bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum LDH in chronic cough: a potential marker of airway inflammation
Authors: Faruqi Shoaib , Wilmot Rachel , Wright Caroline , Morice Alyn Hugh 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Objectives:  Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is found in almost all tissues of the body and five different isoenzymes are known (LDH‐1 to LDH‐5). LDH can be elevated in many pathological conditions. We have observed serum LDH to be increased in patients with chronic cough. We wanted to confirm this finding, study the reproducibility and determine the origin of the LDH.Methods:  Patients prospectively seen at the Hull Cough Clinic had total and specific LDH isoenzyme levels in serum determined. A subgroup of patients also had a serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) measured. Patients completed cough symptom scores and the Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire (HARQ). Spirometry was performed.Results:  Eighty‐three patients were included. Forty‐two percent had LDH values above the reference range and 78% had LDH values in the fourth quartile of the reference range or above. This increase in LDH was predominantly because of a rise in isoenzymes 4 and 5. The increase in LDH was found to be reproducible at 8 weeks. Ten percent had CK values above the normal range. There was no correlation observed between LDH values and the cough scores, HARQ scores or lung function.Conclusion:  Serum LDH levels are elevated in a substantial proportion of patients with chronic cough. This rise is likely to be due to airway inflammation known to be associated with chronic cough.Please cite this paper as: Faruqi S, Wilmot R, Wright C and Morice AH. Serum LDH in chronic cough: a potential marker of airway inflammation. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 81–87.
The relationship of glutathione‐S‐transferases copy number variation and indoor air pollution to symptoms and markers of respiratory disease
Authors: Hersoug Lars‐Georg , Brasch‐Andersen Charlotte , Husemoen Lise Lotte Nystrup , Sigsgaard Torben , Linneberg Allan 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIntroduction:  Exposure to particulate matter (PM) may induce inflammation and oxidative stress in the airways. Carriers of null polymorphisms of glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs), which detoxify reactive oxygen species, may be particularly susceptible to the effects of PM.Objectives:  To investigate whether deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 modify the potential effects of exposure to indoor sources of PM on symptoms and objective markers of respiratory disease.Methods:  We conducted a population‐based, cross‐sectional study of 3471 persons aged 18–69 years. Information about exposure to indoor sources of PM and respiratory symptoms was obtained by a self‐administered questionnaire. In addition, measurements of lung function (spirometry) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide were performed. Copy number variation of GSTM1 and GSTT1 was determined by polymerase chain reaction‐based assays.Results:  We found that none of the symptoms and objective markers of respiratory disease were significantly associated with the GST null polymorphisms. An increasing number of positive alleles of the GSTM1 polymorphism tended to be associated lower prevalence of wheeze, cough, and high forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), but these trends were not statistically significant. Furthermore, we did not observe any statistically significant interactions between GST copy number variation and exposure to indoor sources of PM in relation to respiratory symptoms and markers.Conclusions:  In this adult population, GST copy number variations were not significantly associated with respiratory outcomes and did not modify the effects of self‐reported exposure to indoor sources of PM on respiratory outcomes.Please cite this paper as: Hersoug L‐G, Brasch‐Andersen C, Husemoen LLN, Sigsgaard T and Linneberg A. The relationship of glutathione‐S‐transferases copy number variation and indoor air pollution to symptoms and markers of respiratory disease. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 175–185.
Association between self‐rated health and asthma: a population‐based study
Authors: Syk Jörgen , Alving Kjell , Undén Anna‐Lena 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIntroduction:  Self‐rated health (SRH) is a relevant measure of health as it can predict morbidity, mortality and health‐care use. Studies have shown an association between poor SRH and elevated levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines. It is therefore interesting to learn more about the association between asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease with a recognised systemic component and SRH.Objectives:  To compare SRH ratings in respondents with and without current asthma. A second aim was to compare SRH with quality‐of‐life ratings in the same groups.Methods:  In 1995, we randomly selected 8200 persons ≥18 years from the population of Stockholm County, Sweden and mailed them a questionnaire. A total of 5355 persons (67.5%) responded. Respondents were divided in two groups, those with and those without current asthma. The groups were further divided by sex and age (18–44 and ≥45 years). SRH was measured with the question ‘How do you rate your general health status?’ and quality of life with the Gothenburg Quality of Life Instrument and the Ladder of Life.Results:  Respondents with asthma rated their health significantly worse than did those without asthma, except women aged 18–44 years. SRH was associated at least as strong as quality of life to asthma with the advantage of being easier to apply (only one item).Conclusion:  Information on SRH is easy to obtain and represents an important dimension of health status that potentially can be used as a complement to identify patients who need extra attention to manage their asthma and its consequences.Please cite this paper as: Syk J, Alving K and Undén A‐L. Association between self‐rated health and asthma: a population‐based study. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 150–158.
Dermolipoma surgery with rotational conjunctival flaps
Authors: Sa Ho‐Seok , Kim Hyoung Kyun , Shin Jae Ho , Woo Kyung In , Kim Yoon‐Duck 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPurpose:  To describe a useful technique of surgical resection of dermolipomas.Methods:  This is a retrospective, noncomparative and interventional case series. Sixteen eyes of 16 patients with dermolipomas and large areas of conjunctiva strongly adherent to the masses underwent surgical removal of the dermolipomas. The anterior portion of the mass, including closely adherent conjunctiva and pilosebaceous areas, was excised, and the conjunctival defects were covered with rotational conjunctival flaps from the superior or inferior bulbar conjunctiva.Results:  The mean follow‐up time was 12.5 months (range, 6–47 months). The cosmetic outcome was satisfactory in all 16 patients. There were no cases of reappearance of the mass, symblepharon or significant scar formation during follow‐up. One patient developed blepharoptosis and another showed limitation of medial gaze postoperatively. Both were resolved spontaneously within 3 months. There were no other significant complications.Conclusion:  Rotational conjunctival flap is a useful technique of conjunctival reconstruction following removal of large dermolipomas and the overlying epithelium.
A comparative study of trabeculectomy and the new clear‐cornea filtering procedure, intrastromal diathermal keratostomy (IDK)
Authors: Bach‐Holm Daniella , Storr‐Paulsen Allan , Norregaard Jens Christian 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPurpose:  For the first time to compare the 1‐year success rates of trabeculectomy and the new clear‐cornea filtering procedure, intrastromal diathermal keratostomy (IDK).Methods:  Prospective clinical observational study including 99 consecutively operated eyes (69 patients) with well‐established primary open‐angle glaucoma referred for filtering operation. We compared the change in intraocular pressure (IOP), number of anti‐glaucomatous medication, complications and reoperations after 1 year. Seventy‐four eyes were operated with trabeculectomy, and 25 with IDK. Complete success was defined as IOP ≤18 mmHg, IOP lowered ≥30%, no medication and no reoperation. Qualified success was defined as IOP ≤18 mmHg, and IOP lowered ≥30% with or without medication or reoperation.Results:  Intraocular pressure pre‐ and postoperatively in the trabeculectomy group was 25.3 and 14.1 mmHg versus 23.8 and 15.8 mmHg in the IDK group. The number of medications pre‐ and postoperatively in the trabeculectomy group was 3.1 and 0.5 versus 3.2 and 1.3 in the IDK group. Forty‐four (59%) of the eyes in the trabeculectomy group met the complete success criteria compared with 5 (20%) in the IDK group (p < 0.01). Sixty‐eight (92%) in the trabeculectomy group and 16 (64%) in the IDK fulfilled the qualified success criteria (p < 0.01).Conclusion:  Both the complete and qualified 1‐year success rates of IDK are significantly lower compared with the success rates of trabeculectomy. The IDK does not reduce the IOP as much as the procedure of trabeculectomy, and it carries a higher frequency of reoperations and more medication postoperatively. Thus, our prospective data do not support the procedure of IDK as ‘the gold standard’ for filtering surgery in patients with open‐angle glaucoma.
Thymosin plus cisplatin with vinorelbine or gemcitabine for non‐small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Jiang Jin , Wang Xiaojing , Tian Jinhui , Li Lun , Lin Qiao 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjective:  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thymosin plus cisplatin with vinorelbine (NP)/gemcitabine with cisplatin (GP) program for patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:  We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge, Chinese Biomedical Database and other databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing thymosin plus NP/GP with NP/GP alone for patients with NSCLC were eligible for our study. We evaluated the quality of included studies using Cochrane Handbook standards. Data analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.0 software (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark).Results:  Ten RCT including 724 patients were eligible. The results of our study showed that: compared with an NP program alone, thymosin plus NP could increase overall response rate (odds ratio (OR) 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–3.20), tumor control rate (OR 3.06; 95% CI: 1.36–6.88) and 1‐year survival rate (OR 3.05; 95% CI: 1.34–6.96), improve the quality of life (OR 3.39; 95% CI: 1.54–7.47), CD4 (mean difference (MD) 6.7; 95% CI: 3.52–9.88) and NK cells (MD 6.53; 95% CI: 3.6–9.47). Compared with a GP program alone, thymosin plus GP could increase overall response rate (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.09–2.55), tumor control rate (OR 2.38; 95% CI: 1.01–5.62), improve quality of life (OR 3.84; 95% CI: 1.97–7.48), CD4 (MD 14.82; 95% CI: 8.05–21.59) and NK (MD 16.96; 95% CI: 4.90–29.03)Conclusion:  Thymosin plus NP/GP is a better choice for patients with advanced NSCLC than NP/GP alone.
Magnetic resonance imaging and histological findings in the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament of forelimbs in nonlame horses
Authors: NAGY A. , DYSON S. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryReasons for performing study:Detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological appearances of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament (PSL) in the forelimb of nonlame horses have not been previously documented.Objectives:1) to describe detailed anatomy of the PSL, 2) describe high‐ and low‐field MRI and histological appearances of the PSL and surrounding structures in the forelimb of horses with no carpal or proximal metacarpal pain, 3) assess the relationship between age, breed, gender, height, bodyweight and MRI findings and 4) describe the histological appearance of the PSL and compare this with MRI findings.Methods:High‐ and low‐field MR images of the PSL and related structures from 30 cadaver limbs of nonlame horses were analysed subjectively and objectively. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of age, breed, gender, height and bodyweight with MRI findings. Histological and MRI findings of the PSL of 9 limbs were compared subjectively.Results:The collagenous tissue of the PSL had low to intermediate signal intensity depending on the pulse sequence. There was a large variation among horses in the amount, shape and signal intensity of the muscle and adipose tissue within the PSL. Comparison of MR images with histological slides revealed that the high signal intensity areas corresponded to adipose tissue and intermediate signal intensity areas to muscle tissue. The medial lobe of the PSL had a smaller cross sectional area (CSA) than the lateral lobe; there was a positive association between CSA of the PSL and both horse height and bodyweight (P<0.001).Conclusions and potential relevance:The large variability in the MRI appearance of the PSL in nonlame horses should be borne in mind when interpreting MR images of lame horses.
The arthroscopic and ultrasonographic boundaries of the equine femorotibial joints
Authors: BARRETT M. F. , FRISBIE D. D. , McILWRAITH C. W. , WERPY N. M. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryReasons for performing study:While descriptions of the visible soft tissues of the femorotibial joints exist for both arthroscopy and ultrasonography, there are few examples in the literature that discuss in detail the combined findings of these modalities.Objectives:To further elucidate the ultrasonographic and arthroscopic boundaries of the normal equine femorotibial joints and improve the understanding of the benefits and limitations of each individual modality.Methods:Simultaneous arthroscopy and ultrasonography were performed in 10 equine cadaver stifles as well as bilateral stifles on a horse that underwent nonrecovery surgery. The arthroscopic probe was visualised ultrasonographically and concurrent video and still images acquired.Results:Arthroscopy provided good visualisation of the cranial meniscal ligaments, the distal portion of the cranial cruciate ligament, proximal portion of the medial collateral ligament within the fibrous tissue of the joint capsule and a limited view of the abaxial border of meniscus. Ultrasonography allowed for almost complete visualisation of the menisci, collateral ligaments and cranial meniscal ligaments and a portion of the cranial cruciate ligament.Conclusions:By comparing the ultrasonographically and arthroscopically visible structures, this study allowed for a more complete understanding of the advantages and limitations of each modality. The ability of ultrasonography to resolve mild pathological changes should be further explored.Potential relevance:When used together, these modalities can provide a more global image of the femorotibial joints.
Effect of thymoquinone on hepatorenal dysfunction and alteration of CYP3A1 and spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyl-transferase gene expression induced by renal ischaemia–reperfusion in rats
Authors: Awad Azza S , Kamel Rehab , Sherief Mohie-Aldien Elsayed 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Objectives
Renal ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) is a well-characterised model of acute renal failure that causes both local and remote organ injury. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of thymoquinone, the main constituent of the volatile oil extracted from Nigella sativa seeds, on renal and hepatic changes after renal ischaemia–reperfusion.

Methods
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham I/R vehicle-treated groups, and I/R thymoquinone-treated groups. Thymoquinone (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered for ten consecutive days to the I/R thymoquinone group before injury. I/R and I/R thymoquinone groups were subjected to 30-min ischaemia followed by 4-h reperfusion.

Key findings
I/R resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and decreases in glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver and kidney tissues. Thymoquinone treatment caused the reversal of I/R-induced changes in MDA as well as GST and SOD activity. Moreover, I/R caused a significant rise in creatinine and alanine aminotransferase serum levels. CYP3A1 mRNA expression was induced significantly by I/R in both liver and kidney tissues compared with sham group. Thymoquinone reduced significantly this increase. I/R caused induction of mRNA expression of spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyl-transferase (SSAT), a catabolic enzyme that participates in polyamine metabolism, in liver and kidney tissues. Thymoquinone reduced SSAT mRNA expression significantly in liver and markedly in kidney.

Conclusions
These findings suggested that thymoquinone protected against renal I/R-induced damage through an antioxidant mechanism as well as the decrease of CYP3A1 and SSAT gene expression.
Discrimination Accuracy between Real and Sham Needles using the Park Sham Device in the Upper and Lower Limbs
Authors: Tan Chee-Wee , Sheehan Padraig , Santos Derek 
Published: June 2011

Objective To evaluate the blinding effectiveness of the Park sham acupuncture device using participants’ ability to discriminate between the real and sham acupuncture needles in the (1) upper limb (TE points) compared with pure guessing and (2) lower limb (BL points) compared with pure guessing. Methods 20 healthy acupuncture-naïve university students and staff were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants made Yes–No judgements on whether the real or sham needle was administered to four TE acupoints on the dominant upper limb, and four acupoints along the BL meridian on the dominant lower limb. The proportion of correct judgements, P(C), for each participant was calculated to indicate the discrimination accuracy of participants in distinguishing between the real and sham needles. Separate P(C) were computed for the upper limb acupoints and lower limb acupoints. The data were also pooled to calculate a P(C) for a combination of both body regions. Results The participants’ discrimination accuracy between the real and sham needles was not statistically significant from P(C)=0.5 (chance level) for the lower limb alone and combined body regions’ acupoint comparisons (lower limb: t19=0.00, unadjusted p=1.00; combined: t19=1.75, unadjusted p=0.10). However, the participants’ discrimination accuracy was statistically significant from P(C)=0.5 for the upper limb acupoints alone comparison (t19=2.36, unadjusted p=0.03). Conclusions This study showed that the Park sham device is more likely to blind participants in differentiating between the real and sham needles in the lower limb (BL meridian) acupoints than in the upper limb (TE meridian). However, the participants’ ability to differentiate between the needle types for the upper limb acupoints was significantly different from chance levels.
Effects of soaking on the water‐soluble carbohydrate and crude protein content of hay
Authors: Longland A. C. , Barfoot C. , Harris P. A. 
Published: June 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the amounts of water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC), WSC constituents and protein leached from a range of UK hays soaked according to common practice. Initial hay WSC content ranged from 123 to 230 g/kg dry matter (DM). Soaking the hays for up to 16 hours in water at a mean temperature of 8°C resulted in a mean loss of 27 per cent (range 6 to 54 per cent) of hay WSC. The mean percentage losses of WSC constituents were 24 per cent (range 14 to 31) for fructan, 41 per cent (range 21 to 70) for fructose, 45 per cent (range 28 to 100) for sucrose and 56 per cent (range 29 to 100) for glucose. The mean crude protein content of the initial hays was 58.7 g/kg DM (range 30 to 86 g/kg DM) and this value was not affected significantly by soaking. Despite a mean WSC loss of 27 per cent, the WSC contents of seven of the hays remained above the suggested upper limit for laminitic animals of 100 g/kg DM.
Genetic and Functional Studies Implicate HIF1α as a 14q Kidney Cancer Suppressor Gene
Authors: Shen Chuan , Beroukhim Rameen , Schumacher Steven E. , Zhou Jing , Chang Michelle , Signoretti Sabina , Kaelin William G. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Kidney cancers often delete chromosome 3p, spanning the VHL tumor suppressor gene, and chromosome 14q, which presumably harbors ≥1 tumor suppressor genes. pVHL inhibits the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF), and HIF2α is a kidney cancer oncoprotein. In this article, we identify focal, homozygous deletions of the HIF1α locus on 14q in clear cell renal carcinoma cell lines. Wild-type HIF1α suppresses renal carcinoma growth, but the products of these altered loci do not. Conversely, downregulation of HIF1α in HIF1α-proficient lines promotes tumor growth. HIF1α activity is diminished in 14q-deleted kidney cancers, and all somatic HIF1α mutations identified in kidney cancers tested to date are loss of function. Therefore, HIF1α has the credentials of a kidney cancer suppressor gene.
Significance: Deletion of 14q is a frequent event in clear cell renal carcinoma and portends a poor prognosis. In this study, we provide genetic and functional evidence that HIF1α is a target of 14q loss in kidney cancer. Cancer Discovery; 1(3); 222–35. © 2011 AACR.
Read the Commentary on this article by Pal and Figlin, p. 198
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India–Nepal Economic Cooperation
Authors: Taneja Nisha , Chowdhury Subhanil , Prakash Shravani 
Published: June 2011

India and Nepal signed a foreign trade agreement (FTA) in 1971 which has been renewed many times over—latest in 2009. Tariff concessions lie at the core of Indo-Nepal trade arrangements and these concessions have been administered through the ROO criteria. The Indo–Nepal trade treaty of 1996 was a landmark as India provided duty-free access to all (except three) products manufactured in Nepal. In the period between 1996 and 2002, there was a surge in Nepal’s exports to India, mainly in vegetable ghee, copper products, acrylic yarn and zinc oxide, due to large tariff differentials between India and Nepal in the raw materials used in these items. The 2002 treaty imposed a tariff rate quota these four (the tariff rate quota (TRQ) products). Between 2001 and 2002 and 2008 and 2009, India reduced its tariffs on all products whereby Nepal lost its advantage in the TRQ products and the quota utilization has been very low. Since the benefits of the offered by India under the trade treaties have been transitory, it is important for the two countries to devise a more comprehensive economic agreement sectors. In this direction, India can help Nepal in developing services, especially hydropower and tourism. For this, Nepal needs to develop a more effective regulatory structure and policy framework and India must invest more in the development of Nepal’s infrastructure.