bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enacting sustainability through glass: a study of ontological politics in the proclaimed role model neighbourhood of Vallastaden
Authors: Eidenskog Maria , Glad Wiktoria , Gramfält Madelene
Published: November 2022

This article explores how sustainability is made present and visible in the life of residents in a new neighbourhood. Glass is enacted by design professionals and a Swedish municipality to create spaces for residents that fulfil sustainability objectives and put daily life on display. However, some practises developed by residents resist the intended uses of these spaces. Through a detailed case study of the proclaimed new role model neighbourhood of Vallastaden in Linköping, Sweden, we critically investigate the ontological politics of the residents’ everyday life, including their social life with neighbours, low-energy living, interactions with local small businesses, recycling habits and mobility habits. By attending to glass, we show how humans, non-humans, materials and technologies become part of everyday practises and help uncover the ontological politics of mundane life.
Improvement in the performance of two layered model pavement with treated coir geotextile at the interface
Authors: Jaswal Priya , Vivek  , Sinha SK
Published: November 2022

The primary objective of this research work is to study the effect of surface treated coir geotextiles on the bearing behaviour of sand overlying clay model with geotextiles at the interface. Two woven and two non woven coir geotextiles were treated with bitumen emulsion and unsaturated polyester resin. The surface morphology and thermal stability were investigated by scanning electron micrograph and simultaneous thermal analyser respectively. The bearing ratio of sand overlying clay increased with treated woven/non woven coir geotextiles at the interface in soaked and unsoaked condition. The bearing ratio was higher for treated/untreated and woven/non woven coir geotextiles at the interface in unsoaked condition as compared to soaked condition. The chemical treatment improved the thermal stability of surface treated coir geotextiles through physical and chemical changes.
Winding optimization of composite frame by dry fiber rovings
Authors: Mlýnek Jaroslav , Petrů Michal , Ryvolová Martina , Rahimian Koloor Seyed Saeid
Published: November 2022

Light-weight fibers reinforced polymer (FRP) composite frames are essential parts of vehicles body in the aerospace and automotive industries. Composite frames are often designed in complex curved 3D geometry through the dry winding process. The winding process of homogeneously wound-up layers of fibers without overlapping and gaps is the main challenge in the fabrication of frames with consistent thickness and acceptable quality. In this study, an industrial robot and winding head are set with a novel optimum process to wind the dry fiber with the specified angles on the frame, to fabricate it with minimum overlapping and local commulation of fibers, yet without gaps. Mathematical models and algorithms are developed to determine the optimal number of simultaneously wounds rovings of fibers in a given layer. In addition, this study addresses the optimum dry winding of curved parts of frames that form a torus geometry. It is shown that the combination of layers of rovings wound successively on the frame at angles of 45°, 90° (i.e. the rovings are laid along with the frame), and −45°, is the most used variant of winding that provides the composite frame with higher strength. Results indicated that an optimal selection of the number and width of the rovings minimizes the overlap of the wound rovings, which saves up to 20% of the utilized fibers. The derived theory is verified on practical tests and experiments, which confirms the development of new suitable procedures to improve the fabrication of FRP composite frames.
The importance of civic culture: Toward intellectual solidarity and community agency
Authors: Magill Kevin Russel , Scholten Nate , Blevins Brooke , Smith Victoria Davis
Published: November 2022

In this critical case study, we examined the ways civic culture developed at an action civics summer camp and provided implications for civics teaching and learning. Findings highlight how the camp context produced and simultaneously failed to yield a culturally participatory inclusive civic culture. Specifically, we found the emphasis on dialogue, inquiry, and attention to place during the camp experience supported actors in developing positive civic culture exchanges. However, the civic culture that emerged at the camp also included white hetero-normative cultural practices and ideologies which discouraged participation among some students with non-dominant identities. Further, students of all identities did little to engage in civic experiences beyond the camp. We suggest that these shortcomings might be overcome by intentionally designing learning experiences to address these concerns, supporting counselors to understand how to mediate sensitive projects, and demonstrating to students how to perpetually engage with civic concerns.
An experimental analysis of component contributions to shock absorption performance in third generation sport artificial turf
Authors: Leiva-Molano Nicolas , Cappuccilli Breana , Nauman Eric A
Published: November 2022

The increasing use of artificial turf across all levels of sports play has been hypothesized to contribute to an increase in athlete injuries. Current testing standards evaluate the shock absorbing performance of artificial turf surfaces through a single measure of acceleration after a drop test impact. However, these standards focus on the performance of the aggregate turf system, thereby neglecting the component-level contributions of the shock pad, carpet, and infill constituents. The purpose of this study was to explore a novel testing methodology that has the potential to isolate first-order and second-order contributions of components to total system performance. Various subsystems of the traditional, three layer artificial turf were treated as energy absorbing surfaces. A series of no-fatigue and fatigue tests were performed using a custom-built apparatus to characterize each energy absorbing surface at five different drop heights. During no-fatigue testing, it was found that the complete three-layer system outperformed all subsystems by mitigating resultant acceleration and force compared to the baseline. However, any energy absorbing subsystem that contained rubber infill outperformed any subsystem that included shock pad, the designated energy dissipating layer in third generation artificial turf. For fatigue testing, it was observed that energy absorbing surfaces began to deteriorate in as few as 20 impacts. In comparison to existing standards, the inclusion of a second data acquisition instrument yielded more accurate calculations of shock absorption. By capturing an input and output measurement during the impact, calculation of the surface’s characteristic transfer function is attainable and therefore, more information in gleaned from the impact test. Additional research is required to be able to deploy this testing methodology on-site, with fully installed artificial turf systems.
Relación entre práctica de actividad física en el tiempo libre y rendimiento académico en alumnos(as) de 5° de Primaria a 4° de ESO
Authors: Isorna-Folgar Manuel , Albaladejo-Saura Mario , Rial-Boubeta Antonio , Vaquero-Cristóbal Raquel
Published: November 2022

Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron establecer la relación de la práctica de ejercicio físico en el tiempo libre con la práctica de los padres, el rendimiento académico, la importancia que le dan a la asignatura de educación física (EF) y la influencia que consideran que tiene sobre su rendimiento académico; así como sobre la percepción que tienen de la importancia que le dan los padres a la EF. Para ello, un total de 867 niños y niñas de 5° de Primaria a 4° de la ESO (edad: 12.99 ± 1.90 años) diligenciaron un cuestionario previamente validado. El análisis estadístico mostró diferencias significativas al relacionar práctica deportiva de los alumnos con la práctica de sus padres y madres ( p < 0.001), así como un mayor rendimiento académico entre los practicantes ( p entre 0.008 y <0.001). En general, los alumnos le dieron la misma importancia a la EF que al resto de asignaturas, si bien los practicantes tenían una mejor percepción de la importancia de la EF ( p = 0.002). En conclusión, hay una relación entre la práctica de ejercicio físico y el rendimiento académico, con la práctica de los padres y con la importancia que le dan ellos a la asignatura de EF, pero no con la que perciben que le dan sus padres.
Memorising Contemporary Piano Music as Described by Professional Pianists
Authors: Fonte Vera , Pipa Luís , Williamon Aaron , Lisboa Tania
Published: November 2022

The convention of performing from memory is a well-established practice among pianists, but an exception is often made for contemporary piano repertoire. Even so, a number of renowned pianists continue performing highly demanding compositions of this genre from memory, and this practice is commended by contemporary composers. No research to date has systematically investigated musicians’ views on this matter and explored detailed accounts of how to prepare and memorise such repertoire. In this study six renowned professional pianists with experience in performing contemporary piano repertoire were interviewed on their approaches to learning and memorising this music. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the pianists’ accounts revealed a variety of views on performing contemporary music from memory, with some pianists advocating benefits from performing by heart and others from using the score. The general practice strategies reported resembled approaches described by skilled musicians in relation to standard repertoire, with some variations related to different types of contemporary music styles. Memorisation accounts emphasised the importance of strategies such as mental rehearsal, chunking, and reliance on different types of memory and their combination.
Ambivalent states: Paradoxes of subjection in the Jordanian south
Authors: Martínez José Ciro
Published: November 2022

This paper explores the passionate attachments that underpin subjection to political authority. It does so through an examination of the ways residents of the Jordanian city of Ma‘an are formed by, respond to and live with stateness. Rather than unpacking the prosaic practices through which the state comes to appear as an external structure, it probes the forms of agency and affective connection that emerge from life amidst these practices, exploring some of their effects and conditions of possibility. Far from calling for the Jordanian state’s downfall or demise, Ma‘anis call for the state’s redemption, in a circuitous cycle that only intensifies their conviction in an object of desire that so dependably thwarts their aspirations. Drawing on the work of Judith Butler and Lauren Berlant, this paper argues that while the assurances and consolations the state offers can be entered into in any number of ways, subjectivities in its midst may very well be marked by a constitutive ambivalence that is difficult to escape.
The cityseer Python package for pedestrian-scale network-based urban analysis
Authors: Simons Gareth
Published: November 2022

cityseer-api is a Python package consisting of computational tools for fine-grained street-network and land-use analysis, helpful in assessing the morphological precursors to vibrant neighbourhoods. It is underpinned by network-based methods developed specifically for urban analysis at the pedestrian scale. cityseer-api computes a variety of node and segment-based network centrality methods, land-use accessibility and mixed-use measures, and statistical aggregations. Accessibilities and aggregations are computed dynamically over the street-network while taking walking distance thresholds and the direction of approach into account, and can optionally incorporate spatial impedances and network decomposition to increase spatial precision. The use of Python facilitates compatibility with popular computational tools for network manipulation (NetworkX), geospatial topology (shapely), geospatial data state management (GeoPandas), and the NumPy stack of scientific packages. The provision of robust network cleaning tools aids the use of OpenStreetMap data for network analysis. Underlying loop-intensive algorithms are implemented in Numba JIT compiled code so that the methods scale efficiently to larger cities and regions. Online documentation is available from cityseer.benchmarkurbanism.com, and the Github repository is available at github.com/benchmark-urbanism/cityseer. Example notebooks are available at cityseer.benchmarkurbanism.com/examples/
Steel flexure and shear yielding base-mechanism for enhanced seismic resilience of RC core wall high-rise structures
Authors: Kent Jordyn , Zhong Chiyun , Christopoulos Constantin
Published: November 2022

As a result of rapid urbanization worldwide, there is an increasing demand for high-rise buildings, creating an acute need for more resilient tall structures, especially in regions of high seismicity. One of the main challenges facing design engineers is that buildings become increasingly susceptible to higher-mode effects as they become taller. Although current design practices typically achieve life-safety and collapse-prevention during major earthquake events, there is often extensive structural and non-structural damage, in great part exacerbated by the contribution of higher-mode responses. This article proposes a novel system involving a flexure and shear yielding base-mechanism, designed to limit both the first mode and higher-mode responses of a 42-story benchmark structure. These concepts only make use of well-defined buckling restrained steel braces, which have been extensively tested over many decades now and are currently implemented widely in buildings, to achieve the desired shear and flexural base yielding mechanisms. Nonlinear three-dimensional (3D) models developed in ABAQUS were used to validate key elements while models of the benchmark structure and base-mechanism were developed in ETABS to perform Nonlinear Time-History Analyses (NLTHA) for three hazard levels to investigate the global seismic response of the proposed system. Improvements among key seismic response parameters are observed at all hazard levels. By concentrating inelastic demands in the dedicated base steel yielding braces in the proposed system, quick inspection and potential repair after a major earthquake can be achieved with reduced disruptions to the use and operation of the building above.
Ultrasound-Guided Conservative Treatment of Pyomyositis Due to Metamizole-Induced Agranulocytosis
Authors: Meier-Irmer Sandra , Ravioli Svenja , Pluess Emanuel
Published: November 2022

Metamizole-induced agranulocytosis is a rare adverse drug reaction with common infectious complications. In this context, pyomyositis of the extremities has not yet been described. Usually, pyomyositis is treated with a combination of antibiotics and surgical intervention. Sonography is described as diagnostic tool for pyomyositis but without defined concrete characteristics for follow-up. This case report describes a widespread pyomyositis due to a metamizole-induced agranulocytosis, which was treated conservatively, using sonography for surveillance.
Abnormal degradation of von Willebrand factor main subunit in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Lopes AA , Maeda NY
Published: November 2022

We wished to investigate whether the abnormalities in multimeric structure and biological function of von Willebrand factor (vWF) observed in pulmonary hypertensive patients could be related to increased proteolytic degradation. We therefore analysed plasma vWF subunit composition in 24 pulmonary hypertensive patients, aged 1.2-45 yrs. After immunoisolation, vWF was subjected to 5.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by Western immunoblotting, vWF intact subunit (225 kDa) and four proteolytic fragments (189, 176, 150 and 140 kDa) were visualized by peroxidase staining and analysed in a laser densitometer. In pulmonary hypertensive patients, the relative density of the intact subunit was decreased, and this was associated with an increase in the 176 kDa proteolytic fragment. The mean densities of the other fragments were not significantly changed, but in some patients the 150 and 140 kDa polypeptides were markedly increased. Abnormalities in multimeric structure of vWF (loss of high molecular weight multimers and increase in low molecular weight forms in comparison with controls), were associated with a significant decrease in biological activity (62-92% activity, 95% confidence interval (CI) for the mean). Total proteolytic fragment density correlated positively with multimeric abnormalities (rs = 0.45), and negatively with biological activity of vWF (rs = -0.49). Thus, in pulmonary hypertension, multimeric abnormalities and decreased biological activity are related to proteolytic degradation of vWF main subunit, possibly reflecting extensive endothelial dysfunction.
Obstructive sleep apnoea and signal averaged electrocardiogram
Authors: Andreas S , von Breska B , Schaumann A , Gonska BD , Kreuzer H
Published: November 2022

Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea demonstrate an increased rate of ventricular arrhythmias. The present study was designed in order to investigate whether these arrhythmias may be related to myocardial injury, since myocardial injury of various aetiologies has been observed to change the signal averaged electrocardiogram (ECG). Signal averaged ECG was registered in 23 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosed by polysomnography (apnoea index 43 +/- 20 events.h-1, age 55 +/- 10 yrs). QRS duration, root mean square voltage of the last 40 ms of QRS, and low amplitude (< 40 mV) signal duration were determined from the vector magnitude of the QRS, high-pass filtered at 40 Hz. Patients with coronary heart disease or bundle branch block were excluded. No patient showed an abnormal signal averaged ECG. Mean duration of the filtered QRS complex was 96 +/- 9 ms, root mean square voltage 38 +/- 18 microV and low amplitude signal duration 26 +/- 8 ms. These results were not significantly different from 14 snoring subjects with an apnoea/hypopnoea index < 10. Four patients showed no ventricular arrhythmias and six patients had Lown III or IVa in the Holter ECG. Echocardiography revealed increased left atrial (43.7 +/- 4.1 mm) and interventricular septal diameters (11.3 +/- 1.4 mm). In conclusion, obstructive sleep apnoea does not generate a substrate for late potentials in the signal averaged ECG.
Some technical factors influencing the induction of sputum for cell analysis
Authors: Popov TA , Pizzichini MM , Pizzichini E , Kolendowicz R , Punthakee Z , Dolovich J , Hargreave FE
Published: November 2022

Inhalation of hypertonic saline aerosol is a relatively noninvasive method to obtain sputum for examination of inflammatory processes in the airways. We investigated some technical factors which might influence the success of induction and sputum cell counts. In total, twenty six asthmatic and 13 healthy subjects, unable to raise sputum spontaneously, inhaled nebulized saline for three 7 min intervals. In three randomized, cross-over studies we repeated sputum induction on separate days with two ultrasonic nebulizers (De Vilbiss Ultraneb 99 and Fisoneb) and one jet nebulizer (Pari LL with Master Compressor) (Study 1, n = 15), with different saline concentrations (normal saline 0.9%; hypertonic saline 3% on 2 days; and hypertonic saline 3, 4 and 5%, sequentially) (Study 2, n = 14) and with pretreatment with either salbutamol or placebo (Study 3, n = 10). The latter two studies were double-blind. Sputum cells were dispersed with dithiothreitol, and the cell suspension was used to perform total cell counts and to prepare cytospins for differential cell counts. We compared success rate, cell counts, subject discomfort and percentage fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) during the procedures. All sputum examinations were performed blind to the clinical procedures. The success rates and the cell counts of the specimens obtained with the two ultrasonic nebulizers were not different, whilst general discomfort was proportional to the saline output of the nebulizer. Induction of sputum by hypertonic saline was more successful than normal saline, but more disagreeable to the subjects. Induction with saline 3% on two days was only successful in 6 of 14 subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Aerosol bolus dispersion and effective airway diameters in mildly asthmatic children
Authors: Schulz H , Schulz A , Brand P , Tuch T , von Mutius E , Erdl R , Reinhardt D , Heyder J
Published: November 2022

The contribution of aerosol techniques, the estimation of aerosol bolus dispersion and effective airway dimensions, to the clinical diagnosis of paediatric asthma was studied. In 47 children, aged 11 +/- 2 yrs, with mild asthma (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 83 +/- 9% of forced vital capacity (FVC)) effective airway diameters were derived from the recovery of inhaled 1 micron sebacate droplets. Intrapulmonary dispersion of inhaled boluses of 0.4 micron droplets was studied, by characterizing the concentration distributions of droplets in the exhaled air by their standard deviation and skewness. Effective airway diameters increased in asthmatic subjects with increasing body size, and did not differ from those obtained in 16 healthy children of similar age and height. Standard deviation and skewness of particle boluses exhaled from shallow lung depths were higher in the asthmatic children than the healthy children (e.g. standard deviation 91 +/- 17 ml vs 79 +/- 15 ml, skewness 0.38 +/- 0.16 vs 0.23 +/- 0.16, respectively, for boluses in 140 ml lung depth). The sensitivity and specificity of bolus dispersion to detect alterations in lung function was comparable to that of FEV1/FVC, the most sensitive conventional lung function parameter in the present study. There was no correlation between body height or lung function and bolus parameters. We conclude that aerosol measurements do not provide an obvious benefit for the clinical diagnosis of mild paediatric asthma, but bolus dispersion supplies additional information on alterations in convective gas transport in the diseased lung.
Clinical response to cyclosporin in chronic severe asthma is associated with reduction in serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations
Authors: Alexander AG , Barnes NC , Kay AB , Corrigan CJ
Published: November 2022

Activated T-lymphocytes play an important role in asthma pathogenesis and release soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), which can be detected in the serum. In a recent randomized, cross-over trial we showed that cyclosporin, an inhibitor of T-lymphocyte activation, improved lung function in patients with chronic severe asthma. To investigate whether changes in serum sIL-2R concentration could be related to clinical response we prospectively compared serum sIL-2R concentrations in patients during cyclosporin and placebo treatment. Peripheral venous blood was obtained from 22 patients during the last 4 weeks of both the cyclosporin and placebo treatment periods and serum stored at -80 degrees C pending measurement of sIL-2R concentration by enzyme immunoassay. Soluble IL-2R was detected in all samples at a concentration range of 191-2,297 U.ml-1. Mean serum concentrations of sIL-2R were significantly lower on cyclosporin therapy (560 U.ml-1) as compared with placebo (676 U.ml-1). The decreases in serum sIL-2R concentrations associated with cyclosporin therapy in these patients correlated with the percentage increases in their morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurements on cyclosporin as compared with placebo. These data demonstrate that in patients with chronic severe asthma, cyclosporin therapy which results in clinical improvement is associated with a decrease in serum concentrations of sIL-2R. This is compatible with the hypothesis that cyclosporin ameliorates asthma, at least partly, by inhibition of T-lymphocyte activation.
Effect of inhaled steroids on cholinergic transmission in human isolated bronchi
Authors: Ricny J , Hohle KD , Racke K , Wessler I
Published: November 2022

Steroids have been found to facilitate cholinergic transmission in skeletal muscle, but possible effects in airways smooth muscles have not been studied. Therefore, choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity, tissue content of stored acetylcholine and release of newly-synthesized [3H]acetylcholine were were measured in freshly-dissected human bronchi. All lung tissue was obtained from patients with lung cancer at thoracotomy. Group I bronchi were obtained from patients who also suffered from chronic obstructive bronchitis and had been treated for at least 6 weeks before surgery with daily doses of four puffs of flusinolid. Group II bronchi were obtained from patients who did not suffer from chronic obstructive airways disease and had not been treated with steroids. Neither CAT activity (3.1 nmol.h-1.mg protein-1) nor acetylcholine tissue content (260 pmol.100 mg-1), or electrically evoked [3H]acetylcholine release (about 2,000 dpm.100 mg-1) differed in the two groups. This cross sectional study indicates that inhaled steroids do not change cholinergic transmission beyond the level observed in the airways obtained from patients with lung cancer who do not suffer from chronic airways disease and have not been treated with inhaled steroids. This suggests that inhaled steroids can be given chronically without the induction of a facilitatory side-effect on cholinergic transmission within the airways.
Inhaled loop diuretics and basal airway responsiveness in man: evidence of a role for cyclo-oxygenase products
Authors: Polosa R , Rajakulasingam K , Prosperini G , Magri S , Mastruzzo C , Holgate ST
Published: November 2022

Inhaled frusemide protects asthmatic airways against a wide variety of bronchoconstrictor stimuli by unknown mechanisms. To investigate whether inhaled loop diuretics modulate baseline bronchial responsiveness, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to test the ability of frusemide (40 mg) and bumetanide (2 mg) to displace concentration-response curves with methacholine in 14 healthy volunteers. In addition, separate randomized, double-blind studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of oral flurbiprofen, a potent cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, on the protective action of frusemide against methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction. Inhaled loop diuretics significantly increased the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 15% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC15FEV1) from the geometric mean (range) value of 58.6 (9.2-233) mg.ml-1 after placebo administration, to 129 (13.8-505) and to 106 (6.6-510) mg.ml-1 after administration of frusemide and bumetanide, respectively. Similar results were obtained when data from partial flow-volume curves were used for analysis. In the eight subjects studied, pretreatment with oral placebo and inhaled frusemide reduced airway responsiveness to methacholine, with a geometric mean (range) PC15FEV1 value of 116 (25.4-405) mg.ml-1, and premedication with oral flurbiprofen abolished this protective effect, the geometric mean (range) PC15FEV1 methacholine being reduced to a value of 50.3 (16.6-189) mg.ml-1. In addition, oral flurbiprofen alone failed to alter airway responsiveness to methacholine. In view of these findings, it is suggested that bronchoprotective prostaglandins may mediate the effects of loop diuretics against methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in man.
Leukotriene B4 levels in the arterial blood of asthmatic patients and the effects of prednisolone
Authors: Shindo K , Fukumura M , Miyakawa K
Published: November 2022

Prednisolone is very effective in controlling wheezing attacks of bronchial asthma, but its mechanism and the pathogenic role of leukotriene B4 remain unclear. We measured changes in plasma levels of leukotriene B4 in an open study during the clinical course of bronchial asthma, with or without water-soluble prednisolone treatment. Two millilitres of blood was drawn from the radial artery of patients on three occasions: 1) during remission; 2) on admission to hospital with an asthma attack; and 3) 2 days after admission and treatment with intravenous prednisolone (1,000 mg.day-1). Leukotriene B4 was detected by chromatographic fractionation and radioimmunoassay. In 11 asthmatic patients, leukotriene B4 levels on the three occasions were 26.8 (10.7), 106.0 (39.9) and 51.6 (20.2) pg.ml-1 (mean (SD)), respectively. In contrast, the mean leukotriene B4 level of 10 normal controls was 35.9 (10.5) pg.ml-1. Leukotriene B4 levels differed significantly between remission and attack treated without prednisolone, and between attacks treated with and without prednisolone. Mean arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) values were 4.8 (0.4) kPa (36.0 (3.0) mmHg), 6.1 (0.4) kPa (45.6 (2.9) mmHg), and 5.5 (0.3) kPa (41.6 (2.0) mmHg), respectively. There were significant differences between these mean PaCO2 values. The mean leukotriene B4 levels on the three occasions were correlated with the mean PaCO2 values. Thus, leukotriene B4 levels in arterial blood reflect the severity of asthmatic attacks and may be affected by intravenous prednisolone.
Changes in bronchial responsiveness, circulating leucocytes and ex vivo cytokine production by blood monocytes after PAF inhalation in allergic asthmatics
Authors: Louis R , Degroote D , Bury T , Corhay JL , Kayembe JM , Franchimont P , Radermecker MF
Published: November 2022

We investigated the effects of inhaled platelet-activating factor (PAF) on methacholine bronchial responsiveness, circulating leucocyte counts, and ex vivo tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production from blood monocytes in eight allergic asthmatics. Bronchial responsiveness was defined as the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC20). Circulating leucocytes were counted by means of an automatic haemocytometer, and cytokines were measured with specific immunoassays. The different variables were measured before and 4, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h after a PAF (225 micrograms), a lyso-PAF (225 micrograms) and a saline bronchial challenge. When compared with lyso-PAF and saline, inhalation of PAF resulted in a significant decrease in PC20 over a period of one week. Two falls in bronchial responsiveness were identified, the first by 4 h and the second beginning 48 h and reaching a maximum by 168 h. The increases in spontaneous TNF alpha and IL-1 production which occurred during the week after both PAF, lyso-PAF and saline, did not differ significantly. Likewise, the changes in circulating neutrophil counts, characterized by a transient rise by 4 h after PAF and lyso-PAF but not saline, followed by a fall by 24 h and a persistent decrease until 168 h, were not significantly different after PAF, lyso-PAF and saline. On the other hand, in comparison with lyso-PAF and saline, inhaled PAF caused a significant protracted augmentation in circulating eosinophil counts, which was maximal by 48 h but did not correlate with the delayed decline in PC20.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The effect of intravenous phenylephrine on airway calibre in asthma
Authors: Grandordy BM , Paiva de Carvalho J , Regnard J , Florentin D , de Lauture D , Marsac J , Lockhart A
Published: November 2022

Tracheobronchial vasoconstriction and subsequent reduction of airway wall thickness due to the alpha 1-agonist methoxamine, might be responsible for prevention of exercise-induced asthma, and reduction of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine increase in exercise performance in patients with impaired left ventricular function. Since bronchial wall oedema plays an important role in asthma, we have now investigated the bronchial response to the intravenously administered alpha 1-agonist, phenylephrine, in asthma of various severity. Increasing noncumulative intravenous phenylephrine doses (100 to 600 micrograms) were injected in 18 asthmatic subjects (three groups: mild asthma, mild asthma with recent acute attack, severe obstructive asthma) and in 11 control subjects. Changes in specific airways resistance (sRaw) on phenylephrine were linearly related to the dose administered in 16 out of 18 asthmatic subjects, and in only 3 out of 11 control subjects. In the asthmatic subjects, sRaw increased in 10 patients whose asthma was mild, or bronchial obstruction mild to moderate, and decreased in the remaining 8 asthmatic subjects with more severe disease or with a higher degree of bronchial obstruction. Changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were consistent with those of sRaw. In the five asthmatic subjects who underwent the protocol twice, results were reproducible. There was no difference in the responses of heart rate between the three groups of asthmatic subjects. It is likely that phenylephrine acts both via airway smooth muscle contraction, an effect which might predominate in mild asthma, and via mucosal vasoconstriction, which might overcome the effect on smooth muscle in more severe asthma with bronchial wall oedema.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Biological and immunological aspects of malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Garlepp MJ , Leong CC
Published: November 2022

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumour, which is strongly associated with previous asbestos exposure and is resistant to all conventional anticancer therapies. An understanding of the biological properties of MM may provide insights into useful therapeutic strategies, and MM cell lines and animal models have been major contributors to our current knowledge of this tumour. Although karyotypic abnormalities are frequent, there is no clear evidence of a mesothelioma-specific chromosomal aberration. Similarly, there is no evidence of activation or over-expression of a known oncogene, or of the inactivation of currently identified tumour suppressor genes. A number of growth factors, including platelet derived growth factors A and B (PDGF-A and -B), insulin-like growth factor I and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and some of their receptors, have been reported to be expressed by MM cells, and each has the potential to play a role as a growth stimulant for MM or to modify immune responses to the tumour. Some data support an autocrine role for PDGF-A. MM cell lines are susceptible to lysis by a variety of immune effector cells, and their growth can often be inhibited by cytokines. The possibility of stimulating an immune response to MM by genetic manipulation of the tumour cells has been investigated using a murine model. The data so far suggest that transfection of allogeneic class I major histocompatibility complex genes or syngeneic class II genes alone is unlikely to induce protective immunity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pulmonary nodules due to Corynebacterium ulcerans
Authors: Dessau RB , Brandt-Christensen M , Jensen OJ , Tonnesen P
Published: November 2022

A 53 year old male with symptoms of coughing for 6 months presented with bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules suggestive of metastatic disease. By surgical resection 4 out of 6 nodules were removed. Histopathological examination showed granulomatous necrotizing inflammation with growth of Corynebacterium ulcerans, which did not produce diphtheria toxin. The patient was treated with penicillin for 1 week. Follow-up for 2 yrs showed no sign of recurrence.
Lymph node perforation into the airway in AIDS-associated tuberculosis
Authors: Alame T , Dierckx P , Carlier S , Sergysels R
Published: November 2022

A 27 year old African woman infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presented with pulmonary complaints. Her sputum smears were positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Chest roentgenogram showed right mediastinal and hilar adenopathy with a right pulmonary infiltrate. At fibreoptic bronchoscopy, mucosal infiltration with perforation and presence of thick caseum was detected in the bronchus intermedius confirming the diagnosis of a perforated lymph node. This case demonstrates that a more liberal indication of bronchoscopy helps in evaluating the impact of enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes on neighbouring bronchi, leading to earlier detection of endobronchial tuberculosis in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Acute respiratory failure as the first sign of Arnold-Chiari malformation associated with syringomyelia
Authors: Alvarez D , Requena I , Arias M , Valdes L , Pereiro I , De la Torre R
Published: November 2022

We report a rare case of acute respiratory failure in a previously asymptomatic patient showing clinical signs of inferior cranial nerve palsy together with weakness and muscular atrophy of the upper limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed Arnold-Chiari malformation associated with platybasia, basilar impression, syringomyelia and Klippel-Feil syndrome. Episodes of apnoea required tracheostomy and recurred upon tentative closure of the tracheostome, but remitted upon decompression of the posterior fossa. This case involved both obstructive mechanisms and dysfunction of the respiratory centre. Patients with respiratory failure not explained by pulmonary pathology should be checked for underlying neurological disease.
Inhaled budesonide in pulmonary sarcoidosis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Dutch Study Group on Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Authors: Alberts C , van der Mark TW , Jansen HM
Published: November 2022

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we assessed the efficacy of inhaled budesonide on the course of newly diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis and whether budesonide treatment could postpone oral corticosteroid treatment. We evaluated: 1) symptoms; 2) chest radiography; 3) angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in serum; and 4) lung function. Patients with histologically confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis with chest radiographic stages I, II or III, and with an abnormal lung function (inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) < 79% of predicted or transfer factor of the lungs for carbon monoxide (TL,CO) < 77% pred) were included. Patients with radiographic stage II or III but with normal lung function were included when more than 20% of the total cell population in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was lymphocytes. Forty seven patients received placebo or budesonide (1.2 mg) once daily via a Nebuhaler for 6 months, followed by 6 months without treatment. Based on predetermined criteria, 11 patients were excluded during the blind treatment period as they needed oral prednisone: seven (28%) patients in the placebo group (n = 25) and four (18%) patients in the budesonide group (n = 22). Patient's Global Clinical Impression (GCI) score showed a significant difference in favour of budesonide. IVC showed a significant difference of 7.9% predicted between the two groups during the active treatment period. This difference persisted during follow-up, when the difference was 9.4% pred. TL,CO remained nearly unchanged over time, with no difference between the groups. Improvements in chest radiographic appearance and changes in serum ACE were similar for the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Elevation of tumour markers in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Authors: Hirakata Y , Kobayashi J , Sugama Y , Kitamura S
Published: November 2022

It is unclear whether tumour markers are generally increased in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). To clarify this point, levels of tumour markers were measured in the serum and BALF of patients with PAP. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigens sialyl Lewis (CA 19-9) and sialyl SSEA-1 (SLX) were assayed with radioimmunoassay kits. Cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Values for the tumour markers in serum, except for SCC, exceeded cut-off values in some PAP patients. Levels of the markers were higher in BALF compared with those in serum, and were significantly elevated in PAP patients compared with control subjects. There was a significant inverse correlation between CA19-9 level in BALF and arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) in PAP patients. A gradual elevation of CA19-9 and SLX was observed in a patient who showed a decrease in PaO2 level during the study period. In the light of these findings, it is possible that levels of tumour markers in BALF, especially levels of CA19-9 and SLX, may reflect the severity of the disease in PAP patients.
Pulmonary toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients: usefulness of polymerase chain reaction and cell culture
Authors: Lavrard I , Chouaid C , Roux P , Poirot JL , Marteau M , Lemarchand B , Meyohas MC , Olivier JL
Published: November 2022

Toxoplasmosis is a serious opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The lung is a major site of infection after the central nervous system. The aim of the study was to assess the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cell culture for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii. One hundred and thirty two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with respiratory manifestations, who underwent fibreoptic bronchoalveolar lavage, were investigated. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii was compared using three techniques: Giemsa staining; polymerase chain reaction with specific primers derived from the P30 gene; and culture on the MRC5 cell line. Toxoplasma gondii was detected in the same four samples by all three techniques. We conclude that PCR adds little to conventional (and cheaper) tools already used to diagnose pulmonary toxoplasmosis.
Recovery from Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in dexamethasone-treated Wistar rats
Authors: Sukura A , Konttinen YT , Sepper R , Lindberg LA
Published: November 2022

Our aim was to study histopathological changes in lung tissue at the light microscopic and ultrastructural level during recovery from immunosuppression and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Male Wistar rats were immunosuppressed by per oral dexamethasone for 12 weeks to induce P. carinii pneumonia, after which dexamethasone was stopped. Recovery was monitored 1, 2 and 4 weeks after cessation of the immunosuppression. In immunosuppressed animals, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were both decreased in situ. CD8+ lymphocytes increased above control level at week one. Like CD8+ cells, the ED1+ macrophages increased rapidly in situ. This was accompanied by a progressively increasing migration (more transient for lymphocytes) of macrophages into bronchoalveolar fluid, associated with morphological signs of activation and phagocytosis and proliferation of type II pneumocytes. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) increased from subnormal levels to a 4 week peak, with an inverse correlation between TNF-alpha and cyst count (r = -0.626). Our observations suggest a sequence of changes characterized by an increase in CD4+ cells, accompanied by a more rapid and prolonged recruitment/activation of CD8+ cells, macrophages and type II pneumocytes.
Interaction of fimbriated and nonfimbriated strains of unencapsulated Haemophilus influenzae with human respiratory tract mucus in vitro
Authors: Barsum W , Wilson R , Read RC , Rutman A , Todd HC , Houdret N , Roussel P , Cole PJ
Published: November 2022

Adherence to mucus may influence bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract. Clinical isolates of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) from the respiratory tract are often fimbriated. We wondered whether fimbriated strains have a different adherence from related nonfimbriated strains. A microtitre plate assay has been developed to study adherence of nontypable H. influenzae to mucus. Wells were coated by incubation either with sol phase of sterile mucoid secretions or with purified preparations of mucins. Two laboratory pairs of fimbriated (F+) and nonfimbriated (F-) nontypable H. influenzae, and six fresh clinical isolates of fimbriated nontypable H. influenzae each with nonfimbriated partners derived by serial passage on agar, were cultured to mid-log phase, washed, and then added to the wells. They were then incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min before washing to remove unbound bacteria. Adherent bacteria were desorbed by agitation with 0.5% Tween 80 and a viable count performed. The two fimbriated laboratory strains (n = 12 and n = 17), and 5 of the 6 fimbriated clinical isolates were more adherent to sol phase than their respective nonfimbriated partners. Two nonfimbriated clinical isolates were more adherent to plastic than their fimbriated partners. A fimbriated laboratory strain was more adherent than its nonfimbriated partner both to a purified preparation of high molecular mass mucin and to the glycopeptide fraction of the same. We conclude that fimbriated strains of nontypable H. influenzae have increased adherence to sol phase of mucus and purified human respiratory tract mucin. The interactions of fimbriae with mucus are likely to be complex, and may involve both nonspecific and specific interactions.
Wide geographic variations of sensitivity to MOTT sensitins in Greece
Authors: Dascalopoulos GA , Loukas S , Constantopoulos SH
Published: November 2022

Several studies have suggested that large bodies of water are a main source of infection with mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT). If this is correct, there should be a gradient in the infection rate with MOTT between mountainous and seaside areas. To test this hypothesis, we performed skin testing with tuberculin and sensitins in 19,470 Greek Armed Forces recruits. Initially, several MOTT sensitins were used, but when it became clear that the Mycobacterium scrofulaceum sensitin was the most appropriate, the study was continued with it alone in 17,403 recruits. Finally, in order to evaluate the geographical distribution of sensitivity to sensitins, we studied the results of 8,507 of these recruits living in or near their birthplace. They were divided into three geophysical areas: seaside 3,389 recruits; mountains 2,692 recruits; and inland plains 2,426 recruits. MOTT sensitivity rates were 4.1% in mountainous areas and 7.1% in seaside areas. All small Aegean islands had high MOTT rates (above 8%). In inland plains, high MOTT rates (above 8%) were observed among those living near big rivers. This geographical distribution of MOTT sensitivity supports the theory that large bodies of water are a main source of infection with MOTT.