bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sulphasalazine and lung toxicity
Authors: Parry S.D. , Barbatzas C. , Peel E.T. , Barton J.R. 
Published: July 2002

Sulphasalazine prescribing is on the increase. Pulmonary toxicity and blood dyscrasias are rare side-effects. Numerous case reports have been published implicating sulphasalazine in pulmonary toxicity. The authors searched the literature for cases of sulphasalazine induced lung toxicity and the 50 cases identified are discussed here.All published case reports/letters referring to sulphasalazine and lung toxicity were studied. The search terms “sulphasalazine” and “sulfasalazine” were combined with the terms “lung”, “pulmonary disease”, “pneumonitis” and “pleuritis” using Medline and PubMed databases.Typical presentation of sulphasalazine-induced lung disease was with new onset dyspnoea and infiltrates on chest radiography. Common symptoms were cough and fever. Crepitations on auscultation and peripheral eosinophilia were noted in half of the cases. Sputum production, allergy history, rash, chest pain and weight loss were inconsistent findings. Pulmonary pathology was variable, the commonest being eosinophilic pneumonia with peripheral eosinophilia and interstitial inflammation with or without fibrosis. Fatal reports were infrequent. Most patients were managed by drug withdrawal with 40% prescribed corticosteroids.In conclusion, sulphasalazine lung disease should be distinguished from interstitial lung disease due to underlying primary disease. Despite the increase in sulphasalazine prescribing, pulmonary toxicity remains rare. The majority of patients with suspected sulphasalazine-induced lung disease improved within weeks of drug withdrawal and the need for corticosteroids is debatable.
A long-term evaluation of once-daily inhaled tiotropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Casaburi R. , Mahler D.A. , Jones P.W. , Wanner A. , San Pedro G. , ZuWallack R.L. , Menjoge S.S. , Serby C.W. , Witek T. 
Published: July 2002

Currently available inhaled bronchodilators used as therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) necessitate multiple daily dosing. The present study evaluates the long-term safety and efficacy of tiotropium, a new once-daily anticholinergic in COPD.Patients with stable COPD (age 65.2±8.7 yrs (mean±sd), n=921) were enrolled in two identical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 1-yr studies. Patients inhaled tiotropium 18 µg or placebo (mean screening forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 1.01versus0.99 L, 39.1 and 38.1% of the predicted value) once daily as a dry powder. The primary spirometric outcome was trough FEV1(i.e.FEV1prior to dosing). Changes in dyspnoea were measured using the Transition Dyspnea Index, and health status with the disease-specific St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and the generic Short Form 36. Medication use and adverse events were recorded.Tiotropium provided significantly superior bronchodilation relative to placebo for trough FEV1response (∼12% over baseline) (p<0.01) and mean response during the 3 h following dosing (∼22% over baseline) (p<0.001) over the 12-month period. Tiotropium recipients showed less dyspnoea (p<0.001), superior health status scores, and fewer COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations (p<0.05). Adverse events were comparable with placebo, except for dry mouth incidence (tiotropium 16.0%versusplacebo 2.7%, p<0.05).Tiotropium is an effective, once-daily bronchodilator that reduces dyspnoea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation frequency and improves health status. This suggests that tiotropium will make an important contribution to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy.
Lung cGMP release subsequent to NO inhalation in pulmonary hypertension: respondersversusnonresponders
Authors: Ghofrani H.A. , Wiedemann R. , Rose F. , Weissmann N. , Schermuly R.T. , Quanz K. , Grimminger F. , Seeger W. , Olschewski H. 
Published: July 2002

Inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) is widely employed for the assessment of pulmonary vasoresponsiveness in pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the reasons for the huge differences in vascular reactivity to NO between patients are unknown, and the role of NO-induced cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is unclear.Twenty patients with severe precapillary PH were investigated. Thirty-six Swan-Ganz catheter investigations were performed and the study subjects were tested for responses to NO inhalation. This included an assessment of pulmonary and systemic arterial plasma cGMP and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels.A significant NO response (pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decrease >20%) was noted in nine of 20 patients (45%) during the first catheterization. A highly significant correlation between baseline plasma cGMP and ANP levels with PVR was observed (r=0.62 and r=0.66, respectively; p<0.0001). In response to NO, systemic and mixed venous cGMP levels increased from 13.9±1.28 nM and 12.75±0.99 nM to 79.23±4.99 nM and 55.25±4.41 nM (p<0.001), respectively, accompanied by the appearance of a marked transpulmonary cGMP gradient. Although in the responder group ANP levels were significantly reduced after NO inhalation, no significant correlation was observed to the extent of PVR reduction. The magnitude of the NO-elicited cGMP response did not discriminate between haemodynamic responders and nonresponders.This study concludes that plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels are significantly correlated with the severity of disease in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Nitric oxide inhalation provokes a prompt increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate secretion, but the magnitude of this release is not linked with a decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance.
Early intervention for acute back injury: can we finally develop an evidence-based approach?
Authors: Smith Daphne , McMurray Nancy , Disler Peter 
Published: July 2002

Objective: Several reviews of the treatment of acute low back pain have been published in the past and have formed the basis of clinical guidelines. However, these lack consistency in some areas and valid data in others. As the literature in this field has continued to expand, the present review was undertaken to establish whether the guidelines in current use are supported by more recently published, scientifically rigorous research, and whether additional consensus regarding treatment of acute low back injury has been forthcoming in recent years. Design: A review, and critical analysis, of literature relating to the treatment of acute low back pain that has been published since the production of the currently used clinical guidelines. The guidelines have been reviewed to assess whether their recommendations remain supportable. Conclusions: Recent research appears to support current clinical guidelines i.e. exercise may have a positive effect while bed rest is ineffective and may be harmful, simple analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-in‘ammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have short-term benefits, and spinal manipulation may be effective in the first four weeks; no evidence was found for traction or back schools. However, we need more randomized controlled trials of treatments shown to be successful with the chronic population, e.g. focused on understanding psychological determinants, and using a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach. In the future this may help us to prevent acute low back progressing to the chronic state.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of professionally guided self-care for people with multiple sclerosis living in the community: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: O'Hara Louise , Cadbury Heather , De Souza Lorraine , Ide Lorely 
Published: July 2002

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the ef”cacy of a patient-focused professionally guided self-care programme for the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the community. Design: This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: The study was conducted with people with MS living in the community. Participants: Two hundred and seventy-eight people with MS were invited to take part in the study. One hundred and eighty-nine people consented to take part (68%). Of these 183 began the study and 169 (92.3%) completed it. Seventy-three individuals were in the intervention group and 96 were in the control group. Intervention: The intervention comprised discussion of self-care based on client priorities, using an information booklet about self-care. Main outcome measures: These included the Barthel Index, a measure of mobility, the SF-36, and the Standard Day Dependency Record (SDDR) which measures the need for assistance with daily activities. Assessments were conducted at baseline and again six months later. Results: Changes in health status were small. However, at follow-up the intervention group had better SF-36 health scores, in mental health ( p = 0.04), and vitality ( p = 0.05) and considered help with daily activities to be less essential, as measured by the SDDR ( p = 0.04), than the control group. Participants in the intervention group had maintained levels of independence at follow-up ( p = 0.62) while the control group showed a signi”cant decrease in independence ( p = 0.001). Conclusion: This intervention could be a useful aid for health professionals who are supporting people with MS living in the community.
Urine Dipstick as a Screening Test for Serum Creatinine Elevation in Emergency Department Patients with Severe Hypertension
Authors: Karras David J. , Heilpern Katherine L. , Riley Louis J. , Hughes Lynn , Gaughan John P. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract Objective: Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with severe hypertension require assessment for acute end‐organ damage. Serum creatinine (SCr) measurement is routinely recommended to detect renal dysfunction. The authors assessed the utility of the urine dipstick test in screening for acute SCr elevation in this population. Methods: The authors performed a prospective study of adult ED patients with diastolic blood pressures ≥115 mm Hg that persisted for ≥30 minutes or necessitated emergent treatment. Excluded were menstruating and pregnant women and patients with urinary infection, trauma, or dialysis dependence. Patients reporting a history of renal disease were excluded if the SCr was abnormal and no baseline value was available. Each subject had an SCr and urine dipstick test. The authors examined the performance of the dipstick in identifying an elevated SCr, defined as SCr >1.2 mg/dL or >25% above baseline. Results: Of 143 patients, 42 had SCr >1.2 mg/dL. Eighteen reported prior renal disease but had an SCr that was normal or ≤25% above baseline. The remaining 24 subjects comprised the elevated SCr group. The presence of either proteinuria or hematuria on dipstick identified these patients with 100% sensitivity and 29.7% specificity. Specificity rose to 42.4% without loss of sensitivity when an abnormal dipstick was defined as hematuria or ≥1+ proteinuria. Conclusions: The urine dipstick may be an effective screening test for SCr elevation in patients with severe hypertension. A restrictive definition of an abnormal dipstick would identify all patients with elevated SCr and substantially reduce the number of SCr assays necessary.
Tissue Harmonic Imaging Improves Organ Visualization in Trauma Ultrasound When Compared with Standard Ultrasound Mode
Authors: Blaivas Michael , DeBehnke Daniel , Sierzenski Paul R. , Phelan Mary Beth 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) examination is complicated by brightly lit trauma bays, limited time, and body habitus. Recently, new ultrasound (US) technology has become available that improves organ visualization in abdominal scans. Objective: The hypothesis was that a new US mode, tissue harmonic (TH) imaging, improves visualization of critical organ relationships in the FAST examination by making use of previously unused frequencies. The authors performed a blind, prospective observational study to compare the images obtained in typical FAST views with those obtained in standard US and TH modes. Methods: Blunt trauma patients presenting to a level I trauma center between April and September 2000 were enrolled on a convenience basis. Typical FAST views were obtained in standard and TH modes. The emergency ultrasonographer (EU) switched between modes for each view, optimizing the gain each time. Multiple digital still images were made with all indications of the mode used disguised. For each view on a patient, the best image in each mode was selected in a blinded fashion. Three experienced EUs, blinded to the mode used, rated each image pair for resolution, detail, and total image quality as previously defined on a ten‐point Likert scale, 10 being the best for each category. Wilcoxon signed‐ranks test, 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and interobserver correlation were calculated. Results: A total of 76 image groups (39 of Morison's pouch, 20 splenorenal, and 17 bladder) from 52 patients were rated. Tissue harmonics produced improved resolution, detail, and quality when compared with the standard US mode, with median scores of 6.7 vs. 6.0, 6.7 vs. 6.0, and 6.3 vs. 6.0, respectively. The differences of 0.7 (95% CI = 0.4 to 0.93), 0.7 (95% CI = 0.4 to 0.93), and 0.33 (95% CI = 0.17 to 0.67) were statistically significant, with p = 0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.0003, respectively. There was good interobserver agreement (kappa = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.79). Conslusions: Tissue harmonics produced FAST images higher in detail, resolution, and total image quality than standard‐mode US images.
Health Care Utilization of Chronic Inebriates
Authors: Thornquist Lisa , Biros Michelle , Olander Robert , Sterner Steven 
Published: July 2002

Abstract. Chronic inebriates often use emergency services, including the emergency department (ED), because they lack other resources or access to primary care. Because of their complicated medical needs, which are often exacerbated by acute intoxication and related illness or injury, a relatively small number of acutely intoxicated chronic inebriates can stretch ED resources and contribute to ED over‐crowding. Objective: In order to address this, as well as overutilization of other county services, three county programs were developed (ethnic‐ and genderspecific supportive housing; intensive street case management) to reduce emergency resource utilization while still providing a safe environment. This study determined the effectiveness of these programs. The authors hypothesized that program enrollment would reduce medical and detoxification (detox) expenditures for this patient population. Methods: Pre‐ and postprogram comparisons were made on the number of detox and medical visits, insured days, and charges. Data were retrieved (with patients written informed consent) from hospital and health plan billings and county databases. Descriptive statistics compared groups pre and post enrollment. Least‐squares regression predicted total and non‐inpatient medical charges. Results: Complete data were available for 92 of 122 patients (mean age = 47 years; 60% Native American; 93% male); seven had severe illnesses or injuries, skewing the mean. However, there were significant overall reductions in the median numbers of yearly detox visits (10 to 1) and medical visits (11 to 8), and in median medical charges (5,436 to 2,770) and total health care charges (9,297 to 5,218). The median number of days insured increased (284 to 353). By regression analysis, injury was the most important preprogram predictor of medical charges; illness drives charges post‐entry. Alcohol‐related visits added to the model before entry but disappeared post‐entry. Conclusions: These programs reduced health care use for most patients. However, serious medical illness or injury in a small number of patients contributed heavily to resource utilization.
Short‐Term and Long‐Term Memory Functionality of a Brain‐Like Device Built from Nanoparticle Atomic Switch Networks
Authors: Srikimkaew Oradee , Azhari Saman , Banerjee Deep , Usami Yuki , Tanaka Hirofumi 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe synaptic plasticity of the Ag‐Ag2S nanoparticle‐based volatile memristor system is demonstrated. The nanoparticles self‐assemble into a network with over 103 interconnected atomic switch interfaces. Short‐term plasticity is identified by spontaneous conductance relaxation, attributed to the memristor's volatility. The conductance of the network is enhanced when a subsequent stimulus pulse arrives shortly after the previous one, analogous to the paired‐pulse facilitation in biological synapses. Furthermore, repeated pulse stimulation is used to achieve the transition from short‐term plasticity to long‐term potentiation, a process related to learning and memory formation. Remarkably, the result reveals that the lifetime of long‐term potentiation for 100‐pulse stimulation is 40 min, indicating that the device can forget newly acquired information after prolonged storage, akin to human memories. The findings provide insight into the the learning and memory abilities of atomic switch network memristors, facilitating the development of hardware‐implemented artificial neural networks.
A Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Presentations of Sporadic and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex‐Associated Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Authors: Savage Taylor E. , Geenen Kennedy R. , Price Melissa C. , El‐Chemaly Souheil Y. , Henske Elizabeth P. , Sharma Amita , Thiele Elizabeth A. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThis research aims to compare and assess the clinical and radiological presentations of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)‐associated lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and sporadic LAM. A retrospective medical record review was conducted for 90 patients with confirmed LAM diagnoses. Radiologists who were blinded to the LAM type evaluated CT images of the chest and abdomen for the presence of four CT phenotypes: multiple sclerotic bone lesions (SBLs), multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia (MMPH), hepatic fat‐containing lesions, and cardiac fat‐containing lesions. Statistical analyses were then completed to analyze the differences between TSC‐LAM and sporadic LAM. Sporadic LAM patients reported a greater number of clinical symptoms at the time of diagnosis than TSC‐LAM patients. All four CT phenotypes were present among the TSC‐LAM patient population, whereas hepatic fat containing lesions were the only phenotype present in sporadic LAM patients evaluated in this study. The clinical and radiological presentations of sporadic LAM and TSC‐LAM differ significantly, suggesting that the diagnostic criteria for sporadic LAM and/or TSC itself could be adapted accordingly. However, the similarities in the presentation of the LAM types are also important to note as these trends inform theories surrounding the potential underlying pathogenic mechanisms of sporadic LAM.
Are Hydroxyl Radicals Spontaneously Generated in Unactivated Water Droplets?
Authors: Chen Casey J. , Williams Evan R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSpontaneous ionization/breakup of water at the surface of aqueous droplets has been reported with evidence ranging from formation of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, indicated by ions at m/z 36 attributed to OH⋅‐H3O+ or (H2O‐OH2)+⋅ as well as oxidation products of radical scavengers in mass spectra of water droplets formed by pneumatic nebulization. Here, aqueous droplets are formed both by nanoelectrospray, which produces highly charged nanodrops with initial diameters ~100 nm, and a vibrating mesh nebulizer, which produces 2–20 μm droplets that are initially less highly charged. The lifetimes of these droplets range from 10s of μs to 560 ms and the surface‐to‐volume ratios span ~100‐fold range. No ions at m/z 36 are detected with pure water, nor are significant oxidation products for the two radical scavengers that were previously reported to be formed in high abundance. These and other results indicate that prior conclusions about spontaneous hydroxyl radical formation in unactivated water droplets are not supported by the evidence and that water appears to be stable at droplet surfaces over a wide range of droplet size, charge and lifetime.
Biogenic Syntheses of AgNPs With Leaf Extract Abution indicum and Its Application for Antimicrobial and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Ramesh Ayyakkannu , Elanchezhiyan Jayaraman , Karthickeyan Dhanapal , Mani Moorthy , Kaviyarasu Kasinathan , Uthrakumar Ramamurthy , BaQais Amal , Al‐Sowayan Noorah Saleh , Alam Mir Waqas 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with leaf extract Abution indicum was done, and those were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) with energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The analysis by UV–vis spectroscopy showed a peak of 450 nm, and DLS and zeta potential were utilized to determine the size distribution of the biosynthesized Abution indicum–AgNPs (AI‐AgNPs) with a size range of 24–37 nm, and the X‐ray diffraction peak 38.096o was used to confirm that the crystalline structure of AI‐AgNPs. Furthermore, the antipathogenic effect of synthesized AgNPs and standard antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) as studied the positive control in different types of bacterial pathogens likes Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia Coli, with the zone of inhibition values of 9 mm. The synthesized AgNPs displayed excellent photocatalytic activity against reactive blue under sunlight than a UV light irradiation, and maximum degradation of 43% was achieved with 66 min of reaction time. In view of promising activity, the AgNPs could be used photocatalyst for the degradation of dyes in wastewater, and pomegranate leaf extract can be applied as eco‐benign and cost‐effective approach for AgNPs synthesis. Hence, the current findings suggest that Abutilon indicum is a valuable source for tailoring the potential of AgNPs toward various enhanced biological, photocatalytic, and adsorption activities. Consequently, the plant biological molecule‐mediated synthesized AI‐AgNPs could be excellent contenders for future therapeutic applications.
Structure–property correlation assessment of LLDPE‐based biocomposites with Azadirachta Indica wood flour
Authors: Yadav Jitender , Ramkumar PL , Parwani Ajit Kumar 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis research explores the development of new composite material by integrating Azadirachta Indica (AI) with LLDPE to create wood‐plastic composites using the rotational molding process. By examining various proportions of AI wood flour blended with LLDPE, we investigated their impact on mechanical and physical properties. Our tests elucidate a clear correlation between mechanical properties and composite morphologies. Despite identical molding conditions, higher wood particle concentrations reduced mechanical properties compared to lower concentrations. Remarkably, a 12% wood content emerges as optimal, yielding a tensile modulus of 3.69 MPa and a flexural modulus of 468.5 MPa, with an acceptable reduction of 11% density and 13% porosity versus pure LLDPE. Additionally, we observed declines in tensile strength, impact strength, and hardness by up to 23%, 62%, and 11%, respectively, compared to neat LLDPE. Natural fillers enhance aesthetics, making these materials ideal for consumer products like garden equipment and furniture accessories.