bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tea Polyphenols Inhibit Acetyl-CoA:1-Alkyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine Acetyltransferase (a Key Enzyme in Platelet-Activating Factor Biosynthesis) and Platelet-Activating Factor-Induced Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Sugatani Junko , Fukazawa Nana , Ujihara Kenji , Yoshinari Kouichi , Abe Ikuo , Noguchi Hiroshi , Miwa Masao
Published: March 2004

Background: Tea extracts have antiallergic and anti-inflammatory actions in rats and mice. However the mechanism through which tea polyphenols act in vivo are still incompletely understood. We found inhibitory effects of black tea extracts on an fMLP-induced aggregating response in a rabbit platelet-polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) system. Method: To elucidate whether 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAF) production in PMNs and/or PAF-stimulated platelet activation were inhibited, the effects of tea polyphenols were investigated on the enzyme activity of acetyl-CoA:1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67), PAF biosynthesis in A23187-activated rabbit PMNs, and rabbit platelet aggregation. By comparing the inhibitory effects of 31 galloyl esters and gallic acid, the structure-inhibitory activity relationship was characterized. Results: Theaflavin and its galloyl esters and pentagalloyl glucose were found to be potent inhibitors of the acetyltransferase (IC50 = 28–58 µM) and the PAF biosynthesis as well as (–)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (IC50 = 72 ± 13 µM) and (–)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (IC50 = 46 ± 6 µM). On the other hand, flavan-3-ols without galloyl group at C-3 and gallic acid did not show significant enzyme inhibition. In addition, theaflavin and its galloyl esters (IC50 = 32–77 µM) and geranyl gallate, farnesyl gallate and geranylgeranyl gallate (IC50 = 6.4–7.6 µM) were found to be potent inhibitors of PAF- and TPA-induced rabbit platelet aggregation but not A23187-induced aggregation. Conclusions: Theaflavin and its galloyl esters in black tea extract, and isoprenyl gallates were potent inhibitors of PAF synthesis and platelet aggregation and these activities may be relevant to the claimed therapeutic effects of tea extracts.
Antioxidant properties ofN‐acetylcysteine: their relevance in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Dekhuijzen P.N.R.
Published: March 2004

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Both reactive oxidant species from inhaled cigarette smoke and those endogenously formed by inflammatory cells constitute an increased intrapulmonary oxidant burden. Structural changes to essential components of the lung are caused by oxidative stress, contributing to irreversible damage of both parenchyma and airway walls. In addition, oxidative stress results in alterations in the local immune response, increasing the risk of infections and exacerbations, which, in turn, may accelerate lung function decline.

The antioxidantN‐acetylcysteine, a glutathione precursor, has been applied in these patients in order to reduce symptoms, exacerbations and the accelerated lung function decline. This article reviews the presently available experimental and clinical data on the antioxidative effects ofN‐acetylcysteine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Glutathione and glutamate levels in the diaphragm of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Engelen M.P.K.J. , Orozco-Levi M. , Deutz N.E.P. , Barreiro E. , Hernández N. , Wouters E.F.M. , Gea J. , Schols A.M.W.J.
Published: March 2004

Recently, decreased glutamate (Glu) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were reported in the quadriceps femoris of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Glu and GSH levels are also modified in the diaphragm of these patients.

Nine male COPD patients (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) range 28–68% of the predicted value) and seven male patients with normal pulmonary function (mean±sd FEV186±3% pred) submitted to thoracotomy were included. Biopsy specimens were taken from the diaphragm (both groups) and the quadriceps femoris (COPD group alone) in order to assess fibre size, myosin heavy chain expression, GSH levels and amino acid profile.

The COPD group was characterised by preserved fibre size, a higher proportion of type I fibres (mean±sem 70±3versus26±4%), and higher Glu and GSH content in the diaphragm compared to the quadriceps muscle. However, Glu and GSH levels were similar in diaphragm from the COPD and control groups. Glu level correlated with GSH level in both muscles. No significant correlation was found between Glu or GSH level and fibre size or proportions.

This study shows that glutamate and reduced glutathione levels are preserved in the diaphragm of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Alterations in glutamate and reduced glutathione metabolism are muscle-specific in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affecting the quadriceps femoris but not the diaphragm. Glutamate and reduced glutathione levels are strongly interrelated in both muscles, independent of fibre type distribution and fibre size.
Remission of respiratory symptoms by smoking and occupational exposure in a cohort study
Authors: Eagan T.M.L. , Gulsvik A. , Eide G.E. , Bakke P.S.
Published: March 2004

Few studies have estimated the remission rates of respiratory symptoms in general populations. No community cohort studies have examined the impact of smoking cessation and previous dust or fumes exposure on the remission of respiratory symptoms.

In the Hordaland County Study, an 11‐yr community cohort (1985–1996/1997) from Western Norway, data from 2,819 subjects were used to examine the remission of six respiratory symptoms.

The measured cumulative remission varied from 42.3% for morning cough to 58.4% for chronic cough. Smoking cessation was a significant predictor of remission of the cough symptoms and wheezing, with odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence intervals (CI)) varying from 2.2 (1.3–3.7) for wheezing to 6.2 (3.5–11.2) for morning cough, after adjustment for sex, age, pack-years smoked, previous dust or fumes exposure, and educational level. In those not previously exposed to dust or fumes, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for the remission of morning cough, phlegm cough, dyspnoea grade 2, attacks of dyspnoea and wheezing varied from 1.5 (0.9–2.5) for attacks of dyspnoea to 2.1 (1.1–3.9) for dyspnoea grade 2, as compared to those previously exposed to dust or fumes.

This study suggests a beneficial effect of smoking cessation and an adverse effect of occupational exposure on the remission of respiratory symptoms.
Duration of effect of single-dose inhaled fluticasone propionate on AMP‐induced bronchoconstriction
Authors: Luijk B. , Kempsford R.D. , Wright A.M. , Zanen P. , Lammers J-W.J.
Published: March 2004

Airway hyperresponsiveness induced by adenosine‐5'‐monophosphate (AMP) is regarded as a reliable model for allergic asthma and for the evaluation of anti-asthmatic drugs. Single-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are known to be protective in this model, but the duration of action of these drugs in this model has never been studied.

The duration of ICS protection was determined by administration of single-dose fluticasone propionate (FP; 1,000 µg) up to 26 h before AMP challenge. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, four-way crossover study was performed in 13 mild asthmatics (mean±sd predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 98±7%). Each subject received placebo and FP (at 26, 14 or 2 h prior to the AMP challenge). Furthermore, the marker exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) was studied after administration at these time points to investigate whether eNO also demonstrates the duration of action of ICS.

The doubling concentrations difference (DCD) of AMP causing a 20% fall in FEV1, when FP was administered 26, 14 or 2 h prior to challenge, was significantly increased as compared with placebo: DCD (95% confidence interval) at 26 h, 0.73 (0.20–1.26), p=0.008; 14 h, 1.50 (0.99–2.01), p<0.001; and 2 h, 2.89 (2.37–3.40), p<0.001. However, eNO was not significantly affected at these time points.

In conclusion, a single dose of 1,000 µg inhaled fluticasone propionate protects against adenosine‐5'‐monophosphate airway hyperresponsiveness up to 26 h after dosing. This study suggests that adenosine‐5'‐monophosphate challenge can be used as a sensitive marker to study the duration of action of inhaled corticosteroids.
Nasalversusfull face mask for noninvasive ventilation in chronic respiratory failure
Authors: Willson G.N. , Piper A.J. , Norman M. , Chaseling W.G. , Milross M.A. , Collins E.R. , Grunstein R.R.
Published: March 2004

This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of nasal mask (NM)versusfull face mask (FFM) for the delivery of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in subjects with nocturnal hypoventilation.

A total of 16 patients (11 males) were enrolled, all with nocturnal hypoventilation currently treated at home with NIVviapressure preset devices. Subjects underwent full polysomnography on three occasions; on the first night current therapy on NM was reviewed, followed by two experimental studies in randomised order using either NM or FFM. NIV settings and oxygen flow rate were the same under both conditions. Notably, 14 of the 16 subjects required the use of a chinstrap to minimise oral leak.

Apnoea-hypopnoea indices were within normal limits under both conditions (1.7±3.4 NMversus1.6±2.4 h FFM). The type of interface did not significantly affect gas exchange during sleep (minimum average arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation total sleep time 93.4±2.1 NMversus92.8±2.5% FFM, Delta transcutaneous carbon dioxide nonrapid eye movement sleep to rapid eye movement sleep (0.58±0.36 NMversus0.50±0.40 kPa FFM). Sleep efficiency was significantly reduced on the FFM (78±9 NMversus70±14% FFM), although arousal indices were comparable under both conditions (15.6±9.8 NMversus15.8±8.8 h FFM).

Full face masks appear to be as effective as nasal masks in the delivery of noninvasive ventilation to patients with nocturnal hypoventilation. However, a chinstrap was required to reduce oral leak in the majority of subjects using the nasal mask.
G‐CSF enables completion of tuberculosis therapy associated with iatrogenic neutropenia: Fig. 1.—
Authors: Cormican L.J. , Schey S. , Milburn H.J.
Published: March 2004

Neutropenia is a rare complication of anti-tuberculous therapy and is usually due to a single agent, most frequently isoniazid. The current case describes a previously healthy immunocompetent patient with tuberculosis of the lymph nodes who developed neutropenia due to a number of first line antibiotics (rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol) and streptomycin when introduced in combination and individually thus resulting in repeated treatment disruption.

The introduction of twice-weekly subcutaneous granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to correct iatrogenic neutropenia facilitated the continuation and eventual completion of therapy without adverse effect.

This is the first description of the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to correct iatrogenic neutropenia due to anti-tuberculous antibiotics and the second description of the occurrence of iatrogenic neutropenia to more than anti-tuberculous antibiotic in an individual.
Additive blockade of β2‐integrin adhesion of eosinophils by salmeterol and fluticasone propionate
Authors: Myo S. , Zhu X. , Myou S. , Meliton A.Y. , Liu J. , Boetticher E. , Lambertino A.T. , Xu C. , Muñoz N.M. , Leff A.R.
Published: March 2004

Migration of human eosinophils is regulated by integrin expression, conformational change, and activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2(cPLA2). Corticosteroids have been shown to inhibit cPLA2hydrolysis in human eosinophils. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanisms of fluticasone propionate (FP) alone or in combination with salmeterol (SM) in blocking adhesion mediated by β2‐integrin in human eosinophils.

Human eosinophils were isolated by negative magnetic selection. β2‐integrin-mediated eosinophil adhesion was measured by residual eosinophil peroxidase activity. Eosinophils were pretreated for 12 h to 24 h with FP and with or without SM for 30 min.

Both SM alone and FP alone inhibited eosinophil adhesion in concentration- and time-dependent manner. SM alone modestly (∼30%) inhibited interleukin (IL)‐5‐induced eosinophil adhesion. Blockade of IL‐5‐induced eosinophil adhesion caused by 10−7 M FP at 24 h was augmented by 10−7 M SM from 41.5% to 72.5%. Similar blockade was also observed for eotaxin-induced eosinophil adhesion. Neither SM, FP, nor FP+SM blocked either: 1) upregulation of CD11b surface expression; or 2) phosphorylation of cPLA2.

Blockade of β2‐integrin-mediated eosinophil adhesion by fluticasone propionate is augmented by salmeterol. Decreased adhesion results from augmented blockade of nuclear translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A2caused by addition of salmeterol to fluticasone.
Influence of treatment on leptin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Sanner B.M. , Kollhosser P. , Buechner N. , Zidek W. , Tepel M.
Published: March 2004

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disorder in obesity. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived signalling factor, plays an important role in metabolic control. There is growing evidence that leptin regulation is altered in OSAS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that effective treatment will influence leptin levels in OSAS patients.

Serum leptin levels were determined in 86 consecutive patients (aged 57.5±11.0 yrs) with polysomnographically verified OSAS. In addition, leptin levels were reassessed and treatment efficacy was evaluated by polysomnography after 6 months of therapy.

Patients were treated with continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure, a mandibular advancement device or conservatively, depending on the clinical symptoms. Mean serum leptin levels did not change with treatment in the whole study group (7.3±5.0versus7.5±4.8 ng·mL−1), however, leptin levels decreased in effectively treated patients (8.5±5.0versus7.4±5.1 ng·mL−1) while they increased in ineffectively treated patients (5.0±4.0versus7.7±4.1 ng·mL−1). Furthermore, not only was there a significant and independent correlation between the change in leptin levels with treatment and the change in body mass index, but also with the change in apnoea/hypopnoea index.

Effective treatment of sleep-disordered breathing may have significant effects on leptin levels in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients. Changes in leptin levels are related to changes in apnoea/hypopnoea index in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients.
Food and fatty acid intake and atopic disease in adults
Authors: Trak-Fellermeier M.A. , Brasche S. , Winkler G. , Koletzko B. , Heinrich J.
Published: March 2004

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between dietary intake of selected foods and fatty acids with atopic disease prevalence in adults.

Data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Erfurt, combined with a 3‐day weighed records dietary survey, was used. Complete data was available from 469 males and 333 females aged 20–64 yrs. Multiple logistic regression was applied comparing the highest with the lowest quartile of dietary exposures and linear trends were tested stratified by sex.

In males, margarine intake and a high ratio of omega‐6 to omega‐3 fatty acids were positively associated with hay fever. In females, a high intake of total fat, palmitoleic and oleic acids were positively associated with sensitisation. A high total fat, high monounsaturated fatty acid and high oleic acid consumption were positively associated with hay fever.

Whilst an excessive intake of fat or imbalance in fat intake, particular of monounsaturated fatty acids, increased the risk for hay fever and allergic sensitisation in females, mostly no significant associations were found for males. Dietary factors were mostly not related with prevalence rates of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopic eczema either in males or in females.
A population-based study of the costs of care for community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Bartolomé M. , Almirall J. , Morera J. , Pera G. , Ortún V. , Bassa J. , Bolíbar I. , Balanzó X. , Verdaguer A. ,   the Maresme Community-Acquired Pneumonia Study Group (GEMPAC)
Published: March 2004

In a population-based study, the consumption of resources for treating adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia was determined.

During a 2‐yr period, all cases with a clinical and radiological suspicion of community-acquired pneumonia that occurred in patients aged >14 yrs in a community of 74,610 inhabitants were investigated prospectively.

Of 292 cases with a suspicion of community-acquired pneumonia, 224 were included (18.5% misdiagnoses). The mean number of visits per patient was 4.5 (72% in the primary care setting). Inpatient care was recommended in 59.8% of cases; after discharge, 44% of patients were managed in outpatient clinics. The mean direct cost of pneumonia treated in the hospital setting was (euros)1,553, whereas the mean cost of cases treated as outpatients was 196. A total of 15.7% of admissions were considered inappropriate and the length of stay could have been reduced by 3.5 days in the most severe cases. A reduction in inappropriate admissions and lengths of hospital stay would result in a decrease in cost of 17.4%.

Community-acquired pneumonia in Maresme, Spain, occurs at a low incidence, although with a high percentage of hospitalisations (in part inappropriate), resulting in considerable costs.
Respiratory changes during defecation in patients with chronic respiratory failure
Authors: Delmastro M. , Santoro C. , Nava S.
Published: March 2004

Oxygen (O2) desaturation may occur in patients affected by respiratory diseases during daily activities, although most of these activities,e.g.walking, washing and cooking, can be avoided or eventually performed with an external aid.

In this prospective study, the respiratory changes induced by the mandatory effort of defecation were assessed in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. Twenty-four consecutive patients with chronic respiratory failure due to obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disorders, showing a marked O2desaturation during the 6-min walk test, were enrolled. Thirteen of them were already established on long-term O2therapy (LTOT), while 11 were not. O2saturation (Sa,O2), respiratory rate (RR), cardiac frequency (fc) and dyspnoea were measured at rest, and during and after defecation.

Sa,O2decreased significantly during defecation, while RR,fc and dyspnoea increased, both in the subgroup of patients without significant resting hypoxaemia and in the subgroup of patients receiving their usual resting flow of LTOT, as compared to resting values.

In conclusion, the respiratory system of patients with chronic respiratory failure may be significantly strained by defecation.
Amino acids and asthma: a case-control study
Authors: Fogarty A. , Broadfield E. , Lewis S. , Lawson N. , Britton J.
Published: March 2004

Amino acids contribute to various anti-oxidant and immunological activities relevant to asthma pathogenesis, raising the possibility that differences in amino acids may be involved in asthma aetiology. The authors hypothesised that cystine reduces the risk of asthmaviaglutathione metabolism. Methionine, glutamine, glutamic acid and glycine may have potential protective effects, whilst arginine, phenylalanine and tryptophan may have adverse effects in asthma.

Fasting plasma levels of amino acids were compared in a case-control study. A total of 89 adults, aged 18–65 yrs, with asthma controlled by inhaled corticosteroids, were recruited from a volunteer database and local primary care registers, and compared with 89 controls individually matched for age, sex and primary care centre.

Contrary to the primary hypothesis, cases had higher fasting plasma cystine levels than controls, and there was no difference between cases and controls in any of the other amino acids tested, with the exception of plasma glycine, which was associated with a strongly reduced risk of asthma (odds ratio for the highest tertile compared to lowest 0.30 (95% confidence interval (0.11–0.82)).

This study negates the hypothesis that higher fasting plasma cystine levels have a protective effect on the risk of asthma, although the inverse correlation with plasma glycine deserves further investigation.
Phagocytes transmitChlamydia pneumoniaefrom the lungs to the vasculature
Authors: Gieffers J. , van Zandbergen G. , Rupp J. , Sayk F. , Krüger S. , Ehlers S. , Solbach W. , Maass M.
Published: March 2004

Chlamydia pneumoniae, a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia, primarily infects the respiratory tract. Chronic infection of nonrespiratory sites, such as the vascular wall, the brain or blood monocytes, requires evasion from the lungs and spreadingviathe bloodstream. The cell types involved in dissemination are insufficiently characterised.

In this study, New Zealand White rabbits were infected intratracheally withC. pneumoniae, and lung manifestation and systemic dissemination were monitored by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Infection of the lungs was characterised by an early phase dominated by granulocytes and a late phase dominated by alveolar macrophages (AM).

Granulocytes, AM and alveolar epithelial cells acted as host cells for chlamydiae, which remained detectable for up to 8 weeks. AM transported the pathogen to the peribronchiolar lymphatic tissue, and subsequentlyC. pneumoniaeentered the spleen and the aortaviadissemination by peripheral blood monocytes.

In conclusion,Chlamydia pneumoniae-infected alveolar macrophages transmigrate through the mucosal barrier, and give the pathogen access to the lymphatic system and the systemic circulation. Infected peripheral blood monocytes are the vector system within the bloodstream and transmit the infection to the vascular wall. This is the first description of granulocytes acting as a reservoir forChlamydia pneumoniaeearly in infection.
Lysosomal cysteine proteases in the lung: role in protein processing and immunoregulation
Authors: Bühling F. , Waldburg N. , Reisenauer A. , Heimburg A. , Golpon H. , Welte T.
Published: March 2004

Lysosomal cysteine proteases are a family comprising >10 enzymes. For many years it was believed that these enzymes catalyse protein breakdown unselectively, are highly redundant in their substrate specificity and are also expressed ubiquitously.

This view has changed dramatically since a number of new lysosomal cysteine proteases with restricted expression and outstanding enzymatic activity have been described. In addition, knockout mice and selective protease inhibitors have been used to characterise specific functions of single proteases.

In this review, some of these functions are discussed in relation to the lungs, especially the role of lysosomal cysteine proteases in matrix remodelling, immunoregulation and surfactant protein processing.
Pulmonary gas exchange and educational level: a community study
Authors: Welle I. , Eide G.E. , Gulsvik A. , Bakke P.S.
Published: March 2004

Socio-economic status (SES) is related to increased risk of airway disease in terms of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity. No data are available as to what extent SES predicts alveolar function in a general population.

In this cross-sectional study, 1,275 subjects aged 18–73 yrs underwent pulmonary testing, including the single-breath carbon monoxide transfer capacity of the lungs (TL,CO). Educational level was used as an index for SES.

Mean±sdTL,CO% predicted was 97% among those with primary school education, 99% among those with secondary school education and 104% among those with a university degree. In a multiple linear regression analysis, adjusting for age, height, haemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin, smoking habits, occupational exposure, FEV1and body mass index,TL,COwas significantly related to educational level in males but not in females. Occupational exposure was not significant.

In this study, socio-economic status was found to be an independent determinant ofTL,CO. Even in an affluent country such as Norway, socio-environmental risk factors may differ based on individuals' SES. Such risk factors may, for instance, be higher exposure to airborne pollutants, poorer housing conditions, or lower consumption of fruit and vegetables. Further exploration is called for.
Distinguishing Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction: The Voice of the Consumer
Authors: Iacobucci Dawn , Ostrom Amy , Grayson Kent
Published: March 2004

Service quality and customer satisfaction are important concepts to academic researchers studying consumer evaluations and to practitioners as a means of creating competitive advantages and customer loyalty. This article presents two studies that rely on divergent methodologies to examine whether or not quality and satisfaction have distinct antecedent causes, consequential effects, or both (i.e., whether or not they should be considered a single construct, or distinct, separable constructs). We focus on consumers’ understanding and use of the words quality and satisfaction; in both studies, respondents report whether or not they think quality and satisfaction differ, and if so, on what dimensions or under what circumstances. In the first study, we use the qualitative “critical incident” technique to elicit service attributes that are salient to respondents when prompted to consider quality and satisfaction as distinct. We code the responses to these open‐ended survey questions to examine whether quality can be teased apart from satisfaction, from the respondents’ (consumers’) perspective. In the second study, to triangulate on the qualitative data, we experimentally manipulated a number of service attributes drawn from both the first study and from the literature to see whether or not they have differential impacts on judgments of quality and satisfaction. We did not presuppose that quality and satisfaction differ—rather, we asked respondents to make a judgment either of quality or of satisfaction, defining the term as they saw fit. We inferred from their judgments
Consumer Innovativeness and the Adoption Process
Authors: Manning Kenneth C. , Bearden William O. , Madden Thomas J.
Published: March 2004

Two conceptualizations of innovativeness are operationalized and related to the new product adoption process. Multi‐item scales designed to measure consumer independent judgment making (i.e., the degree to which an individual makes innovation decisions independently of the communicated experience of others) and consumer novelty seeking (i.e., the desire to seek out new product information) are developed and tested on adult consumers. Tests of the hypothesized effects of these traits show that consumer novelty seeking is positively related to early stages of the adoption process (i.e., actualized novelty seeking and new product awareness), whereas consumer independent judgment making is only associated with later stages of the adoption process (i.e., new product trial). The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Social Marketing: Are We Fiddling While Rome Burns?
Authors: Goldberg Marvin E.
Published: March 2004

This article follows in the recent tradition of calls for marketers to become more engaged in social marketing. Given that public health represents the core of social marketing's domain, it is suggested that any entry into social marketing ought to begin with a review of the public health marketing literature. Such an analysis reveals that much of the work done to date has involved macroexperiments aimed at changing the individual's health‐related behaviors. This approach is linked to a more conservative structural–functional tradition. It is argued that there is a need for a more radical approach in social marketing that emphasizes efforts to change the negative or constraining social structural influences on individual behavior, particularly those that originate as a function of marketing activities. This approach is tied to the more radical critical theory paradigm. Those with interests in microexperimental design are urged to become engaged in such an endeavor.
Materialism As Social Cognition: People, Possessions, and Perception
Authors: Hunt James M. , Kernan Jerome B. , Mitchell Deborah J.
Published: March 2004

Although materialism has been studied from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives, it is not commonly proposed as an information‐processing construct. To establish such a construal would facilitate direct, individual‐level analyses of materialistic stimuli and contribute to an understanding of which of a person's possessions are valued and why. Drawing on schema theory and the work of Kelly (1955), we propose that materialists not only perceive people in terms of possessions, but they use these criteria as superordinate constructs when framing stimuli for social‐cognition purposes. Some empirical evidence corroborating this construal is included, and several research propositions based on it are advanced.
In Defense of Experimental Consumer Psychology
Authors: Kardes Frank R.
Published: March 2004

Critics of the experimental method claim that experiments rely too heavily on artificial settings, rely too heavily on college student participants, and do not provide practical solutions to applied problems. Contrary to these claims, I review evidence suggesting that natural research settings are often overrated, artificial research settings are often underrated, college student research participants provide remarkably useful data, and concrete thinking (i.e., focusing on superficial surface details rather than on underlying fundamental abstract principles) impedes learning and problem solving. Moreover, I suggest that much of the confusion concerning the experimental method stems from a preference for different types of information among different groups of individuals. A clearer understanding of this preference difference is needed to facilitate effective intercommunication between scientists and practitioners.
Marketing AIDS Prevention: The Differential Impact Hypothesis Versus Identification Effects
Authors: Basil Michael D. , Brown William J.
Published: March 2004

Social marketing may be used to change people's AIDS risk perceptions. Two competing hypotheses address those perceptions. First, the impersonal impact hypothesis proposes that mass communication affects judgments of societal risk while interpersonal communication affects judgments of personal risk. Second, the differential impact hypothesis proposes that the media affect personal risk judgments when the message involves a personalized depiction. Identification is proposed as the mechanism. These predictions were investigated in two studies of Magic Johnson's announcement that he was HIV positive. The first study compared the effects of naturally occurring mass and interpersonal communication. The second study assigned students to watch tapes of the news story or to participate in interpersonal discussion. The results are generally inconsistent with the differential impact hypothesis. Because respondents’ identification with Magic Johnson was a determinant and mediator of social and personal concern in both studies, the results support the importance of the identification process.
Expectancy Effects Between Exchange Partners
Authors: Manolis Chris , Harris Monica J. , Whittler Tommy E.
Published: March 2004

Interpersonal expectancy effects research focuses on how one individual's expectations influence another individual's behavior. Also known as self‐fulfilling prophecies, interpersonal expectancy effects have been shown to be a significant phenomenon in human interaction. Unfortunately, interpersonal expectancy effects have been virtually neglected in the context of the marketing‐exchange process. Hence, two laboratory experiments were conducted to test the effects of experimentally‐induced expectations in simulated buyer–seller interactions. Study 1 was run to verify the existence of expectancy effects between buyers and sellers. In an effort to replicate and extend Study 1, Study 2 included authentic buyers, who, prior to actually interacting with a student seller, were given fictitious information regarding their partner. The information corresponded to either a positive or negative norm in exchange (role integrity and opportunism, respectively). Assessments of participants’ behavior during the interaction (e.g., time spent talking) and perceptions (e.g., self‐report items reflecting participants’ liking for each other) revealed that prior expectations affected buyer–seller interactions.
Informational Influence and the Ambiguity of Product Experience: Order Effects on the Weighting of Evidence
Authors: Wooten David B. , Reed Americus
Published: March 2004

This article examines how others’ opinions can influence a consumer's evaluation of a product. This influence is said to be informational when the consumer accepts it as evidence of the product's true nature. An anchoring and adjustment process is proposed to explain how information from others is combined with direct experience when consumers form a global evaluation of a product. Two experiments are conducted to test this explanation. Findings from the two experiments suggest that when others offer their opinions about the quality of a product, the opinions have the most potential to influence a consumer who has tried the product when the opinions are considered before the consumer considers the evaluative implications of his or her own product experience. Findings from a third experiment suggest that others’ opinions about product quality have limited potential to influence a consumer who has had an unambiguous experience with the product, even when conditions are most favorable for an influence to occur. The 3 experiments suggest that informational social influence obeys information processing principles associated with other kinds of private judgments.
The Effects of Syntactic Complexity on Advertising Persuasiveness
Authors: Lowrey Tina M.
Published: March 2004

Three experiments investigated the effects of syntactic complexity on the persuasiveness of advertising. Experiment 1 showed that, in a broadcast advertising context, syntactic complexity affects recall and recognition but not the persuasiveness of the advertising. However, Experiment 2 indicated that, in a print context, persuasiveness of an advertisement is affected by syntactic complexity. Finally, Experiment 3 demonstrated that motivation to process information interacts with syntactic complexity to determine the persuasiveness of print advertising. These results imply that the impact of syntactic complexity on advertising effectiveness is more complicated than previously thought.
Constructing Stable Preferences: A Look Into Dimensions of Experience and Their Impact on Preference Stability
Authors: Hoeffler Steve , Ariely Dan
Published: March 2004

There are 2 polar schools of thought regarding the existence of preferences. The economics tradition is based on the assumption of existing preferences. The emerging constructive processing approach assumes preferences are constructed based on the task and context factors present during choice or preference elicitation. Most researchers believe in a middle ground in which consumers construct their preferences when they are new to a category and eventually develop more stable preferences with experience in a domain. This research was designed to bridge the gap between these 2 schools of thought by understanding the process by which preferences are learned and developed over time. Specifically, we investigated the impact of several dimensions of experience (effort, choice, and experience) on preference stability. Results revealed that the type of experience and its corresponding effort had a large impact on the process of preference development. Study 1 demonstrated that by exposing participants to the trade‐offs in their environment, their preferences developed and stabilized most rapidly. In addition, the act of making a choice (Study 2) and repeated choices (Study 3) both led to increased preference stability as indicated by measures of objective and subjective preference stability.
Consumer Attitudes About Personal and Political Action
Authors: Baron Jonathan
Published: March 2004

People can express their moral views through their purchases or through political action. If a product is morally bad, or bad in other ways, people may refuse to purchase it for themselves, or they may take political action against it. Two questionnaire studies examined the determinants of attitudes toward these two types of action. Both types of action are affected by moral concerns. Political actions are more affected by universalized moral concerns, in which people think that something is wrong for everyone regardless of whether they think it is wrong or not. Some moral principles are seen as absolute values, protected from trade‐offs with other values. The studies also found evidence for moralization of many kinds of attributes, including some that affected only the buyer, particularly those that put the buyer at risk of harm.
Effects of an Approaching Group Discussion on Product Responses
Authors: Schlosser Ann , Shavitt Sharon
Published: March 2004

Three experiments were conducted to assess how an approaching group discussion influences consumers’ product thoughts. It was proposed that, in preparation for discussion, people cognitively rehearse product thoughts that appear appropriate for discussion. In each study, participants read a restaurant review and then anticipated either discussing the restaurant in a focus group or responding individually. Across the studies, various cues were manipulated regarding the type of information appropriate for discussion (utilitarian vs. social image information). Compared to those in the individual condition, those anticipating a group discussion were more responsive to appropriateness cues: Their listed thoughts were more consistent with the cue than those in the individual condition. Yet, the group‐anticipation effect did not influence product judgments regarding the restaurant. These findings suggest that an approaching discussion causes people to tailor their responses in a strategic manner, as a mental rehearsal for the upcoming discussion, without altering their personal views about the product. A third experiment demonstrated that this group‐anticipation effect on listed thoughts carried over to the information shared and the product concerns expressed during discussion, suggesting that responses in actual discussion reflected what people had rehearsed in anticipation of discussion.
Fabrication of Single Crystalline Neodymium Oxide Nanowires under Mild Conditions
Authors: Murata Yusuke , Adachi Motonari
Published: March 2004

Nanowires of single crystalline neodymium oxide have been successfully synthesized under mild conditions using surfactant-assisted assemblies composed of laurylamine hydrochloride and neodymium alkoxide modified with acetylacetone. The nanowire structure was characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Nd2O3 nanowires have a single crystalline structure with diameters ranging from 10 to 50 nm and lengths of several hundred nanometers. This newly developed synthetic method can be easily extended to other rare earth metal oxides.
Hyperbranched Poly(amidoamine)-modified Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes via Grafting-from Method
Authors: Cao Liang , Yang Wuli , Yang Junwei , Wang Changchun , Fu Shoukuan
Published: March 2004

Hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) (h-PAMAM)-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were successfully synthesized by grafting-from method. The modified MWNTs, which gave stable dispersion in organic solvents, were reacted with the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and then showed strong photoluminescent property.
Cost-effective analysis of conventional and nurse-led clinics for common otological procedures
Authors: Uppal S. , Jose J. , Banks P. , Mackay E. , Coatesworth A. P.
Published: March 2004

The need to reduce costs while providing a first-class service has led to the expansion in the role of nurses in recent years. We present results of a comparison of the cost-effectiveness of conventional and nurse-led out-patient ear clinics. Our results indicate that cost-effective health care is a distinct competitive advantage for nurses taking up some roles conventionally performed by doctors. The difference in mean cost of out-patient visit per patient between the two groups is £75.28. This is equivalent to a reduction in cost to the hospital of more than £47000 for the 626 patients seen in a nurse-led ear clinic in a year. The nurse-led service is thus more cost-effective and presents an opportunity by freeing up otolaryngologists’ time to see more complex patients and has the potential for reducing out-patient access time in the NHS.
Pulsatile tinnitus as a symptom of cervicocephalic arterial dissection
Authors: Pelkonen Outi , Tikkakoski Tapani , Luotonen Jukka , Sotaniemi Kyösti
Published: March 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate pulsatile tinnitus as a presenting symptom in cervicocephalic arterial dissection (CCAD). Of the 136 consecutive patients with confirmed CCAD, 16 presented with pulsatile tinnitus. On admission 10 patients presented with subjective tinnitus and five with objective tinnitus, tinnitus being the only presenting symptom in one case. In one further case with bilateral ICA dissection (ICAD) subjective tinnitus appeared three months after the initial symptoms of arterial dissection, despite a contralateral cervical bruit being evident on admission. Thirteen patients presented with headache or neck pain. Ischaemic symptoms were detected in six and Horner’s syndrome in four patients. Vertigo and dysgeusia were reported in two patients each. Arterial dissection involved unilateral ICA in 11, bilateral ICA in two, unilateral vertebral artery (VA) in two and bilateral ICA and bilateral VA in one patient. In angiography the most common finding was irregular stenosis, and the majority of these abnormalities normalized during follow-up. To avoid delay in diagnosis a high index of suspicion and early angiography (digital subtraction or magnetic resonance angiography) are warranted.
Head and neck cancer in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: incidence, outcome and association with Epstein-Barr virus
Authors: Powles T. , Powles J. , Nelson M. , Sandison A. , Peston D. , Buchannan J. , Mandalia S. , Gazzard B. , Bower M.
Published: March 2004

Head and neck cancers have been described in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. However the incidence, aetiology and clinical features of the disease remain unclear.

Patients with head and neck cancer and HIV were identified from a large HIV centre. The incidence and clinical features were recorded, and the tumours were stained for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Head and neckcancer occurred more frequently than in an age-matched control group (1.66 vs 0.55/10,000 patient years respectively p < 0.05). Highly active anti-retroviral therapy has not significantly altered the incidence of the disease. All of the tumours tested were positive for EBV. Patients were moderately immunosuppressed at diagnosis and had aggressive tumours. All but one of the patients died of cancer with a median survival of 28 months.

Head and neck cancer occurs more frequently in HIV. It is an aggressive disease and EBV may play a role in its pathogenesis.
Microsurgical pressing excision technique for vocal nodules and simple epithelial hyperplasia of the vocal fold
Authors: Lee Ka-Wo , Kuo Wen-Rei , Ho Kuen-Yao , Chiang Feng-Yu
Published: March 2004

Precise bimanual microsurgical excision of sessile, thin benign epithelial lesions of the vocal folds can be difficult. During microlaryngeal surgery, the potential risks of over-excision and under-excision are of major concern. We introduce a microsurgical technique using horizontally-opening curved microforceps and microscissors, instead of the conventional vertically-opening microinstruments, to remove vocal nodules and simple epithelial hyperplasia. The treatment results were satisfactory, with 208 (90.8 per cent) of patients retaining a satisfactory/normal (G0) voice. No patient had a worsened voice after the procedure. This microsurgical pressing excision technique is an alternative precise method for microlaryngosurgery.
Objective high-frequency tinnitus of middle-ear myoclonus
Authors: Abdul-Baqi Khader J.
Published: March 2004

Tinnitus produced by middle-ear myoclonus is a rare condition. In this article, a rare case of unilateral continuous high-frequency objective tinnitus caused by middle-ear myoclonus is described. This condition appears to be the second case reported in the literature. Otoscopic examination revealed visible rhythmic movements of the tympanic membrane. Weak clicking sounds were heard around the right ear by auscultation. Direct stimulation of the soft palate showed no evidence of palated myoclonus. Tympanometry confirmed rhythmic changes in the middle-ear compliance. The condition was effectively treated with a muscle relaxant (orphenadrine citrate).
Glomus jugulare tumour presenting with isolated accessory nerve palsy
Authors: Seymour F. K. , Lloyd S. , Harcourt J. P.
Published: March 2004

Glomus tumours of the skull base are rare, and most frequently present with symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus. Diagnosis is often delayed due to the slow growth of the tumour. We describe the previously unreported occurrence of a glomus tumour presenting with a unilateral accessory nerve palsy.
Acute laryngeal paralysis induced by the migration of a totally implantable venous access device’s catheter tip
Authors: Hervé S. , Conessa C. , Desrame J. , Chollet O. , Talfer S. , Poncet J. L.
Published: March 2004

The authors report a case of acute vagus nerve paralysis that appeared during a course of chemotherapy. The drugs had been administered through a totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD), whose catheter tip had migrated into the right internal jugular vein (IJV) and was surrounded by a complete venous thrombosis. The supposed aetiology of this paralysis was a leakage of the cytotoxic drug (5-fluorouracil) from the vessel wall into the surrounding carotid space, because of the stagnation of the chemotherapeutic agent above the thrombosis. Four months after cessation of chemotherapy, the laryngeal paralysis was still evident.
Thyroglossal duct cyst masquerading as a haematoma
Authors: Persaud Ricardo , Short Melissa , Kothari Prasad , Robinson Anthony
Published: March 2004

Thyroglossal duct cysts most frequently present in childhood as painless midline swellings around the level of the hyoid. Classically the cyst moves upwards on protruding the tongue. Here we report a novel case of a thyroglossal cyst in an adult in whom the history, examination and fine needle aspiration cytology were typical of a traumatic haematoma. This case is also unique because the thyroglossal duct cyst extended beyond the thyroid gland to the suprasternal notch and actually required two parallel transverse cervical incisions for its complete en bloc removal.
Self-extrusion of a foreign body from the upper digestive tract to the skin
Authors: Tan Alvin Kah Leong , Lu Peter Kuo Sun
Published: March 2004

Migrated ingested foreign bodies from the upper digestive tract have the potential to cause life-threatening complications. Cases of spontaneous expulsion to the skin of the neck are very rare. We present an unusual case of an ingested foreign body that migrated out of the upper digestive tract and self-extruded via the skin of the neck. An approach to the safe management of such seemingly innocuous foreign bodies is discussed. This report highlights the message that unfound ingested foreign bodies should be treated seriously due to the possibility of migration and resulting complications.