bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Necrotising pneumonia is an increasingly detected complication of pneumonia in children
Authors: Sawicki G. S. , Lu F. L. , Valim C. , Cleveland R. H. , Colin A. A. 
Published: January 2008

Necrotising pneumonia (NP) is a severe complication of community-acquired pneumonia characterised by liquefaction and cavitation of lung tissue. The present study describes the epidemiology, aetiology, management and outcomes of children hospitalised with NP over a 15-yr period.A retrospective observational study of NP cases was conducted from January 1990 to February 2005 analysing clinical presentation, laboratory data, hospital course and long-term follow-up.A total of 80 NP cases were identified, with the number of detected cases increasing from 12, in the period 1993–1996, to 40 in the period 2001–2004. In total, 69 (86%) cases had pleural effusion with a low pH (mean 7.08) and 38 (48%) patients had positive cultures, withStreptococcus pneumoniaeas the predominant organism. Recently, other organisms, most notably methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus, emerged. Patients had prolonged hospitalisations (median 12 days). A total of 69 patients required pleural interventions and those receiving chest drainage alone had similar outcomes to those managed surgically. All patients had full clinical resolution within 2 months of presentation.Necrotising pneumonia has increasingly been identified as a complication of paediatric pneumonia.Streptococcus pneumoniaeremains the predominant organism, but since 2002, different bacteria have been isolated and the age range of cases has broadened. Despite the serious morbidity, massive parenchymal damage and prolonged hospitalisations, long-term outcome following necrotising pneumonia is excellent.
Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate End-points (ECLIPSE)
Authors: Vestbo J. , Anderson W. , Coxson H. O. , Crim C. , Dawber F. , Edwards L. , Hagan G. , Knobil K. , Lomas D. A. , MacNee W. , Silverman E. K. , Tal-Singer R. ,   on behalf of the ECLIPSE investigators
Published: January 2008

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease and not well understood. The forced expiratory volume in one second is used for the diagnosis and staging of COPD, but there is wide acceptance that it is a crude measure and insensitive to change over shorter periods of time.Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate End-points (ECLIPSE) is a 3-yr longitudinal study with four specific aims: 1) definition of clinically relevant COPD subtypes; 2) identification of parameters that predict disease progression in these subtypes; 3) examination of biomarkers that correlate with COPD subtypes and may predict disease progression; and 4) identification of novel genetic factors and/or biomarkers that both correlate with clinically relevant COPD subtypes and predict disease progression.ECLIPSE plans to recruit 2,180 COPD subjects in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease categories II–IV and 343 smoking and 223 nonsmoking control subjects. Study procedures are to be performed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and every 6 months thereafter. Assessments include pulmonary function measurements (spirometry, impulse oscillometry and plethysmography), chest computed tomography, biomarker measurement (in blood, sputum, urine and exhaled breath condensate), health outcomes, body impedance, resting oxygen saturation and 6-min walking distance.Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate End-points is the largest study attempting to better describe the subtypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as defining predictive markers of its progression.
Early effective drainage in the treatment of loculated tuberculous pleurisy
Authors: Chung C-L. , Chen C-H. , Yeh C-Y. , Sheu J-R. , Chang S-C. 
Published: January 2008

The role of early effective drainage in loculated tuberculous (TB) pleurisy treatment remains unclear.Consecutive patients with TB pleurisy subjected to anti-TB treatment and pigtail drainage (n = 64) were divided into three groups: 1) patients with free-flowing effusions irrigated with saline (free-flowing group; n = 20); 2) patients with loculated effusions irrigated with streptokinase (streptokinase group; n = 22); and 3) patients with loculated effusions irrigated with saline (saline group; n = 22). Pleural irrigation was performed for 3 days consecutively and the effusion drained as completely as possible. Outcomes were assessed for 12 months by clinical symptoms, effusion removed, radiological scores for effusion amount, lung function and occurrence of residual pleural thickening.The total effusion volumes removed were significantly greater in the free-flowing (2.36±1.62 L) and streptokinase groups (2.59±1.77 L) than in the saline group (1.28±1.21 L). Compared with the saline group, the free-flowing and streptokinase groups showed significant improvement in radiological scores and forced vital capacity at different time-points during follow-up, and a significantly lower occurrence of residual pleural thickening. All outcome variables were comparable between the streptokinase and free-flowing groups.In summary, early effective drainage and complete anti-tuberculosis treatment may hasten clearance of pleural effusion, reduce residual pleural thickening occurrence and accelerate pulmonary function recovery in patients with symptomatic loculated tuberculous pleurisy.
Decreased expression of haem oxygenase-1 by alveolar macrophages in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ye Q. , Dalavanga Y. , Poulakis N. , Sixt S. U. , Guzman J. , Costabel U. 
Published: January 2008

Haem oxygenase (HO)-1 is an oxidative stress responsive protein that may be involved in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease.HO-1 expression in alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage was investigated in 24 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 16 with sarcoidosis, 14 with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and 13 controls. Using immunocytochemistry, HO-1 expression in macrophages was scored semiquantitatively from 0–3 according to increasing intensity. The mean score of 100 macrophages was calculated. Macrophages were cultured and levels of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.The mean score of HO-1 was significantly lower in IPF (67) than in sarcoidosis (105), HP (106) or controls (106). There was no significant difference between sarcoidosis, HP and controls. The score of HO-1 correlated positively with the lymphocyte percentage in sarcoidosis and HP. Positive correlations were found between the score of HO-1 and the release of IL-12 and IL-18 by macrophages in IPF.The expression of haem oxygenase-1, a critical defender against oxidative stress, is decreased in macrophages of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients compared with those with granulomatous lung disorders. This supports the hypothesis of an oxidant–antioxidant imbalance in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in the migration of differentiated leukaemic cells toward alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Tsai W-H. , Shih C-H. , Lin C-C. , Ho C-K. , Hsu F-C. , Hsu H-C. 
Published: January 2008

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) can induce acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). The current study investigated the role of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 in the chemotactic transmigration of ATRA-treated NB4 (ATRA-NB4) APL cells toward A549 alveolar epithelial cells.NB4 and A549 cells were separately cultured with ATRA and/or dexamethasone (DEX). ATRA-NB4 cells were then placed in an upper insert and co-incubated with A549 cells or their conditioned medium (CM) located in a lower plate to test their transmigration activity.ATRA stimulated NB4 cells to transmigrate toward the A549 cells. The secretion of MCP-1 was enhanced by ATRA treatment in both A549 and NB4 cells. The binding assay demonstrated that ATRA-NB4 cells bound MCP-1. Pre-treatment of both CM-A549 cells with antibodies against MCP-1 and of ATRA-NB4 cells with antibodies against MCP-1 receptors reduced ATRA-NB4 cell transmigration. DEX did not suppress MCP-1 secretion and transmigration in ATRA-NB4 cells, although when applied to A549 cells, MCP-1 secretion was suppressed and ATRA-NB4 cell transmigration was attenuated.Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 secreted from alveolar epithelial cells plays an important role in the cell–cell interaction involved in the chemotactic transmigration of all-trans retinoic acid-treated acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells toward alveolar epithelial cells.
Deletion of MyD88 markedly attenuates sepsis-induced T and B lymphocyte apoptosis but worsens survival
Authors: Peck-Palmer Octavia M , Unsinger Jacqueline , Chang Katherine C , Davis Christopher G , McDunn Jonathan E , Hotchkiss Richard S 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSepsis induces widespread lymphocyte apoptosis, resulting in impaired immune defenses and increased morbidity and mortality. There are multiple potential triggers or signaling molecules involved in mediating death signals. Elucidating the specific signaling pathways that are involved in mediating lymphocyte apoptosis may lead to improved therapies of this lethal disorder. We investigated a number of key cellular receptors and intracellular signaling pathways that may be responsible for apoptotic cell death. Specifically, we investigated the role of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (TLR2, TLR4, and IL-1R), intracellular signaling proteins (MyD88 and TRIF), cytoplasmic transcription factors (STAT1 and STAT4), and the MAPK pathway (JNK1) in sepsis-induced lymphocyte apoptosis. Studies were performed in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis using specific gene-targeted deletions. CLP-induced lymphocyte apoptosis was evaluated 20 h post-operation by active caspase-3 and TUNEL staining. Surprisingly, the only genetic construct that ameliorated T and B lymphocyte sepsis-induced apoptosis (∼80% and 85%, respectively) occurred in MyD88−/− mice. Despite the marked decrease in sepsis-induced apoptosis, MyD88−/− mice had a worsened survival. In conclusion, lymphocyte death in sepsis likely involves multiple pathogen-sensing receptors and redundant signaling pathways. MyD88 was effective in blocking apoptosis, as it is essential in mediating most pathogen recognition pathways; however, MyD88 is also critical for host survival in a model of severe peritonitis.
Patterns of neutrophil serine protease-dependent cleavage of surfactant protein D in inflammatory lung disease
Authors: Cooley Jessica , McDonald Barbara , Accurso Frank J , Crouch Erika C , Remold-O’Donnell Eileen 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe manuscript presents definitive studies of surfactant protein D (SP-D) in the context of inflammatory lung fluids. The extent of SP-D depletion in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children affected with cystic fibrosis (CF) is demonstrated to correlate best with the presence of the active neutrophil serine protease (NSP) elastase. Novel C-terminal SP-D fragments of 27 kDa and 11 kDa were identified in patient lavage fluid in addition to the previously described N-terminal, 35-kDa fragment by the use of isoelectrofocusing, modified blotting conditions, and region-specific antibodies. SP-D cleavage sites were identified. In vitro treatment of recombinant human SP-D dodecamers with NSPs replicated the fragmentation, but unexpectedly, the pattern of SP-D fragments generated by NSPs was dependent on calcium concentration. Whereas the 35- and 11-kDa fragments were generated when incubations were performed in low calcium (200 μM CaCl2), incubations in physiological calcium (2 mM) with higher amounts of elastase or proteinase-3 generated C-terminal 27, 21, and 14 kDa fragments, representing cleavage within the collagen and neck regions. Studies in which recombinant SP-D cleavage by individual NSPs was quantitatively evaluated under low and high calcium conditions showed that the most potent NSP for cleaving SP-D is elastase, followed by proteinase-3, followed by cathepsin G. These relative potency findings were considered in the context of other studies that showed that active NSPs in CF BALF are in the order: elastase, followed by cathepsin G, followed by proteinase-3. The findings support a pre-eminent role for neutrophil elastase as the critical protease responsible for SP-D depletion in inflammatory lung disease.
RNase A ribonucleases and host defense: an evolving story
Authors: Rosenberg Helene F 
Published: January 2008

AbstractRNase A (bovine pancreatic RNase) is the founding member an extensive family of divergent proteins that share specific elements of sequence homology, a unique disulfide-bonded tertiary structure, and the ability to hydrolyze polymeric RNA. Among the more intriguing and perhaps counterintuitive findings, at the current state of the art, the connection between RNase activity and characterized host defense functions is quite weak; whether this is a scientific reality or more a reflection of what has been chosen for study remains to be determined. Several of the RNase A family RNases are highly cationic and have cytotoxic and bactericidal properties that are clearly (eosinophil cationic protein, leukocyte RNase A-2) or are probably (RNase 7) unrelated to their enzymatic activity. Interestingly, peptides derived from the leukocyte RNase A-2 sequence are nearly as bactericidal as the entire protein, suggesting that among other functions, the RNase A superfamily may be serving as a source of gene scaffolds for the generation of novel cytotoxic peptides. Other RNase A ribonucleases are somewhat less cationic (mouse angiogenin 4, zebrafish RNases) and have moderate bactericidal activities that have not yet been explored mechanistically. Additional host defense functions characterized specifically for the RNase eosinophil-derived neurotoxin include reducing infectivity of RNA viruses for target cells in culture, which does require RNase activity, chemoattraction of immature human dendritic cells via a G-protein-coupled receptor-dependent mechanism, and activation of TLR2. The properties of individual RNase A ribonucleases, recent experimental findings, and important questions for the near and distant future will be reviewed.
Phase II Study of Predictive Biomarker Profiles for Response Targeting Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2) in Advanced Inflammatory Breast Cancer With Lapatinib Monotherapy
Authors: Johnston Stephen , Trudeau Maureen , Kaufman Bella , Boussen Hamouda , Blackwell Kimberley , LoRusso Patricia , Lombardi Donald P. , Ben Ahmed Slim , Citrin Dennis L. , DeSilvio Michelle L. , Harris Jennifer , Westlund Ron E. , Salazar Vanessa , Zaks Tal Z. , Spector Neil L. 
Published: January 2008

Purpose Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. Lapatinib, an oral reversible inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human EGFR 2 (HER-2), demonstrated clinical activity in four of five IBC patients in phase I trials. We conducted a phase II trial to confirm the sensitivity of IBC to lapatinib, to determine whether response is HER-2 or EGFR dependent, and to elucidate a molecular signature predictive of lapatinib sensitivity. Patients and Methods Our open-label multicenter phase II trial (EGF103009) assessed clinical activity and safety of lapatinib monotherapy in patients with recurrent or anthracycline-refractory IBC. Patients were assigned to cohorts A (HER-2–overexpressing [HER-2+]) or B(HER-2–/EGFR+) and fresh pretreatment tumor biopsies were collected. Results Forty-five patients (30 in cohort A; 15 in cohort B) received lapatinib 1,500 mg once daily continuously. Clinical presentation and biomarker analyses demonstrated a tumor molecular signature consistent with IBC. Lapatinib was generally well tolerated, with primarily grade 1/2 skin and GI toxicities. Fifteen patients (50%) in cohort A had clinical responses to lapatinib in skin and/or measurable disease (according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) compared with one patient in cohort B. Within cohort A, phosphorylated (p) HER-3 and lack of p53 expression predicted for response to lapatinib (P < .05). Tumors coexpressing pHER-2 and pHER-3 were more likely to respond to lapatinib (nine of 10 v four of 14; P = .0045). Prior trastuzumab therapy and loss of phosphate and tensin homolog 10 (PTEN) did not preclude response to lapatinib. Conclusion Lapatinib is well tolerated with clinical activity in heavily pretreated HER-2+, but not EGFR+/HER-2–, IBC. In this study, coexpression of pHER-2 and pHER-3 in tumors seems to predict for a favorable response to lapatinib. These findings warrant further investigation of lapatinib monotherapy or combination therapy in HER-2+ IBC.
Structural Characterizations of Charged Colloidal Silica Crystals Formed by Base Diffusion
Authors: Yamada Hiroshi , Sawada Tsutomu , Yamanaka Junpei , Yonese Masakatsu , Uchida Fumio 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
We examine the structures and orientation of charged colloidal silica crystals formed by the unidirectional diffusion of sodium hydrogencarbonate. Angular-dependent diffraction spectrometry is applied to centimeter-sized cubic crystals immobilized in polymer hydrogels. We find that the lattice planes of these crystals are not aligned with the container walls. This suggests that these large crystals are not formed by the wall effect, which has played a vital role in the formation of large crystals in previous studies.
Effect of Macroscopically Smooth Silver Substrate on the Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering of 4-Nitrobenzenethiol Adsorbed on Powdered Au
Authors: Shin Kuan Soo , Park Chan Seok , Kang Weekyung , Kim Kwan 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Raman scattering measurements were conducted for 4-nitrobenzenethiol (4-NBT) assembled on gold μ-powders sparsely dispersed on smooth silver substrates. The SERS signals of 4-NBT were enhanced by using smooth Ag substrates caused by electromagnetic coupling of the surface plasmon polaritons of μAu powders and flat metal substrate. And 4-NBT adsorbed on Au powder is converted to 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT) by the irradiation of visible light.
[5]Rotaxanes Composed of α-Cyclodextrin and Pd or Pt Complexes with Alkylbipyridinium Ligands
Authors: Taira Toshiaki , Suzaki Yuji , Osakada Kohtaro 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
[3]Pseudorotaxane, having two α-cyclodextrins and an N-alkylbipyridinium as the macrocyclic and axle components, reacts with M(NO3)2(en) (M = Pd and Pt, en = 1,2-ethylenediamine) in water to form new transition metal-containing [5]rotaxanes.
p-Nitrophenyl Triazenyl Purine: First Adenine-based Colorimetric Anion Sensor
Authors: Upadhyay K K , Kumar Ajit , Upadhyay Shalini , Mishra Rakesh K , Roychoudhuary P K 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
6-[(2E)-3-(4-Nitrophenyl)triaz-2-en-1-yl]-9H-purine (p-nitrophenyl triazenyl purine, PNTP) has been synthesized and evaluated for sensing the anions PF6−, HSO4−, ClO4−, and BF4− as their tetrabutylammonium salts in DMSO. This is the first example of any adenine-based anion sensor. The addition of 2 equivalents of PF6−, HSO4−, ClO4−, and BF4− to the 2×10−5 mol dm−3 DMSO solution of PNTP at room temperature produced visible color changes and perturbation of UV–vis spectral pattern of PNTP in terms of absorbance at 398 and 575 nm in reciprocal patterns. The sensing ability of PNTP was found to be best for PF6− among all the chosen anions.
Syntheses of Fluorescence-labeled Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Methylene and Sulfur Analogues as Possible Visible Ligands to the Receptor
Authors: Yamamoto Tetsuya , Hasegawa Hiroko , Hakogi Toshikazu , Katsumura Shigeo 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
The methylene and sulfur analogues of sphingosine 1-phosphate labeled with a fluorescent group at the terminus of the backbone skeleton were stereoselectively synthesized as possible nonhydrolyzable visible ligands to the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor, S1P1.
The Ultimate Aberdeen Knot
Authors: Stott Philip M , Ripley Lionel G , Lavelle Michael A 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION The Aberdeen knot has been shown to be stronger and more secure than a surgeon's knot for ending a suture line. No data exist as to the ideal configuration of the Aberdeen knot. The Royal College of Surgeons of England in their Basic Surgical Skills Course, 2002 recommended six throws. The aim of this experiment is to find the ideal combination of throws and turns. MATERIALS AND METHODS Aberdeen knots of various configurations were tied in O-PDS suture (Ethicon, Johnson and Johnson). Each configuration was tied 10 times. A materials testing machine was used to test the knots to destruction in a standardised manner. RESULTS The knots were seen to behave in two ways. They either slipped and unravelled, or broke. Knots tied with fewer than three throws were unreliable. Knots tied with three throws and two turns appear to be the strongest configuration. Adding further throws and turns does not increase the strength of an Aberdeen knot. CONCLUSIONS An Aberdeen knot tied with three throws and two turns is the ultimate Aberdeen knot.
Acute Appendicitis: Are we Over Diagnosing it?
Authors: Singhal V , Jadhav V 
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION Appendicectomy is by far the commonest major emergency general surgical operation and laparoscopic appendicectomy is now becoming common. The question of whether a normal-looking appendix should be removed laparoscopically is more pertinent than ever before. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective study was undertaken to review the histopathology results and compare macroscopic with microscopic descriptions of all patients who underwent an appendicectomy, either by open surgery or laparoscopically, over a 1-year period from 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2005. RESULTS A total of 199 appendicectomies were carried out in the year of which histopathology results for 190 could be retrieved. Of the 190 who had an appendicectomy, 110 (57.9%) were female and 80 (42.1%) were male. While appendicitis was confirmed histologically in 65 of 80 (81.2%) male patients, it could only be confirmed histologically in 57 of 110 (51.8%) female patients. However, in a large number of female patients in whom macroscopically normal appendices had been removed, other findings were noted including fibro-obliterative changes in 10, luminal inflammation in 6, serositis in 5, lymphoid hyperplasia in 3, feacoliths in 2, and pinworm in 1, making another abdominal pathology a possibility. CONCLUSIONS The number of macroscopically normal appendices removed was much larger in female patients. However in 27 of 49 normal looking appendices in females, findings such as serositis, luminal inflammation, lymphoid hyperplasia, etc. were noted on histology, suggesting that another abdominal pathology may have been missed or the appendix may still have been the cause for pain. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that diagnostic laparoscopy should be performed at least in all female patients before an appendicectomy; if no other findings are noted on laparoscopy, it is likely to be worthwhile to remove the appendix.