bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Substance abuse: prevalence in a sample of nursing students
Authors: Ahmadi Jamshid , Maharlooy Najmeh , Alishahi Mohammadjavad 
Published: December 2004

Aims.  The aim of this research was to evalvate the prevalence of substance abuse in a sample of Iranian nursing students.Design and measurements.  Four hundred nursing students (85.25% were females and 14.25% were male) were assessed by a confidential questionnaire based on DSM‐IV, which was distributed, completed by the students and collected in the same session.Findings.  Mean age of the females was 20.3 and of males was 22.8. Of the subjects, 27.3% (21.4% of females and 61% of males) reported usage of substance(s) once or more sometime during their lives: cigarette (25.3%), alcohol (5.8%), opium (8.5%), cocaine (1.5%), hashish (1.5%), marijuana (0.8%) and morphine (0.5%). Only 3.8% of the participants (1.8% of females and 15.3% of males) reported still using substances: cigarettes (3.3%), alcohol (1.7%), opium (0.8%), cocaine (0.5%) and marijuana (0.3%). About 11.8% of the subjects (10% of females and 22% of males) reported using of substances occasionally (at least once a month): cigarette (10.8%), alcohol (3.5%), opium (4.3%), cocaine (0.5%) and hashish (0.3%). Some used or were using more than one substance.Conclusions.  Substance use was significantly related to sex: higher among males than females. Tobacco and opium were found to be the most prevalent form of substance use among students. Pleasurable purposes, habit, need (to avoid withdrawal symptoms) and tension were the major reasons for substance use. There was no report of psychedelics use. These results are, however, different from those studies carried out in the west, although there is some overlap. Cultural attitudes toward substance use quite likely affect the types and patterns of use. These findings can be considered when planning preventive and therapeutic programmes.Relevance to clinical practice.  Substance use can reduce scientific progress and academic achievement of nursing students; therefore, authorities of the university must be able to assess the extent of the problem, understand the contributing factors, recognize signs and symptoms, and use educational interventions in identifying and preventing substance dependency.
Coronary heart disease: causes and drug treatment – spouses’ conceptions
Authors: Kärner Anita , Dahlgren Madeleine Abrandt , Bergdahl Björn 
Published: December 2004

Background.  Spouses are important in the rehabilitation process of their partner after coronary heart disease event. Their knowledge and attitudes have an impact on their support to the partner concerning lifestyle changes and drug treatment after an event.Aims and objectives.  To explore spouses’ conceptions concerning causes of coronary heart disease and drug treatment 1 year after the partner's cardiac event.Design.  Qualitative with an empirical and inductive approach.Methods.  Semi‐structured interviews with strategically selected spouses (17 women and eight men) were taped. The transcripts were analysed within the phenomenographic framework.Results.  Spouses’ conceptions about causes of coronary heart disease and its treatment consisted of correct facts, as judged on a lay level, less elaborated conceptions and misconceptions. Among causes of coronary heart disease, the spouses were most knowledgeable about fat intake. They knew less about contributions from inactivity, stress and smoking. Ambivalent feelings were expressed about benefits vs. side effects of drugs. The treatment was conceived as necessary for the heart, but harmful for other organs. Men and women were evenly distributed in most of the derived categories. More women than men considered stress as a cause of coronary heart disease and also misconceived physical exercise to cause the disease.Conclusion.  A variation of spouses’ conceptions was revealed about causes of coronary heart disease and drug treatment. There was a lack of understanding concerning important parts of cardiac rehabilitation activities. These misconceptions may have implications by influencing their partner's co‐operative behaviour.Relevance to clinical practice.  Spouses’ pre‐existing conceptions of coronary heart disease and its treatment should be considered in the rehabilitation process of their partner. Couples with misconceptions should be given the opportunity to increase qualitatively their knowledge starting from their point of view rather than from that of the professional perspective.
Rheumatology: the expectations and preferences of patients for their follow‐up monitoring care: a qualitative study to determine the dimensions of patient satisfaction
Authors: Arthur Valerie , Clifford Collette 
Published: December 2004

Background.  Patient satisfaction has rarely been defined. It is a multi‐dimensional concept and relates to expectations and preferences for care. This paper reports the findings of a study to determine the expectations and preferences of rheumatology patients for their follow‐up monitoring care.Aims and objectives.  To identify the dimensions of satisfaction important to rheumatology patients in the provision of their care in two locations; primary and secondary. The objectives were to determine the expectations and preferences of this group and to gather data to inform a larger study of patient satisfaction.Design. ensp; This small qualitative study used semi‐structured interviews with a convenient sample of 10 patients; five from each location.Methods.  Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Qualitative data analysis revealed a framework and conceptual categories.Results.  Empathy, specialism, information provision, technical aspects, time, and continuity of care were identified as being important in the provision of care for this group of patients.Conclusions.  These categories had already been found in a validated questionnaire and justified the use of this tool in the larger comparative study.Relevance to clinical practice.  Patient satisfaction cannot be accurately assessed unless important categories of care are identified and used in the measurement tool.
Temporal and spatial distribution of paramoebae in the water column – a pilot study
Authors: Douglas‐Helders G M , O'Brien D P , McCorkell B E , Zilberg D , Gross A , Carson J , Nowak B F 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAmoebic gill disease is the main disease affecting the salmonid industry in Tasmania, but no information on the distribution of the causative pathogen, Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis, in the aquatic environment is available. This pilot study aimed to determine temporal and spatial distributions of paramoebae species in the water column, using an immuno‐dot blot technique. Water samples were collected from inside fish cages at various depths (0.5, 5.5 and 11.0 m) in both summer and winter, as well as various distances (0, 0.5, 240, 280, 750 and 1100 m) away from the sea cage and farming site. Paramoebae densities were estimated using the most probable number technique (MPN). Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrite and nitrates, and bacterial counts were measured for each water sample. Data were analysed using a residual maximum likelihood test and significant associations between paramoebae densities and environmental factors were analysed. Results showed that densities were significantly higher in summer (P = 0.017), at 5.5 m depth (P = 0.029), and reduced to the lowest density at 1100 m away from the cage sites (P = 0.008). Bacterial counts, turbidity and temperature were found to be significantly associated with paramoebae densities.
Zoon's balanitis: presentation of 15 patients, five treated with a carbon dioxide laser
Authors: Retamar Roberto Adrián , Kien M. C. , Chouela E. N. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Zoon's balanitis is a chronic erosive process of the penis. The lesions are refractory to conservative topical and some surgical therapy, and frequently require circumcision as a curative measure.Methods Fifteen patients with a clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of Zoon's balanitis were studied between October 1991 and October 2001. Five were treated with a carbon dioxide laser.Results The ages of the patients ranged from 36 to 69 years (average, 50.8 years). All the men were uncircumcised and presented with a discharge and erythematous lesions on the glans penis; the balanopreputial fold was affected in 10 patients and eight had a lesion on the internal surface of the prepuce. One patient was human immunodeficiency virus positive. Five were treated with a carbon dioxide laser. Two relapsed 1 and 3 years later, respectively, and the remaining three have been followed up for 2, 5, and 6 years, respectively, without relapse. One patient developed lichen sclerosus et atrophicus of the prepuce.Conclusions We have presented our case study of 15 patients with Zoon's balanitis, and emphasize the possible use of a carbon dioxide laser as an alternative therapy.
A seroepidemiologic survey of the prevalence of varicella‐zoster virus in the pediatric population in two university hospitals in Brazil
Authors: Semenovitch Ivan , Lupi Omar 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground  Varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) is an alpha‐herpesvirus causing varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Varicella results from primary VZV infection, and is a common childhood illness associated with fever and a generalized, pruritic, vesicular eruption. Herpes zoster is caused by VZV reactivation later in life (most cases after the fifth decade), and is characterized by a localized, painful, and vesicular eruption involving one or adjacent dermatomes. The incidence of herpes zoster increases with age and immunosuppression.Objective  To estimate the seroprevalence of VZV in the Brazilian pediatric population by evaluating the prevalence of specific antibodies to VZV in children from two university hospitals in the state of Rio de Janeiro.Methods  A population composed of 160 children derived from two university hospitals in the state of Rio de Janeiro was included in the study. All patients completed a questionnaire regarding their socio‐epidemiologic characteristics, and a complete physical examination was performed. All blood samples were screened using a commercial enzyme‐linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) kit, specific for the detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to VZV.Results  The seroprevalence of VZV was 58.1% in the overall population, with a statistically significant correlation between seroprevalence and increasing age (P < 0.0001). A previous history of measles infection (P < 0.04), previous history of varicella infection (P < 0.0001), and the presence of skin lesions (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with seropositivity to VZV.Conclusions  Further studies should be performed in order to evaluate the endemicity of VZV infections and to establish criteria for the use of the specific vaccine in Brazil.
Erosive perianal lichen planus responsive to tacrolimus
Authors: Watsky Kalman L. 
Published: December 2004

A 46‐year‐old man presented with bleeding and painful sores around the anus of 2–3 years’ duration. The lesions had improved with a course of oral antimicrobials prescribed by a surgeon, who had performed a biopsy reported as showing nonspecific changes. Topical corticosteroids had also led to improvement, accompanied by the development of painful “pimples.” The patient had a history of recurrent oral herpes simplex, but denied other medical problems, persistent oral lesions, or human immunodeficiency virus risk factors. A total body skin examination revealed two shallow ulcerations of the perianal mucosa with minimal background erythema. No other cutaneous or mucosal lesions were noted. The remainder of the examination was unremarkable. A viral culture was negative, and there was no response to a 5‐day course of oral antiviral therapy (500 mg of valacyclovir twice daily). After avoiding topical therapies for 10 days, a lacy white discoloration was noted (Fig. 1). Review of the original biopsy specimen showed a band‐like lymphocytic infiltrate in the papillary dermis with involvement of the basal layer, consistent with lichen planus.Lacy white discoloration and erosions of the perianal mucosaimageThe patient began a course of topical halobetasol ointment therapy, complicated by folliculitis, which was treated with topical clindamycin lotion. After 10 weeks, the area had completely healed (Fig. 2) and the patient discontinued topical therapy. One year later, the patient had a recurrence of erosions in the same location. Wishing to avoid the complications of high potency topical corticosteroid therapy, the patient chose therapy with the commercially available formulation of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. One month later he called to report complete clearing and was tapered off therapy.Normal mucosa after treatment with halobetasol ointmentimage
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with bullous erysipelas
Authors: Margolin L. , Feinmesser M. , Hodak E. 
Published: December 2004

We report the case of a 65‐year‐old women with history of noninsulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus and hyperparaproteinemia kappa (IgM) who was admitted to the Dermatology Department of Rabin Medical Center because of painful erythema of the left leg associated with high fever (39 °C), which developed approximately 2 weeks before admission, and purpuric lesions over the lower extremities, which developed approximately 3 days before admission.Biopsy obtained from one of the purpuric lesions revealed changes characteristic of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and DIF from the purpura revealed perivascular precipitates of C3; antistreptolysin antibody titer was 1 : 400. HBV, HCV serology, C3, C4, ANA and cryoglobulins were within normal limits. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report indicating an association between erysipelas and leukocytoclastic vasculitis.
Pityriasis amiantacea: a clinical and etiopathologic study of 85 patients
Authors: Abdel‐Hamid Ibrahim A. , Agha Salah A. , Moustafa Yosry M. , El‐Labban Ayman M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Studies on pityriasis amiantacea (PA) in the literature are limited and mostly retrospective. We prospectively analyzed the clinical and etiopathologic factors in a large series of PA diagnosed at our department within a defined period (2000–01).Methods All PA patients who attended our department were evaluated clinically and underwent bacteriologic, mycologic, and histopathologic examinations. Forty healthy control persons were similarly subjected to bacteriologic and mycologic investigations of their scalp hairs.Results A total of 85 PA patients were collected and studied. Pathological diagnosis of scalp psoriasis was confirmed in 35.3% of cases. Eczematous features suggesting a diagnosis of seborrheic and atopic dermatitis were detected in 34.2%. Diagnosis of tinea capitis, diagnosed by potassium hydroxide preparation, fungal culture, and periodic‐acid Schiff staining, was detected in 12.9% of the PA patients. Staphylococcus isolates were detected in 96.5% of the PA patients compared with 15% in healthy persons as the control (P > 0.00001).Conclusions Pityriasis amiantacea represents a particular reaction pattern of the scalp to various inflammatory scalp diseases. The most frequent skin diseases associated with PA are psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. It is important to keep the diagnosis of tinea capitis in mind when evaluating PA patients. Staphylococci on the scalp could participate in the pathogenesis of PA.
Long‐term control of mycosis fungoides of the hands with topical bexarotene
Authors: Lain Ted , Talpur Rakhshandra , Duvic Madeleine 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Limited Stage IA mycosis fungoides (MF) is often treated with topical steroids, which can cause atrophy, or with nitrogen mustard, which imposes several limitations on the patient's lifestyle. Topical bexarotene is a novel synthetic rexinoid with few side‐effects that has shown efficacy for treatment of mycosis fungoides skin lesions in recent Phase II–III clinical trials. The Phase I–II trial involving 67 stage IA–IIA MF patients demonstrated complete response (CR) in 21% and partial response (PR) in 42% of the patients. The median time to response was approximately 20 weeks. In the phase III trial of refractory stage IA, IB and IIA MF, the patients demonstrated a 44% response rate (8% CR). Patients with no prior therapy for mycosis fungoides responded at a higher rate (75%) than those with prior topical therapies.Methods Case report of a patient with MF limited to the hands treated with topical bexarotene 0.1% gel in a open label phase II clinical trial.Results Partial response occurred after 2 weeks of topical bexarotene therapy and the lesions were well controlled for 5 years using bexarotene monotherapy, with only occasional mild local irritation.Conclusions Topical bexarotene is effective as long‐term treatment monotherapy for limited MF lesions. To our knowledge this is the longest use of the drug by any individual.
Development of fluctuating asymmetry in tail feathers of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica
Authors: Møller A. P. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractFluctuating asymmetry represents usually small, random deviations from symmetry in bilateral morphological characters. The ontogeny of asymmetry in morphological characters may reveal information about developmental processes in a general sense. I studied the development of fluctuating asymmetry in feather characters of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica, that are developed repeatedly during the single annual moult, with the following results. First, the side developing a larger feather was found to be partially biased, as demonstrated by one side consistently developing a larger feather under natural and experimentally induced growth episode events. Second, asymmetric feathers were found to consist of asymmetric daily growth increments, and the size of the increments developing under different environmental conditions were positively correlated. Third, fluctuating asymmetries of feathers developing under different environmental conditions were positively correlated, although the level of asymmetry was larger under adverse environmental conditions. Fourth, individual asymmetries in tail length and growth bar length were unrelated to the duration of the developmental period, although late growth increments were smaller and more symmetric than early increments. These observations suggest that fluctuating asymmetry partially arises as a consequence of a random bias in the feather follicles and differences in environmental conditions during ontogeny of feathers.
Dimorphisms and fluctuating asymmetry in the forceps of male earwigs
Authors: Tomkins J. L. , Simmons L. W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMale dimorphisms are particularly conspicuous examples of the alternative reproductive strategies employed within some species. Such dimorphisms are thought to exist as genetic polymorphisms under ESS conditions, or to be conditional strategies where exogenous conditions determine the adult body plan. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is currently considered to be a fitness correlate of significant use in interpreting the functional significance of secondary sexual characteristics. In particular, negative slopes of FA on trait size are thought to arise in traits whose expression is dependent on condition. We measured forceps lengths and asymmetries in 2 island populations of the European earwig Forficula auricularia and Museum specimens of 5 other earwig (Dermaptera, Forficulidae) species from different genera, that appeared to be dimorphic. In a detailed study of Forficula auricularia we found a significant fit to a statistical model for the identification of dimorphisms and, for all species examined, morphs differed in the slope and/or elevation of the allometric relationship between body size and forcep length. Possible determinates of male dimorphisms are suggested from the data. Contrary to expectation, FA was not found to be greater in the minor morphs. Negative relationships between FA and forceps length were absent in both morphs of species examined from museum collections. Of the two island populations of Forficula auricularia, the smaller and more isolated population had higher FA and a negative relationship between FA and forceps length in the major morph. We discuss these patterns in the light of recent theories of FA and honest signalling.
Molecular phylogeny and the historical biogeography of the warblers of the genus Sylvia (Aves)
Authors: Blondel J. , Catzeflis F. , Perret P. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA molecular phylogeny based on DNA/DNA hybridization revealed that the Sylvia‐Parisoma complex is monophyletic and includes three main groups of species, the “mid‐European” warblers, the genus Parisoma, and the “eu‐Mediterranean” Sylvia species sensu stricto. The latter can be assigned to three main clusters, a “West‐Mediterranean” group, a “Central‐Mediterranean group”, and an “East‐Mediterranean” group. The radiation of the whole complex is much more ancient than formerly believed. It started ca 12–13 Ma ago and the ancestors of the main extant groups differentiated during the Pliocene. Only speciation events within the “eu‐Mediterranean” lineages occurred during the Pleistocene. The paleoclimatical and paleoecological history of the Mediterranean region is too complicated to provide any evidence for direct relationships between past events and evolutionary steps of these taxa which did not leave any reliable fossil record. However, some major speciation events may be related to well documented climatical crises as well as paleobotanical data. The largely man‐induced extension of matorrals over several millenia presumably extended the range of several species that were formerly much more restricted, which complicates reconstruction of the spatio‐temporal course of speciation.