bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A hypothesis for the initiation of COPD
Authors: Tzortzaki E. G. , Siafakas N. M. 
Published: July 2009

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is generally thought to depend on an aberrant immune response to a noxious or infectious agent, which may cause chronic inflammation. However, the initiation of this abnormal response is not fully understood. Here, we propose a new hypothesis for the beginning of COPD, that the immune response to inhaled agents, mainly cigarette smoke, is directed toward the airway epithelium, due to oxidative DNA damage of the lung epithelial barrier cells (LEBCs). The steps of this model are as follows. 1) Cigarette smoke induces oxidative DNA damage of LEBCs. 2) The acquired mutations are expressed at the microsatellite DNA level of LEBCs. 3) The altered LEBCs are recognised by dendritic cells (DCs) as “nonself”. DCs travel, with the new information, to the lymph nodes, presenting it to the naïve T-lymphocytes. 4) A predominant CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte proliferation occurs. The CD8+ cells, by releasing perforin and granzymes, attack the altered LEBCs activating cell death cascades.Obviously, the above scenario needs further experimental exploration. However, it is an attractive model for the initiation of the abnormal inflammation in COPD, comprising oxidative DNA damage of LEBCs and host immune response.
Analysis of home support and ventilator malfunction in 1,211 ventilator-dependent patients
Authors: Chatwin M. , Heather S. , Hanak A. , Polkey M. I. , Simonds A. K. 
Published: July 2009

Risk management is an important aspect of home ventilation (HV). We examined the nature of calls to a home support helpline to identify patient/equipment problems and strategies to minimise risk for patients, healthcare teams and manufacturers.From 1,211 adult and paediatric patients with neuromuscular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or chest wall disease receiving HV, all calls to a dedicated respiratory support telephone hotline between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006 were analysed.1,199 patients received noninvasive ventilation, 12 tracheostomy ventilation; 149 had two ventilators for 24-h ventilator dependency. There was a mean of 528 daytime calls per month and 14 calls a month at night. Following 188 calls, a home visit was performed; these identified a technical problem that could either be solved in the patient's home in 64% or required replacement or new parts in 22% of cases. In 25 calls in which no mechanical fault was identified, 13 patients were either found to be unwell or required hospital admission.Patients using HV have a substantial requirement for assistance, with most technical problems being resolved simply. Where no fault can be found during an equipment check, the patient themselves may be unwell and should receive early clinical evaluation. The patient may have mistaken clinical deterioration for an equipment problem.
Relaxation of tracheal smooth muscle is impaired in innate airway hyperresponsiveness
Authors: Blanc F-X. , Coirault C. , Oliviero P. , Lecarpentier Y. 
Published: July 2009

The current study was designed to determine whether the nonspecificin vivoairway hyperresponsiveness of the inbred Fisher F-344 rat strain is associated with impaired spontaneous relaxation of airway smooth muscle.Strips of the posterior portion of the trachea from 10 adult Fisher and 10 adult Lewis rats were electrically stimulated at pH 7.4, 2.5 mM Ca2+concentration, at 37°C. Both isotonic and isometric relaxations of tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) were investigated.Half time for isotonic relaxation at preload was markedly prolonged in Fisher rats (8.33±3.21 s) compared with Lewis rats (3.53±0.54 s; p<0.001). Maximum lengthening velocity at preload and peak rate of isometric tension decline were significantly decreased in Fisher rats compared with Lewis rats. The ratio of shortening velocity to lengthening velocity at preload, as well as the ratio of the isometric peak rates of tension development to tension decline were higher in Fisher rat TSM than in Lewis rat TSM. These differences were associated with a six-fold higher expression of myosin light chain kinase in Fisher rats than in Lewis rats.In Fisher rats, these results suggest that innate airway hyperresponsiveness is associated with both a reduced level and a slower rate of TSM spontaneous relaxation, promoting maintenance of airway constriction.
Variability and effects of bronchial colonisation in patients with moderate COPD
Authors: Marin A. , Monsó E. , Garcia-Nuñez M. , Sauleda J. , Noguera A. , Pons J. , Agustí A. , Morera J. 
Published: July 2009

Sputum and lung function were periodically assessed in stable moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outpatients to determine relationships between bronchial colonisation and inflammation.Relationships between potentially pathogenic microorganism (PPM) typology, bronchial inflammation (neutrophilia, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12) and post-bronchodilator decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were analysed. PPMs periodically showing the same molecular profile using pulse field gel electrophoresis were considered long-term persistent.Bronchial colonisation was observed in 56 out of 79 follow-up examinations (70.9%) and was mainly due toHaemophilus influenzae,Pseudomonas aeruginosaand enterobacteria (n = 47). These PPMs were all related to sputum neutrophilia (p≤0.05, Chi-squared test), andH. influenzaewas related to higher levels of IL-1β (p = 0.005) and IL-12 (p = 0.01), with a dose–response relationship (Spearman’s correlation coefficient of 0.38 for IL-1β (p = 0.001), and of 0.32 for IL-12 (p = 0.006)).Haemophilus parainfluenzaewas not associated with an identifiable inflammatory response. Long-term persistence of the same strain was observed in 12 examinations (21.4%), mainly due toP. aeruginosaor enterobacteria. A neutrophilic bronchial inflammatory response was associated with a statistically significant decline in FEV1during follow-up (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.07–6.62).A load-related relationship to bronchial inflammation in moderate COPD was observed for colonisation byH. influenzae, but not for colonisation byH. parainfluenzae.
Nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism
Authors: Jorens P. G. , Van Marck E. , Snoeckx A. , Parizel P. M. 
Published: July 2009

Nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism (NTPE) is defined as embolisation to the pulmonary circulation of different cell types (adipocytes, haematopoietic, amniotic, trophoblastic or tumour), bacteria, fungi, foreign material or gas. The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of the different NTPE subtypes.The complex and diverse pathogenesis of different subtypes of emboli is subject to continuing speculation and is certainly far more complex than “simple” mechanical obstruction after embolisation of vascular thrombi. Nonthrombotic emboli may also lead to a severe inflammatory reaction both in the systemic and pulmonary circulation, as well as in the lung.NTPE presents a formidable diagnostic challenge, as the condition often presents with very unusual and peculiar clinical signs that are frequently overlooked. They range from very dramatic acute presentations such as acute respiratory distress syndrome to signs observed late in the disease course. Pathological observations play a key role in the exact diagnosis, and sometimes carefully aspirated blood from the pulmonary artery or specific staining of cells recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid may be helpful. Frequently, lung biopsies revealing severe granulomatous reaction or unfortunatepost-mortempathological investigations of pulmonary tissue are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Here, we also aim to familiarise the reader with the atypical radiological features of NTPE. Thin-section computed tomography of the lungs showing peculiar radiographic findings, such as a feeding vessel, the so-called tree-in-bud pattern or the appearance of micronodules distributed at the termination of bronchovascular bundles, may be observed in certain forms of NTPE.Increased awareness of NTPE as an underestimated cause of acute and chronic embolism, which may result in acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension, is needed. Despite the fact that detailed descriptions of several forms of NTPE have existed for nearly 100 years, well-designed trials have never been performed to evaluate therapy in the different subsets of these patients.
A randomised trial of home energy efficiency improvement in the homes of elderly COPD patients
Authors: Osman L. M. , Ayres J. G. , Garden C. , Reglitz K. , Lyon J. , Douglas J. G. 
Published: July 2009

A randomised trial of 178 patients in Aberdeen, UK with a previous hospital admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was carried out in order to determine whether improving home energy efficiency improves health-related quality of life in COPD patients.118 patients were randomised and 60 agreed to monitoring only. Energy efficiency upgrading was carried out in 42% of homes randomised to intervention. Independent energy efficiency action was taken by 15% of control participants and 18% in the monitoring group. The main outcome measures were respiratory and general health status, home energy efficiency and hospital admissions.Intention-to-treat analysis found no difference in outcomes between the two groups. In 45 patients, who had energy efficiency action independent of original randomisation, there were significant improvements in respiratory symptom scores (adjusted mean 9.0, 95% CI 2.5–15.5), decreases in estimated annual fuel costs (-£65.3, 95% CI -£31.9– -£98.7) and improved home energy efficiency rating (1.1, 95% CI 0–1.4).COPD patients are unlikely to take up home energy efficiency upgrading, if offered. Secondary “pragmatic” analysis suggests that those who do take action may achieve clinically significant improvement in respiratory health, which is not associated with an increase in indoor warmth.
Transcriptional profiling avian beta-defensins in chicken oviduct epithelial cells before and after infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis
Authors: Ebers Katie L , Zhang C Yan , Zhang M Zhenyu , Bailey R Hartford , Zhang Shuping 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) colonizes the ovary and oviduct of chickens without causing overt clinical signs which can lead to SE-contamination of the content and membrane of shell-eggs as well as hatchery eggs. The organism utilizes the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island-2 encoded type III secretion system (T3SS-2) to promote persistence in the oviduct of laying hens. In this study, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out to determine the expression profiles of 14 known avian beta defensins (AvBDs) in primary chicken oviduct epithelial cells (COEC) before and after infections with a wild type SE strain and T3SS mutant SE strains carrying an inactivated sipA or pipB gene.

Results
Based on the expression levels in uninfected COEC, AvBDs can be loosely grouped into three categories with AvBD4-5 and AvBD9-12 being constitutively expressed at high levels; AvBD1, AvBD3, and AvBD13-14 at moderate levels; and AvBD2 and AvBD6-8 at minimal levels. Infection with the wild type SE strain temporarily repressed certain highly expressed AvBDs and induced the expression of minimally expressed AvBDs. The pipB mutant, compared to the wild type strain, had reduced suppressive effect on the expression of highly expressed AvBDs. Moreover, the pipB mutant elicited significantly higher levels of the minimally expressed AvBDs than the wild type SE or the sipA mutant did.

Conclusion
Chicken oviduct epithelial cells express most of the known AvBD genes in response to SE infection. PipB, a T3SS-2 effector protein, plays a role in dampening the β-defensin arm of innate immunity during SE invasion of chicken oviduct epithelium.
The cellulose synthase superfamily in fully sequenced plants and algae
Authors: Yin Yanbin , Huang Jinling , Xu Ying 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
The cellulose synthase superfamily has been classified into nine cellulose synthase-like (Csl) families and one cellulose synthase (CesA) family. The Csl families have been proposed to be involved in the synthesis of the backbones of hemicelluloses of plant cell walls. With 17 plant and algal genomes fully sequenced, we sought to conduct a genome-wide and systematic investigation of this superfamily through in-depth phylogenetic analyses.

Results
A single-copy gene is found in the six chlorophyte green algae, which is most closely related to the CslA and CslC families that are present in the seven land plants investigated in our analyses. Six proteins from poplar, grape and sorghum form a distinct family (CslJ), providing further support for the conclusions from two recent studies. CslB/E/G/H/J families have evolved significantly more rapidly than their widely distributed relatives, and tend to have intragenomic duplications, in particular in the grape genome.

Conclusion
Our data suggest that the CslA and CslC families originated through an ancient gene duplication event in land plants. We speculate that the single-copy Csl gene in green algae may encode a mannan synthase. We confirm that the rest of the Csl families have a different evolutionary origin than CslA and CslC, and have proposed a model for the divergence order among them. Our study provides new insights about the evolution of this important gene family in plants.
Treatment of advanced, recurrent, resistant to previous treatments basal and squamous cell skin carcinomas with a synergistic formulation of interferons. Open, prospective study
Authors: Anasagasti-Angulo Lorenzo , Garcia-Vega Yanelda , Barcelona-Perez Silvia , Lopez-Saura Pedro , Bello-Rivero Iraldo 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Aggressive non-melanoma skin cancer (deeply infiltrating, recurrent, and morphea form lesions) are therapeutically challenging because they require considerable tissue loss and may demand radical disfiguring surgery. Interferons (IFN) may provide a non-surgical approach to the management of these tumors. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a formulation containing IFNs-α and -γ in synergistic proportions on patients with recurrent, advanced basal cell (BCC) or squamous cell skin carcinomas (SCSC).

Methods
Patients with extensive, recurrent, resistant to other procedures BCC or SCSC received the IFN formulation peri- and intralesionally, three times per week for 3 weeks. They had been previously treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Thirteen weeks after the end of treatment, the original lesion sites were examined for histological evidence of remaining tumor.

Results
Sixteen elder (median 70 years-old) patients were included. They beared 12 BCC and 4 SCSC ranging from 1.5 to 12.5 cm in the longest dimension. At the end of treatment 47% CR (complete tumor elimination), 40% PR (>30% tumor reduction), and 13% stable disease were obtained. None of the patients relapsed during the treatment period. The median duration of the response was 38 months. Only one patient with complete response had relapsed until today. Principal adverse reactions were influenza-like symptoms well known to occur with interferon therapy, which were well tolerated.

Conclusion
The peri- and intralesional combination of IFNs-α and -γ was safe and showed effect for the treatment of advanced, recurrent and resistant to previous treatments of BCC and SCSC in elder patients. This is the first report of such treatment in patients with advance non-melanoma skin cancer. The encouraging result justifies further confirmatory trials.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials RPCEC00000052.
A comparison between the APACHE II and Charlson Index Score for predicting hospital mortality in critically ill patients
Authors: Quach Susan , Hennessy Deirdre A , Faris Peter , Fong Andrew , Quan Hude , Doig Christopher 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Risk adjustment and mortality prediction in studies of critical care are usually performed using acuity of illness scores, such as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), which emphasize physiological derangement. Common risk adjustment systems used in administrative datasets, like the Charlson index, are entirely based on the presence of co-morbid illnesses. The purpose of this study was to compare the discriminative ability of the Charlson index to the APACHE II in predicting hospital mortality in adult multisystem ICU patients.

Methods
This was a population-based cohort design. The study sample consisted of adult (>17 years of age) residents of the Calgary Health Region admitted to a multisystem ICU between April 2002 and March 2004. Clinical data were collected prospectively and linked to hospital outcome data. Multiple regression analyses were used to compare the performance of APACHE II and the Charlson index.

Results
The Charlson index was a poor predictor of mortality (C = 0.626). There was minimal difference between a baseline model containing age, sex and acute physiology score (C = 0.74) and models containing either chronic health points (C = 0.76) or Charlson index variations (C = 0.75, 0.76, 0.77). No important improvement in prediction occurred when the Charlson index was added to the full APACHE II model (C = 0.808 to C = 0.813).

Conclusion
The Charlson index does not perform as well as the APACHE II in predicting hospital mortality in ICU patients. However, when acuity of illness scores are unavailable or are not recorded in a standard way, the Charlson index might be considered as an alternative method of risk adjustment and therefore facilitate comparisons between intensive care units.
Transcriptome analysis of Taenia solium cysticerci using Open Reading Frame ESTs (ORESTES)
Authors: Almeida Carolina R , Stoco Patricia H , Wagner Glauber , Sincero Thaís CM , Rotava Gianinna , Bayer-Santos Ethel , Rodrigues Juliana B , Sperandio Maísa M , Maia Antônio AM , Ojopi Elida PB , Zaha Arnaldo , Ferreira Henrique B , Tyler Kevin M , Dávila Alberto MR , Grisard Edmundo C , Dias-Neto Emmanuel 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Human infection by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium affects more than 50 million people worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Cysticercosis which arises from larval encystation can be life threatening and difficult to treat. Here, we investigate for the first time the transcriptome of the clinically relevant cysticerci larval form.

Results
Using Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) produced by the ORESTES method, a total of 1,520 high quality ESTs were generated from 20 ORESTES cDNA mini-libraries and its analysis revealed fragments of genes with promising applications including 51 ESTs matching antigens previously described in other species, as well as 113 sequences representing proteins with potential extracellular localization, with obvious applications for immune-diagnosis or vaccine development.

Conclusion
The set of sequences described here will contribute to deciphering the expression profile of this important parasite and will be informative for the genome assembly and annotation, as well as for studies of intra- and inter-specific sequence variability. Genes of interest for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools are described and discussed.
School children sufficiently apply life supporting first aid: a prospective investigation
Authors: Fleischhackl Roman , Nuernberger Alexander , Sterz Fritz , Schoenberg Christina , Urso Tania , Habart Tanja , Mittlboeck Martina , Chandra-Strobos Nisha 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Introduction
The usefulness of CPR training in schools has been questioned because young students may not have the physical and cognitive skills needed to correctly perform such complex tasks correctly.

Methods
In pupils, who received six hours of CPR training from their teachers during a standard school semester at four months post training the following outcome parameters were assessed: CPR effectiveness, AED deployment, accuracy in checking vital signs, correctness of recovery position, and whether the ambulance service was effectively notified. Possible correlations of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and outcome parameters were calculated.

Results
Of 147 students (mean age 13 ± 2 years), 86% performed CPR correctly. Median depth of chest compressions was 35 mm (inter quartile range (IQR) 31 to 41), and the median number of compressions per minute was 129 bpm (IQR 108 to 143). Sixty nine percent of the students tilted the mannequin head sufficiently for mouth to mouth resuscitation, and the median air volume delivered was 540 ml (IQR 0 to 750). Scores on other life supporting techniques were at least 80% or higher. Depth of chest compressions showed a correlation with BMI (r = 0.35; P < 0.0001), body weight (r = 0.38; P < 0.0001), and body height (r = 0.31; P = 0.0002) but not with age. All other outcomes were found to be unrelated to gender, age, or BMI.

Conclusions
Students as young as 9 years are able to successfully and effectively learn basic life support skills including AED deployment, correct recovery position and emergency calling. As in adults, physical strength may limit depth of chest compressions and ventilation volumes but skill retention is good.
From the Editor's desk
Authors: Tyrer Peter 
Published: July 2009

The merits of a global perspectiveIt has almost become a pointless mantra to repeat ‘we are now international’ but there is important substance to the wish for a more global perspective in psychiatry. For those involved in developing community services it is amazing to follow the time change zones round the world. In the Czech Republic services are at the stage we were in the UK in 1977, in Slovakia it is 1972, in the Ukraine it is 1965, in Rwanda 1964, in Tibet 1960 and in Belarus 1953. So why not take advantage of this time warp and help Belarus now to develop the best possible services from the 50 extra years of accumulated knowledge? The reverse is also true. We can test hypotheses now that we might have considered many years ago by looking at the experiences of other countries. Schizophrenia remains difficult to treat and much concern has been expressed about its excess mortality, particularly the suspicion that this is a consequence of antipsychotic drug treatment.1These drugs may lead to obesity, a growing problem with increasing age (Kivimäkiet al, pp. 149–155), and its associated metabolic syndrome.2,3In low- and middle-income countries our view of outcome has been influenced greatly by data from Chandigarh in North India, where better results may be related to different family structures with low expressed emotion, conferring protection.4But long-term outcome is poor in such countries also5and Ranet al(pp. 126–131) suggest that those never treated for schizophrenia, even though they may have received traditional remedies,6have the same mortality as those treated with Western evidence-based interventions. When we get consistency across very different countries we can have much more confidence in our conclusions, and the association of urbanicity and schizophrenia first identified by Faris & Dunham 70 years ago,7and repeatedly identified in all population groups,8now seems to have its final badge of approval from Lundberget al(pp. 156–162) in their study from Uganda. I cannot help noticing from their paper that grandiosity as a psychotic experience is a marked distinguishing feature between urban and rural rearing; perhaps being surrounded by all those tall city buildings unduly raises expectations. We need to be reminded that increased mortality is also common in other psychiatric disorders. This is illustrated in depression by Mykletunet al(pp. 118–125), who also intriguingly find that greater trait anxiety increases your lifespan, so perhaps there is some gain from constant worry and increased help-seeking behaviour.