bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for recent transmission ofMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Heldal E. , Dahle U.R. , Sandven P. , Caugant D.A. , Brattaas N. , Waaler H.T. , Enarson D.A. , Tverdal A. , Kongerud J. 
Published: September 2008

In recent decades, the decline of tuberculosis has stopped in Western Europe, mainly due to increased immigration from high-prevalence countries. The objective of the current study was to identify risk factors for developing tuberculosis following recent infection, in order to better target interventions.Strains from 861 culture-positive cases, diagnosed in Norway in 1994–1999, were analysed by use of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). A cluster was defined as two or more isolates with identical RFLP patterns. Risk factors for being part of a cluster were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis.A total of 134 patients were part of a cluster. These constituted 5% Asian-born, 18% Norwegian-born, 24% European-born and 29% African-born patients. Four independent risk factors for being part of a cluster were identified: being born in Norway, being of young age, being infected with an isoniazid-resistant strain and being infected with a multidrug-resistant strain.Transmission of tuberculosis may be further reduced by improving case management, contact tracing, preventive treatment, screening of immigrants and access to health services for the foreign-born population.
Exhaled nitric oxide after lung transplantation: impact of the native lung
Authors: Verleden G.M. , Dupont L.J. , Delcroix M. , Van Raemdonck D. , Vanhaecke J. , Lerut T. , Demedts M. 
Published: September 2008

It has already been demonstrated that exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is increased in lung transplant patients with chronic rejection, although it is not known whether the diseased native lung after single lung transplantation (SLTx) contributes to the increased eNO values. This study aimed to compare the eNO values in stable lung transplant patients (SLTxversussequential (S)SLTx and heart (H)LTx) and in patients with established chronic rejection.Altogether, 42 LTx patients (25 females, 13 SLTx, 18 SSLTx, 11 HLTx), with a mean follow­up of 1149 days and a mean age of 44.6 yrs at transplantation, were included. Twenty­six patients had no signs of chronic rejection (five SLTx and 21 SSLTx/HLTx). There was no difference in their eNO values (10.2 in SLTxversus12.2 (parts per billion) ppb in SSLTx/HLTx). Sixteen patients (eight SLTx and eight SSLTx/HLTx) had a chronic rejection (eight bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) potential stage, four BOS stage 1, three BOS stage 2 and one BOS stage 3). Their eNOs were 18.1 (SLTx) and 17.0 (SSLTx/HLTx) ppb, respectively, which were significantly different to the stable LTx patients and showed a trend towards significance for SSLTx/HLTx. There was no significant difference in eNO between the patients with chronic rejection who underwent SLTx and those who underwent SSLTx/HLTx.The diseased native lung after single lung transplantation probably does not contribute much to the exhaled nitric oxide values, either in stable lung transplant patients or in lung transplant patients with chronic rejection.
Unaltered respiratory-related evoked potentials after acute diaphragm dysfunction in humans
Authors: Bezzi M. , Donzel-Raynaud C. , Straus C. , Tantucci C. , Zelter M. , Derenne J-P. , Similowski T. 
Published: September 2008

Respiratory muscles play an important role in the origin of respiratory sensations. Data dissecting the role of the diaphragm and other inspiratory muscles are scarce. This study aimed to determine the impact of diaphragm dysfunction following inspiratory resistive loading on respiratory-related evoked potentials considered as a neurophysiological substrate of certain types of respiratory sensations.Altogether, nine subjects aged 25–50 yrs (six females) participated in the study. Transdiaphragmatic pressure output of cervical magnetic stimulation (with subdivision in oesophageal and gastric component), and respiratory-related evoked potentials (C3 and C4 derivations in the international 10–20 system) following mid-inspiratory occlusions were studied before and after an inspiratory-resistive loading challenge.Predominant diaphragm dysfunction was observed in seven subjects (average 28% reduction in transdiaphragmatic pressure, from 27.25–19.91 cmH20, with increased oesophageal-to-gastric pressure ratio). The latencies and amplitudes of all the components of the respiratory-related evoked potentials were unchanged.The study concluded that predominant diaphragm fatigue does not affect respiratory-related evoked potentials.
Duration of length of stay in pneumonia: influence of clinical factors and hospital type
Authors: Menéndez R. , Cremades M.J. , Martínez-Moragón E. , Soler J.J. , Reyes S. , Perpiñá M. 
Published: September 2008

Length of stay (LOS) in hospital for community-acquired pneumonia depends on the characteristics of the patient and hospital. The present study sought to identify these variables within the first 24 h of hospitalisation.Patients hospitalised for pneumonia in four hospitals (one teaching and three general hospitals) had their data analysed by univariate and multivariate statististics. The variables entered were LOS, demographical characteristics, referral source, comorbidity, initial severity of illness, laboratory analyses, initial radiograph findings and antibiotic treatment regimens.The study sample included 425 patients. The overall mortality was 8.2% and the median LOS was 9 days. Using LOS as a dependent variable, three multivariate linear regression analyses were performed with: 1) the whole cohort; 2) the low-risk classes (categories I and II of Fine); and 3) the high-risk classes (categories III, IV and V of Fine). The mathematical model identified hypoxemia, low diastolic pressure, pleural effusion, multi-lobe involvement and hypoalbuminaemia as associated with longer stays in risk classes III–V, while in the low-risk patients (I–II) only hypoxemia and pleural effusion appeared in the equation. Following adjustment for these clinical variables, the LOS remained lower in some hospitals.Several independent clinical factors increased the pneumonia-associated length of stay with significant differences between hospitals. Hypoxemia and pleural effusions were the predictive variables of length of stay in low-risk patients and, additionally, diastolic blood pressure, multi-lobe involvement and hypoalbuminaemia were significant in the higher-risk classes III–V.
Short­burst oxygen immediately before and after exercise is ineffective in nonhypoxic COPD patients
Authors: Lewis C.A. , Eaton T.E. , Young P. , Kolbe J. 
Published: September 2008

Short­burst oxygen therapy (SBOT) remains an unproven treatment for reduction of exertional dyspnoea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to assess whether SBOT before exercise reduces dyspnoea or improves performance, and whether SBOT after exercise reduces dyspnoea during recovery.Twenty­two clinically stable COPD patients (mean forced expiratory volume in one second 34% predicted, mean resting saturation 94%) attended a respiratory gymnasium and undertook four 6‐min walk (6MW) tests at each of two sessions, 1 week apart. Cylinder air or oxygen was administered single­blind in random order for 5 min prior to the first two 6MW and during recovery following the final two 6MW. Dyspnoea was self­rated by subjects using the modified Borg scale.There was no significant difference in mean 6MW distance or final Borg score for air and oxygen given before exercise. There was also no significant difference in mean time­to­resting Borg score for air and oxygen given after exercise. Only two subjects demonstrated a clinically significant and consistent reduction in dyspnoea for oxygen compared with air either before or after exercise.Overall, short­burst oxygen therapy neither reduced dyspnoea nor improved performance. This study does not support the use of short­burst oxygen therapy either immediately before or after exercise.
Face mask spirometry and respiratory pressures in normal subjects
Authors: Wohlgemuth M. , van der Kooi E.L. , Hendriks J.C. , Padberg G.W. , Folgering H.T. 
Published: September 2008

Spirometry and maximal respiratory pressures are pulmonary function parameters commonly used to evaluate respiratory function. Prediction values are available for conventional lung function devices using a standard tube or flanged type of mouthpiece connection. This equipment is not suitable for patients with facial or buccal muscle weakness, because of air leakage around the mouthpiece. A face mask was used for the portable lung function devices used in the neuromuscular department.The aim of this study was to compare the face mask and the conventional mouthpiece for the measurement of spirometry and of respiratory pressures in 22 healthy subjects.Values obtained with the conventional mouthpiece differed significantly from values obtained with the face mask. With the mask, forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second were 200 mL lower, and maximal expiratory pressure was 3.2 kPa lower than with the mouthpiece. Subsequently, new prediction values for face mask spirometry and maximal respiratory pressures were obtained from 252 other healthy subjects, from which new prediction equations were derived.It was concluded that the face mask connection to the lung function device is a valid alternative, is easy to use and is most useful to monitor changes in patients. This study confirms the importance of appropriate prediction equations, depending on subject-instrument interfaces.
Long-term mortality among adults with or without asthma in the PAARC study
Authors: Vandentorren S. , Baldi I. , Annesi Maesano I. , Charpin D. , Neukirch F. , Filleul L. , Cantagrel A. , Tessier J.F. 
Published: September 2008

The Pollution Atmosphérique et Affections Respiratoires Chroniques (PAARC; Air Pollution and Chronic Respiratory Diseases) study provided the opportunity to examine the 25-yr mortality of 940 asthmatic adults drawn from a large population-based sample of 14,267 adults investigated during 1974–1976 in seven French cities.Vital statistics were collected in 2001 for the whole population. Multivariate survival analysis was used to assess exact survival rates in asthmatics and nonasthmatics taking relevant confounders into account.On average, the mortality rates obtained were 10.4 and 6.9 deaths·1,000 person-yrs−1in asthmatics and nonasthmatics, respectively. On univariate analysis, asthma increased the relative risk (RR) of death by 1.48 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–1.69). The association between asthma and death had an RR of 1.16 (95% CI 0.99–1.37) when age, sex, educational level, smoking habits, occupational exposure and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were taken into account. FEV1was an important contributive factor causing increased risk of death in both smokers and nonsmokers. For instance, in asthmatics, the numbers of deaths due to respiratory disease and cancer appeared excessive.The present study suggests that asthmatics exhibit a higher risk of mortality.
Fluticasone reduces IL-6 and IL-8 production of cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cellsviaIKK-β kinase pathway
Authors: Escotte S. , Tabary O. , Dusser D. , Majer-Teboul C. , Puchelle E. , Jacquot J. 
Published: September 2008

Inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is widely used to reduce pulmonary inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but the potential effects of FP on airway epithelial cells from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are unknown. In CF disease, a nonregulated inflammatory lung response occurs through exaggerated nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines production by airway epithelial cells.To determine whether FP reduces cytokine production in bronchial epithelial cellsviaNF-κB, the authors investigated the nonstimulated and thePseudomonas aeruginosalipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated production of NF-κB-dependent interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and RANTES (regulated on activation, T-cell expressed and secreted) along with the activation of NF-κB in non-CF and CF human bronchial gland epithelial cells.It was demonstrated that a relevant concentration of FP (10−8 M) inhibited constitutive andP. aeruginosaLPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production of non-CF and CF bronchial epithelial cells. Interestingly, the expression of two IκB kinases (IKK)-α/β, the degradation of cytosolic IκB-β inhibitor and the NF-κB deoxyribonucleic acid binding activity were markedly reduced after FP treatment in both CF and non-CF bronchial epithelial cells.It was shown by the authors that fluticasone propionate exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by blocking a signal transduction leading to a reduced level of IκB-α/β kinases in bronchial epithelial cells. In particular the strong effect on the IκB-β kinase, which is known to be elevated in bronchial epithelial cells in cystic fibrosis patients, was observed.
Early pulmonary response to allergen is attenuated during acute emotional stress in females with asthma
Authors: Laube B.L. , Curbow B.A. , Fitzgerald S.T. , Spratt K. 
Published: September 2008

Some asthma patients and physicians who treat asthma have reported that stress worsens their disease. It has also recently been shown that chronic stressful life events increase airway inflammation 6–24 h after inhalation of antigen in patients with allergic asthma. However, there is no data regarding the effect of an acute stressor on the airway constriction that occurs within minutes of antigen inhalation (early pulmonary response) in this same population. The aim of this study was to examine this effect in eight females with allergic asthma.Each subject was challenged with increasing concentrations of inhaled allergen on a control visit (no stress) and on a stress visit, when they were asked to verbally recount an emotionally stressful situation between each concentration. Systolic (SP) and diastolic (DP) blood pressure, cardiac frequency (fc) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were measured on both visits.SP, DP andfcwere statistically increased on the stress visit as compared to control. Per cent decrease in FEV1at the same last dose of allergen was significantly less on the stress visit (11.2±7.0%) compared to control (15.0±8.7%).These findings suggest that the early pulmonary response to inhaled allergen is attenuated while verbally re­experiencing an acute emotional stressor in females with allergic asthma.
Wheeze monitoring in children for assessment of nocturnal asthma and response to therapy
Authors: Bentur L. , Beck R. , Shinawi M. , Naveh T. , Gavriely N. 
Published: September 2008

The utilisation of nocturnal wheeze monitoring and quantification for assessment of asthma activity was studied in symptomatic school-aged children before and during treatment.Twelve children 6–14 yrs of age with mild or moderate untreated asthma were studied at home three times: before, 48 h and 6 weeks into treatment with 5 mg montelukast daily. Lung sounds were recorded overnight by an automatic wheeze detection device (PulmoTrack®). Per cent wheezing within each respiratory cycle was calculated every 30 s throughout the night and a Nocturnal Wheeze Index (NWI) was calculated for the total night. The results were compared with spirometric indices (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity), bronchial reactivity (provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1by adenosine 5′-monophosphate (PC20)) and daily symptom scores, performed in parallel at each stage of the study.The pretreatment NWI was 814±898 (mean±sd), which declined to 318±199 2 days after onset, and to 137±101 after 6 weeks of treatment. The NWI in seven healthy children was 47±43. The FEV1, PC20and symptom scores improved in parallel.Wheeze monitoring provides quantitative and noninvasive information about the extent of nocturnal wheezing in children, correlates well with conventional indices of asthma activity and can assist in assessing efficacy of treatment.
Can early infection explain the sibling effect in adult atopy?
Authors: Cullinan P. , Harris J.M. , Newman Taylor A.J. , Jones M. , Taylor P. , Dave J.R. , Mills P. , Moffat S.A. , White C.W. , Figg J.K. , Moon A.M. , Barnes M.C. 
Published: September 2008

Atopy is strongly and inversely related to family size, a pattern which is plausibly assumed to reflect a protective effect of early infection. The current study tested this hypothesis by case-referent analysis of an adult cohort in the UK.The study established that atopy, defined by prick tests to common aeroallergens, was less common among those from larger families after adjustment for potentially confounding factors. In particular, a higher number of brothers appeared to offer protection. The current authors attempted to explain this distribution by examining contemporary family-doctor records of early childhood infections; and by a number of other indirect indices of early-life “hygiene”.The sibling effect was unexplained by evidence of infection with either hepatitis A orHelicobacter pylori, or by counts of infections or antibiotic prescriptions in early life. There was a significant and independent negative association between the number of gastrointestinal infections before the age of 5 yrs and the odds of atopy. Dog ownership and home moving in early life also displayed potentially protective associations.Although the current study replicates the finding that atopy is inversely associated with family size this could not be explained by documentary or serological evidence of early infection. The findings support the suggestion that the “sibling effect” in atopy may not simply reflect protection by early infection.
OralN‐acetylcysteine attenuates the rat pulmonary inflammatory response to antigen
Authors: Blesa S. , Cortijo J. , Mata M. , Serrano A. , Closa D. , Santangelo F. , Estrela J.M. , Suchankova J. , Morcillo E.J. 
Published: September 2008

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory airway diseases including asthma; therefore, antioxidants might be of clinical benefit in asthma treatment. In the present study, the effects ofN‐acetylcysteine on sensitised brown Norway rats were examined.N‐Acetylcysteine (3 mmol·kg body weight−1administered orally) was given daily for 1 week before challenge and various antigen-induced pulmonary responses were studied.Antigen exposure increased lipid peroxidation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and oxidised glutathione levels in lung tissue 2 h after challenge. Lung nuclear transcription factor‐κB‐binding activity was increased 2 h after challenge, and BALF tumour necrosis factor‐α and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in lungs peaked 4 h after challenge. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and mucin MUC5AC was also increased 4 h after challenge. These changes in oxidant status, transcription factor activation, and inflammatory cytokine and gene expression were reduced byN‐acetylcysteine. This thiol did not affect the immediate bronchospasm reaction to antigen in anaesthetised rats but inhibited airways hyperresponsiveness to 5‐hydroxytryptamine and the augmented eosinophil numbers in BALF, which appear 24 h after exposure of conscious rats to antigen aerosol, and abolished antigen-induced extravasation of Evans blue into BALF.These results indicate that oralN‐acetylcysteine exerts an antioxidant protective effect and attenuates pulmonary inflammation in experimental asthma.
Lower risk of atopic disorders in whole cell pertussis-vaccinated children: Table 1
Authors: Bernsen R.M.D. , de Jongste J.C. , van der Wouden J.C. 
Published: September 2008

This study addressed whether whole cell pertussis-vaccinated children have a different risk of atopic disorders compared with children who did not receive this vaccination.Data on vaccination status, atopic disorders and child and family characteristics of the children of 700 families were collected in this retrospective study. A minority of these 700 families refused vaccinations for religious reasons. The relation between pertussis-vaccination status and atopic disorders was analysed by means of adjusted logistic regression for repeated measurements in order to account for the correlation between sibship members.The 700 families included 1,961 children. Data on vaccination status and atopic disorders were available for 1,724 children. Vaccinated children had a reduced risk of atopic disorders.Whole cell pertussis vaccination is associated with a lower risk of atopic disorders, though other vaccine components (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis) or other vaccinations may also be involved.
Exosomes with major histocompatibility complex class II and co-stimulatory molecules are present in human BAL fluid
Authors: Admyre C. , Grunewald J. , Thyberg J. , Gripenbäck S. , Tornling G. , Eklund A. , Scheynius A. , Gabrielsson S. 
Published: September 2008

Exosomes are 30–100 nm diameter vesicles formed by inward budding of endosomal compartments and are produced by several cell types, including T‐cells, B‐cells and dendritic cells (DC)s. Exosomes from DCs express major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) class I and II, and co-stimulatory molecules on their surface, and can induce antigen-specific activation of T‐cells.The aims of the present study were to investigate for the presence of exosomes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from healthy individuals, and to establish if these exosomes bear MHC and co-stimulatory molecules.The authors analysed BALF taken from seven healthy volunteers and used exosomes from monocyte-derived DC (MDDC) cultures as a reference. After ultracentrifugation, exosomes were bound to anti‐MHC class II coated magnetic beads and analysed by flow cytometry and electron microscopy.The authors report for the first time that exosomes are present in BALF. These exosomes are similar to MDDC derived exosomes as they express MHC class I and II, CD54, CD63 and the co-stimulatory molecule CD86.The results demonstrate that exosomes are present in the lung, and since they contain both major histocompatibility complex and co-stimulatory molecules it is likely that they are derived from antigen presenting cells and might have a regulatory role in local immune defence.
The pattern and timing of breathing during incremental exercise: a normative study
Authors: Neder J.A. , Dal Corso S. , Malaguti C. , Reis S. , De Fuccio M.B. , Schmidt H. , Fuld J.P. , Nery L.E. 
Published: September 2008

Clinical evaluation of the pattern and timing of breathing during submaximal exercise can be valuable for the identification of the mechanical ventilatory consequences of different disease processes and for assessing the efficacy of certain interventions.Sedentary individuals (60 male/60 female, aged 20–80 yrs) were randomly selected from >8,000 subjects and submitted to ramp incremental cycle ergometry. Tidal volume (VT)/ resting inspiratory capacity, respiratory frequency, total respiratory time (Ttot), inspiratory time (TI), expiratory time (TE), duty cycle (TI/Ttot) and mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) were analysed at selected submaximal ventilatory intensities.Senescence and female sex were associated with a more tachypnoeic breathing pattern during isoventilation. The decline inTtotwas proportional to theTIandTEreductions,i.e.TI/Ttotwas remarkably constant across age strata, independent of sex. The pattern, but not timing, of breathing was also influenced by weight and height; a set of demographically and anthropometrically based prediction equations are therefore presented.These data provide a frame of reference for assessing the normality of some clinically useful indices of the pattern and timing of breathing during incremental cycle ergometry in sedentary males and females aged 20–80 yrs.