bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High prevalence of vertebral deformities in COPD patients: relationship to disease severity
Authors: Kjensli A. , Falch J. A. , Ryg M. , Blenk T. , Armbrecht G. , Diep L. M. , Ellingsen I. 
Published: January 2009

Bone mineral density decreases with advancing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity, but it is not known whether this is reflected in higher fracture rates. The present authors wanted to compare the prevalence of vertebral deformities in COPD patients with those in a population-based reference group to determine whether the number of deformities was related to the severity of COPD and how far the use of oral corticosteroids (OCS) influenced the prevalence of deformities.In the present cross-sectional study of 465 COPD patients and 462 controls, vertebral deformities were found in 31% of the COPD patients and 18% of the controls. In subjects who had never or sporadically used OCS, deformities were found in 29% of the COPD patients and 17% of the controls. In females, the average number of vertebral deformities was almost two-fold when COPD severity increased from Global Initiative of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage II to III. In males, the use of OCS had a small but significant influence.Prevalence of vertebral deformities was significantly higher in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients than in the controls. In females, the average number of deformities was related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity even after adjustment for other known risk factors. The difference between patients and controls remained significant even in those who never or sporadically used oral corticosteroids.
Characterisation of severe obliterative bronchiolitis in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Devouassoux G. , Cottin V. , Lioté H. , Marchand E. , Frachon I. , Schuller A. , Béjui-Thivolet F. , Cordier J-F. ,   the Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherche sur les Maladies “Orphelines” Pulmonaires (GERM“O”P)
Published: January 2009

The characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who develop obliterative bronchiolitis characterised by severe airflow obstruction have been hitherto poorly investigated.A retrospective study of 25 patients with RA and functional evidence of obliterative bronchiolitis (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <50% and/or residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) >140% predicted) was conducted.Patients (mean±sdage 64±11 yrs) included 17 never-smokers and eight ex-smokers (10.5±5.4 pack-yrs). The diagnosis of RA preceded respiratory symptoms in 88% of cases. Dyspnoea on exertion was present in all patients and bronchorrhea in 44%. High-resolution computed tomography findings included: bronchial wall thickening (96%), bronchiectasis (40%), mosaic pattern (40%), centrilobular emphysema (56%), and reticular and/or ground-glass opacities (32%). Pulmonary function tests showed: FEV141±12% pred, FEV1/FVC 49±14%, FVC 70±20% pred, RV 148±68% pred and RV/TLC 142±34% pred. Lung biopsy, available in nine patients, demonstrated constrictive, follicular and mixed bronchiolitis. Patients were followed for 48.2±49 months. Treatment was poorly effective. Chronic respiratory failure occurred in 40% of patients, and four patients died.Obliterative bronchiolitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis is a severe and under-recognised condition leading to respiratory failure and death in a high proportion of patients.
Abnormal mitochondrial function in locomotor and respiratory muscles of COPD patients
Authors: Puente-Maestu L. , Pérez-Parra J. , Godoy R. , Moreno N. , Tejedor A. , González-Aragoneses F. , Bravo J-L. , Villar Álvarez F. , Camaño S. , Agustí A. 
Published: January 2009

Several cellular and molecular alterations have been described in skeletal and respiratory muscles of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but information on potential abnormalities of mitochondrial function is scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate mitochondrial function in the vastus lateralis (VL) and external intercostalis (EI) of COPD patients.Biopsies from VL and EI were obtained during surgery for lung cancer in 13 patients with mild to moderate COPD (age 68±6 yrs, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 66±15% predicted) and 19 control subjects (age 67±9 yrs, FEV195±18% pred). State 3 and 4 mitochondrial oxygen consumption (V′O2,m), ATP synthesis, citrate synthase, cytochrome oxidase (COX) and complex I–III activities, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, were determined.In COPD patients, in both muscles, COX activity (VL: COPD 3.0±0.8versuscontrol 2.0±0.8; EI: 3.7±1.6versus2.4±0.9 μmol·min−1·mg−1) and ROS production (VL: 1,643±290versus1,285±468; EI: 1,033±210versus848±288 arbitrary units) were increased, whereas state 3V′O2,mwas reduced (VL: 2.9±0.3versus3.6±0.4; EI: 3.6±0.3versus4.1±0.4 mmol·min−1·kg−1).Skeletal muscle mitochondria of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease show electron transport chain blockade and excessive production of reactive oxygen species. The concurrent involvement of both vastus lateralis and external intercostalis suggests a systemic (rather than a local) mechanism(s) already occurring in relatively early stages (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage II) of the disease.
Anti-inflammatory effects of salmeterol/fluticasone, tiotropium/fluticasone or tiotropium in COPD
Authors: Perng D-W. , Tao C-W. , Su K-C. , Tsai C-C. , Liu L-Y. , Lee Y-C. 
Published: January 2009

The anti-inflammatory effects of salmeterol/fluticasone (SFP), tiotropium/fluticasone (Tio+FP) and tiotropium (Tio) alone were investigated on the inflammatory cells and mediators in sputum induced from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.Subjects were either newly diagnosed or had not taken any medication for 3 months prior to the study. Subjects (n = 99) were randomised (not double blinded) and received either SFP (100/1,000 μg daily), Tio+FP (18/1,000 μg daily) or Tio (18 μg daily) for 12 weeks. Induced sputum and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were analysed prior to and at the end of treatment.The results showed that treatment with SFP caused a significant reduction in interleukin (IL)-8 and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9 in induced sputum, compared with treatment with Tio alone. There were no treatment differences between the SFP and Tio+FP groups in decreasing IL-8 and MMP-9 levels. The reduction in IL-8 showed significant association with the reduction in MMP-9. All treatment groups failed to significantly reduce the numbers of total cells, neutrophils, macrophages and eosinophils in induced sputum; in addition, there were no treatment differences in terms of improvement of forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, CRP or quality of life between the three groups.The anti-inflammatory effects of salmeterol/fluticasone probably contribute to the clinical benefits seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Asthma, airway inflammation and epithelial damage in swimmers and cold-air athletes
Authors: Bougault V. , Turmel J. , St-Laurent J. , Bertrand M. , Boulet L-P. 
Published: January 2009

Endurance athletes show an increased prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effects of training on airway responsiveness, inflammation and epithelial damage in swimmers and cold-air athletes.In total, 64 elite athletes (32 swimmers and 32 cold-air athletes), 32 mild asthmatic subjects and 32 healthy controls underwent allergy skin prick testing, methacholine challenge and induced sputum analysis.Overall, 69% of swimmers and 28% of cold-air athletes had airway hyperresponsiveness. Sputum neutrophil count correlated with the number of training hours per week in both swimmers and cold-air athletes. Eosinophil counts were higher in swimmers than in healthy subjects, although they were lower than in asthmatic subjects, and correlated with airway hyperresponsiveness in swimmers only. The eosinophil count in cold-air athletes was similar to that in healthy subjects. Bronchial epithelial cell count was not correlated with airway hyperresponsiveness but was significantly increased in swimmers, compared with healthy and asthmatic controls.In conclusion, the present authors observed significant airway inflammation only in competitive athletes with airway hyperresponsiveness. However, the majority of elite athletes showed evidence of bronchial epithelial damage that could possibly contribute to the development of airway hyperresponsiveness.
Haemosiderin-laden macrophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with diffuse alveolar damage
Authors: Maldonado F. , Parambil J. G. , Yi E. S. , Decker P. A. , Ryu J. H. 
Published: January 2009

Quantification of haemosiderin-laden macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) has been used to diagnose diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) but has not been assessed in patients with diffuse alveolar damage (DAD).The present study analysed BALF obtained from 21 patients with DAD diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy.The median age of 21 patients with DAD was 68 yrs (range 18–79 yrs); 14 (67%) were male and 12 (57%) were immunocompromised. The median proportion of haemosiderin-laden macrophages in BALF was 5% (range 0–90%), but was ≥20% in seven (33%) patients, fulfilling the commonly used BALF criterion for DAH. There was a trend toward a positive correlation between the percentage of haemosiderin-laden macrophages in BALF and parenchymal haemorrhage assessed semiquantitatively by histopathological analysis. Patients with ≥20% haemosiderin-laden macrophages in BALF showed a significantly increased mortality rate (p = 0.047) compared to those with <20%.In patients with an acute onset of diffuse lung infiltrates and respiratory distress, ≥20% haemosiderin-laden macrophages in BALF can occur with DAD, and is not necessarily diagnostic of DAH. The finding of ≥20% haemosiderin-laden macrophages in BALF is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with DAD.
Comparative airway response to high-versuslow-molecular weight agents in occupational asthma
Authors: Dufour M-H. , Lemière C. , Prince P. , Boulet L-P. 
Published: January 2009

Airway responses to occupational agents in sensitised workers may vary clinically and physiologically. The patterns of change in airway responsiveness, type of response and fall in expiratory flows following laboratory exposure to high- or low-molecular weight agents (HMW and LMW agents, respectively) were compared in sensitised workers.Data on workers who underwent specific inhalation challenges with occupational sensitisers (117 exposed to HMW agents and 130 to LMW agents) were collected from their medical charts.Maximum falls in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were of similar magnitude for both types of agents. Compared with HMW agents, LMW agents induced more frequently late or dual responses and higher increases in airway responsiveness. After exposure to HMW agents, there was a mean±sdreduction in doubling concentrations of methacholine of 0.5±1.7 for early responses, compared with 2.8±1.2 and 1.4±2.0 for late and dual responses, respectively. Isolated early responses were more frequently found in females, smokers, workers with a higher % predicted FEV1and higher provocation concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1, and in those with longer asthma duration.Workers’ characteristics, as well as the type of agent they are sensitised to, may help to predict the type of response after specific inhalation challenge.
Effect of dexamethasone on acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by the H5N1 virus in mice
Authors: Xu T. , Qiao J. , Zhao L. , He G. , Li K. , Wang J. , Tian Y. , Wang H. 
Published: January 2009

Glucocorticoids are widely used in the treatment of different inflammatory diseases. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by the H5N1 viral infection in mice.BALB/c mice, 6–8 weeks old, were divided into three groups with 80 mice in each. The infected group and the DEX-treated infected group were inoculated intranasally with 1×10250% mouse infectious dose of A/Chicken/Hebei/108/2002 (H5N1) viruses, with daily intraperitoneal injections of PBS, or 2.5 mg·kg−1DEX at days 3–14 post inoculation, respectively. The control group received noninfectious allantoic fluid and a daily intraperitoneal injection of PBS.In H5N1-infected mice, DEX treatment did not improve the mortality (17 out of 20versus16 out of 20 deaths in the DEX-treated infected groupversusthe infected group), and did not alleviate clinical signs, including weight loss, decreased food intake and inactivity. There was no significant amelioration of the hypoxaemia and ARDS-associated pathological changes in DEX-treated infected mice, as assessed by blood gas analysis and histological score. Furthermore, DEX therapy did not inhibit inflammatory cellular infiltration and cytokine release (interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid induced by the H5N1 infection.In conclusion, dexamethasone treatment (2.5 mg·kg−1) from days 3–14 post inoculation has no beneficial effect on acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by the H5N1 infection in mice.
Converting venous acid–base and oxygen status to arterial in patients with lung disease
Authors: Rees S. E. , Hansen A. , Toftegaard M. , Pedersen J. , Kristiensen S. R. , Harving H. 
Published: January 2009

The aim of the present study was to evaluate a method for calculating arterial values of pH, carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) and oxygen tension (PO2) from peripheral venous values.In total, 40 patients were studied. Arterial and peripheral venous blood were sampled at a department of respiratory diseases. Arterial values were calculated from venous, and measured and calculated values of arterial pH,PCO2andPO2were compared.Measured and calculated values of pH andPCO2correlated well, with the difference between them having a very small bias and standard deviation (pH -0.001±0.013,PCO2-0.09±0.28 kPa) within those considered acceptable for laboratory equipment and clinical practice. All but four patients had peripheral oxygen saturation (Sp,O2) ≤96%, and for these measured and calculatedPO2correlated well, with a difference such that the bias and standard deviation suggested that calculated &SetFont Typeface="43" Bold="1" Italic="1";P&SetFont Typeface="43" Bold="1";O2may be clinically useful (&SetFont Typeface="43" Bold="1" Italic="1";P&SetFont Typeface="43" Bold="1";O20.11±0.53 kPa).The present study evaluates a method for calculating arterial pH, carbon dioxide tension and oxygen tension from venous blood. It has been shown that arterial pH and carbon dioxide tension can be calculated precisely, and that oxygen tension can be calculated with reasonable precision in the vast majority of patients. This method might be useful in reducing the need for painful arterial punctures.
Nitric oxide production by the alveolar compartment of the lungs in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Degano B. , Mittaine M. , Hervé P. , Rami J. , Kamar N. , Suc B. , Rivière D. , Rostaing L. 
Published: January 2009

In cirrhotic patients, alveolar nitric oxide (NO) concentration is increased. This may be secondary to increased output of NO produced by the alveoli (V′A,NO) and/or to decreased lung transfer factor of NO. In advanced liver cirrhosis, NO produced by the alveoli may play a role in abnormalities of pulmonary haemodynamics and gas exchanges. In cirrhotic patients, we aimed to measureV′A,NOand to compareV′A,NOwith pulmonary haemodynamics and gas exchange parameters.Measurements were performed in 22 healthy controls and in 29 cirrhotic patients, of whom eight had hepatopulmonary syndrome. Exhaled NO concentrations were measured at multiple expiratory flow rates to derive alveolar NO concentration.V′A,NOwas the product of alveolar NO concentration by single breath lung transfer factor for NO.V′A,NOwas increased in patients (median (range) 260 (177–341) nL·min−1) compared with controls (79 (60–90), p<0.0001). Alveolar–arterial oxygen tension difference failed to correlate withV′A,NO. However, cardiac index correlated positively and systemic vascular resistance correlated negatively withV′A,NO(r = 0.56, p = 0.001 and r = -0.52, p = 0.004, respectively).In cirrhotic patients, NO was produced in excess by the alveolar compartment of the lungs. Alveolar NO production was associated with hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome but not with arterial oxygenation impairment.
Mosaic analysis of stem cell function and wound healing in the mouse corneal epithelium
Authors: Mort Richard L , Ramaesh Thaya , Kleinjan Dirk A , Morley Steven D , West John D 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
The mouse corneal epithelium is a continuously renewing 5–6 cell thick protective layer covering the corneal surface, which regenerates rapidly when injured. It is maintained by peripherally located limbal stem cells (LSCs) that produce transient amplifying cells (TACs) which proliferate, migrate centripetally, differentiate and are eventually shed from the epithelial surface. LSC activity is required both for normal tissue maintenance and wound healing. Mosaic analysis can provide insights into LSC function, cell movement and cell mixing during tissue maintenance and repair. The present study investigates cell streaming during corneal maintenance and repair and changes in LSC function with age.

Results
The initial pattern of corneal epithelial patches in XLacZ
+/- X-inactivation mosaics was replaced after birth by radial stripes, indicating activation of LSCs. Stripe patterns (clockwise, anticlockwise or midline) were independent between paired eyes. Wound healing in organ culture was analysed by mosaic analysis of XLacZ
+/- eyes or time-lapse imaging of GFP mosaics. Both central and peripheral wounds healed clonally, with cells moving in from all around the wound circumference without significant cell mixing, to reconstitute striping patterns. Mosaic analysis revealed that wounds can heal asymmetrically. Healing of peripheral wounds produced stripe patterns that mimicked some aberrant striping patterns observed in unwounded corneas. Quantitative analysis provided no evidence for an uneven distribution of LSC clones but showed that corrected corneal epithelial stripe numbers declined with age (implying declining LSC function) but stabilised after 39 weeks.

Conclusion
Striping patterns, produced by centripetal movement, are defined independently and stochastically in individual eyes. Little cell mixing occurs during the initial phase of wound healing and the direction of cell movement is determined by the position of the wound and not by population pressure from the limbus. LSC function declines with age and this may reflect reduced LSCs numbers, more quiescent LSCs or a reduced ability of older stem cells to maintain tissue homeostasis. The later plateau of LSC function might indicate the minimum LSC function that is sufficient for corneal epithelial maintenance. Quantitative and temporal mosaic analyses provide new possibilities for studying stem cell function, tissue maintenance and repair.
Phylum Verrucomicrobia representatives share a compartmentalized cell plan with members of bacterial phylum Planctomycetes
Authors: Lee Kuo-Chang , Webb Richard I , Janssen Peter H , Sangwan Parveen , Romeo Tony , Staley James T , Fuerst John A 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
The phylum Verrucomicrobia is a divergent phylum within domain Bacteria including members of the microbial communities of soil and fresh and marine waters; recently extremely acidophilic members from hot springs have been found to oxidize methane. At least one genus, Prosthecobacter, includes species with genes homologous to those encoding eukaryotic tubulins. A significant superphylum relationship of Verrucomicrobia with members of phylum Planctomycetes possessing a unique compartmentalized cell plan, and members of the phylum Chlamydiae including human pathogens with a complex intracellular life cycle, has been proposed. Based on the postulated superphylum relationship, we hypothesized that members of the two separate phyla Planctomycetes and Verrucomicrobia might share a similar ultrastructure plan differing from classical prokaryote organization.

Results
The ultrastructure of cells of four members of phylum Verrucomicrobia – Verrucomicrobium spinosum, Prosthecobacter dejongeii, Chthoniobacter flavus, and strain Ellin514 – was examined using electron microscopy incorporating high-pressure freezing and cryosubstitution. These four members of phylum Verrucomicrobia, representing 3 class-level subdivisions within the phylum, were found to possess a compartmentalized cell plan analogous to that found in phylum Planctomycetes. Like all planctomycetes investigated, they possess a major pirellulosome compartment containing a condensed nucleoid and ribosomes surrounded by an intracytoplasmic membrane (ICM), as well as a ribosome-free paryphoplasm compartment between the ICM and cytoplasmic membrane.

Conclusion
A unique compartmentalized cell plan so far found among Domain Bacteria only within phylum Planctomycetes, and challenging our concept of prokaryote cell plans, has now been found in a second phylum of the Domain Bacteria, in members of phylum Verrucomicrobia. The planctomycete cell plan thus occurs in at least two distinct phyla of the Bacteria, phyla which have been suggested from other evidence to be related phylogenetically in the proposed PVC (Planctomycetes-Verrucomicrobia-Chlamydiae) superphylum. This planctomycete cell plan is present in at least 3 of 6 subdivisions of Verrucomicrobia, suggesting that the common ancestor of the verrucomicrobial phylum was also compartmentalized and possessed such a plan. The presence of this compartmentalized cell plan in both phylum Planctomycetes and phylum Verrucomicrobia suggest that the last common ancestor of these phyla was also compartmentalized.
In-vivo optical detection of cancer using chlorin e6 – polyvinylpyrrolidone induced fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy
Authors: Chin William WL , Thong Patricia SP , Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy , Soo Khee Chee , Heng Paul WS , Olivo Malini 
Published: January 2009

Abstract

Background
Photosensitizer based fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy is fast becoming a promising approach for cancer detection. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) formulated in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a potential exogenous fluorophore for fluorescence imaging and spectroscopic detection of human cancer tissue xenografted in preclinical models as well as in a patient.

Methods
Fluorescence imaging was performed on MGH human bladder tumor xenografted on both the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and the murine model using a fluorescence endoscopy imaging system. In addition, fiber optic based fluorescence spectroscopy was performed on tumors and various normal organs in the same mice to validate the macroscopic images. In one patient, fluorescence imaging was performed on angiosarcoma lesions and normal skin in conjunction with fluorescence spectroscopy to validate Ce6-PVP induced fluorescence visual assessment of the lesions.

Results
Margins of tumor xenografts in the CAM model were clearly outlined under fluorescence imaging. Ce6-PVP-induced fluorescence imaging yielded a specificity of 83% on the CAM model. In mice, fluorescence intensity of Ce6-PVP was higher in bladder tumor compared to adjacent muscle and normal bladder. Clinical results confirmed that fluorescence imaging clearly captured the fluorescence of Ce6-PVP in angiosarcoma lesions and good correlation was found between fluorescence imaging and spectral measurement in the patient.

Conclusion
Combination of Ce6-PVP induced fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy could allow for optical detection and discrimination between cancer and the surrounding normal tissues. Ce6-PVP seems to be a promising fluorophore for fluorescence diagnosis of cancer.