bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The use of plethysmography and oscillometry to compare long‐acting bronchodilators in patients with COPD
Authors: Borrill Zoë L. , Houghton Catherine M. , Tal‐Singer Ruth , Vessey S Rupert , Faiferman Isidore , Langley Stephen J. , Singh Dave 
Published: September 2007

What is already known about this subject • Forced expiratory voume in 1 s (FEV1) is the standard measurement used to measure drug effects in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical trials.• Having previously shown that specific airway conductance (sGaw) measured using body plethysmography and impulse oscillometry (IOS) are more sensitive than FEV1 for assessing short‐acting bronchodilator effects in patients with COPD, we conducted the first randomized, placebo‐controlled study to compare long‐acting bronchodilators in COPD patients using these techniques. What this study adds • sGaw and IOS sensitively differentiated between the effects of tiotropium and salmeterol when FEV1 measurements were similar.• sGaw and IOS measurements are better than FEV1 for sensitively assessing bronchodilator pharmacology and differentiating between treatments in COPD clinical trials.AimsAssessment of bronchodilator pharmacology in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be improved by using more sensitive methods than spirometry, such as impulse oscillometry (IOS) and body plethysmography. We sought to compare salmeterol (S) and tiotropium (Tio) using these methods.MethodsIn this double‐blind, randomized, four‐way crossover study, 32 COPD patients received single doses of Tio (18 µg), S (50 and 100 µg) or placebo. Specific airway conductance (sGaw), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and IOS were measured pre‐ and up to 26 h postdose. Comparisons between treatments were analysed by weighted means (WM) between 0 and 12 (WM 0–12 h) and 12–24 h (WM 12–24 h) postdose. Data are expressed as mean difference (or geometric ratio for nonparametric data) with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsTio and S100 significantly improved FEV1, sGaw and IOS parameters up to 26 h and S50 up to 16 h. WM analysis showed no difference between Tio and S100 in FEV1 for 0–12 h or 12–24 h. Maximum mid‐expiratory flow (−0.06; −0.11, −0.01) and R35 (0.02; 0.01, 0.03) demonstrated superiority of S100 compared with Tio for WM 0–12 h sGaw (1.12; 1.02, 1.23), R5 (−0.06; −0.09, −0.02), R15 (−0.03; −0.05, −0.01), and resonant frequency (RF) (−2.30; −3.83, −0.77) showed superiority of Tio compared with S100 for WM 12–24 h. At 26 h, sGaw, R5, R15, X5 and RF also showed superiority of Tio compared with S100.ConclusionssGaw and IOS parameters sensitively differentiated between the effects of Tio and S when FEV1 measurements were similar. Clinical trials in patients with COPD should use IOS and sGaw to assess comprehensively bronchodilator pharmacology.
Complete inhibition of allergic airway inflammation and remodelling in quadruple IL‐4/5/9/13−/− mice
Authors: Nath Puneeta , Yee Leung Sum , Williams Alison S. , Noble Alistair , Xie Shaoping , McKenzie Andrew N. J. , Chung Kian Fan 
Published: September 2007

SummaryBackground
T‐helper type 2 (Th2)‐derived cytokines such as IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐9 and IL‐13 play an important role in the synthesis of IgE and in the promotion of allergic eosinophilic inflammation and airway wall remodelling.Objective
We determined the importance of IL‐13 alone, and of the four Th2 cytokines together, by studying mice in which either IL‐13 alone or the Th2 cytokine cluster was genetically disrupted.Methods
The knock‐out mice and their BALB/c wild‐type (wt) counterparts were sensitized and repeatedly exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) aerosol.Results
Bronchial responsiveness measured as the concentration of acetylcholine aerosol needed to increase baseline lung resistance by 100% (PC100) was decreased in IL‐13−/−, but increased in IL‐4/5/9/13−/− mice. Chronic allergen exposure resulted in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in wt mice but not in both genetically modified mice. After allergen exposure, eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in airways mucosa, and goblet cell numbers were not increased in IL‐4/5/9/13−/− mice, and were only attenuated in IL‐13−/− mice. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperplasia after allergen exposure was prevented in both IL‐13−/− and IL‐4/5/9/13−/− mice to an equal extent. Similarly, the rise in total or OVA‐specific serum IgE levels was totally inhibited.Conclusion
IL‐13 is mainly responsible for AHR, ASM hyperplasia and increases in IgE, while IL‐4, ‐5 and ‐9 may contribute to goblet cell hyperplasia and eosinophilic inflammation induced by chronic allergen exposure in a murine model. Both redundancy or complementariness of Th2 cytokines can occur in vivo, according to specific aspects of the allergic response.
Responsiveness to montelukast is associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and total immunoglobulin E but not polymorphisms in the leukotriene C4 synthase and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 genes in Korean children with exercise‐induced asthma (EIA)
Authors: Lee S.‐Y. , Kim H.‐B. , Kim J.‐H. , Kim B.‐S. , Kang M.‐J. , Jang S.‐O. , Seo H.‐J. , Hong S.‐J. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryBackground
As previous studies have shown that cysteinyl leukotrienes are important mediators in exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) such as montelukast have been shown to improve post‐exercise bronchoconstrictor responses, we herein investigated whether clinical responsiveness to montelukast was associated with polymorphisms in the genes encoding leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR1) and/or clinical parameters in Korean asthmatic children with EIB.Methods
The study population consisted of 100 asthmatic children with EIB. The individuals studied were given exercise challenge tests before and after receiving montelukast (5 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Responders were defined as children showing>10% post‐treatment improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). The LTC4S A(−444)C and CysLTR1 T(+927)C polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Results
Of 100 enrolled children, 68 were classified as responders and 32 were classified as non‐responders. No significant association was observed between montelukast responsiveness and LTC4S or CysLTR1 genotype, either alone or in combination. In contrast, montelukast‐induced improvement in FEV1 after exercise was correlated with higher pre‐treatment PC20 (methacholine) values (r=0.210, P=0.036) and lower total IgE levels (r=−0.216, P=0.031).Conclusions
The LTC4S A(−444)C and CysLTR1 T(+927)C genotypes do not appear to be useful for predicting clinical responsiveness to montelukast, whereas bronchial hyperresponsiveness and total IgE appear to predict the degree of montelukast responsiveness in Korean asthmatic children with EIB.
A polymorphism in the resistin gene promoter and the risk of coronary artery disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Tang Na‐Ping , Wang Lian‐Sheng , Yang Li , Zhou Bo , Gu Hai‐Juan , Sun Qing‐Min , Cong Ri‐Hong , Zhu Huai‐Jun , Wang Bin 
Published: September 2007

SummaryObjective  Resistin, a novel adipocyte‐derived peptide, has been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recently, –420C>G, a variant located in the promoter region of the resistin gene (RETN) was identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between this RETN–420C>G polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).Design  A hospital‐based case–control study.Patients  A total of 225 CAD patients and 225 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects.Measurements  Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme analysis to detect the presence of the RETN–420C>G polymorphism.Results  The frequencies of RETN–420C>G genotypes in the CAD group were significantly different from those in the control group (P = 0·024). Subjects with the variant genotypes (CG and GG) had a 62% increased risk of CAD compared to CC carriers [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1·62, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·09–2·41, P = 0·016]. However, there were no significant differences between the genotypes with respect to weight, body mass index (BMI) and lipid profiles in CAD patients, and no significant association was found between the RETN–420C>G polymorphism and the severity of CAD.Conclusions  Our data suggest that the RETN–420C>G polymorphism might be associated with an increased risk of CAD in a Chinese population.
O‐10 Endometrial cells in cervical smears: cytological features associated with clinically significant endometrial pathology
Authors: Tiam R. N. , Theodosiou M. , Wadehra V. 
Published: September 2007

Introduction:  To establish the significance of cytological features which could predict clinically significant endometrial pathology, and therefore guide reporting practice in cervical samples.Methods:  A retrospective review of SurePath liquid‐based cytology (LBC) cervical samples between 2002 and 2006, obtained at screening and colposcopy. These smears contained normal endometrial cells present at inappropriate times of the menstrual cycle, endometrial cells with atypia (borderline change) and with features suspicious / diagnostic of endometrial carcinoma (glandular neoplasia). False negative and false positive cases detected on subsequent histology were also included. The control group comprised negative samples and a few abnormal smears. All smears were randomly assigned and blinded to menopausal status, age, use of oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy and presence of intrauterine device. Each smear was reviewed for 16 cytologic criteria and a cytological diagnosis was given for each.Results:  A total of 219 smears were available for review; 137 were negative, out of which 85 contained normal endometrial cells, 41 contained endometrial cells with atypia, 10 contained endometrial cells with features suggestive of adenocarcinoma and 31 contained endometrial cells with features diagnostic of adenocarcinoma. The feature most associated with benign endometrial cells is top hat with central cell condensation. In contrast, the features associated with malignant endometrial cells are smooth nuclear membrane, pale chromatin, small nucleoli and scalloped borders.Discussion:  The criteria identified in this study do not definitively define a neoplastic process, but appear to be helpful in individual cases. This study emphasises that endometrial changes should be always interpreted with the relevant clinical information, which would otherwise lead to overdiagnosis in premenopausal women.
O‐11 Proposal for extending the role Of ABMSPS in reporting cervical loops
Authors: Ellis K. , Perunovic B. , Dudding N. , Smith J. H. F. 
Published: September 2007

Introduction:  The advanced biomedical scientist practitioner (ABMSP) in Cervical Cytology was established in the NHS cervical screening programme (NHSCCSP) in 2001 and there are approximately 60 ABMSPs in post. The aim of this study was to explore the potential for further expansion of their role in the NHSCSP by reporting the histology of loop excision biopsies of the cervical transformation zone (LLETZ).Methods:  The initial study included LLETZ specimens from 55 sequential patients, which, according to standard local practice had the diagnosis of CIN confirmed by cervical punch biopsy prior to the procedure. All the cases were independently examined by an ABMSP and a consultant histopathologist and reports complying with the Royal College of pathologists (RCPath) minimum data sets were assembled. The cases were reviewed at the discussion microscope and ABMSP reports were compared to the final reports issued by the histopathologist.Results:  In the preliminary findings, total agreement between ABMSP and consultant histopathologist was reached on just under 90% of cases. Of those cases that did not reach total agreement, none varied by more than one grade. There was agreement on other parameters from the RCPath minimum data sets.Discussion:  Based on our preliminary findings, it appears there may be scope for extending the role of ABMSPs to report LLETZ samples under the supervision of a histopathologist. We plan to increase the number of cases both in our department and through collaboration with other UK centres and to present evidence to the RCPath, with a view to adoption of this role by ABMSPs and development of an appropriate training scheme.
O‐4 Performance indicators of primary practitioners screening thinprep and surePath liquid based cytology samples in a large screening centre
Authors: Narine N. , Hughes Y. , Rana D. , Desai M. 
Published: September 2007

Introduction:  In the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme, performance of primary screeners is usually measured in house by their dyskaryotic pick up rates, most notably high grade dyskaryosis rate. The department began implementation of liquid based cytology screening in 2001 and by January 2006 both ThinPrep (58 973) and SurePath (27 738) samples were being screened. In keeping with a culture of reflective practice towards continued professional development, after the first full year of screening both systems, an audit was commissioned to assess performance of primary screeners and the laboratory.Method:  A statistical comparison was done for both systems on 1) primary screeners’ reporting rates for all grades of dyskaryosis 2) their reporting rates for high grade dyskaryosis, 3) an inferential comparison to determine impact on dyskaryotic pick up rates by years of screening experience and 4) laboratory's reporting rates for unsatisfactory samples. A two year comparison was also done on the overall reporting profile of ThinPrep samples by the department. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 15.Results:

ThinPrep versus SurePath
Screening Experience
2006 versus 2004

All grade dyskaryosis
P = 0.198
P = 0.314
‐

High grade dyskaryosis
P = 0.565
P = 0.383
‐

Unsatisfactory rate
P = 0.000
‐
‐

ThinPrep profile
‐
‐
P = 1.000

Discussion:  There is no significant difference in performance indicators for primary practitioners screening both ThinPrep and SurePath samples.
O‐5 Reporting profile review post LBC conversion
Authors: Parsons P. , Parker M. 
Published: September 2007

This study was undertaken by a pathology network providing cervical cytology screening services across two trusts, using SurePath LBC technology. The aim of this study was to establish if LBC screening results and histological correlation was in concordance with the pilot sites findings, with particular reference to glandular atypia. All the data was extrapolated from the Apex database for the specified times using Cognos. Data from Jan to Dec 2004 (last complete year conventional cytology) and Jan to Dec 2006 (first complete year LBC) have been used in this study.In summary from 2004 to 2006 we found: A reduction in the inadequate rate to 1.1% Low‐grade rates remained stable 4.9% High grade grades increased by 45% (PPV 84%) Glandular neoplasia increased by 75% with a PPV for endocervical origin of 92% and for endometrial cell origin of 43% Borderline endocervical rates remained stable 0.036% (PPV 50%)The PPV of endometrial glandular neoplasia was disappointing and possibly reflects increased endometrial sampling, reduced adherence to mid‐cycle sampling, and our lack of experience, resulting in poor endometrial interpretation. In conclusion, our data produced a different profile to the pilot sites with increase high grade and ? Glandular neoplasia reporting, but with a significant overcall in endometrial glandular neoplasia.
Platelet function to estimate the bleeding risk in autoimmune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Panzer S. , Rieger M. , Vormittag R. , Eichelberger B. , Dunkler D. , Pabinger I. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground  Knowledge of platelet function may assist in patient care in chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenia (cAITP).Materials and methods  We evaluated the association of platelet function with haemorrhage in 41 patients, median age 41 years (range 14–82 years, 24 females) with chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenia (cAITP). Samples were investigated for platelet P‐selectin, and adhesion and aggregate formation under high shear conditions. Data were compared to those from 28 healthy controls (median age 39 years, range 23–70 years, 17 females) and correlated with a bleeding score of 0 (no bleeding) to 3 (overt mucosal bleedings).Results  P‐selectin levels were higher in patients than in controls (P < 0·0004). Compared to controls, the patients’ samples responded to high shear with decreased adhesion to the polystyrene surface (P < 0·0001), but formed aggregates of normal size. P‐selectin expression was neither correlated with platelet counts, nor platelet adhesion, nor the bleeding score. Only the size of formed aggregates correlated with P‐selectin (P = 0·01). Platelet counts (odds ratio 0·5, 95% confidence interval 0·22–0·88; P = 0·04) and adhesion (odds ratio 0·45, 95% confidence interval 0·17–0·87; P = 0·04) were independently inversely correlated with bleeding symptoms.Conclusion  Platelet adhesion correlates with bleeding symptoms, while the size of aggregates that are formed under high shear correlates with in vivo platelet activation. The determination of these parameters may assist in estimating an individual bleeding risk and thus a decision for treatment.
Equivalent time‐average and effective medium for periodic layers
Authors: Stovas Alexey , Ursin Bjorn 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTThe propagation of acoustic waves through a periodic layered medium is analyzed by an eigenvalue decomposition of the propagator matrix. This reveals how the velocity and attenuation of the layered medium vary as function of the periodic structure, material parameters and frequency. There are two important parameters which control the wave propagation in the periodic medium: the reflection coefficient and the ratio between one‐way traveltimes of the two parts of the cyclic layered medium.For low frequencies (large values of wavelength to layer thickness), the layered structure behaves as an effective medium, then there is a transition zone, and for higher frequencies (small values of wavelength to layer thickness) the medium is described by the time‐average velocity.In this paper we mostly concentrate on the transition zone between an effective medium and time‐average medium regimes. The width of the transition zone increases with larger values of the reflection coefficient. The transition zone corresponds to a blocking regime for which the transmission response of the layered structure is close to zero. For even higher frequencies, the time‐average medium is replaced by a new transition zone, and then again a time‐average medium. This pattern is periodically repeated with higher frequencies. For small values of the reflection coefficient, the transition between effective medium and time‐average medium occurs around a value of wavelength to layer thickness equal to 4.
Multicomponent velocity analysis with quaternions
Authors: Grandi A. , Mazzotti A. , Stucchi E. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTMulticomponent seismic data are acquired by orthogonal geophones that record a vectorial wavefield. Since the single component recordings are not independent, the processing should be performed jointly for all the components. A way to achieve this goal is to exploit quaternions, hyper‐complex numbers that due to their very nature are apt to represent multidimensional data. In fact, quaternion algebra allows us to extend coherence functionals used for scalar observations to multicomponent data. Therefore by means of quaternions we implement semblance and other methods based on matched filtering and on the data covariance properties.As an application we show the results from a quaternion velocity analysis carried out combining information from the geophones and from the hydrophones of an ocean bottom cable (OBC) survey, and thus recognizing the true vectorial nature of the incoming wavefield. This also allows one to relax, at least partially, vector fidelity constraints.We demonstrate that quaternion velocity analysis yields an improved resolution with respect to the single component velocity analysis for any coherence functional chosen and that it simultaneously evidences velocity trends pertaining to different wave modes. This facilitates the interpreter in the estimation of interval Vp/Vs by means of event correlation, and in making use of a priori information from VSP and well logs. It also speeds up the velocity picking that can be performed in a single pass on a multicomponent velocity panel, rather than once for each single component velocity panel.
Evaluation of the European Heart Failure Self‐care Behaviour Scale in a United Kingdom population
Authors: Shuldham Caroline , Theaker Chris , Jaarsma Tiny , Cowie Martin R 
Published: September 2007

AbstractTitle.  Evaluation of the European Heart Failure Self‐care Behaviour Scale in a United Kingdom population Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to test the internal consistency, reliability and validity of the 12‐item European Heart Failure Self‐care Behaviour Scale in an English‐speaking sample in the United Kingdom.Background.  The European Heart Failure Self‐care Behaviour Scale quantifies the measures patients take to manage their heart failure. Produced in the Netherlands and Sweden, it has been translated into English.Methods.  A convenience sample of 183 patients (response rate 85%) with heart failure (New York Heart Association, Class I–IV) was recruited from an outpatient clinic between July 2004 and July 2005. Mainly men (n = 143), they had a mean age of 65·6 years (sd = 12·3). They completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, the Self‐Care of Heart Failure Index, and the European Heart Failure Self‐care Behaviour Scale during their clinic visit. The latter questionnaire was repeated at home within 2 weeks.Results.  The scale was reliable but internal consistency was only moderate (Cronbach’s α = 0·69) and lower than in other European populations. It appears to be repeatable in the short‐term. Comparison with the Self‐Care of Heart Failure Index raised questions about whether the two questionnaires measured the same concept. Variance in self‐care was not explained by gender, age or severity of heart failure.Conclusion.  As self‐care is an important component in the life of patients with heart failure, further exploration of the methods for measuring patients’ self‐care behaviours is warranted to enable healthcare staff to assess patients effectively. This would also help in understanding the applicability of tools in a range of patients, cultures and settings.