bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biosurgery supports granulation and debridement in chronic wounds – clinical data and remittance spectroscopy measurement
Authors: Wollina Uwe , Liebold Kristin , Schmidt Wolf‐Dieter , Hartmann Michael , Fassler Dieter 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Maggot therapy (biosurgery) has received increasing interest for the debridement of chronic wounds and for the improvement of wound healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects, side‐effects, and possible mechanisms of action of biosurgery.Methods Biosurgery was used for debridement in 30 patients with chronic leg ulcers of mixed origin. The effect of a single application of maggots for 1–4 days was evaluated by a clinical wound score and contact‐free spectroscopy. Side‐effects were recorded.Results Debridement was rapid and selective. The wound secretion was temporarily increased. We observed a significant improvement of the wound score with a decrease from 13.5 ± 1.8 to 6.3 ± 2.7 (P < 0.001). The treatment was well tolerated in most patients. Twelve out of 30 patients reported temporary pain, but only two needed analgesic treatment. Other side‐effects included venous bleeding in one patient. The remittance spectra showed an improvement of tissue oxygenation as revealed by the characteristic oxygen doublet peak (548 and 575 nm).Conclusions Biosurgery is an effective and rapid treatment for the debridement of chronic wounds and the improvement of wound healing. A possible mode of action is the increase in tissue oxygenation. More studies are needed.
Bullous lesions in scleroderma
Authors: Rencic Adrienne , Goyal Supriya , Mofid Mona , Wigley Frederick , Nousari H. Carlos 
Published: March 2003

Background The occurrence of bullous lesions in localized or systemic scleroderma is rare. Three histologic patterns have been reported: lichen sclerosus et atrophicus‐like, lymphangiectatic blisters and autoimmune blistering diseases.Objective  To investigate the frequency, clinical, and immunopathologic features of patients with scleroderma and bullous eruptions and to review the literature regarding this rare condition.Methods  A retrospective study of 53 cases of scleroderma (localized, generalized, and systemic) in the dermatology and rheumatology clinics at one institution over an 8‐year span. Clinical, serologic, and immunopathologic findings were analyzed in four cases.Results Four of 53 patients exhibited bullous lesions in association with scleroderma. The first case illustrates lymphangioma‐like clinical and pathologic presentation. The second case demonstrates bullous lichen sclerosus et atrophicus‐like pattern. The other two cases exemplify a superimposed autoimmune skin disease, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and penicillamine induced pemphigus foliaceus after treatment for systemic scleroderma.Conclusions  Of the 53 original patients, we have described four cases of bullous scleroderma (7.5%) Illustrating several pathogenetic mechanisms of bulla formation. inflammatory (lichen sclerosus et atrophicus), fibrotic/obstructive (lymphangiomatous), autoimmune (epidermolysis bullosa acquisita), and pemphigus foliaceus.The final case illustrates bullae as a complication of therapy for the underlying scleroderma.
HLA‐class 1 and class 2 antigens in Turkish patients with pemphigus
Authors: Birol Ahu , Anadolu Rana Yavuzer , Tutkak Hüseyin , Gürgey Erbak 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease which is more frequently seen in certain ethnic groups such as Jews. It is thought that exogenous factors may induce pemphigus in genetically predisposed individuals. Recent reports on HLA antigens indicate an increased frequency of HLA‐class II antigens particularly HLA‐DR4 among Jewish patients. Herein we investigated the antigen frequencies of HLA‐A, B, C, HLA‐DR and DQ in Turkish patients with pemphigus.Methods HLA class I and II antigens were typed by microdroplet lymphocyte cytotoxicity test in 33 patients with pemphigus and 100 healthy individuals.Results HLA‐B35, B44, CW4, DR4, DR14, DQ8 and DQ4 antigens were significantly high in the study group whereas HLA‐DR11, DQ7 and DQ2 antigens were high among the controls. The most striking differences were observed in HLA class II antigens. HLA DR14‐DQ8 and HLA B35‐DR14 haplotypes were the most frequently observed ones in the study group.Conclusions We postulate that HLA‐B35, B44, CW4, DR4, DR14, DQ4 and DQ8 antigens may be responsible for susceptibility to pemphigus while HLA‐DR11, DQ7 and DQ2 antigens may have a protective role in the Turkish population.
Pathergic pyoderma gangrenosum in a venous ulcer
Authors: Rosina Paolo , Cunego Stefano , Zambelli Franz Cristina , Saverio D’Onghia Francesco , Chieregato Giancarlo 
Published: March 2003

A 74‐year‐old woman was referred to our department in December 1999 for a pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) arising at the edges of chronic leg ulcer. The history was positive for benign monoclonal gammopathy, ischemic hypertensive cardiopathy, polyarthrosis and venous lower leg deficiency. Monoclonal gammopathy of IgA Kappa type was diagnosed 10 years before with a continued benign nature. In 1990 a post traumatic PG of the left leg was diagnosed and a therapy with Cyclosporine A was started with healing of the lesion.In June 1999, 6 months before the hospitalization, a typical venous ulcer of the right leg appeared and was treated with bed‐rest, compression bandaging and topical desloughing therapy. In the last month, after a minor surgical debridement of the wound, the lesion developed pustules evolving into a painful, necrotic ulcer with ragged, purple‐red, undetermined borders (Fig. 1). A relapse of PG was suspected.Pyoderma gangrenosum involving the leg. An arrow indicates the site of the original chronic venous ulcerimageHistological examination was consistent with pyoderma gangrenosum and showed massive neutrophilic infiltration, hemorrhage and necrosis of the overlying epidermis. Wound culture was negative. Other laboratory examinations only showed IgA = 8.15 g/L. Investigation of other underlying medical conditions were normal or negative.The venous leg ulcer gradually healed with antiseptic and compression‐bandage therapy. After a 4‐month course of topical steroid therapy with good results, the PG recurred also involving the proximal area of the leg. Metilprednisolone 50 mg/day was started. Healing began 10 days later and 2 months later the wound healed and epithelialized. Steroid was reduce to 5 mg daily for 4 months. No recurrence was seen when the drug was stopped.
Prevalence of skin disease among nursing home patients in southern Taiwan
Authors: Derek Richard Smith , Hamm‐Ming Sheu , Fu‐Sen Hsieh , Yung‐Ling Lee , Suh‐Jen Chang , Yueliang Leon Guo 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Continuing advances in medical care and nutrition have prolonged the lifespan and expanded the elderly demographic world‐wide. Despite increasing elderly populations within Taiwanese nursing homes, there has been a lack of dermatologic surveys, and the prevalence of skin conditions within this group is unknown.Methods To establish the prevalence of skin disease within nursing homes in southern Taiwan, we undertook a dermatologic and epidemiologic investigation of 398 patients in Tainan City, southern Taiwan, between November 1999 and February 2000.Results This study revealed that more than half of all nursing home patients suffered from fungus (61.6%) and xerosis (58.3%), while other pruritic skin diseases, such as dermatitis and scabies, were less prevalent at 7.3% and 3.3%, respectively. Risk factors for fungal infection included bedridden status (risk ratio (RR), 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–1.4) and male gender (RR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0–1.3). Xerosis was statistically correlated with an age range of 80–90 years (RR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0–1.4) when compared to other age ranges. Current scabies diagnosis was strongly associated with a previous history of scabies (RR, 8.9; 95% CI, 1.7–21.1).Conclusions Our study provides clinically relevant data regarding the prevalence of skin diseases in institutionalized Taiwanese patients for the first time. The results suggest that scabies persists within some nursing homes despite treatment, and that some patients remain undiagnosed. The dermatologic needs of these Taiwanese patients are not currently being satisfied.
Increase in total blood antioxidant status and selenium levels in black patients with active vitiligo
Authors: Boisseau‐Garsaud Anne‐Marie , Garsaud Philippe , Lejoly‐Boisseau Hélène , Robert Michel , Quist Danielle , Arveiler Benoît 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Oxidative stress could be an important phenomenon leading to melanocyte death in vitiligo. The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and low catalase levels have recently been demonstrated in the epidermis of vitiligo patients. Few abnormalities of antioxidants have been found in the blood of patients with vitiligo, except for an elevation of selenium. No studies on oxidative stress have been performed so far on patients with skin phototype VI (Fitzpatrick classification).Aim To study the blood antioxidant status of black patients with active generalized vitiligo.Methods Randox total antioxidant status, selenium, ferritin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, tocopherol, and retinol levels were evaluated in blood samples obtained from 11 dark‐skinned patients from the French West Indies (Isle of Martinique) with recent active lesions of vitiligo and from 11 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers.Results Total blood antioxidant status and selenium levels were significantly increased in vitiligo patients, compared to those in sex‐ and age‐matched controls (P  <  0.01 and P  <  0.02, respectively). Blood levels of ferritin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, retinol, and tocopherol were not significantly modified.Conclusions This is the first report on the global blood antioxidant status in vitiligo. The increase in total blood antioxidant status observed in black patients was an unexpected result that needs to be confirmed and explained by further studies. The spontaneous increase in selenium levels could be of interest, as it has been recommended in the treatment of vitiligo.
A human placental extract: in vivo and in vitro assessments of its melanocyte growth and pigment‐inducing activities
Authors: Pal Prajnamoy , Mallick Shampa , Mandal Samir Kr. , Das Madhusudan , Dutta Ajit Kr. , Datta Pijush K. , Bera Rabindranath , Bhadra Ranjan 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground The authenticity of various prototype human placental extracts with biological activity, such as that inducing vitiligo repigmentation, is under serious criticism, mainly due to a lack of demonstration at the cellular level. Considering the present worldwide scenario with regard to the occurrence and treatment of vitiligo, a thorough scientific exploration of such extracts should be undertaken.Method One such prototype placental preparation was prepared, and was evaluated with regard to its melanogenic action in C57BL/6J mice in vivo and its mitogenic and melanogenic activity on B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and normal human melanocytes in vitro. The extract was applied topically to mice with age‐induced prolonged telogenic phase of hair growth (grey body coat hair). Standard 3H‐thymidine incorporation and spectrophotometric methods were followed to illustrate mitogenic and melanogenic effects at the cellular level.Results The resurgence of blue skin, followed by shiny black hair, at the regions of application of the extract demonstrated the reversal of the age‐induced prolonged telogenic phase of hair growth to the anagenic phase after topical application of the extract on C57BL/6J mice. Further support was obtained from histology where, at the extract‐treated sites, the development of new melanogenic centers and hair follicles was observed. During in vitro studies, the vehicle‐free extract constituents stimulated both mitogenesis and melanogenesis of B16F10 mouse melanoma cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. The cell morphology and extent of melanogenesis also showed significant changes. In addition, two known melanocyte activity‐modulating peptides, endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), were determined in the extract, chiefly in the total lipid fraction, indicating their effective cutaneous permeation.Conclusions The extract was found to be a potent mitogen in the in vitro condition and a potent melanogen in both the in vitro and in vivo situations. This strongly suggests its therapeutic potential for the repigmentation of vitiligo patches.
Rapid response to infliximab in severe pustular psoriasis, von Zumbusch type
Authors: Newland Meggan R. , Weinstein Andrew , Kerdel Francisco 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) is a chemokine secreted by T cells which is thought to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. The monoclonal antibody, infliximab, complexes with TNF‐α, rendering it inactive. A recent clinical trial has reported the clinical benefit and safety of infliximab in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. We report a case of rapid response and clinical benefit using infliximab in severe pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch.
Presence of Leishmania organisms in specific and non‐specific skin lesions in HIV‐infected individuals with visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Bosch Ricardo J. , Rodrigo Ana B. , Sánchez Purificación , De Gálvez María V. , Herrera Enrique 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground Leishmania coinfection is frequently seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients in endemic areas, and from time to time the protozoan is detected in cutaneous biopsies.Objective To establish the characteristics and possible ethiologic role of the presence of Leishmania in these lesions.Methods We studied 12 cutaneous biopsies with Leishmania organisms from nine HIV‐infected patients (seven men and two women) with visceral leishmaniasis, diagnosed by bone marrow examination, seen over a period of 9 years.Results Based on clinical characteristics, evolution and response to anti‐leishmanial treatment, cutaneous alterations were found to be related to the presence of the protozoan in six cases, whereas in the other six cases it was not considered responsible for the dermatological lesions (dermatofibroma, and lesions of psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, bacillary angiomatosis, cryptococcosis and oral aphthae). Of note was the high prevalence of specific mucocutaneous manifestations, usually accompanied by intense pruritus, great variability, and a tendency to relapse after treatment stopped. On two occasions, detection of the protozoa in skin biopsies led to the diagnosis of a previously unsuspected visceral leishmaniasis.Conclusions Cutaneous detection of Leishmania is frequent in HIV‐infected individuals with visceral leishmaniasis. Sometimes Leishmania is associated with changes attributable to other dermatological processes, and its presence does not imply a causative role. A clear relationship between the systemic process and the therapeutic response is necessary to demonstrate an ethiologic role.
Clinicopathologic reassessment of non‐mycosis fungoides primary cutaneous lymphomas during 17 years
Authors: Bergman Reuven , Marcus‐Farber Bat‐Sheva , Manov Lena , Nerodinisky Ina , Epelbaum Ron , Sahar Dvorah , Schein‐Goldschmid Rinat , Ramon Michal , Ben‐Arieh Yehudith 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground  New classification systems have recently been proposed for primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs). The aim of our study was to evaluate the applicability and significance of the new classification systems to the diagnosis and management of non‐mycosis fungoides (non‐MF) PCL.Methods  Immunohistochemical restaining, histological reclassification, and clinical follow‐up of all new non‐MF PCL cases during 17 consecutive years were performed. The histological reclassification was performed according to the Revised European–American Lymphoma (REAL) classification, except for lymphomatoid papulosis (Lyp), which was included as an indolent lymphoma, according to the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification.Results  During the period 1983–99, 251 new PCL cases were seen, 213 (85%) of which were MF and Sézary syndrome (eight cases), and 38 (15%) of which were non‐MF. Of the latter, 20 (53%) were B‐cell lymphomas, including eight (40%) follicle center lymphoma, follicular (FCLF), eight (40%) marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), two (10%) diffuse large cell lymphoma, and two (10%) unclassifiable cases. Most or all of the lesions did not stain for CD10, CD43, and bcl‐2 protein, and immunostaining for kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chain restriction was much more useful diagnostically in MZL. Of the 18 primary non‐MF cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas, 13 (72%) were Lyp, all of which were type A, four (22%) were CD30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and one (6%) was natural killer (NK)/T‐cell lymphoma. Except for the NK/T‐cell lymphoma, all the other non‐MF PCLs had an indolent course.Conclusions  A minority of the routinely diagnosed PCLs are non‐MF, equally divided between B‐ and T‐cell lymphomas. The REAL classification is applicable to the majority, although it does not include entities such as Lyp; the clinical correlations are not as obvious because most of the non‐MF PCLs tend to have a relatively indolent course.
The genetics of phenotypic plasticity I. Heritability
Authors: Scheiner Samuel M. , Lyman Richard F. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMethods for estimating the genetic component of phenotypic plasticity are presented. In the general case of clonal replicates or full‐sibs raised in several environments, the heritability of plasticity can be measured as the ratio of the genotype‐environment interaction variance to the total phenotypic variance. In the special case of only two environments plasticity also can be measured as the difference among environments in genotype or family means. In that case, the heritability of plasticity can be measured as either a ratio of variance components or as the slope of a parent‐offspring regression. The general measure suffers because no least‐square standard errors have been developed, although they can be calculated by maximum‐likelihood or bootstrapping techniques. For the other two methods least‐square standard errors can be calculated but require very large experiments for statistical significance to be achieved. The heritability measures are compared using data on plasticity of thorax size in response to temperature in Drosophila melanogaster. The heritability estimates are all in close agreement. Models of the evolution of phenotypic plasticity have treated it as a trait in its own right and as a cross‐environment genetic correlation. Although the first approach is the one used here, neither one is preferred.
Parasites and sexual selection: Current status of the Hamilton and Zuk hypothesis
Authors: Møller Anders Pape 
Published: March 2003

AbstractHamilton and Zuk (1982) suggested that females could continuously base their choice of mates on heritable resistance to parasites, as generated in a process of coadaptational cycles of hosts and their parasites and advertized in terms of individual differences in plumage features or displays of the chosen sex. This hypothesis was based on three assumptions: (1) the full expression of secondary sexual traits of individual hosts is dependent on their overall health and vigour; (2) hosts are coevolving with their parasites, thereby continuously generating heritable resistance to parasites; and (3) parasites have negative effects on host viability. Given these assumptions one may then make the following intra‐ and interspecific predictions: (1) females will obtain mates with few or no parasites by choosing males with fully expressed sexual ornaments, (2) males with inferior ornaments will be less desirable partners and therefore take longer to become mated, (3) assortative mating occurs with respect to parasite loads, (4) females which mate with males with poorly developed secondary sexual characters will copulate outside their pair bond with males showing more fully expressed ornaments, and (5) in species especially vulnerable to parasite invasions, sexual selection will lead to more extreme development of health‐certifying traits, allowing females to more accurately assess the parasite load of a male. Here I shall evaluate the empirical evidence for these assumptions and predictions and discuss alternative hypotheses advanced, in order to explain the importance of parasites for the sexual selection theory. An open question not yet studied satisfactorily is whether, and how often, coadaptational cycles exist, and, if they exist, how they should affect mate choice.
Inter‐generational competition and selection for helping behaviour
Authors: Poiani Aldo 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA model is presented which considers the effects of inter‐generational competition (IC) for breeding status on selection for helping behaviour. The model shows that for species with both high inter‐generational overlap and high frequency of breeding opportunities within the individual's lifespan, helping behaviour is selected if the relatives raised by the helper through helping (i.e. present indirect fitness gains) do not decrease the helper's future direct fitness as a breeder. This effect is dependent on the value of α, the coefficient of IC. The occurrence of high α values can explain those cases in which a non‐breeding member of a social group does not help. The effect of α can be reduced by means of establishing an age‐based queueing system to attain breeding status. The breeders' acceptance of a non‐helping individual within their territory may be explained as extended parental care or parental facilitation.
Variation in self-fertility, inbreeding depression and levels of inbreeding in four Cyclamen species
Authors: Affre  , Thompson  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
The ability to self in the absence of pollinators, i.e. reproductive assurance, and the detrimental consequences of inbreeding, i.e. inbreeding depression, are central factors influencing plant mating system evolution. The purpose of this study was to quantify whether self-fertility and inbreeding depression are related to levels of inbreeding in four Cyclamen species, namely C. balearicum (mean Fis = 0.930), C. creticum (mean Fis = 0.748), C. repandum (mean Fis = 0.658) and C. hederifolium (mean Fis = 0.329). C. balearicum showed a markedly greater capacity to autonomously self-fertilize than the three other species, which may have favoured inbreeding in this species. Levels of inbreeding depression were highest in C. creticum and C. hederifolium at the fruit maturation (δ = 0.18 and 0.20, respectively) and seed number (δ = 0.32 and 0.30, respectively) stages, and for C. repandum at the seed weight stage (δ = 0.23). Although C. balearicum showed inbreeding depression on seed germination (δ = 0.45), this may be an artefact of the generally low levels of seed germination in the experiment. Overall, we observed only limited evidence for the predicted negative relation between inbreeding coefficients and levels of inbreeding since C. creticum had high levels of inbreeding and inbreeding depression. Other factors may thus influence the relationship between inbreeding and inbreeding depression in these species.
Correlation between enzyme activities and routine metabolic rate in Drosophila
Authors: Berrigan  , Hoang  
Published: March 2003

Abstract
To determine whether enzyme activity is correlated with physiological performance, we analysed the relationship between routine metabolic rate and published data on activity of 12 enzymes from nine species of Drosophila. The enzymes are involved in several aspects of intermediary metabolism including glycolysis. Multiple regression on phylogenetically independent contrasts revealed significant and positive correlations between in vitro enzyme activity and routine metabolic rate. The regression analysis included body size and locomotor activity level as covariates. This result suggests that there may be energetic costs associated with increased enzyme capacity.