bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Humanin vivofluorescence microimaging of the alveolar ducts and sacs during bronchoscopy
Authors: Thiberville L. , Salaün M. , Lachkar S. , Dominique S. , Moreno-Swirc S. , Vever-Bizet C. , Bourg-Heckly G. 
Published: February 2009

The aim of the present study was to assess fibred confocal fluorescence microscopy (FCFM) as a tool for imaging the alveolar respiratory systemin vivoduring bronchoscopy.A 488-nm excitation wavelength FCFM device was used in 41 healthy subjects including 17 active smokers. After topical anaesthesia, the 1.4-mm miniprobe was introduced into the bronchoscope working channel and advanced distally to the alveoli. Morphometric and cellular analyses were performed on selected frames harbouring a minimal compression effect.In vivoacinar microimaging was obtained from each lung segment except for the apical and posterior segments of both upper lobes. Reproducible patterns, corresponding to the elastic framework of the axial and peripheral interstitial systems, were recorded from 192 separate acini. The mean±sdthickness of the acinar elastic fibres was 10±2.7 μm. Alveolar mouth diameters (mean±sd278±53 μm) were normally distributed but appeared smaller in the right upper lobe and right medial basal segment. Lobular microvessels (median diameter 90 μm) were equally distributed throughout the lungs. Alveolar macrophages were not detectable in nonsmokers, whereas a specific tobacco-tar-induced fluorescence was observed in smoking subjects, providing fine details of the alveolar walls and macrophages. A strong correlation was found between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the amount of large and mobile macrophages observedin vivo, as well as with the intensity of the macrophage alveolitis.Fibred confocal fluorescence microscopy enables accurate exploration of the peripheral lungin vivoin both smokers and nonsmokers.
Repeated exposure to organic material alters inflammatory and physiological airway responses
Authors: Sundblad B-M. , von Scheele I. , Palmberg L. , Olsson M. , Larsson K. 
Published: February 2009

Farmers and smokers are repeatedly exposed to airborne organic material. We hypothesised that farmers and smokers show altered airway responses to inhaled organic, pro-inflammatory agents.A total of 11 farmers, 12 smokers and 12 controls underwent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) bronchial challenge and spent 3 h in a pig barn. Lung function, exhaled nitric oxide and bronchial responsiveness were assessed and nasal lavage fluid and induced sputum were also collected. Symptoms and body temperature were recorded before and after exposures.Following exposure to the pig barn, bronchial responsiveness, exhaled nitric oxide, sputum interleukin (IL)-6, nasal lavage cell count and IL-8 were increased to a greater extent in controls compared to farmers. The sputum IL-6 response was also attenuated in farmers after LPS challenge. The response shown by smokers following exposure to the pig barn was similar to that of controls regarding measurements of exhaled nitric oxide, IL-8 in nasal lavage and IL-6 in sputum, but more similar to farmers concerning bronchial responsiveness and the cell numbers present in nasal lavage. Sputum IL-8 showed a greater increase in smokers than in the other groups following LPS challenge.We conclude that individuals who are repeatedly exposed to organic material develop an adaptation to the effects of acute exposure to inhaled organic material.
Prognostic relevance of angiogenesis in stage III NSCLC receiving multimodality treatment
Authors: Kreuter M. , Kropff M. , Fischaleck A. , Junker K. , Gerss J. , Heinecke A. , Lindermann M. , Reinmuth N. , Berdel W. E. , Mesters R. M. , Thomas M. 
Published: February 2009

Compelling evidence indicates that microvessel density (MVD) is a prognostic marker in early nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its role in lymph node metastases in stage III NSCLC receiving multimodality treatment is unknown.Lymph nodes of 142 patients with stage III NSCLC, treated in a trial of the German Lung Cancer Cooperative group, were evaluated for MVD. Median follow-up was 7.39 yrs. MVD was correlated with demographic and tumour-related variables and survival.MVD (median 33.9) did not correlate with survival. However, in multimodality-treated stage IIIA patients receiving tumour resection with negative margins (R0), those with a high MVD had significantly prolonged overall survival with a median of 4.96 yrs compared with 1.99 yrs for those with low MVD (p = 0.041). Cox regression analysis revealed that MVD was a prognostic factor in R0-resected stage IIIA (hazard ratio 0.417). Furthermore, a significant correlation of MVD to stage was observed, with significantly lower MVD in stage IIIA than IIIB (p = 0.0062), and a significant correlation of MVD to histological subtype was observed, with adenocarcinoma revealing the highest scores (p = 0.0001).Increased angiogenesis within lymph node metastases is a prognostic indicator for better survival in NSCLC patients. Thus, measurement of MVD might be useful in selecting patients for future neoadjuvant treatment decisions.
Obstructive sleep apnoea and its association with gestational hypertension
Authors: Champagne K. , Schwartzman K. , Opatrny L. , Barriga P. , Morin L. , Mallozzi A. , Benjamin A. , Kimoff R. J. 
Published: February 2009

Hypertension develops in 10% of pregnancies. Snoring, a marker of obstructive sleep apnoea, is a newly identified risk factor for gestational hypertension. Moreover, obstructive sleep apnoea is an independent risk factor for incident hypertension in the non-pregnant population. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that obstructive sleep apnoea is associated with new onset of hypertension among pregnant females.A case–control study was performed involving 17 pregnant females with gestational hypertension and 33 pregnant females without hypertension. Subjects were frequency-matched for gestational age and recruited in a tertiary obstetrical centre. Obstructive sleep apnoea was ascertained by polysomnography and defined by an apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) of ≥15 events·h−1, without requirement for desaturation.The mean±sdAHI for normotensive pregnant females was 18.2±12.2 events·h−1compared with 38.6±36.7 events·h−1for females with hypertensive pregnancies. The crude odds ratio for the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea given the presence of gestational hypertension was 5.6. The odds ratio was 7.5 (95% confidence interval 3.5–16.2), based on a logistic regression model with adjustment for maternal age, gestational age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, prior pregnancies, and previous live births.In conclusion, gestational hypertension appears to be strongly associated with the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea.
Diagnostic yield and safety of ultrasound-assisted biopsies in superior vena cava syndrome
Authors: Koegelenberg C. F. N. , Bolliger C. T. , Plekker D. , Wright C. A. , Brundyn K. , Louw M. , Schubert P. , van den Heuvel M. M. , Diacon A. H. 
Published: February 2009

The yield and safety of ultrasound (US)-assisted transthoracic fine needle aspirations (TTFNA) and cutting needle biopsies (CNB) in the setting of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome are unknown. The aims of the present prospective study were to asses the diagnostic yield and safety of US-assisted TTFNA and CNB in SVC syndrome with an associated mass lesion abutting the chest wall.Over a 3-yr period, the present authors screened 59 patients with SVC syndrome, and enrolled 25 patients who had an associated mass lesion that extended to the chest wall. US-assisted TTFNA with rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) was performed in all cases. CNBs were performed where a provisional diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma could not be established, and in 57.1% of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma (limited due to safety constraints).ROSE of US-assisted TTFNA confirmed diagnostically useful material in 24 patients, and cytological diagnoses were ultimately made in all of these cases (diagnostic yield 96%). US-assisted CNB had a diagnostic yield of 87.5%. Minor haemorrhage occurred in one out of 25 TTFNA and three out of 16 CNB. Neither procedure resulted in major haemorrhage nor pneumothoraces.US-assisted TTFNA and CNB have a high diagnostic yield and are safe in the setting of SVC syndrome with an associated mass lesion abutting the chest wall.
Endogenous opioids modify dyspnoea during treadmill exercise in patients with COPD
Authors: Mahler D. A. , Murray J. A. , Waterman L. A. , Ward J. , Kraemer W. J. , Zhang X. , Baird J. C. 
Published: February 2009

Exogenous opioid drugs, such as morphine, relieve breathlessness. The present study hypothesis was that endogenous opioids, released during the stress of exercise, modify dyspnoea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.After familiarisation, patients performed an incremental treadmill exercise test followed by constant work on the treadmill for 10 min. At subsequent visits (2 to 3 days apart), patients received two puffs of albuterol, had a catheter placed in an arm vein for removal of blood to measure β-endorphin immunoreactivity, received normal saline or 10 mg of naloxone intravenously in randomised order, and then performed high-intensity constant work rate exercise on the treadmill.The mean±sdage of the 17 patients (eight females and nine males) was 63±7 yrs, and post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second was 50±17% predicted. In both conditions, β-endorphin levels increased three-fold from rest to end-exercise. The regression slope of breathlessness as a function of oxygen consumption (primary outcome), mean ratings of breathlessness throughout exercise and peak ratings of breathlessness were significantly higher with naloxone than normal saline. There were no differences in physiological responses throughout exercise between conditions.In conclusion, endogenous opioids modify dyspnoea during treadmill exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by apparent alteration of central perception.
Apnoeic and obstructive nonapnoeic sleep respiratory events
Authors: Masa J. F. , Corral J. , Teran J. , Martin M. J. , Disdier C. , Rubio M. , Mota M. , Zamorano J. , Montserrat J. M. 
Published: February 2009

Obstructive nonapnoeic event (ONE) scoring is shrouded in confusion. This is important in patients with mild disease, in whom precision is crucial.The aims of the present study were: 1) to identify ONEs using oesophageal pressure (OP) (OP-ONEs) and a noninvasive (NI) method (NI-ONEs); 2) to compare both methods of scoring; and 3) to determine the contribution of ONE definitions to clinical findings.Patients with suspected sleep apnoeas (respiratory disturbance index ≤10) during a first polysomnography were subjected to a second with an OP measurement. OP-ONEs and NI-ONEs were defined as an increase in OP or discernible reduction in the amplitude of thoracoabdominal bands with both desaturation and/or arousal. Bland–Altman analysis established agreement. Comparisons were made between OP-ONEs, NI-ONEs and clinical findings.In our sample (n = 90), the addition of an arousal to the NI-ONEs or OP-ONEs with only desaturation increased the number of NI-ONEs by 329 and 362%, respectively. NI-ONEs with arousal and/or desaturation detected 91% of OP-ONEs. The association with sleepiness depended on the incorporation of arousal into the definition of ONEs.In patients with mild disease, the addition of an arousal to ONEs, with only desaturation, markedly increased respiratory disturbance index, with probable therapeutic implications. Scoring respiratory events as apnoea and ONEs is easier and sufficiently accurate.
A natural experiment on the impact of fruit supplementation on asthma symptoms in children
Authors: Fogarty A. W. , Antoniak M. , Venn A. J. , Davies L. , Goodwin A. , Salfield N. , Britton J. R. , Lewis S. A. 
Published: February 2009

A high fruit intake may reduce the risk of asthma.The English National School Fruit Scheme was introduced in the East Midlands region of the UK in June 2003 and in the Eastern region in September 2004. Questionnaires were distributed to children aged 4–6 yrs in schools in May 2003. This was repeated in May 2004 when those in the East Midlands had received free fruit for 1 yr and those in the Eastern region had not.Responses were obtained in 2004 for 4,971 (53%) and 5,770 (54%) children in the intervention and control regions, respectively. Despite an increase in fruit consumption in the intervention compared with the control region between 2003 and 2004, there was no difference between the two regions in the prevalence or severity of asthma symptoms after 1 yr of fruit supplementation (odds ratio for wheeze in the past 12 months in intervention compared with control region 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.88–1.14).Providing free fruit at school for 1 yr does not have any immediate effect on prevalence or severity of asthma in young children, although these data do not refute the hypothesis that a higher increase in fruit intake improves measures of asthma control.
Exhaled nitric oxide in cystic fibrosis: relationships with airway and lung vascular impairments
Authors: Hubert D. , Aubourg F. , Fauroux B. , Trinquart L. , Sermet I. , Lenoir G. , Clément A. , Dinh-Xuan A. T. , Louis B. , Mahut B. , Delclaux C. 
Published: February 2009

A reduction of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) fraction and endothelial-mediated dysfunction have been reported in cystic fibrosis (CF). The aims of the present study were to search for relationships between flow-independent NO exchange parameters (bronchial NO flux (J′aw,NO) and alveolar NO concentration (CA,NO)) and lung function tests characterising airflow limitation and pulmonary vascular bed (capillary blood volume and physiological dead space/tidal volume (VD/VT) ratio on exercise).In total, 34 patients (16 children, 18 adults) with CF, without resting pulmonary hypertension, underwent spirometry, exhaled NO measurement (multiple constant flow analytical method), gas transfer assessment (carbon monoxide and NO, allowing the calculation of capillary volume and membrane conductance) and a graded exercise test with oxygen uptake (V′O2), carbon dioxide production (V′CO2) and arterial blood gas evaluations.BothJ′aw,NOandCA,NOcorrelated positively with airflow limitation.CA,NOcorrelated positively with capillary/alveolar volume. During exercise, criteria of mild pulmonary vascular disease were evidenced in some patients that participated in exercise limitation (negative correlation between physiologicalVD/VTand peakV′O2).CA,NOat rest correlated positively with these parameters of wasted ventilation during exercise (physiologicalVD/VT, minute ventilation (V′E)/V′CO2at ventilatory threshold andV′E/V′CO2slope).Flow-independent exhaled NO parameters are linked to airway and early vascular diseases in patients with CF.
Superoxide dismutases, lung function and bronchial responsiveness in a general population
Authors: Siedlinski M. , van Diemen C. C. , Postma D. S. , Vonk J. M. , Boezen H. M. 
Published: February 2009

Oxidative stress is an important causative factor in the onset and progression of smoking-related lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Superoxide dismutases (SODs) can prevent an increase in oxidative burden.A total of 1,390 subjects from the prospective Vlagtwedde–Vlaardingen cohort were genotyped for two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) inSOD2and four SNPs inSOD3, which were further analysed for associations with the presence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR; provocative concentration causing a 10% fall in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1; PC10≤8 mg·mL−1of histamine), COPD (defined as Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage II or higher), lung function level and the longitudinal course of FEV1.The intronic C5774T SNP ofSOD2was significantly associated with the presence of COPD and BHR in the total population. The T/T genotype for this polymorphism and the Val/Val genotype for theSOD2Ala16Val substitution were risk factors for BHR in individuals without COPD. TheSOD3Arg213Gly substitution was associated with slower FEV1decline in never-smokers exclusively, and theSOD3G(−4466)T SNP was associated with a lower vital capacity level.BothSOD2polymorphisms are associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, whileSOD2C5774T additionally confers a risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the total population. The current authors furthermore confirm previously reported associations ofSOD3single nucleotide polymorphisms with lung function in the general population.
Somatic, germline and sex hierarchy regulated gene expression during Drosophila metamorphosis
Authors: Lebo Matthew S , Sanders Laura E , Sun Fengzhu , Arbeitman Michelle N 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background

Drosophila melanogaster undergoes a complete metamorphosis, during which time the larval male and female forms transition into sexually dimorphic, reproductive adult forms. To understand this complex morphogenetic process at a molecular-genetic level, whole genome microarray analyses were performed.

Results
The temporal gene expression patterns during metamorphosis were determined for all predicted genes, in both somatic and germline tissues of males and females separately. Temporal changes in transcript abundance for genes of known functions were found to correlate with known developmental processes that occur during metamorphosis. We find that large numbers of genes are sex-differentially expressed in both male and female germline tissues, and relatively few are sex-differentially expressed in somatic tissues. The majority of genes with somatic, sex-differential expression were found to be expressed in a stage-specific manner, suggesting that they mediate discrete developmental events. The Sex-lethal paralog, CG3056, displays somatic, male-biased expression at several time points in metamorphosis. Gene expression downstream of the somatic, sex determination genes transformer and doublesex (dsx) was examined in two-day old pupae, which allowed for the identification of genes regulated as a consequence of the sex determination hierarchy. These include the homeotic gene abdominal A, which is more highly expressed in females as compared to males, as a consequence of dsx. For most genes regulated downstream of dsx during pupal development, the mode of regulation is distinct from that observed for the well-studied direct targets of DSX, Yolk protein 1 and 2.

Conclusion
The data and analyses presented here provide a comprehensive assessment of gene expression during metamorphosis in each sex, in both somatic and germline tissues. Many of the genes that underlie critical developmental processes during metamorphosis, including sex-specific processes, have been identified. These results provide a framework for further functional studies on the regulation of sex-specific development.
Effect of supplement with lactic-acid producing bacteria on fatigue and physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Sullivan Åsa , Nord Carl E , Evengård Birgitta 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Disturbances in intestinal microbial ecology and in the immune system of the host have been implicated as a part of the pathogenesis in chronic fatigue syndrome. Probiotic lactic acid producing bacteria have been shown to prevent and alleviate gastrointestinal disturbances and to normalize the cytokine profile which might be of an advantage for patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei F19, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFB 1748 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 on fatigue and physical activity in CFS patients. Fifteen patients fulfilling the criteria set by international researchers in the field at the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in 1994 for chronic fatigue syndrome, were included in the study. The patients had high fatigue severity scores and high disability scores. During the first two weeks baseline observations without treatment were assessed, succeeded by four weeks of intake of a probiotic product and a four-week follow-up period. The fatigue, health and physical activity was assessed by the use of the Visual Analogue Scales and the SF-12 Health Survey. Faecal samples were collected and the normal microflora was analysed. Neurocognitive functions improved during the study period while there were no significant changes in fatigue and physical activity scores. No major changes occurred in the gastrointestinal microflora. At the end of the study 6 of 15 patients reported that they had improved according to the assessment described. The findings in this study that improvement of health is possible to achieve should encourage further studies with interventions with probiotics in patients with CFS.
Pancreatic insulinoma co-existing with gastric GIST in the absence of neurofibromatosis-1
Authors: Alabraba Edward , Bramhall Simon , O'Sullivan Brendan , Mahon Brinder , Taniere Philippe 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) frequently occur in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). It has been reported that GIST may co-exist with pancreatic endocrine tumors but this has only been in association with NF-1.

Case presentation
A 76 year old woman presented with a 12 month history of hypoglycaemia symptoms. Abdominal CT scan demonstrated a 13 mm insulinoma localized in the tail of her pancreas. She was commenced on diazoxide and later underwent surgery for enucleation of insulinoma when a small (< 1 cm) incidental tumour was discovered on her stomach wall which was identified as GIST.

Conclusion
This is the first case report of a pancreatic insulinoma co-existing with a GIST in a patient without NF-1. In addition, we make the first report of rapidly growing cystic GIST recurrence following resection of a primary GIST tumour.