bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The significance of immunohistochemistry in the skin pathergy reaction of patients with Behçet's syndrome
Authors: Inaloz H Serhat , Evereklioglu C , Unal B , Kirtak N , Eralp A , Inaloz SS 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTBackground  Behçet's syndrome is a chronic systemic immuno‐inflammatory disorder affecting multiple organs with generalized vasculitis of arteries and veins. Although the aetiology is still unknown, endothelial dysfunction is one of the most prominent features in Behçet's syndrome. The skin pathergy reaction (SPR) is a non‐specific hyperreactive lesion formation that is one of the major features and diagnostic criteria of the disease. It develops after 24–48 h at the site of the needle‐prick, especially in the exacerbation period, and it is very similar to the erythematous papules or pustules that appear spontaneously in patients with Behçet's syndrome. Therefore, an investigation into the formation of the SPR lesion may contribute to the pathophysiology of skin lesions of this unique disorder.Objective  To evaluate the immunological features of SPR formation by assessing the immunohistochemical staining of cell adhesion molecules and endothelial growth factor markers such as E‐selectin, P‐selectin and endoglin (CD 105).Methods  Patients with Behçet's syndrome showing positive (n = 15) or negative (n = 10) SPR and 15 age‐ and sex‐matched hospital‐based healthy control subjects from a similar ethnic background were included in this study. Patients were divided into active and inactive stage by clinical findings and acute‐phase reactant parameters including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and neutrophil count. Punch biopsy specimens were obtained both from the lesion site on the forearms at 48 h and from normal skin approximately 5 cm adjacent to the SPR site. A biopsy was also obtained from the test application site in Behçet's syndrome patients with negative SPR and healthy volunteers. Biopsy specimens were then evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.Results  Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate around the vessels and skin appendages that extended somewhat into the deep dermis. A positive segmental staining of E‐selectin and P‐selectin was noted in the endothelial cells of biopsies obtained from the patients with positive SPR. A positive segmental staining of CD 105 in the endothelial cells was also observed in the same group of patients. However, the immunostaining of the same markers was found to be negative in the biopsies obtained from normal skin of SPR‐positive patients, SPR‐negative patients and healthy control subjects. Both acute‐phase reactant levels were significantly higher in the active stage than in inactive patients or healthy controls.Conclusion  Interaction of cellular adhesion molecules together with endothelial proliferation may play an important role in the formation of SPR lesions in patients with Behçet's syndrome. The involvement of the vascular endothelium in a large number of diseases including Behçet's syndrome supports the importance of vascular‐specific adhesion molecules for their aetiopathogenesis.
Atypical pityriasis rosea and Hodgkin's disease†
Authors: Garcia‐F‐Villalta MJ , Hernández‐Nuñez A , Córdoba S , Fernández‐Herrera J , García‐Díez A 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTPityriasis rosea (PR)‐like eruptions have been associated with several neoplasms and drugs. These eruptions may be atypical. To date, the association of Hodgkin's disease with PR‐like eruptions has rarely been reported. We report a 37‐year‐old patient with clinical lesions of PR‐like, systemic symptoms and lymphadenopathies, who was subsequently diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Authors: Gupta AK , Bluhm R 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTSeborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammation of the skin, occurring most often on the face, scalp and chest. It is closely related to infantile seborrheic dermatitis, or diaper rash. Seborrheic dermatitis is particularly common in patients with Parkinson's disease or with HIV/AIDS. The recent resurgence of interest inMalasseziayeasts has revived the old hypothesis that seborrheic dermatitis is caused by an altered relationship between these skin commensals and the host. Moreover, the success of antifungal medications in treating seborrheic dermatitis provides new evidence for this view.Learning objective Upon completing this paper, the reader should be aware of the clinical presentation of seborrheic dermatitis and which populations are at particular risk of developing this disorder. In addition, s/he will be aware of the role ofMalasseziayeasts in seborrheic dermatitis and the way in which knowledge of the importance of these yeasts has altered the treatment of this disorder.
Mast cells and IgE‐containing cells in gastric mucosa of Helicobacter pylori infected and non‐infected patients with chronic urticaria
Authors: Liutu M , Kalimo K , Kalimo H , Uksila J , Leino R 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTBackground  Several studies have indicated that antibiotic therapy aimed at eradication of Helicobacter pylori has effects on symptoms of chronic urticaria (CU) patients. However, the possible connections and pathomechanism by which H. pylori might be linked to CU have remained largely unknown. The IgE‐mediated pathway might be a possible link between H. pylori infection and CU. We therefore clarified the role of H. pylori as an inducer of IgE response.Materials and methods  Gastroscopy was performed and mucosal biopsy specimens were taken to evaluate the histology, as well as the presence of H. pylori bacteria, mast cells and IgE‐containing cells in the antral mucosa, in 21 CU patients. Controls (n = 48) included 19 patients with lichen planus, nine patients with atopic dermatitis and 20 patients with no skin or allergic disease.Results  The mean densities of IgE‐containing cells were significantly higher in H. pylori‐infected patients and in patients with skin disease compared to non‐H. pylori‐infected patients with no skin or allergic disease. No significant difference was found in the number of IgE‐containing cells between H. pylori‐infected and non‐infected patients with CU. There was no significant difference in the mean densities of mast cells in the different patient groups.Conclusions  Our findings suggest that H. pylori gastritis leads to increased IgE production. However, we could not show a significant difference in IgE staining between H. pylori‐infected and non‐infected patients with CU.
Blastic natural killer cell leukaemia with skin involvement: a case report
Authors: Kaya E , Ozcan H , Kuku I , Dikilitas M , Sevinc A , Aydogdu I 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTNatural killer cell leukaemia is generally accompanied by extramedullary involvement. CD4+ natural killer cell leukaemia frequently manifests with cutaneous involvement. The disease pursues a very aggressive course with no long‐term survivors reported. We present a patient with CD4+ natural killer cell leukaemia with skin, bone marrow and peripheral blood involvement who is still on remission at the end of 2 years.
Acute pustulosis of the legs in diverticulitis with sigmoid stenosis: an overlap between bowel‐associated dermatosis–arthritis syndrome and pustular pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Brouard MC , Chavaz P , Borradori L 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTBackground  Bowel‐associated dermatosis–arthritis syndrome denotes the occurrence of diarrhoea with arthritis and skin lesions related to bowel disease with or without bowel bypass. In this condition, the histological finding of cutaneous aseptic neutrophilic cell infiltrate is non‐specific and common to a wide spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses, including pyoderma gangrenosum.Observation  We describe a 78‐year‐old woman with fever, abdominal discomfort and arthralgias, who developed grouped pustular lesions on her shins with histologically spongiform pustule formation. Aetiological assessment disclosed diverticular disease with sigmoid stenosis.Conclusion  Although clinical and histological features in our case fit the diagnosis of bowel‐associated dermatosis–arthritis syndrome, they may also correspond to a pustular variant of pyoderma gangrenosum. Our observation raises the question of the nosological classification of bowel‐associated dermatosis–arthritis syndrome within the spectrum of neutrophilic diseases.
Self‐reported stress reactivity and psoriasis‐related stress of Nordic psoriasis sufferers
Authors: Zachariae R , Zachariae H , Blomqvist K , Davidsson S , Molin L , Mørk C , Sigurgeirsson B 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTObjectives   The purpose of the study was to investigate the perceived influence of stress on psoriasis onset and disease severity in a large sample of psoriatics and to compare stress reactors and non‐reactors with respect to psoriasis‐related stress, disease severity, family history of psoriasis and sociodemographic factors.Patients/methods   A total of 5795 members of the Nordic psoriasis associations and 702 patients recruited from Nordic dermatologists or university clinics were asked whether their first outbreak of psoriasis occurred during times of worry and stress. They were also asked to rate the degree to which their psoriasis was influenced by stress and to complete the Psoriasis Life Stress Index, the Psoriasis Disability Index and a number of additional questions concerning sociodemographic factors.Results   Seventy‐one per cent of the members and 66% of the patients reported that their psoriasis was exacerbated by stress, and 35% in both groups reported that the onset of their psoriasis occurred during a time of worry and stress. Stress reactors, scoring above the median on stress reactivity, reported greater disease severity, psoriasis‐related stress and impairment of disease‐related quality of life. They also reported more frequent use of tobacco, tranquillizers and antidepressants. More women than men were stress reactors, and stress reactors were more likely to have a family history of psoriasis.Conclusion   Our findings confirm and extend the results of previous studies and indicate that a subgroup of psoriatics may be more psychologically reactive to their disease and its influence on everyday life. Whether this group is also physiologically more reactive to psychosocial stress remains to be investigated.
Profound inhibition of chronic itch induced by stimulation of thin cutaneous nerve fibres
Authors: Nilsson H‐J , Psouni E , Carstam R , Schouenborg J 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTBackground  Despite the fact that severe itch is common in many dermatological diseases, the therapeutic arsenal against itching is limited. From neurophysiological experiments, using a new technique termed cutaneous field stimulation, it is known that acute itch can be effectively relieved by stimulation of cutaneous nociceptors.Methods  We tested the effects of cutaneous field stimulation (25 min, 16 electrodes, 4 Hz per electrode, up to 0.8 mA) on chronic itch due to atopic dermatitis. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (100 Hz, up to 26 mA) was used for comparison. In 27 patients, itch was measured just prior to, during and at regular intervals up to 12 h after either type of treatment.Results  Both treatments augmented the itch sensation during ongoing stimulation, presumably reflecting an altered sensory processing in the somatosensory pathways of chronic itch patients. However, after cessation of cutaneous field stimulation, but not transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, the itch sensation was significantly depressed for up to 7 h. The peak inhibitory effect (about 25% of control) was reached between 1 and 5 h poststimulation. Neither treatment had any significant effect on alloknesis, as measured before and 10 min after stimulation.Conclusion  It is concluded that cutaneous field stimulation strongly depresses chronic itch, and is a potentially useful symptomatic treatment of itch.
First case of Mycobacterium haemophilum infection in an AIDS patient in Italy**
Authors: Martinelli C , Farese A , Carocci A , Giorgini S , Tortoli E , Leoncini F 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium haemophilum, a strongly acid‐ and alcohol‐fast bacillus belonging to the group of non‐tuberculous mycobacteria was first described in 1978 as the cause of cutaneous ulcerating lesions in a woman with Hodgkin's disease. Infection due to M. haemophilum is rare but increasing in prevalence in immnunosuppressed subjects, particularly in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The skin is the most common site of infection with erythematous or violaceous papules and/or nodules that are usually painless at first, but some elements develop into abscesses or ulcers that can become very painful. The incidence of M. haemophilum is unknown, but cases of infection have been reported in Australia, Canada, the United States, France, Israel, the United Kingdom and Taiwan; to date no cases have been reported in Italy, thus the case reported here is apparently the first one observed in our country.
Plasma cell cheilitis
Authors: Rocha N , Mota F , Horta M , Lima O , Massa A , Sanches M 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTPlasma cell cheilitis is a rare inflammatory disorder of the lip with a characteristic band‐like infiltrate of plasma cells in the upper dermis. Differential diagnosis should consider allergic/irritant contact cheilitis, candidiasis, syphilis, Queyrat's erythroplasia, granulomatous cheilitis, plasmoacanthoma, plasmacytoma, squamous cell carcinoma and exfoliative or factitious cheilitis. We observed plasma cell cheilitis in a 60‐year‐old Caucasian female who had a partial response to topical steroids and oral griseofulvin.
Campaigning for melanoma prevention: a model for a health education program
Authors: Marks Robin 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTMelanoma incidence and mortality rates are rising in many countries. This has led to the development of a variety of education programs designed for either early detection of melanoma when it can be easily cured, or prevention by taking a long term approach. Australia has been leading in these areas running programs such as Slip! Slop! Slap! for over 20 years.Data now show that attitudes towards sunlight and suntans have changed substantially. Sunburn rates have decreased as photoprotection has increased. Melanoma mortality rates are decreasing in the younger cohorts as a result of earlier detection of tumours that can be easily cured. Finally, incidence rates for melanoma in the younger cohorts are starting to level out and go down.Thus health education programs can be successful if they are well‐designed and evaluated. In Australia we are now extending these programs beyond melanoma and into education programs on other common skin diseases such as acne, atopic dermatitis, warts, tinea, and a variety of other common conditions, depending on the level at which the education program is being delivered. This is the first time that coordinated public education programs on skin diseases, apart from skin cancer, have occurred anywhere in the world.
Antioxidant activity of topically applied lycopene
Authors: Andreassi M , Stanghellini E , Ettorre A , Di Stefano A , Andreassi L 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTBackground  Ultraviolet (UV) rays cause depletion of the antioxidant substances contained in the epidermis. This is the rationale for the use of topical antioxidant substances.Methods  We studied the protective activity against UV radiation of a product based on lycopene and a product containing a mixture of vitamins E and C. Photostimulation was applied with a solar simulator and the cutaneous response was evaluated instrumentally.Results  The lycopene‐based product had a much greater protective ability than the product containing the mixture of vitamins.Conclusions  Lycopene has suitable characteristics to be used successfully in the prevention of cutaneous damage by free radicals. Its antioxidant ability is probably due to its high reductive power.
Risk factors associated with onychomycosis
Authors: Sigurgeirsson B , Steingrímsson Ó 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTObjective  To examine possible risk factors related to onychomycosis.Background  Onychomycosis is a common disease with multifactorial aetiology, but little is known about the risk factors for this disease.Patients and methods  Questions related to signs, symptoms and possible risk factors associated with onychomycosis were sent to 3992 persons aged 16 years and older selected randomly from the Icelandic National Registry. Patients with suspected onychomycosis, based on photographs, were offered mycological examination. Data from the questionnaire and the results of mycological examination were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for several factors that might be associated with onychomycosis.Results  Two thousand four hundred and eighty‐six subjects responded to the questionnaire. Prevalence for mycologically determined onychomycosis was 11.1% in the Icelandic population. A history of the following factors more than doubled the risk of onychomycosis: cancer (OR 3.44; 95% CI 1.15–10.35), psoriasis (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.61–3.72), tinea pedis interdigitalis (OR 3.93; 95% CI 3.11–4.95), the moccasin form of tinea pedis (OR 4.26; 94% CI 3.34–5.45), parents with onychomycosis (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.89–3.53), children with onychomycosis (OR 3.48; 95% CI 2.05–5.88), spouse with onychomycosis (OR 2.53; 95% CI 1.72–3.72), regular swimming activity (OR 2.57; 95% CI 2.00–3.30) and age 50 years or older (OR 2.74; 95% CI 2.19–3.42).Conclusions  Several risk factors are associated with onychomycosis. Knowledge of these risk factors is important when treating and educating patients with onychomycosis.
Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma treated with topical imiquimod 5%
Authors: Oster‐Schmidt C 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTWe report the first two cases of squamous cell carcinoma successfully treated with imiquimod 5% cream as a monotherapy. Imiquimod is a new immunomodulating drug that is registered for genital HPV infection but has also shown good efficacy in several cutaneous malignancies.
Nailfold digital capillaroscopy in 447 patients with connective tissue disease and Raynaud's disease
Authors: Nagy Z , Czirják L 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTThe presence of megacapillaries and a decreased capillary density are the hallmarks of the scleroderma capillary pattern, which can be detected by nailfold capillarmicroscopy. One hundred and eighty‐six patients with Raynaud's phenomenon, 65 cases with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), 47 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 26 patients with dermato/polymyositis, 14 with rheumatoid arthritis, seven cases with primary Sjögren's syndrome and 102 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were investigated. Of the 16 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc and the 86 limited cutaneous SSc cases, 14 (87.5%) and 53 (61.6%) showed the scleroderma capillary pattern, respectively. Nine of the 65 (13.8%) cases with UCTD and 24 of the 186 (12.9%) cases with Raynaud's phenomenon also exhibited the same pattern. Four of the 47 (8.5%) with SLE and seven of the 26 (26.9%) with dermato/polymyositis, and no patients with rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögren's syndrome, exhibited the scleroderma capillary pattern. The conclusion is that the scleroderma capillary pattern is often present in SSc and dermato/polymyositis. Furthermore, patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and UCTD may also occasionally exhibit this pattern. Therefore, capillarmicroscopy seems to be a useful tool for the early selection of those patients who are potential candidates for developing scleroderma spectrum disorders.
Antifungal activity of Thymus oils and their major compounds
Authors: Pina‐Vaz C , Gonçalves Rodrigues A , Pinto E , Costa‐de‐Oliveira S , Tavares C , Salgueiro L , Cavaleiro C , Gonçalves MJ , Martinez‐de‐Oliveira J 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTThe increasing recognition and importance of fungal infections, the difficulties encountered in their treatment and the increase in resistance to antifungals have stimulated the search for therapeutic alternatives. Essential oils have been used empirically. The essential oils of Thymus (Thymus vulgaris, T. zygis subspecies zygis and T. mastichina subspecies mastichina) have often been used in folk medicine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate objectively the antifungal activity of Thymus oils according to classical bacteriological methodologies − determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal lethal concentration (MLC) − as well as flow cytometric evaluation. The effect of essential oils upon germ tube formation, an important virulence factor, was also studied. The mechanism of action was studied by flow cytometry, after staining with propidium iodide. The chemical composition of the essential oils was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The antifungal activity of the major components (carvacrol, thymol, p‐cymene and 1,8‐cineole) and also possible interactions between them were also investigated. The essential oils of T. vulgaris and T. zygis showed similar antifungal activity, which was greater than T. mastichina. MIC and MLC values were similar for all the compounds tested. At MIC values of the essential oils, propidium iodide rapidly penetrated the majority of the yeast cells, indicating that the fungicidal effect resulted primarily from an extensive lesion of the cell membrane. Concentrations below the MIC values significantly inhibited germ tube formation. This study describes the potent antifungal activity of the essential oils of Thymus on Candida spp., warranting future therapeutical trials on mucocutaneous candidosis.
Mycoplasma genitalium: the aetiological agent of urethritis and other sexually transmitted diseases
Authors: Jensen Jørgen Skov 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACT Mycoplasma genitalium was first isolated in 1980 from two of 13 men with non‐gonococcal urethritis (NGU). It shares several features with M. pneumoniae, a recognized respiratory tract pathogen. It is extremely difficult to isolate by culture. The development of sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays in the early 1990s made clinical studies possible and a significant number of publications have shown a strong association between M. genitalium and NGU, independent of Chlamydia trachomatis. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the currently available information on the associations between M. genitalium and urogenital tract infections in men and women and assess their fulfilment of the Henle–Koch postulates. It is concluded that there is very strong evidence that M. genitalium is a cause of NGU in men and cervicitis in women. Evidence for upper genital tract infections in women has begun to accrue, but further studies are needed. The optimal treatment of M. genitalium infections remains to be determined, but antibiotics of the macrolide group appear to be more active than tetracyclines.
Alcohol abuse among adolescents: regional evidence from Spain
Authors: Duarte Rosa , Alberto Molina José 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to offer regional evidence from Spain on alcohol abuse among adolescents. Specifically, we identify the determinants of the decision to abuse alcohol with respect to the five most important regions of Spain, as well as for the country as a whole. To this end, we estimate Probit specifications using data drawn from the Spanish Surveys on Drug Use in the School Population corresponding to 1994, 1996 and 1998. The results first reveal patterns that are qualitatively similar, but quantitatively different. Similarly, it would appear that economic policies aimed at reducing the access of adolescents to alcohol may have a positive effect on reducing abuse. Finally, the results suggest that encouragement be given to healthy habits among young people, as well as to the fight against education failure and the launching of information campaigns that accurately portray the current lifestyle of adolescents.