bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of beverage-specific, alcohol consumption trajectories: A Swedish population-based cohort study
Authors: Sidorchuk Anna , Engström Karin , Möller Jette , Gémes Katalin
Published: November 2022

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine whether changes in alcohol consumption over time differ according to beverage types, and to what extent socioeconomic, lifestyle and health-related factors predict beverage-specific trajectories in Sweden. Study design: We included participants from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort who were surveyed repeatedly in 2002, 2010 and 2014. Alcohol consumption trajectories were constructed for 13,152 individuals with valid information on amount and frequency of drinking. Preferred beverage types (i.e., beer, wine or spirits) were defined based on the most consumed beverages. Multinomial logistic regression was used to quantify individual predictors of different trajectories, overall and by beverage type. Results: Overall 56.9% of respondents were women, the mean age was 49.2 years, SD (13.1). Wine was cited as the preferred beverage for 72.4% of participants, and stable moderate drinking was the most common trajectory regardless of beverage type (68.2%, 54.9% and 54.2% in individuals with wine, beer and spirits as preferred beverages, respectively). Associations between drinking trajectories and baseline lifestyle factors did not differ by beverage type. Lower socioeconomic position (SEP) was associated with unstable moderate wine drinking (for unskilled manual SEP: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23, 1.93), unstable heavy beer drinking (for skilled manual SEP: aOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.14, 3.52; and unskilled manual SEP: aOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.05, 2.82), and former beer drinking trajectory (for skilled manual SEP: aOR 1.81; 95% CI 1.21, 2.72; and unskilled manual SEP: aOR 1.66; 95% CI 1.17, 2.37). Conclusion: Lower SEP was associated with unstable heavy drinking of beer, former beer drinking, and unstable moderate wine drinking trajectories indicating that targeted alcohol prevention programmes need to focus on these groups.
Understanding restaurant users’ attitudes towards self-service ordering via kiosks during the COVID-19 pandemic: An application of the theory of anxiety
Authors: Kim Gyunghoon , Park Seo Ah
Published: November 2022

This study aims to prepare a comprehensive self-service technology model that incorporates the hygiene and health issues throughout the restaurant industry amid pandemics. To this end, this study explores psychological responses to the environmental threat caused by COVID-19, which impacts attitudes toward self-service kiosks in the restaurant industry in terms of the theory of anxiety. This study utilizes a mixed-method sequential exploratory design. The qualitative phase found four psychological attributes associated with respondents’ attitudes towards kiosks: anxiety towards COVID-19, timidity, perceived control, and intolerance for tardy service. Among the psychological attribute factors, anxiety towards COVID-19 was identified as the strongest predictor of customers’ attitudes towards kiosks in the quantitative phase. This study attests that the anxiety mechanism works in explaining restaurant customers’ attitudes towards kiosks in the restaurant industry. The comprehensive research model explains in a timely manner the value of kiosk service in rapid social and market changes.
Media discourses on the socio-spatial rights of older people living with dementia and their carers
Authors: Leone Carmela , Winterton Rachel , Blackberry Irene
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Media discourses about people living with dementia and carers contribute to the ways in which public, social spaces are designed, planned, and used. Negative media discourses play an important role in the socio-spatial exclusion of people living with dementia and stigmatising and dehumanising language prevents the achievement of genuine, rights-based dementia-friendly environments. Because the media plays a powerful role in shaping public attitudes, there is a need to understand media constructions of people living with dementia and carers in relation to their socio-spatial rights, which is the aim of this paper.

Method

A Foucauldian-inspired discourse analysis (FDA) was conducted on the public news media texts of one regional Australian city, to identify discourses relating to the socio-spatial rights of people living with dementia and carers. Lefebvre’s (1996) ‘right to the city’ concept was used as a conceptual framework, to define socio-spatial rights.

Results

Analysis revealed discourses relating to the right to urban citizenship, the right to difference and socio-spatial justice. Representations of participatory democracy, important to urban citizenship, are absent, as are the voices of people living with dementia. Through advocacy from others and a lens of citizenship, socio-spatial rights for people living with dementia, and in one instance carers, are recognised, in the context of dementia-awareness and dementia-friendly initiatives. While a lens of personhood constructs people living with dementia as historical and relational beings, a citizenship lens adds a spatial dimension.

Conclusions

Advocacy and the lenses of personhood and citizenship are important in creating positive constructions of people living with dementia, however, their participation in decision-making processes would confer an active citizenship status, and the inclusion of their authentic voices in media discourse would contribute to raising awareness towards rights-based dementia-friendly communities.
Reanalysis of the revised EEDI parameters for inland ships of Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan S. M. Rashidul , Karim Md. Mashud
Published: November 2022

A revision of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) formulation was previously proposed to be useful for inland ships of Bangladesh. The study incorporated the shallow water effect using Schlichting’s method which has been developed in 1934 based on a large number of ship model tests to show how a ship’s resistance in shallow water deviates from that in deep water. However, the evaluation and presentation of Schlichting’s results did not cover all range of ship parameters. This reanalysis has considered the shallow water effect by actual measurement of 15 inland ships of Bangladesh. Later, the results of Schlichting’s method were compared with (a) actual investigation, (b) an improved version of Schlichting’s method proposed by Lackenby in 1963, and (c) a new method proposed by C B Barrass in 2004. It was found that the deviations of Schlichting’s results are much higher than Lackenby and Barrass’s methods in comparison to the investigated results. In a previous analysis of the inland ships of Bangladesh, the Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR) of the main engine was considered by using the Holtrop-Mennen method. As this method requires too much ship data, that analysis had assumed some unknown required ship data. This reanalysis has overcome that problem by the physical investigations of the same 15 inland ships of Bangladesh. The average MCR for inland cargo ships and oil tankers of Bangladesh are measured as 70% by the investigations, whereas it is 80% for passenger ships.
Institutional Consequences of the Black Lives Matter Movement: Towards Diversity in Elite Education
Authors: Ebbinghaus Mathis , Huang Sihao
Published: November 2022

In the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, racial disparities in elite educational attainment have received widespread attention. Universities expressed their commitment to racial diversity, but university policies aimed at rectifying historic disadvantages were also met with criticism. Critics expressed concerns that efforts to achieve racial equity would disadvantage academically successful Asian students. With this article, we examine how Black and Asian student representation has changed over time. Time series enrolment data show a continuing increase in the representation of Black students at elite universities following Black Lives Matter protests. Medical school enrolment saw a similar trend of increased representation of Black students. Contrary to concerns that Asian student representation has declined as a result of growing enrolment rates of Black students, we observe a steady increase in the representation of Asian students alongside increases in the representation of Hispanic students over the past decade. Black Lives Matter coincided with increased Black enrolment in highly selective universities, without affecting broader trends towards greater representation of minority students.
The Politics of Female Anger in Older Age: The Good Fight, Older Femininity and Political Change
Authors: Fegitz Ella
Published: November 2022

This article identifies an important conversation about the politics of female anger in older age in the CBS show The Good Fight (2017–). By centring the narrative around the emotional life of a woman in her 60s, the show offers older femininity as a site for discussing social and political changes that have occurred in the USA in the aftermath of the election of Donald Trump. Through a close analysis of the four seasons that were released before the Covid-19 pandemic, this article maps the emotional journey of Diane Lockheart through her personal, economic, and political crises, showing how different emotions are connected with Diane’s engagement—and at times disengagement—with politics. Ultimately, the article contributes to the field of feminist cultural studies by exploring the way The Good Fight offers female anger in older age as key to feminist engagement and political change.
Introduction to the Special Issue on the Impact of Placement on Outcomes for Students with Complex Support Needs
Authors: Kurth Jennifer A. , Jackson Lewis
Published: November 2022

The papers for the December 2022 special issue focused on outcomes of placement for students with complex support needs. We also describe the purpose of the overall study, student participants, research questions, and why placement is an important consideration in determining student outcomes.
High speed stereoscopic PIV investigation of the statistical characteristics of the axially restricted turbulent swirl flow behind the axial fan in pipe
Authors: Čantrak Đorđe S , Janković Novica Z
Published: November 2022

Investigation of the turbulent swirl flow in the piping system is one of the most complex investigations in the field of energetics and turbulence. Axial fans in a pipe, without guide vanes, are widely used in practice and the problem of their duty point and energy efficiency is still extensively discussed. Analysis of the interaction between axial fans energy and construction parameters is one of the main topics in defining the fans energy efficiency potential. On one side, there is a three-dimensional velocity field in the wall-bounded flow with regions of great turbulence intensity. On the other side, there is a complex blade geometry, which generates the turbulent swirl flow. This paper presents research on the turbulent swirl flow, Rankine type, in an axially restricted system, using high-speed stereo particle image velocimetry (HSS PIV). Axial fan impeller, with outer diameter 0.399 m and nine twisted blades is the flow generator. The Reynolds number Re = 176,529 is achieved in the pipe. Reynolds stresses, statistical moments of higher order, and invariant maps are calculated based on the three component velocity fields. Here, intensive changes of all statistical parameters occur in radial and axial direction. In the flow region, four flow regions can be identified. Interaction of all these four flow regions produces extremely complex turbulent swirl flow, which is generated behind the axial fans. Determined invariant maps reveal turbulence structure. It is shown that the state of turbulence on the pipe axis is three-component isotropic, which is contrary to the case of axially unrestricted turbulent swirl flows. In the rest of the space, in the region up to r/ R = 0.52, the states of turbulence occur in the area in between the boundaries which designate axis-symmetric turbulence (contraction) and axis-symmetric turbulence (expansion), in the vicinity of the state of three-component isotropic turbulence.
Phonological encoding in Tongan: An experimental investigation
Authors: Tamaoka Katsuo , Zhang Jingyi , Koizumi Masatoshi , Verdonschot Rinus G
Published: November 2022

This study is the first to report chronometric evidence on Tongan language production. It has been speculated that the mora plays an important role during Tongan phonological encoding. A mora follows the (C)V form, so /a/ and /ka/ (but not /k/) denote a mora in Tongan. Using a picture–word naming paradigm, Tongan native speakers named pictures containing superimposed non-word distractors. This task has been used before in Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese to investigate the initially selected unit during phonological encoding (IPU). Compared with control distractors, both onset and mora overlapping distractors resulted in faster naming latencies. Several alternative explanations for the pattern of results—proficiency in English, knowledge of Latin script, and downstream effects—are discussed. However, we conclude that Tongan phonological encoding likely natively uses the phoneme, and not the mora, as the IPU.
Making, unmaking, remaking: Mapping the boundaries of professional legitimacy, identity and practice in probation in England and Wales
Authors: Tidmarsh Matt
Published: November 2022

This article maps the (shifting) boundaries of professional legitimacy, identity and practice in probation in England and Wales. Probation established itself in the 20th century as a core institution in the modernist pursuit of offender rehabilitation; however, changing political economic priorities in recent decades have prompted a new consensus that also incorporates mentalities of punitivism, managerialism and risk. With a particular emphasis on the reunification of services after the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms, the article presents a practical and moral case for how the Government’s (re)professionalisation agenda can be developed. It draws upon the sociology of the professions literature to emphasise the service’s ‘interstitiality’ as a professional jurisdiction that operates between different social spheres. The article argues that reunification provides an opportunity to remake the boundaries of professional practice in such a way that people on probation can take ownership of their desistance, while reasserting the service’s internal self-image and external legitimacy.
Supportive or Hindering Physical Environments in Hospital Units Dealing With COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Bae Suyeon
Published: November 2022

Purpose:

This project was designed to discover how hospital units with COVID-19 patients influenced staff’s medical practices and health conditions.

Background:

Although hospital environments have well-known associations with health outcomes, findings are limited in demonstrating the role of physical environments during a global pandemic.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from three units in a university hospital and a total of 113 staff participated. They rated the impact of physical environments on staff members’ medical practice and their health conditions before and mid-pandemic. They also specified physical changes, hindering and helpful features, and future improvements in open-ended questions.

Results:

The perceived supportiveness of the physical environments on communication significantly dropped from before-pandemic to midpandemic, followed by mental health and feeling of connection and engagement. Separating COVID-19 patients helped staff workflow, but staff felt disconnected and had poor visibility.

Conclusion:

Based on painful lessons, interdisciplinary researchers, including healthcare professionals, designers, and administrators, should further collaborate to create supportive hospital environments.
The Objective Assessment of dry Nose
Authors: Meng Yifan , Jie Ying , Wang Chengshuo , Zhang Luo
Published: November 2022

Background

Dry nose (DN) is a common symptom in both patients with rhinitis and healthy individuals; however, it is often overlooked.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of and propose objective diagnostic criteria for DN.

Methods

This study was conducted from December, 2018 to October, 2021. Patients with complaints of a dry nasal cavity and normal controls were recruited consecutively from the allergy-rhinology outpatient clinic of Beijing TongRen Hospital. Questionnaires were completed by each participant during recruitment to record demographic data. DN test strips were used to evaluate the severity of DN. The length of the strip was recorded at 30 s, 1 min, 2 min, 3 min, 4 min, and 5 min, respectively. Nasal secretions were collected on sponges and allergic status was assessed based on serum sage levels.

Results

Twenty (13 men and 7 women) patients with DN and 100 (47 men and 53 women) controls were recruited for the study. The participants’ ages ranged from 23 to 73 years (mean  =  47.7 years). Nine of the 20 DN patients were diagnosed with vasomotor rhinitis. The weight of the sponges of DN patients was significantly lower than that of controls. At the last time point (5 min), the strips in the control group were significantly longer than those in the DN group. The reference range of 30 s, 1 min, 2 min, 3 min, 4 min, and 5 min of controls was 3.0 mm, 6.0 mm, 10.9 mm, 13.2 mm, 16.8 mm, and 17.0 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that the strip length less than 17.0 mm at 5 min is a valuable reference for the diagnostic of DN in Beijing.
Does parental smartphone use predict parents’ perceptions of family life? An examination of momentary associations between parental smartphone use, parental experiences of quality time, and parental perceptions of difficult child behavior
Authors: Denecker Floor , De Marez Lieven , Ponnet Koen , Abeele Mariek Vanden
Published: November 2022

This article reports the findings of a multi-method study that explored whether frequency and duration of parental smartphone use in the presence of children is associated with parents’ perceptions of quality time and child restlessness, an indicator of difficult child behavior. Additionally, the study explored whether parental perceptions of technoference, respectively time displacement, mediate the association between smartphone use measures - respectively frequency and duration of use - and the outcome measures. We collected experience sampling and smartphone log data among parents of children aged between 4 and 10 years to assess momentary between- and within-person-level associations between the frequency and duration of co-present parental smartphone use and parents’ perceptions of quality time, their child's restlessness, technoference, and time displacement. We gathered 1484 observations from 56 participants. Multilevel mediation analysis revealed no between-person associations between our two measures of parental smartphone use and the outcome measures. At the within-person level, no associations were found with child restlessness. However, smartphone frequency did predict perceptions of greater technoference, and smartphone duration predicted time displacement. Technoference in turn negatively predicted parental experiences, although the hypothesized mediation did not reach statistical significance. Time displacement predicted parental experiences of quality time in the opposite direction of what was hypothesized. Some heterogeneity was found in the observed within-person associations, suggesting that there is person-specificity. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.
‘Granulomatosis with polyangiitis after Pfizer vaccination’: a case report
Authors: Essien Francis , Evans Jordan , Kyle Andrew , Urisman Anatoly , Adams Nicholas
Published: November 2022

The advent of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has resulted in over 541 million cases with 6.32 million deaths worldwide as of June 2022. The devastating consequences of this global pandemic resulted in the expedited generation of mRNA-based vaccines such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Although the vaccines have been effective, with recent data indicating greater than 95% effectiveness, rare complications have been reported, including manifestations of autoimmune phenomena. Herein, we report a rare case of Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in an active duty military male soon after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Lentiviral gene therapy for X-linked chronic granulomatous disease recapitulates endogenousCYBBregulation and expression
Authors: Wong Ryan L. , Sackey Sarah , Brown Devin , Senadheera Shantha , Masiuk Katelyn , Quintos Jason P. , Colindres Nicole , Riggan Luke , Morgan Richard A. , Malech Harry L. , Hollis Roger P. , Kohn Donald B.
Published: November 2022

X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the CYBB gene, resulting in the inability of phagocytic cells to eliminate infections. To design a lentiviral vector (LV) capable of recapitulating the endogenous regulation and expression of CYBB, a bioinformatics-guided approach was used to elucidate the cognate enhancer elements regulating the native CYBB gene. Using this approach, we analyzed a 600-kilobase topologically associated domain of the CYBB gene and identified endogenous enhancer elements to supplement the CYBB promoter to develop MyeloVec, a physiologically regulated LV for the treatment of X-CGD. When compared with an LV currently in clinical trials for X-CGD, MyeloVec showed improved expression, superior gene transfer to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), corrected an X-CGD mouse model leading to complete protection against Burkholderia cepacia infection, and restored healthy donor levels of antimicrobial oxidase activity in neutrophils derived from HSPCs from patients with X-CGD. Our findings validate the bioinformatics-guided design approach and have yielded a novel LV with clinical promise for the treatment of X-CGD.
A bronchial butterfly
Authors: Yung B , Norton C , Davies BH
Published: November 2022

We report on an asthmatic patient who accidentally inhaled the small metal backing ("butterfly") of a nose stud, which she wore daily. Despite administration of nebulized salbutamol, postural drainage, and the use of rigid and fibreoptic bronchoscopes, attempted removal of the butterfly remained unsuccessful. Spontaneous expulsion of the butterfly occurred two months following inhalation. We suggest that consideration should be given by nose stud jewelry manufacturers to a more secure fixing device.
Arterial blood gases in elderly persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Authors: Delclaux B , Orcel B , Housset B , Whitelaw WA , Derenne JP
Published: November 2022

With the increasing number of elderly people in developed countries, physicians are often confronted with patients whose arterial oxygen tension, PaO2, is lower than that of normal young adults. The normal values predicted in the literature for very old individuals are generally extrapolated from younger subjects. The purpose of the present study was to obtain PaO2 values from a large population of elderly subjects with normal and obstructive ventilatory function. We measured arterial blood gases in 274 subjects, aged 65-100 yrs (mean 82 yrs), with chronic bronchitis and moderate airways obstruction (mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), 53% pred). Mean PaO2 was 10.0 +/- 1.4 kPa (75.2 +/- 10.8 mmHg) and mean arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) was 5.4 +/- 0.8 kPa (40.5 +/- 6.1 mmHg). Both PaO2 and PaCO2 were independent of age. Blood gas abnormalities were associated with airways obstruction: PaO2 was positively correlated to FEV1 and PaCo2 was negatively correlated to FEV1. PaO2 was 10.8 +/- 1.4 kPa (81.5 +/- 10.7 mmHg) in the patients with FEV1 > or = 90% predicted versus 9.5 +/- 1.3 kPa (71.5 +/- 10.1 mmHg) in those with FEV1 < or = 35% pred. These findings suggest that the predicted PaO2 extrapolated from younger normal values are often erroneously underestimated. It is probably more accurate to accept as normal a PaO2 of 10.6-11.3 kPa (80-85 mmHg) for all subjects over 65 yrs, irrespective of their age.
Effect of almitrine bismesylate on pulmonary vasoreactivity to hypoxia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Saadjian AY , Philip-Joel FF , Barret A , Levy S , Arnaud AG
Published: November 2022

The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to determine whether acute administration of almitrine enhances hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Haemodynamics and blood gases were studied at various inspiratory fractional concentrations of oxygen (FIO2): 0.15, 0.21, 0.30 and 1.0, randomly administered for 20 min periods under constant infusion of either placebo or almitrine (8 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) in 20 patients with COPD. The almitrine group exhibited a significant increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance and arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) at FIO2 0.15, 0.21 and 0.30. During hypoxia, the increase in mean pulmonary pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance was three times greater in the almitrine group than the placebo group. No significant difference in cardiac output and systemic haemodynamics was found. These results suggest that almitrine at the dose used, enhances pulmonary vasoconstriction in COPD patients.
Factors influencing the occurrence of airway hyperreactivity in the general population: the importance of atopy and airway calibre
Authors: Britton J , Pavord I , Richards K , Knox A , Wisniewski A , Wahedna I , Kinnear W , Tattersfield A , Weiss S
Published: November 2022

The factors that determine the occurrence of airway hyperreactivity in the general population are not clearly understood. This study was designed to assess the independent effects of age, atopy, smoking and airway calibre. In a random sample of 2,415 adults aged 18-70 yrs we measured reactivity to methacholine as the dose provoking a 20% fall (PD20) in one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), atopy as the mean skin wheal response to three common environmental allergens, and airway calibre as the baseline FEV1 in absolute terms, as percent predicted (FEV1 % predicted) and as percent forced vital capacity (FEV1 % FVC). Hyperreactivity, defined as a PD20 < or = 12.25 mumol, was present in 314 (13%) of the sample, and before adjustment for FEV1 was more common in females (independent odds ratio (OR) = 2.05 (95% confidence interval 1.6-2.7)), current smokers (OR = 1.89 (1.3-2.6)), atopics (OR = 1.39 (1.3-1.5) per mm skin wheal), and in older age groups (OR for age 60-70 yrs relative to 18-29 yrs = 2.70 (1.7-4.3)). However, the odds of hyperreactivity were also strongly and independently related to absolute FEV1 (OR = 0.46 (0.27-0.77) per litre), FEV1 % predicted (OR = 0.96 (0.94-0.98) per percent), and FEV1 % FVC (OR = 0.92 (0.90-0.94) per percent; combined chi-square on 3 df = 312, p << 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Measurement of respiratory impedance by forced oscillation: comparison of the standard and head generator methods
Authors: Iwatsubo Y , Lorino H , Hubert C , Duvivier C , Peslin R , Pham QT , Moreau T , Hosselet JJ , Brochard P
Published: November 2022

Physiological and clinical studies have shown that the standard method of measuring respiratory impedance by forced oscillation leads to less efficient control of the upper airway shunt effect than the head generator method. To test the effects of these two techniques in epidemiological studies, we compared, in a sample of 73 French agricultural workers, the values obtained with each method for five forced oscillation parameters: resistance, frequency dependence of resistance, inertance, compliance and resonant frequency. For these comparisons, subjects were classified according to four respiratory status factors: smoking status, cough, expectoration and airway obstruction assessed from the maximum expiratory flow volume curve. Logistic regression models using the set of four forced oscillation parameters (excluding resonant frequency, which is derived from compliance and inertance) were then used to analyse the ability of each method to classify the subjects in each group. Significant differences between the two methods were observed for the mean values obtained for all five parameters. However, when each parameter was considered separately, the correlations between the values for each method were significant. Each method possessed the necessary ability to separate subjects into our group classification, but the significant relationships were not always found for the same parameters. Finally, logistic regression models showed that the two methods led to almost the same classification of the subjects. According to our results, the standard method of applying forced oscillation at the mouth seems an acceptable device for measuring respiratory impedance for epidemiological purposes.
Inhibitory effect of cyclosporin A on eosinophil infiltration in the guinea-pig lung induced by antigen, platelet-activating factor and leukotriene B4
Authors: Lagente V , Carre C , Kyriacopoulos F , Boichot E , Mencia-Huerta JM , Braquet P
Published: November 2022

The effect of the immunosuppressive compound, cyclosporin A, and the corticosteroid, betamethasone, was investigated on eosinophil accumulation in guinea-pig lung tissue induced by antigen, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). The accumulation of eosinophils in the peribronchial area was evaluated on histological preparations. The lung sections were stained with Luna's reagent specific for eosinophil granule content. Oral treatment of the guinea-pigs with cyclosporin, 10 mg.kg-1 three times a day for two days, and 10 mg.kg-1 1 h before antigen challenge, significantly reduced the accumulation of eosinophils observed at 4 and 24 h, in the peribronchial area of sensitized guinea-pig lung. Betamethasone (3 mg.kg-1), administered orally 24 h and 1 h before antigen challenge elicited a moderate but significant reduction of antigen-induced eosinophil accumulation. Pretreatment of the guinea-pigs with cyclosporin or betamethasone elicited a marked inhibition of the accumulation of eosinophils in the peribronchial area induced by aerosolized PAF (100 micrograms.ml-1) or LTB4 (5 micrograms.ml-1). Since cyclosporin and betamethasone significantly inhibit the antigen-induced eosinophil accumulation, these results suggest that antigen-induced lung eosinophilia is dependent of T-lymphocytes. However, cyclosporin and betamethasone may also reduce the chemotactic activity of PAF and LTB4 on guinea-pig eosinophils.
alpha-Amylase in resectable lung cancer
Authors: Lenler-Petersen P , Grove A , Brock A , Jelnes R
Published: November 2022

Biochemical analysis and immunohistochemical techniques support the theory that hyperamylasaemia in lung cancer is due to amylase production in carcinoma cells. The vast majority of amylase-producing carcinomas are adenocarcinomas with amylase isoenzyme similar to the salivary type. This prospective study assesses alpha-amylase expression in resectable lung cancer. Seventy four patients with resectable lung cancer were studied. Amylase activity in tumour tissue was analysed and isoamylase identification performed. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using a polyclonal rabbit antibody against human salivary amylase. Hyperamylasaemia occurred in 13 out of 70 patients. Increased amylase activity in tumour tissue was found in 10 out of 52 cases, of which only two were associated with hyperamylasaemia. With the exception of one large cell carcinoma and one squamous cell carcinoma, the tumours were adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed amylase expression in seven adenocarcinomas and two adenosquamous carcinomas. In conclusion, immunohistochemical amylase expression was restricted to carcinomas with adenomatous differentiation. Biochemical analysis confirmed amylase production in 5 of 7 cases examined, the tissue amylase isoenzymes being of salivary type. However, hyperamylasaemia and a slightly increased amylase activity in tumour tissue may be caused by factors other than amylase-producing carcinoma cells.
Medicolegal and compensation aspects of occupational asthma
Authors: Dewitte JD , Chan-Yeung M , Malo JL
Published: November 2022

The medicolegal aspects (primary prevention, secondary prevention or surveillance) and the system of compensation (tertiary prevention) for occupational asthma are reviewed in this article. Due to the significant medical, medicolegal, social and financial consequences, it is of the utmost importance that the diagnosis of occupational asthma be proved by objective means, whenever feasible. Compensation for temporary and permanent disability/impairment should be offered to workers. Attempts to retain subjects rapidly and efficiently are preferable, as occupational asthma generally affects young workers. The evaluation of permanent asthma and the awarding of relative permanent disability compensation should be effected 2 yrs after exposure to the causative agent has ended, as asthma generally persists even after exposure to the causative agent ceases. A tabulated review of prevailing medicolegal compensation systems in various countries is presented. Data on an evaluative assessment of the Quebec system of compensation are included.
Near-fatal asthma
Authors: Molfino NA , Slutsky AS
Published: November 2022

The prevalence of patients with acute severe asthma appears to be increasing in many countries. In the present review, we summarize data in the literature relating to the prevention and treatment of fatality-prone asthmatics. The underlying assumption is that increased understanding of near-fatal asthma will increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of severe asthma, and lead to interventions that could reduce the mortality rate from asthma. Recognition of acute life-threatening asthma attacks by any physician is mandatory, since lack of such diagnosis and appropriate treatment has been shown to have devastating consequences. The characteristics that allow identification of asthmatics prone to die in ambulatory settings (i.e. previous admissions, type of therapy, etc.) as well as the principal precipitating factors of acute near-fatal and fatal attacks of asthma are reviewed. Predisposing factors, such as lack of appropriate treatment, lack of compliance or poor preventive measures are debated. Finally, we discuss current therapeutic approaches in emergency facilities, based on the major pathophysiological findings in near-fatal asthma.
Portable peak flow meters: physical characteristics, influence of temperature, altitude, and humidity
Authors: Pedersen OF , Miller MR , Sigsgaard T , Tidley M , Harding RM
Published: November 2022

Little is known about the linearity of portable peak flow meters, or about physical gas factors affecting peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings. We therefore tested five portable peak flow meters of three types in an altitude chamber (sea level to 5,500 m) and in a climate chamber at sea level (7-37 degrees C) to determine the influence of the physical conditions of the gas on the reading of the meters. The nonlinear response of the variable orifice meters was confirmed and, when this was corrected for, the readings of these meters were found to be significantly reduced by higher altitude and lower temperature. The readings from a turbine type of peak flow meter were not affected by altitude but were reduced at low temperature. A mathematical model for the variable orifice meters could correct for both their nonlinear behaviour and the effect of gas density (altitude, temperature and humidity). The model showed that correction is not necessary for the differences in gas conditions between calibration and taking of measurements under normal laboratory conditions. All the meters tested had impedances higher than recommended (0.05 kPa.l-1.s) and this may influence PEF at high flows. The mean uncorrected PEF of six healthy subjects when measured with a Mini Wright peak flow meter at sea level and at 3,000 m fell by 5%, but the mean corrected PEF increased by 12%. This increase in PEF was about 60% of that predicted for fully density-dependent flow and agreed with the findings of other similar studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia as a presenting feature of Churg-Strauss syndrome
Authors: Hueto-Perez-de-Heredia JJ , Dominguez-del-Valle FJ , Garcia E , Gomez ML , Gallego J
Published: November 2022

We report on a case of Churg-Strauss syndrome in a 30 year old male with a history of perennial rhinitis. The syndrome began nine months earlier with clinico-radiological features typical of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. Diagnosis of vasculitis was made by skin biopsy, and at that time there was multisystemic involvement with pulmonary, cardiac, renal, cutaneous and muscular disease, and right vocal chord paralysis, which improved with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. This case report illustrates the possible overlap of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia and the Churg-Strauss syndrome.
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis in postmenopausal women: report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Baldi S , Papotti M , Valente ML , Rapellino M , Scappaticci E , Corrin B
Published: November 2022

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a disease largely confined to women in their reproductive years, is reported in two postmenopausal patients. Nine similar cases in the literature are reviewed. In older women, the disease appears to be similar to that described in younger women, with the possible exception that the clinical course may be longer and more benign after the menopause. It would appear that hormonal factors play a role in the development of the disease both before and after the menopause, and that hormonal treatment may be beneficial in the older women.
Smoking, changes in smoking habits, and rate of decline in FEV1: new insight into gender differences
Authors: Xu X , Weiss ST , Rijcken B , Schouten JP
Published: November 2022

We wanted to test the hypothesis that gender differences in effects of smoking on the rate of decline in pulmonary function may be related to gender differences in the frequency of smoking. Data from the Vlagtwedde-Vlaardingen study in The Netherlands were analysed, to investigate the rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (delta FEV1) in relation to smoking status and gender. 4,554 participants, initially aged 15-54 yrs, provided 16,900 pairs of observations at 3 yr intervals over 24 yrs of follow-up. Lifetime nonsmokers accounted for 11% of male participants and 45% of female participants. Compared with lifetime nonsmokers, estimated excess delta FEV1 for light, moderate, and heavy continued smokers was 4.4, 9.5 and 13.5 ml.yr-1 for men and 6.1, 10.8 and 18.8 ml.yr-1 for women, respectively. Female former smokers had a significantly more rapid delta FEV1 (beta = 4.4, SE = 1.6 ml.yr-1) than lifetime nonsmokers; but male former smokers had a slower rate of decline (beta = 4.1, SE = 2.3 ml.yr-1) than lifetime nonsmokers. Overall gender difference in smoking effects on delta FEV1 was statistically significant. Among subjects who smoked an identical amount at the beginning of the study period those who quit smoking during the period had a significantly slower delta FEV1 than those who continued smoking, for both men (beta = 20.6, SE = 3.9 ml.yr-1) and women (beta = 15.7, SE = 3.4 ml.yr-1). Younger quitters (< 45 yrs) benefited significantly more from smoking cessation than older quitters (> or = 45 yrs).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Selective enhancement of GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-8 production by monocytes and macrophages of asthmatic subjects
Authors: Hallsworth MP , Soh CP , Lane SJ , Arm JP , Lee TH
Published: November 2022

Previous work has demonstrated an increase in the production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) by monocytes derived from asthmatic individuals. We have suggested that monocytes and macrophages enhance airways inflammation by augmented cytokine production. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the production of GM-CSF and macrophage-derived cytokines, namely interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), from unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages in 31 asthmatic and 11 normal, control subjects. The basal production of GM-CSF was four fold higher in the monocytes of asthmatic individuals, but there was no significant difference in the basal production of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-8. After stimulation with LPS, asthmatic monocytes produced twofold more GM-CSF and fourfold more IL-1 beta than the monocytes from control subjects. Unstimulated macrophages from asthmatic subjects produced significantly less GM-CSF and TNF-alpha than macrophages from controls, and there was no difference in either IL-1 beta or IL-8 production. When stimulated by LPS, macrophages from asthmatic subjects produced twofold more GM-CSF, threefold more TNF-alpha and fourfold more IL-8. The levels of IL-8 produced by both monocytes and macrophages were at least 20 fold higher than those of the other cytokines measured. There is selectivity in the upregulation of cytokine production by monocytes and macrophages in asthma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Vitamin D metabolism by alveolar immune cells in tuberculosis: correlation with calcium metabolism and clinical manifestations
Authors: Cadranel JL , Garabedian M , Milleron B , Guillozzo H , Valeyre D , Paillard F , Akoun G , Hance AJ
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pulmonary vitamin D metabolism in tuberculosis and the calcium metabolism abnormalities and other clinical characteristics of the disease. The metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) by alveolar immune cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was evaluated in parallel to the results of calcium metabolism, 25(OH) D and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) plasma levels and other clinical parameters obtained in 14 tuberculosis patients. Whilst predominant metabolites produced by lavage cells in patients and controls were 5(E)--and 5(Z) -19-nor-10-oxo-25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 was produced by cells from all tuberculosis patients but not by cells from controls. Calcium metabolism abnormalities were observed in only some patients, but the production of 1,25 (OH)2D3 by lavage cells was found to correlate both with 1,25(OH)2D levels (r = 0.67) and post-load urinary calcium excretion (r = 0.59). 1,25(OH)2D3 production by lavage cells was increased in patients of black origin, and those presenting with hilar adenopathy without pulmonary infiltrates, and was correlated with the number of lymphocytes recovered by lavage (r = 0.87). We conclude that 1,25(OH)2D3 production by alveolar immune cells makes a major contribution to the abnormalities in calcium metabolism seen in tuberculosis patients, and may be partly dependent on the clinical characteristics evaluated here.
Fc alpha-receptor expression on the myelomonocytic cell line THP-1: comparison with human alveolar macrophages
Authors: Sibille Y , Depelchin S , Staquet P , Chatelain B , Coulie P , Shen L , Vander Maelen C , Vaerman JP
Published: November 2022

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and alveolar macrophages are two important components of the immune system in the respiratory tract. Fc alpha-receptors (Fc alpha R) are present on neutrophils, eosinophils and a series of human mononuclear phagocytes, including monocytes, alveolar macrophages and leukaemia cell lines (U-937). In the present study, using idiotypes and anti-idiotypic antibodies, we report that THP-1 cells, a myelomonocytic cell line, constitutively express Fc alpha R and that all IgA preparations used bind the receptor. Of the stimuli used (phorbol myristate acetate, retinoic acid, calcitriol), only calcitriol can induce differentiation of THP-1 cells, as assessed by CD14 expression. The expression of Fc alpha R appears to be independent of cell differentiation, since calcitriol pretreatment has no effect on IgA-binding. Finally, My43, a monoclonal antibody recognizing the Fc alpha R on U-937 cells, does not bind to THP-1 cells or to human alveolar macrophages. In addition, preincubation of THP-1 cells or human alveolar macrophages with My43 does not diminish IgA-binding to these cells. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) encoding the Fc alpha R isolated from U-937 is expressed, although possibly at a lower level, in alveolar macrophages and THP-1 cells. In conclusion, Fc alpha R are constitutively expressed on THP-1 cells and share some characteristics with the Fc alpha R described in human alveolar macrophages. THP-1 cells, therefore, may represent a reasonable model for further investigation of the interaction of immunoglobulin A and tissue macrophages.
Histamine induced pulmonary vasodilatation in the rat: site of action and changes in chronic hypoxia
Authors: Russell PC , Wright CE , Barer GR , Howard P
Published: November 2022

Histamine constricts postcapillary lung vessels and also causes dilatation, site unknown. In chronically hypoxic rats, pulmonary arterioles are muscularized and histamine-containing mast cells increase. We wanted to determine a) whether vasoreactivity to histamine changes in chronic hypoxia; b) whether dilatation is due to H2 receptors; and c) which vessels dilate. We perfused isolated lungs of normal (C) and chronically hypoxic (CH) rats. Histamine was tested during hypoxic vasoconstriction. To examine effects on arteries alone, we raised alveolar (inflation) pressure above outflow pressure; during inflation, pressure/flow (P/Q) lines were measured during normoxia, and hypoxia, and after histamine during continued hypoxia. Dose-related dilatation was seen, which was abolished by cimetidine and enhanced in CH rats. A mast cell-discharging agent, but not exogenous histamine, caused constriction, which was abolished by chlorpheniramine. P/Q lines differed in C and CH rats in a manner which suggests that hypoxia constricts larger "extra-alveolar" vessels in C rats, but mainly muscularized arterioles exposed to alveolar pressure in CH rats. Histamine restored the P/Q line to nearly its normoxic position; it therefore dilated those vessels which constrict in hypoxia in each rat group. It is concluded that histamine has a strong H2 dilator effect, enhanced in chronic hypoxia, which might be an important attenuating factor in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.
Severe upper airway obstruction in essential tremor presenting as asthma
Authors: Izquierdo-Alonso JL , Martinez-Martin P , Juretschke-Moragues MA , Serrano-Iglesias JA
Published: November 2022

A 57 year old man with essential tremor (ET) presented with a 2 year history of paroxysmal attacks of dyspnoea and wheezing. He had been diagnosed as having bronchial asthma, and propanolol was excluded from his treatment. Flow-volume loops showed abrupt changes in maximum flows, with poor reproducibility. A diagnosis of functional upper airway obstruction was confirmed by fibreoptic bronchoscopy. The importance of establishing the precise diagnosis, in order to provide appropriate treatment, is emphasized.
Endobronchial actinomycosis
Authors: Dalhoff K , Wallner S , Finck C , Gatermann S , Wiessmann KJ
Published: November 2022

Endobronchial actinomycosis was found to be the cause of right-sided atelectasis and haemoptysis in a 57 year old man without predisposing conditions. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy revealed occlusion of the intermediate bronchus by yellow-white masses. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically and by positive Actinomyces culture from bioptic material. Prolonged antibiotic treatment resulted in complete recovery, without need for surgical resection.