mast cells with increased stromal cells within the dermis and increased vascular proliferation.Conclusions  The distinctive histopathologic and immunohistochemical features seen in the delayed hypersensitivity reactions at the sites of UFH injections may be modulated by the immunomodulatory effects of UFH as well as the hormonal levels and cytokine patterns during pregnancy. Alternative therapies may not always be successful in resolving the reactions.
Prevalence of dermatological disorders in Thai HIV‐infected patients correlated with different CD4 lymphocyte count statuses: a note on 120 cases
Authors: Wiwanitkit Viroj 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground  Skin disease is one health problem among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐seropositive patients. Several dermatological findings in HIV‐infected patients have been investigated. In this study, the skin lesions of 120 HIV‐infected patients with different CD4 count statuses in Bangkok, Thailand, are studied.Methods  This study was performed as a cross‐sectional descriptive study. All subjects had a complete physical examination to detect their dermatological disorders and carried out the necessary diagnostic procedures by consultation with the dermatologist.Results  Eighty percent of all patients were observed to have one or more skin disorders. Xerosis (73.33%) and oral candidiasis (54.17%) were the most common skin disorders, followed by seborrheic dermatitis (46.67%), pruritic papular eruption (36.67%), oral hairy leucoplakia (12.50%), folliculitis (11.67%), herpes zoster (9.17%), and alopecia (6.67%).Conclusion  Although the pattern of cutaneous lesions was comparable with previous reports, the strikingly lower prevalence of skin tumor and drug eruption was reviewed. Patients with advanced HIV infection were found to have significantly more skin disorders than those with early stage HIV.
Prostatic‐specific antigen and idiopathic hirsutism in females
Authors: Galadari I. , Al‐Mazroei M. , Alkaabi J. 
Published: April 2004

Serum prostatic‐specific antigens (PSA) were found recently to be present in several female tissues and fluids. High concentrations of PSA were found in hirsute women in comparison with nonhirsute, as was found in other studies.In our study we measured the level of PSA in 20 hirsute and 10 control subjects by using an IMx machine from Abbot Laboratories (Diagnostic division, Abbot Park, Illinois 60064, USA). The age, BMI, F‐G score, duration and family history of hirsutism were recorded for both groups. The results were analyzed by using SPSS.We conclude that there is no significant association between the level of PSA and the presence of hirsutism. Usage of this test as a marker of idiopathic hirsutism needs further evaluation.
A new patient education approach in contact allergic dermatitis: the Contact Allergen Replacement Database (CARD)*
Authors: El‐Azhary Rokea A. , Yiannias James A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground  When a patient is identified by patch testing as being sensitive to a specific contact allergen, he or she is generally advised to read the product labels and avoid products that contain the specific allergen. Patients are often confronted with difficult chemical names, synonyms, and cross‐reactants for individual allergens. At the same time, dermatologists may spend a considerable amount of time trying to educate their patients about the avoidance of these allergens and explaining which products may contain them.Methods  We applied a new educational approach to inform patients about products that are free of their allergens.Results  We present a patient with multiple contact allergens in whom the Contact Allergen Replacement Database was used to educate about specific allergens. This approach has proved to be an invaluable tool for both physicians and their patients in contact allergy counseling.
Subcutaneous granuloma annulare following herpes zoster
Authors: Chang Sung Eun , Bae Gee Young , Moon Kee Chan , Do Sang Hwan , Lim Young Jin 
Published: April 2004

A 57‐year‐old Korean man developed a papulovesicular eruption on the right chest with unilateral T2 dermatomal distribution; acute herpes zoster (HZ) was diagnosed. The past medical history revealed diabetes mellitus, but was otherwise noncontributory. His pain gradually subsided with treatment in the Pain Clinic of the Anesthesiology Department. Five months later, however, new skin lesions composed of several papules were detected at the site of the HZ scar. There were several discrete, nontender, firm, erythematous papules of about 0.8 cm in diameter on the right chest (Fig. 1). Histologic examination revealed foci of necrobiotic collagen surrounded by a vague palisade of histiocytes in the deep dermis and subcutis (Fig. 2). Mucin deposits were seen within the center of the palisaded granuloma and there were scattered multinucleated giant cells. Gram, Gomeri‐methenamine silver, and acid‐fast stains were negative. Polarizing microscopy did not reveal any material. Subcutaneous granuloma annulare at the HZ scar was diagnosed, and intralesional injections of triamcinolone caused flattening of the papules after 4 weeks of follow‐up.Skin examination revealed several discrete, nontender, firm, erythematous papules of about 0.8 cm in diameter on the right upper chest (T2 dermatome)imageHistologic examination revealed foci of necrobiotic collagen surrounded by a vague palisade of histiocytes in the deep dermis and subcutis. Scattered multinucleated giant cells were seen (hematoxylin and eosin; original magnification, ×100)image
Infliximab monotherapy in psoriasis: A case of rapid clinical and histological response
Authors: Vincek V. , Jacob S. E. , Nassiri M. , Herbert L. M. , Nadji M. , Kerdel F. A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground  Psoriasis is a common chronic relapsing, inflammatory, hyperproliferative skin disorder with genetic predisposition. There is currently no experimental model for psoriasis and the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Psoriatic plaques have been shown to contain increased levels of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α). Anti‐tumor necrosis factor therapy with infliximab has been shown to be highly effective in recalcitrant psoriasis.Methods  We evaluated the efficacy and timeline of histological changes in a psoriatic plaque following infliximab infusion. A patient with severe recalcitrant plaque psoriasis was clinically and histologically assessed for improvement.Results  We found rapid clinical improvement with infliximab accompanied by histopathological changes. The earliest effects were seen on neutrophils and lymphocytes whereas keratinocyte normalization was not evident at the early stages.Conclusion  Infliximab is not only an effective agent in the treatment of psoriasis but appears to have a very rapid onset of action.
Intestinal microflora in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Zhao Hai Ying , Wang Hui Ji , Lu Zhi , Xu Shu Zhen 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVE:  Patients with liver cirrhosis have varying degrees of imbalance of the intestinal flora and probiotics can improve some of the symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction in these patients. In the present study, blood ammonia, fecal pH, fecal ammonia, and plasma endotoxin were measured after administration of two kinds of probiotics in order to detect the changes in intestinal flora.METHODS:  Six bacteria and yeast were cultured and the colony forming units were counted. Fifty cirrhotic patients were randomized to receive probiotic capsules containing Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus, or probiotic capsules containing Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium for 14 days. Fecal flora, pH and ammonia, blood ammonia (detected by test paper) and plasma endotoxin (detected by LAL test kits) were measured before and after the treatment.RESULTS:  Patients with liver cirrhosis had varying degrees of imbalance of the intestinal flora as shown by a decrease in the Bifidobacterium count (10.04 ± 0.78 vs 9.48 ± 1.13, P < 0.05). The severity of the imbalance was matched by that of liver dysfunction, with the most serious imbalance observed in Child‐Pugh C patients. Both types of probiotic increased the Bifidobacterium count (9.46 ± 1.09 vs 10.30 ± 1.11, 9.81 ± 0.62 vs 10.44 ± 1.08, respectively, P < 0.05) and reduced the levels of fecal pH and fecal and blood ammonia (P < 0.05). Probiotics containing B. subtilis and E. faecium reduced the level of endotoxin in cirrhotic patients with endotoxemia (0.0876 ± 0.0117 Eu/mL vs 0.0685 ± 0.0246 Eu/mL, P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:  Patients with liver cirrhosis have an imbalance of intestinal bacteria flora. Probiotics effectively increased the Bifidobacterium count and reduced the level of fecal pH and fecal and blood ammonia.
Therapeutic vaccination against Helicobacter pylori infection with attenuated recombinant Salmonella typhimurium urease B subunit and catalase in mice
Authors: Li Guo Qing , Chen Min Hu , Zhu Sen Lin , Chen Jie , Jiao Zhi Yong , Chen Wei , Hu Pin Jin 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate the effects of oral immunization with attenuated recombinant Salmonella typhimurium urease B subunit and catalase vaccines in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in a H. pylori infected mouse model.METHODS:  Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomized into three groups and challenged twice with oral administration of H. pylori within 3 days. Four weeks after the second challenge, the mice were immunized by oral administration of attenuated recombinant S. typhimurium urease B subunit (group A), attenuated recombinant S. typhimurium catalase (group B) or saline (group C), and all mice were killed 4 weeks later. The stomachs were collected for a rapid urease test, modified Giemsa staining and quantitative culture to observe the density of H. pylori, hematoxylin–eosin staining was performed to assess the presence of inflammation and lymphocytes from the spleen were used for the lymphoproliferation assay.RESULTS:  The gastric H. pylori density of groups A, B and C was 1.58 × 105 c.f.u./g, 4.88 × 105 c.f.u./g and 1.92 × 106 c.f.u./g, respectively. The H. pylori density was significantly decreased in the therapeutic groups (P < 0.05). No significant inflammation was found in any group of mice. The lymphoproliferation assays of groups A and B were positive.CONCLUSION:  Immunization with oral attenuated recombinant S. typhimurium urease B subunit and catalase vaccines is effective in reducing the density of H. pylori colonization.
An Eye Gaze Model for Dyadic Interaction in an Immersive Virtual Environment: Practice and Experience
Authors: Vinayagamoorthy V. , Garau M. , Steed A. , Slater M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis paper describes a behavioural model used to simulate realistic eye‐gaze behaviour and body animations for avatars representing participants in a shared immersive virtual environment (IVE). The model was used in a study designed to explore the impact of avatar realism on the perceived quality of communication within a negotiation scenario. Our eye‐gaze model was based on data and studies carried out on the behaviour of eye‐gaze during face‐to‐face communication. The technical features of the model are reported here. Information about the motivation behind the study, experimental procedures and a full analysis of the results obtained are given in [17].
Approximation of Optimal Voxel Size for Collision Detection in Maintainability Simulations within Massive Virtual Environments
Authors: Borro D. , García‐Alonso A. , Matey L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis paper describes a Collision Method for massive virtual environments composed of millions of triangles. It has been applied in the aeronautics industry for maintainability simulations using virtual aircraft engine mock‐ups. The method performs well and has a good interactive frame rate even when it is used for computing force feedback with haptic devices. Space sorting problems chiefly related to voxel techniques, such as memory requirements and optimal voxel size, have been solved. We use advanced memory structures and hashing techniques. To find the optimal voxel size, several analytical solutions have been proposed and compared. These solutions are based on the performance cost function of the algorithm used. Experiments have been undertaken to verify these analytical solutions.
Cultural Heritage Preservation Using Constructive Shape Modeling
Authors: Vilbrandt C. , Pasko G. , Pasko A. , Fayolle P.‐A. , Vilbrandt T. , Goodwin J. R. , Goodwin J. M. , Kunii T. L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIssues of digital preservation of shapes and internal structures of historical cultural objects are discussed. An overview of existing approaches to digital preservation related to shape modeling is presented and corresponding problems are considered. We propose a new digital preservation paradigm based on both constructive modeling reflecting the logical structure of the objects and open standards and procedures. Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) and Function Representation (FRep) are examined and practically applied as mathematical representations producing compressed yet precise data structures, thus providing inter‐operability between current and future computer platforms crucial to archiving. Examples of CSG reconstruction of historical temples and FRep modeling of traditional lacquer ware are given. We examine the application of fitting of a parameterized FRep model to a cloud of data points as a step towards automation of the modeling process. Virtual venues for public access to cultural heritage objects including real time interactive simulation of cultural heritage sites over the Web are discussed and illustrated.
Implicit Fitting Using Radial Basis Functions with Ellipsoid Constraint
Authors: Li Q. , Wills D. , Phillips R. , Viant W. J. , Griffiths J. G. , Ward J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractImplicit planar curve and surface fitting to a set of scattered points plays an important role in solving a wide variety of problems occurring in computer graphics modelling, computer graphics animation, and computer assisted surgery. The fitted implicit surfaces can be either algebraic or non‐algebraic. The main problem with most algebraic surface fitting algorithms is that the surface fitted to a given data set is often unbounded, multiple sheeted, and disconnected when a high degree polynomial is used, whereas a low degree polynomial is too simple to represent general shapes. Recently, there has been increasing interest in non‐algebraic implicit surface fitting. In these techniques, one popular way of representing an implicit surface has been the use of radial basis functions. This type of implicit surface can represent various shapes to a high level of accuracy. In this paper, we present an implicit surface fitting algorithm using radial basis functions with an ellipsoid constraint. This method does not need to build interior and exterior layers for the given data set or to use information on surface normal but still can fit the data accurately. Furthermore, the fitted shape can still capture the main features of the object when the data sets are extremely sparse. The algorithm involves solving a simple general eigen‐system and a computation of the inverse or psedo‐inverse of a matrix, which is straightforward to implement.
Hardware Lighting and Shading: a Survey
Authors: Kautz Jan 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTraditionally, hardware rasterizers only support the Phong lighting model in combination with Gouraud shading using point light sources. However, the Phong lighting model is strictly empirical and physically implausible. Gouraud shading also tends to undersample the highlight unless a highly tesselated surface is used. Hence, higher‐quality hardware accelerated lighting and shading has gained much interest in the recent five years. The research on hardware lighting and shading is two‐fold. On the one hand, better lighting models for local illumination (assuming point light sources but evaluated per pixel) were demonstrated to be amenable to hardware implementation. On the other hand, recent research has demonstrated that even area lights, represented as environment maps, can be combined with complex lighting models. In both areas, many articles have been published, making it hard to decide which algorithm is well‐suited for which application. This state‐of‐the‐art report will review all relevent articles in both areas, and list advantages and disadvantages of each algorithm.
In vitro organogenesis of gut‐like structures from mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Kuwahara M. , Ogaeri T. , Matsuura R. , Kogo H. , Fujimoto T. , Torihashi S. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractEmbryonic stem (ES) cells have pluripotency and give rise to many cell types and tissues, including representatives of all three germ layers in the embryo. We have reported previously that mouse ES cells formed contracting gut‐like organs from embryoid bodies (EBs). These gut‐like structures contracted spontaneously, and had large lumens surrounded by three layers, i.e. epithelium, lamina propria and muscularis. Ganglia were scattered along the periphery, and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were distributed among the smooth muscle cells. In the present study, to determine whether they can be a model of gut organogenesis, we investigated the formation process of the gut‐like structures in comparison with embryonic gut development. As a result, we found that the fundamental process of formation in vitro was similar to embryonic gut development in vivo. The result indicates that the gut‐like structure is a useful tool not only for developmental study to determine the factors that induce gut organogenesis, but also for studies of enteric neurone and ICC development.
Intrinsic primary afferent neurones of the digestive tract
Authors: Clerc N. , Furness J. B. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIntrinsic primary afferent neurones of the intestine are specialized neurones that encode information about the state of the intestine by transducing mechanical and chemical stimuli that reflect tension in the gut wall and the chemical nature of its contents. They connect with interneurones and motor neurones in the gut to form the circuits of intrinsic muscle motor, secretomotor and vasomotor reflexes. A large range of ionic currents occur in these neurones. The neurones have voltage‐activated inward sodium currents (both tetrodotoxin‐sensitive and tetrodotoxin‐insensitive) and inward calcium currents. Calcium entering during the action potential activates a slow afterhyperpolarizing potassium current that has a profound influence on subsequent action potential firing. They also exhibit a prominent hyperpolarization‐activated nonspecific cation current. The excitability of these neurones and sensory transduction are altered when the gut is inflamed. Changed excitability can persist after the inflammatory state has subsided. Intrinsic primary afferent neurones are thus important, both to the normal physiology and to pathophysiology of the small and large intestines.
Neuroanatomy of extrinsic afferents supplying the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Berthoud H. R. , Blackshaw L. A. , Brookes S. J. H. , Grundy D. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractHere we discuss the neuroanatomy of extrinsic gastrointestinal (GI) afferent neurones, the relationship between structure and function and the role of afferents in disease. Three pathways connect the gut to the central nervous system: vagal afferents signal mainly from upper GI regions, pelvic afferents mainly from the colorectal region and splanchnic afferents from throughout. Vagal afferents mediate reflex regulation of gut function and behaviour, operating mainly at physiological levels. There are two major functional classes − tension receptors, responding to muscular contraction and distension, and mucosal receptors. The function of vagal endings correlates well with their anatomy: tracing studies show intramuscular arrays (IMAs) and intraganglionic laminar endings (IGLEs); IGLEs are now known to respond to tension. Functional mucosal receptors correlate with endings traced to the lamina propria. Pelvic afferents serve similar functions to vagal afferents, and additionally mediate both innocuous and noxious sensations. Splanchnic afferents comprise mucosal and stretch‐sensitive afferents with low thresholds in addition to high‐threshold serosal/mesenteric afferents suggesting diverse roles. IGLEs, probably of pelvic origin, have been identified recently in the rectum and respond similarly to gastric vagal IGLEs. Gastrointestinal afferents may be sensitized or inhibited by chemical mediators released from several cell types. Whether functional changes have anatomical correlates is not known, but it is likely that they underlie diseases involving visceral hypersensitivity.