bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glyceridic esters of p‐methoxycinnamic acid. A new sunscreen of the cinnamate class
Authors: Freitas Z.M.F. , Gonçalves J.C.S. , Santos E.P. , Vergnanini A. 
Published: March 2003

Synopsis The aim of this work was to investigate whether a 1,3‐diacylglycerol moiety can act as enhancer of the photoprotecting action of a new sunscreen of the cinnamate class, owing to its affinity with skin constituents and lower susceptibility to hydrolysis at C‐2. The sun protection factors (SPF) for 1,2,3‐propanetriol 1,3‐dipalmitate‐2‐p‐methoxycinnamate and 1,2,3‐propanetriol 1,3‐dioctanoate‐2‐p‐methoxy‐cinnamate (2.0, 4.5 and 7.5%) were determined. The sunscreen preparations presented SPF values between 4.7 and 16. The results show that although glyceridic esters present higher lipophilicity and are more stable towards enzymatic hydrolysis in vitro, the synthesized triacylglycerols and the standard sunscreen 2‐ethylhexyl p‐methoxycinnamoyl (EHPM) showed equivalent SPF values for both methods. Résumé L’objectif de ce travail a été l’évaluation du groupe 1,3‐diacylglycérol en tant qu’un agent d’intensification de la propriété photoprotectrice d’un nouveau filtre solaire de la classe cinnamate, en considérant l’affinité de cet groupe avec les matériels constitutifs de la peau et leur stabilité vis‐à‐vis l’hydrolyse enzymatique sur la position C‐2. Les facteurs de protection solaire (FPS) des produits 1,2,3‐propanetriol 1,3‐dipalmitate‐2‐ρ‐methoxy‐cinnamate et 1,2,3‐propanetriol 1,3‐dioctanoate‐2‐ρ‐methoxy‐cinnamate ont étéévalués (2.0, 4.5 et 7.5)., Selon la concentration des produits, les préparations ont les valeurs de FPS entre 4.7 et 16. Les produits synthétisés ont les FPS équivalents au filtre solaire utilisé comme référence (ρ‐methoxy‐cinnamate 2‐ethylhexyl). Néanmoins, ils ont une plus important lipophilie et une plus grande stabilité vis‐à‐vis l’hydrolyse enzymatique in vitro.
Skin surface patterns of xerotic legs: the flexural and accretive types
Authors: Piérard‐Franchimont C , Petit L , Piérard G. E. 
Published: March 2003

Synopsis The dry skin appearance of the legs is a common complaint in winter. We studied such a condition using a multi‐pronged approach combining video recording under ultraviolet light, cyanoacrylate skin surface stripping and squamometry X. Two main distinct patterns of alteration of the skin surface were identified. Flexural xerosis corresponded to cracking in parallel primary lines of the stratum corneum. Accretive xerosis referred to hyperkeratosis of the plateaux delineated by the criss‐cross pattern of the skin surface creases. Two distinct commercially available formulations aiming to treat dry skin yielded almost similar efficacy. For both products, flexural xerosis responded more rapidly than accretive xerosis. Résumé L’aspect de peau sèche des jambes est une situation fréquente en hiver. Nous l’avons étudiée par une approche diversifiée combinant l’examen par video en lumière ultraviolette, la biopsie de surface au cyanoacrylate et la squamométrie X. Deux types principaux et distincts d’altérations de la couche cornée ont été identifiés. La xérose flexurale correspond à la fracture de la couche cornée dans des lignes primaires orientées parallèlement les unes aux autres. La xérose par accumulation désigne l’hyperkératose des plateaux délimités par le réseau des lignes primaires. Deux formulations pour peaux sèches disponibles sur le marché ont apporté des résultats bénéfiques comparables. Pour les deux produits, la xérose flexurale a répondu plus rapidement que la xérose d’accumulation.
The medical‐care cost burden of obesity
Authors: Thompson David , Wolf Anne M. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryRecent years have seen a dramatic rise in the prevalence of obesity in many countries, stimulating interest in the health and economic consequences of this phenomenon. In this article, we provide a systematic review of the literature on the medical‐care cost burden of obesity. Relevant studies were identified using a computerized search of the medical literature for English‐language articles published between 1990 and 2001. The 18 studies that met all criteria for inclusion in the review can be classified as modelling or database studies and further distinguished as cross‐sectional or longitudinal in nature. The majority of studies that have been conducted are cross‐sectional modelling studies, including 10 studies reporting the burden of obesity to national health systems. These suggest that obesity accounts for 5.5–7.0% of national health expenditures in the United States and 2.0–3.5% in other countries for which estimates have been reported. Other studies highlight the burden of obesity from other perspectives, including employers and health plans, as well as the impact of obesity on future disease risks and associated medical‐care costs. Despite various methodological limitations, discussed herein, this body of research leads to the inescapable conclusion that obesity exacts an immense economic toll in various countries throughout the world.
Asians are different from Caucasians and from each other in their body mass index/body fat per cent relationship
Authors: Deurenberg P. , Deurenberg‐Yap M. , Guricci S. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe objective was to study the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body fat per cent (BF%) in different population groups of Asians. The study design was a literature overview with special attention to recent Asian data. Specific information is provided on Indonesians (Malays and Chinese ancestry), Singaporean Chinese, Malays and Indians, and Hong Kong Chinese. The BMI was calculated from weight and height and the BF% was determined by deuterium oxide dilution, a chemical‐for‐compartment model, or dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. All Asian populations studied had a higher BF% at a lower BMI compared to Caucasians. Generally, for the same BMI their BF% was 3–5% points higher compared to Caucasians. For the same BF% their BMI was 3–4 units lower compared to Caucasians. The high BF% at low BMI can be partly explained by differences in body build, i.e. differences in trunk‐to‐leg‐length ratio and differences in slenderness. Differences in muscularity may also contribute to the different BF%/BMI relationship. Hence, the relationship between BF% and BMI is ethnic‐specific. For comparisons of obesity prevalence between ethnic groups, universal BMI cut‐off points are not appropriate.
Elevated body fat percentage and cardiovascular risks at low body mass index levels among Singaporean Chinese, Malays and Indians
Authors: Deurenberg‐Yap M. , Chew S. K. , Deurenberg P. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) in Singaporean Chinese, Malays and Indians, and to determine the risk for selected comorbidities at various BMI categories and abdominal fat distributions, as assessed by waist circumference (WC). The study was a cross‐sectional (population) design. In total, 4723 subjects participated in the National Health Survey of 1998 in which the risks were investigated. A selected subsample of 291 subjects participated in a detailed body composition study, where weight, height and WC were measured, as were blood pressure, total and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, serum triglycerides and fasting glucose. In the subsample, BF% was determined by means of a chemical four‐compartment model. At any given BF% the BMI of Singaporeans was about 3 kg m−2 lower than that of Caucasians. There were slight differences in the BF%/BMI relationship between the three ethnic groups. For all the ethnic groups, it was found that at low categories of BMI (between 22 and 24 kg m−2) and WC (between 75 and 80 cm for women and between 80 and 85 cm for men), the absolute risks for having at least one of the aforementioned risk factors were high, ranging from 41 to 81%. At these same categories the relative risks were significantly higher compared to the reference category, odds ratios ranging from 1.97–4.38. These categories of BMI and WC were all far below the cut‐off values of BMI and WC as currently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The data from the current study, which includes evidence that not only risk factors, but also BF% are elevated at low BMI values, presents a strong case for lowering the BMI cut‐off value for overweight and obesity among Singaporeans, from 25 kg m−2 and 30 kg m−2 to 23 kg m−2 and 27 kg m−2, respectively.
Energy balance and pollution by organochlorines and polychlorinated biphenyls
Authors: Pelletier C. , Imbeault P. , Tremblay A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryOrganochlorines are fat‐soluble chemical compounds resistant to degradation, so they are stored in the adipose tissue of practically every organism on the planet, including humans. Accumulation of these compounds in the body seems to be related to fat mass, obese individuals having a higher plasma organochlorine concentration than lean subjects. During body weight loss, lipid mobilization and a decrease in fat mass result in increased concentrations of organochlorines in plasma and adipose tissue. Organochlorines may have adverse health effects. For example, they have been associated with altered immune and thyroid functions and with some types of cancer. As these compounds may reach their target organs whilst in the circulation, their increase in plasma during weight loss might be associated with some physiological changes occurring during weight loss. Relationships have indeed been reported among weight loss‐induced increase in plasma organochlorine concentration and decreased triiodothyronine (T3) concentration, resting metabolic rate, and skeletal muscle markers for fat oxidation. Although further studies are needed to assess the causality of these relationships, they raise concern about some potential undesirable effects of weight loss. Indeed, the effects of organochlorines on energy balance could complicate body weight loss and even favour weight regain. These notions lend support for weight‐loss strategies favouring a moderate weight loss, which would reduce risks for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and hypertension, without resulting in a substantial release of organochlorines.
Factors predictive of disease progression and death in AIDS‐related Kaposi's sarcoma
Authors: Spano J‐P , Salhi Y , Costagliola D , Rozenbaum W , Girard P‐M 
Published: March 2003

Background The natural history of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is poorly documented. We attempted to identify factors predictive of progression and survival in HIV‐infected patients with KS and CD4+cell counts greater than 100/μL.Patients and Methods We studied retrospectively 78 HIV‐infected patients diagnosed as having KS between 1989 and 1995. The following variables were assessed as potential predictors of progression and death, in a Cox proportional hazards model: age, sex, ethnic group, transmission group, site of the first KS lesions, duration of KS, concomitant opportunistic infections or malignancies, antiretroviral drug therapy (excluding protease inhibitors), antiherpes treatments, neutrophil counts, CD4+and CD8+cell counts, plasma HIV load, p24 antigenaemia, β2‐microglobulinaemia and immunoglobin A and G serum levels.Results During a median follow‐up of 22 months (3–81 months), KS progressed in 66 of the 78 patients. The median survival time after progression was 68 months (9–126 months). Multivariate analysis identified only visceral KS, a high neutrophil count and a high serum immunoglobulin (Ig) level as independent predictors of progression (P < 0.05). Previous and concomitant opportunistic diseases (P = 0.003) and low CD4+cell counts (P = 0.013) were independently associated with shorter survival; in contrast KS therapy did not independently influence survival.Conclusion Progression of KS is predicted by markers of KS severity, while overall survival is best predicted by markers of immunodeficiency (opportunistic diseases and the CD4+cell count).
Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of HAART for adults with HIV in England
Authors: Miners Ah , Sabin Ca , Trueman P , Youle M , Mocroft A , Johnson M , Beck Ej 
Published: March 2003

1

Royal Free Centre for HIV Medicine, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK,

2

NPMS‐HHC, St. Stephen's Centre, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK,

3

Global Health Outcomes, Glaxo Wellcome R and D, Greenford, Middlesex, UK,

4

Royal Free Centre for HIV Medicine, Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK and Joint Departments of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Objective  To assess the cost‐effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) compared with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) for HIV infected individuals.Design  Different data sources on the clinical effects and costs of treatments were combined using a Markov model.Setting  English HIV treatment centres.PerspectiveUK public finance.Interventions  HAART – dual NRTI therapy plus a protease inhibitor or a non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor – vs. dual NRTI therapy.Participants  Hypothetical cohorts of 1000 individuals infected with HIV.Outcome measuresProjected life expectancy, cost‐effectiveness in UK£ per life‐year saved and per quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) saved.Results  Assuming a 2‐year additional treatment effect of therapy with HAART produced incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios of £14 602 per life‐year saved and £17 698 per QALY saved.Conclusions  The results were sensitive to a number of assumptions including the cost of HAART and the discount rate, but they suggest that the use of HAART in England is at least moderately cost‐effective compared with treatment with two NRTIs alone.
Cohort study of metastatic melanoma patients in the Dermatology Institute of Florence 1990/1997
Authors: Moretti S , Carli P , Biggeri A , Volpi V , Pimpinelli N 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackgroundChemotherapy and immunotherapy are treatments currently employed in advanced melanoma, but responses obtained are poor, and metastatic melanoma patients with visceral localization rarely survive for more than 6 months. Thus, different therapeutic regimens are used in metastatic melanoma and no standardized therapy exists so far.MethodsWe report a retrospective survival study involving 80 patients with metastatic melanoma who were treated either with chemotherapy [dacarbazine (DTIC) alone or DTIC in monotherapeutic or polychemotherapeutic regimen] or immunochemotherapy [interferon (IFN)‐α at low doses added to chemotherapy]. Survival of patients was statistically evaluated in an actuarial curve taking into account as predictive variables sex, age, marital status, site of primary tumour, histological type, Clark level, sites of metastases, and the different therapeutic regimens (i.e. DTIC alone, DTIC plus IFN‐α, or others, with or without IFN‐α).ResultsSite of primary melanoma, histological type, Clark level and therapy regimen appeared to exhibit a prognostic significance in survival; when a multivariate analysis was performed to obtain a mutual adjustment of survival values for each variable, only the therapeutic regimen was found to be significant as an independent prognostic variable. Patients treated with immunochemotherapy, i.e. DTIC plus IFN‐α, showed a probability of dying of 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.2–0.8) compared with patients treated with DTIC alone.ConclusionsIn our study immunochemotherapy, comprised of DTIC plus IFN‐α at low doses, was associated with a significantly longer survival of patients, in comparison with chemotherapy comprised of only DTIC.
Dendritic cells and their role in skin‐induced immune responses
Authors: Holíková Z , Hercogová J , Plzák J , Smetana K 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis article gives a brief review on dendritic cells (DC) with regard to their origin, life cycle and functions. The regulation of immune responses by DC functioning as antigen‐presenting cells is discussed. Special attention is given to epidermal DC, e.g. Langerhans cells. The perspectives of DC‐based therapy are also mentioned.
Multiple linear eccrine spiradenomas with eyelid involvement
Authors: Gupta S , Radotra BD , Kaur I , Handa S , Kumar B 
Published: March 2003

AbstractEccrine spiradenoma is an uncommon tumour of the sweat gland and usually occurs as a solitary small painful nodule. Very rarely, it may present as multiple tumours arranged in a linear/zosteriform fashion. We present the case of a 23‐year‐old female who had multiple spiradenomas arranged linearly from the midline of forehead to the left corner of the mouth and a few lesions also on the margin of the left eyelid. The lesions were probably along the Blaschko’s lines. Tumours were excised surgically in stages. Literature search revealed only 13 reported cases of linear/zosteriform/naevoid multiple spiradenomas and only four cases of solitary spiradenoma of the eyelid. The review of reported cases suggests that arrangement of tumours in a linear/zosteriform pattern is an important diagnostic clue for multiple (naevoid) spiradenomas.
Linear IgA dermatosis presenting with erythema annulare centrifugum lesions: report of three cases in adults
Authors: Dippel E , Orfanos CE , Zouboulis CHC 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLinear IgA dermatosis presented with erythema annulare centrifugum lesions in three elderly women. Search for underlying malignancy revealed low‐grade B‐cell lymphoma in one case. In addition to subepidermal blistering, histology showed a typical mixed infiltrate of granulocytes and eosinophils and, occasionally, papillar microabsesses in one case. In the two other subjects, characteristic subepidermal lining with granulocytes was observed. Immunofluorescence studies confirmed the diagnosis, while autoantibodies characteristic for dermatitis herpetiformis were absent. To our knowledge this is the second report of adult linear IgA dermatosis in association with erythema annulare centrifugum lesions. Our observations concord with several other reports of figurate erythema associated with autoimmune blistering disease and other immune disorders. Common antibody‐related immunological mechanisms indicate that the two distinct clinical pictures are probably stages of the same pathogenic entity.
Electron microscopic evidence of persistent chlamydial infection following treatment
Authors: Bragina EY , Gomberg MA , Dmitriev GA 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Chlamydia trachomatis infections of the female and male genital tracts are often asymptomatic and, thus, tend to become persistent. In the persistent state the typical Chlamydia life cycle is arrested and standard antibiotic regimens do not always eradicate this infection. We sought to relate treatment failures in men and women with persistent chlamydial genital tract infections to electron microscopic evidence of chlamydial persistence and with atypical morphological forms of the organism. Of 16 patients with chlamydial persistence following azithromycin treatment, morphological variants of this organism were observed by electron microscopy from one endocervical sample and one male urethral sample. We document the presence of intracellular inclusions containing only reticulate bodies, extracellular monomembrane and polymembrane phagosomes containing elementary bodies and reticulate bodies with abnormal outer membranes in the process of dividing extracellularly. These observations parallel previous in vitro studies of chlamydial persistence under adverse conditions. This capacity of C. trachomatis to undergo atypical morphological alterations in vivo may contribute to its persistence and relative resistance to antibiotics.
Botulinum toxin A for palmar hyperhidrosis
Authors: Wollina U , Karamfilov T 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveWe evaluated the efficacy and safety of intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A on severe palmar hyperhidrosis.MethodsTen patients with recalcitrant palmar hyperhidrosis were treated with intercutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A (Botox; 200 U for each hand). Patients were followed up to 23 months (mean ± SD: 12.1 ± 6.2 months).ResultsBotulinum toxin significantly reduced abnormal sweating within 1 week in 100% of the patients. In six patients with a follow‐up of 12 months or more the antisudorific effect lasted 12.3 ± 5.5 months. The longest response duration was 22 months. Repeated treatment was performed in five patients with unchanged clinical efficacy. The only side‐effect was tolerable pain from the intracutaneous injections in patients where a nerve block was not performed.ConclusionsBotulinum toxin A (200 U Botox per palm) was able to induce long‐term remission in palmar hyperhidrosis without significant acute and long‐term side‐effects. Strictly intracutaneous injection of small volumes is recommended. So far, response to repeated treatments did not show evidence of neutralizing antibody induction.
The Laugier–Hunziker syndrome
Authors: Lenane P , Sullivan DO , Keane CO , Loughlin SO 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLaugier and Hunziker described a syndrome consisting of asymptomatic benign areas of hyperpigmentation affecting the lips, buccal mucosa and, in 50%, the fingernails. We report a 67‐year‐old woman with the clinical features of Laugier–Hunziker syndrome in association with vulval pigmentation. Histology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy from the various areas of pigmentation on the body confirmed the benign nature of the pigmentation. We review potential causes of oral and genital pigmentation, and suggest an expansion of the original syndrome described by Laugier and Hunziker to include more widespread areas of benign hyperpigmentation, which may associated.
Tacrolimus: a review of its use for the management of dermatoses
Authors: Gupta AK , Adamiak A , Chow M 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe newly developed immunomodulator tacrolimus (FK506) is the first of a new class of agents that have enormous potential to change the way that dermatoses are treated and managed. Tacrolimus has been found to be active in a topical formulation with the latter exerting its effects by acting on the signal transduction pathways inside T cells and inhibiting gene transcription. The result is decreased responsiveness of T cells to antigens. Percutaneous absorption of tacrolimus is higher in diseased skin as opposed to healthy skin and, therefore, the drug will be taken in at progressively lower quantities as lesions heal. There is limited systemic absorption of tacrolimus over the course of therapy. The most extensive experience with tacrolimus has been in treating atopic dermatitis. In numerous trials, tacrolimus ointment 0.03–0.3% has shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms and severity of atopic dermatitis in adults and the paediatric population. Furthermore, there have been no significant toxic effects associated with topical therapy with tacrolimus. The most common complaint is that of local irritation after applying the ointment. This is generally transient and the patient is able to continue with therapy. The other dermatoses where tacrolimus has been used include contact dermatitis, psoriasis and pyoderma gangrenosum.