bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limitation of cigarette consumption byCYP2A6*4,*7and*9polymorphisms
Authors: Minematsu N. , Nakamura H. , Furuuchi M. , Nakajima T. , Takahashi S. , Tateno H. , Ishizaka A. 
Published: February 2006

The whole gene deletionCYP2A6*4, the defect of the main nicotine oxidase, contributes to limiting lifelong and daily cigarette consumption. However, the effects on smoking habits ofCYP2A6*7and*9, two major functional polymorphisms common in Asian populations, have not been reported.The present study examined the relationship between polymorphisms*4,*7and*9with the smoking habits of 200 Japanese smokers who visited the Keio University Hospital (Tokyo, Japan).The allele frequencies of*1(wild type),*4,*7and*9were 52, 17, 11 and 20%, respectively. When the three polymorphisms were considered simultaneously, the percentages of homozygous wild type, heterozygote, and homozygous mutants and compound heterozygotes were 26.0, 52.5 and 21.5%, respectively. Homozygous mutants and compound heterozygotes (n = 43) smoked fewer cigarettes daily than heterozygotes (n = 105) and homozygous wild-type individuals (n = 52). Smokers with*7/*7,*9/*9or*7/*9had lower daily cigarette consumption than smokers with*1/*1.In conclusion, polymorphisms*4,*7and*9ofCYP2A6were detected in approximately three out of four Japanese smokers, and their daily cigarette consumption was genetically modulated by these functional polymorphisms.
Inhaled heparin in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Serisier D. J. , Shute J. K. , Hockey P. M. , Higgins B. , Conway J. , Carroll M. P. 
Published: February 2006

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterised by inspissated airway secretions and chronic endobronchial infection associated with exuberant neutrophilic inflammation. Unfractionated heparin may be mucolytic and has demonstrated a number of anti-inflammatory properties; however, further safety data are needed in these subjects who are at risk of airway bleeding. The current study aimed to assess the medium-term safety and tolerability of moderately high-dose inhaled heparin in CF adults and to explore possiblein vivomucolytic and anti-inflammatory outcomes.A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of twice daily inhalation of 50,000 IU of heparin for 2 weeks was undertaken in CF adults, with a 1-week washout period. Eighteen subjects were randomised and 14 (mean±sdage 23±7.8 yrs and percentage-predicted forced expiratory volume in one second 52.1±15.56%) completed the study protocol.Heparin neither affected blood coagulation parameters nor resulted in any increase in adverse events. Heparin inhalation had no significant effect upon forced expiratory volume in one second, symptoms of sputum clearance or sputum inflammatory markers.The current pilot study demonstrated no evidence of improved sputum clearance with 50,000 IU of inhaled heparin given twice daily to adult cystic fibrosis subjects. However, inhaled heparin was safe and the future evaluation of larger doses over a longer period may be warranted.
The effect of inhaled budesonide on adrenal and growth suppression in asthmatic children
Authors: Priftis K. N. , Papadimitriou A. , Gatsopoulou E. , Yiallouros P. K. , Fretzayas A. , Nicolaidou P. 
Published: February 2006

The present authors evaluated adrenal reserve in asthmatic children on long-term inhaled corticosteroids and whether possible adrenal suppression could be predicted by growth retardation.Low-dose synacthen test (0.5 µg·1.73 m−2) was performed in 72 asthmatic children with a median age of 9.4 (range 4.2–15.7) yrs on long-term treatment (median 18 (range 6–84) months) with low-to-moderate doses (median 363 (range 127–1012) µg·m−2) of inhaled budesonide, as well as in 30 controls. Adrenal suppression was considered as a peak serum cortisol <495 nmol·L−1. The current authors calculated height standard deviation score (HSDS) at the time of testing and height velocity SDS (HVSDS) in the preceding year.Mean HSDS was 0.06±1.3 and HVSDS was −0.9±2.3. Adrenal suppression was disclosed in 15 asthmatic children (20.8%). There were no differences in HSDS and HVSDS between children with and without adrenal suppression. There was no correlation between peak cortisol response and dose or duration of treatment. However, a positive relationship between HVSDS and duration of treatment was noted.These data suggest that long-term treatment of asthmatic children with low and moderate doses of inhaled budesonide may result in mild adrenal suppression that cannot be predicted by growth deceleration. The negative influence of inhaled corticosteroids on growth becomes less the longer the duration of treatment.
Assessment of right ventricular function by strain rate imaging in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Vitarelli A. , Conde Y. , Cimino E. , Stellato S. , D'Orazio S. , D'Angeli I. , Nguyen B. L. , Padella V. , Caranci F. , Petroianni A. , D'Antoni L. , Terzano C. 
Published: February 2006

The purpose of the current study was to compare right ventricular (RV) myocardial wall velocities (tissue Doppler imaging) and strain rate imaging (SRI) parameters with conventional echocardiographic indices evaluating RV function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.In total, 39 patients with COPD and 22 healthy subjects were included in the current study. Seventeen patients had pulmonary artery pressure <35 mmHg (group I) and 22 patients had pulmonary artery pressure >35 mmHg (group II). Tissue Doppler imaging, strain and strain rate (SR) values were obtained from RV free wall (FW) and interventricular septum. Respiratory function tests were performed (forced expiratory volume in one second/vital capacity (FEV1/VC) and carbon monoxide diffusion lung capacity per unit of alveolar volume (DL,CO/VA)).Strain/SR values were reduced in all segments of group II patients compared with group I patients and controls with lowest values at basal FW site. A significant relationship was shown between peak systolic SR at basal FW site and radionuclide RV ejection fraction. A significant relationship was shown between peak systolic SR at basal FW site andDL,CO/VAand FEV1/VC.In conclusion, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, strain rate imaging parameters can determine right ventricular dysfunction that is complementary to conventional echocardiographic indices and is correlated with pulmonary hypertension and respiratory function tests.
FEV6as a surrogate for FVC in detecting airways obstruction and restriction in the workplace
Authors: Akpinar-Elci M. , Fedan K. B. , Enright P. L. 
Published: February 2006

Compared with measurements of forced vital capacity (FVC), using the forced expiratory volume in six seconds (FEV6) reduces test time and frustration. It was hypothesised that using FEV6in the workplace setting would result in an acceptably low misclassification rate for detecting airways obstruction and spirometry-defined restriction when compared with using the traditional FVC.Experienced technicians from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health performed spirometry using dry rolling-seal spirometers as per American Thoracic Society guidelines in four workplace investigations. Airways obstruction was defined as an FEV1/FVC % below the lower limit of normal (LLN) using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III reference equations. Restriction was defined as an FVC below the LLN with a normal FEV1/FVC %. These “gold standard” definitions were compared with definitions based on FEV6(obstruction: FEV1/FEV6below the LLN; restriction: FEV6below the LLN with a normal FEV1/FEV6).The median (range) age of the 1,139 workers was 37 yrs (18–71 yrs) and 51.4% were male. A significantly high overall agreement was obtained between the two definitions.In conclusion, the current results confirm that forced expiratory volume in six seconds can be used as a surrogate for forced vital capacity in detecting airways obstruction and restriction in workers, although with some misclassification when compared to obtaining American Thoracic Society-acceptable manoeuvres of longer duration.
Stability of housekeeping genes in alveolar macrophages from COPD patients
Authors: Ishii T. , Wallace A. M. , Zhang X. , Gosselink J. , Abboud R. T. , English J. C. , Paré P. D. , Sandford A. J. 
Published: February 2006

The stability of housekeeping genes is critical when performing gene expression studies. To date, there have been no studies that look at the stability of commonly used housekeeping genes in alveolar macrophages. Expression levels may be affected by culture, stimulation or disease severity.The present study investigated the expression level of 10 housekeeping genes and analysed the stability of their expression in alveolar macrophages from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (n = 22) who were classified according to disease severity.Guanine nucleotide-binding protein, beta polypeptide 2-like 1 (GNB2L1), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 (HPRT1) and ribosomal protein L32 (RPL32) were the most stably expressed in alveolar macrophages, irrespective of disease severity. There was no difference in the expression levels of 10 housekeeping genes between mild and moderate/severe patients. GNB2L1, HPRT1 and RPL32 were also stably expressed in alveolar macrophages cultured with no stimulation, or with interleukin-1β, lipopolysaccharide or tumour necrosis factor-α stimulation.In conclusion, as fluctuations in the expression of some housekeeping genes were observed, including glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, it is recommended that guanine nucleotide binding protein, beta polypeptide 2-like 1 be used as a reference gene for alveolar macrophages in similar study designs, or that the stability of housekeeping genes be validated in alveolar macrophages prior to expression studies.
Identification of hBD-3 in respiratory tract and serum: the increase in pneumonia
Authors: Ishimoto H. , Mukae H. , Date Y. , Shimbara T. , Mondal M. S. , Ashitani J. , Hiratsuka T. , Kubo S. , Kohno S. , Nakazato M. 
Published: February 2006

Human β-defensin (hBD)-3, a 45 amino acid antimicrobial peptide, was originally isolated from human skin. hBD-3 mRNA has also been detected in the airways by RT-PCR. While hBD-3 may be involved in antimicrobial defences within the respiratory tract, the presence of hBD-3 peptide in the respiratory system has not yet been confirmed.The antimicrobial activity of the synthesised hBD-3 peptide was measured by a radial diffusion assay and a colony count assay. The present authors confirmed the presence of hBD-3 peptide in homogenates of human lung and serum using reverse-phase HPLC coupled with a highly sensitive RIA. The localisation of the hBD-3 peptide was investigated by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the serum concentrations of hBD-3 were measured by RIA.hBD-3 exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity, which was unaffected by increasing salt concentrations. Immunohistochemically, the current authors observed the expression of hBD-3 in bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells. The mean±sdserum concentration of hBD-3 in patients with bacterial pneumonia was 239.4±17.8 pg·mL−1in the acute phase and, decreased to 159.3±20.1 pg·mL−1after the completion of therapy.In conclusion, these findings will help elucidate the role of human β-defensin-3 in host immune responses and identify the pathophysiological significance of this molecule in respiratory infections.
Corticosteroid effects on cell signalling
Authors: Barnes P. J. 
Published: February 2006

Corticosteroids are the most effective anti-inflammatory therapy for asthma. Inflammation in asthma is characterised by the increased expression of multiple inflammatory genes regulated by pro-inflammatory transcription factors, such as nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1, which bind to and activate coactivator molecules that acetylate core histones and switch on gene transcription. Corticosteroids suppress the multiple inflammatory genes that are activated in asthmatic airways, mainly by reversing histone acetylation of activated inflammatory genes through binding of glucocorticoid receptors to coactivators and recruitment of histone deacetylase 2 to the activated transcription complex.Activated glucocorticoid receptors also bind to recognition sites in the promoters of certain genes in order to activate their transcription, resulting in secretion of anti-inflammatory proteins, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1, which inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways. Glucocorticoid receptors may also interact with other recognition sites to inhibit transcription, for example of several genes linked to their side-effects.In some patients with steroid-resistant asthma, there are abnormalities in glucocorticoid receptor signalling pathways. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and asthmatic patients who smoke, histone deacetylase 2 is markedly impaired as a result of oxidative/nitrative stress, and so inflammation is resistant to the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids.The therapeutic implications of these new findings are discussed.
Airway antioxidant and inflammatory responses to diesel exhaust exposure in healthy humans
Authors: Behndig A. F. , Mudway I. S. , Brown J. L. , Stenfors N. , Helleday R. , Duggan S. T. , Wilson S. J. , Boman C. , Cassee F. R. , Frew A. J. , Kelly F. J. , Sandström T. , Blomberg A. 
Published: February 2006

Pulmonary cells exposed to diesel exhaust (DE) particlesin vitrorespond in a hierarchical fashion with protective antioxidant responses predominating at low doses and inflammation and injury only occurring at higher concentrations. In the present study, the authors examined whether similar responses occurredin vivo, specifically whether antioxidants were upregulated following a low-dose DE challenge and investigated how these responses related to the development of airway inflammation at different levels of the respiratory tract where particle dose varies markedly.A total of 15 volunteers were exposed to DE (100 µg·m−3airborne particulate matter with a diameter of <10 µm for 2 h) and air in a double-blinded, randomised fashion. At 18 h post-exposure, bronchoscopy was performed with lavage and mucosal biopsies taken to assess airway redox and inflammatory status.Following DE exposure, the current authors observed an increase in bronchial mucosa neutrophil and mast cell numbers, as well as increased neutrophil numbers, interleukin-8 and myeloperoxidase concentrations in bronchial lavage. No inflammatory responses were seen in the alveolar compartment, but both reduced glutathione and urate concentrations were increased following diesel exposure.In conclusion, the lung inflammatory response to diesel exhaust is compartmentalised, related to differing antioxidant responses in the conducting airway and alveolar regions.
Endobronchial ultrasound and positron emission tomography positive mediastinal lymph nodes
Authors: Plat G. , Pierard P. , Haller A. , Hutsebaut J. , Faber J. , Dusart M. , Eisendrath P. , Sculier J-P. , Ninane V. 
Published: February 2006

Positron emission tomography with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG-PET) is more accurate than computed tomography for staging of mediastinal (hilar) lymph nodes. In the case of positive findings, tissue sampling of lymph nodes is required. The diagnostic/staging yield of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) following endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) localisation was assessed in this particular clinical setting. The number of avoided surgical procedures was evaluated.All consecutive patients referred for staging and/or diagnosis of mediastinal FDG-PET positive lesions were included. Data were prospectively collected. TBNA sampling of lymph nodes was performed after EBUS localisation. If no diagnosis was reached, further surgical sampling or adequate follow-up was performed.From January 2003 to June 2004, 33 patients were included. The average number of TBNA samples per patient was 4.2±1.5. Cytological or histological diagnoses were obtained in 27 (82%) of the patients, of which 78% were obtained after previous EBUS localisation. In 25 (76%) of the 33 patients, surgical staging procedures were suppressed.In conclusion, transbronchial needle aspiration after endobronchial ultrasound localisation should be considered as a primary method of evaluation of lymph nodes positive by positron emission tomography with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose, and may replace the majority of surgical mediastinal staging/diagnostic procedures.
The potential impact of anaemia of chronic disease in COPD
Authors: Similowski T. , Agustí A. , MacNee W. , Schönhofer B. 
Published: February 2006

Anaemia of chronic disease (ACD), with chronically low levels of circulating haemoglobin, is an immune driven abnormality that occurs in many inflammatory diseases, and also in chronic heart failure. Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is “traditionally” associated with polycythaemia, the systemic inflammation that is now recognised as a feature of COPD makes it a possible cause of ACD. If present in COPD, anaemia could worsen dyspnoea and limit exercise tolerance.Preliminary evidence suggests that anaemia in COPD patients may be more prevalent than expected, concerning 10–15% of patients suffering from severe forms of the disease. A database study conducted in 2,524 COPD patients being prescribed long-term oxygen therapy has shown that a low haematocrit is a strong predictor of survival in this population, before body mass index, and is associated with more hospitalisations and a longer cumulative duration of hospitalisation. COPD patients with low haemoglobin levels have a poorer prognosis than COPD patients with normal haemoglobin levels in the event of acute gastrointestinal bleeding or after elective aneurysm repair. Raising haemoglobinaemia through transfusion decreases minute ventilation and work of breathing in COPD patients.These preliminary evidences point to the need to study the prevalence of anaemia, and its physiological and clinical impact in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When this body of knowledge is available, the question of the putative benefits of raising haemoglobinaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will have to be addressed.
Sleep-disordered breathing and upper airway size in pregnancy and post-partum
Authors: Izci B. , Vennelle M. , Liston W. A. , Dundas K. C. , Calder A. A. , Douglas N. J. 
Published: February 2006

Sleep-disordered breathing and snoring are common in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine whether pregnancy was associated with upper airway narrowing.One-hundred females in the third trimester of pregnancy were recruited and 50 agreed to be restudied 3 months after delivery. One-hundred nonpregnant females were also recruited. Upper airway dimensions were measured using acoustic reflection.Snoring was less common in nonpregnant (17%) than pregnant females (41%; odds ratio (OR) 3.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65–6.74) and returned to nonpregnant levels after delivery (18%; OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.06–0.40). Pregnant females had significantly smaller upper airways than nonpregnant females at the oropharyngeal junction when seated (mean difference 0.12; 95% CI 0.008–0.25), and smaller mean pharyngeal areas in the seated (mean difference 0.14; 95% CI 0.001–0.28), supine (mean difference 0.11; 95% CI 0.01–0.22) and lateral postures (mean difference 0.13; 95% CI 0.02–0.24) compared with the nonpregnant females. Pregnant females had smaller mean pharyngeal areas compared with post-partum in the seated (mean difference 0.18; 95% CI 0.02–0.32), supine (mean difference 0.20; 95% CI 0.06–0.35) and lateral postures (mean difference 0.26; 95% CI 0.12–0.39).In conclusion, this study confirmed increased snoring and showed narrower upper airways during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Cortistatin-17 and Somatostatin-14 Display the Same Effects on Growth Hormone, Prolactin, and Insulin Secretion in Patients with Acromegaly or Prolactinoma
Authors: Grottoli S. , Gasco V. , Broglio F. , Baldelli R. , Ragazzoni F. , Gallenca F. , Mainolfi A. , Prodam F. , Muccioli G. , Ghigo E. 
Published: February 2006

Context: Cortistatin binds all somatostatin receptor subtypes but also has particular central actions; moreover, a specific cortistatin receptor has also been discovered.
Objective: We compared the endocrine effects of cortistatin-17 with those of somatostatin-14 in patients with acromegaly (ACRO) or prolactinoma (PRLOMA). Normal subjects (NS) were studied as control group.
Design: All subjects underwent the following tests: 1) saline, 2) somatostatin-14 (2.0 μg/kg·h iv, 0–120 min) and 3) cortistatin-17 (2.0 μg/kg·h iv, 0–120 min) infusion.
Results: Cortistatin-17 and somatostatin-14 inhibited GH secretion to the same extent in ACRO (P &lt; 0.05) and NS (P &lt; 0.01). Cortistatin-17 and somatostatin-14 inhibited PRL secretion in PRLOMA (P &lt; 0.05), to some extent in ACRO (P value not significant), but not in NS. Insulin secretion was inhibited by both cortistatin-17 and somatostatin-14 to the same extent in all groups (P &lt; 0.05).
Conclusions: Cortistatin-17 and somatostatin-14 display the same effects on GH, PRL, and insulin secretion in patients with ACRO or PRLOMA.
The Influence of Depression, Body Mass Index, and Smoking on Serum Inhibin B Levels in Late Reproductive-Aged Women
Authors: Lambert-Messerlian G. M. , Harlow B. L. 
Published: February 2006

Context: Women experiencing depression have difficult psychosocial functioning, and recent data suggest an earlier onset of menopause. Understanding the biological mechanism for the impairment of reproductive function associated with depression is important.
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether a lifetime history of depression is associated with reduced ovarian reserve as reflected in serum levels of the granulosa cell product, inhibin B.
Design: Residual serum samples from a subset of patients in the Harvard Study of Cycles and Moods were collected.
Setting: Patients were recruited from seven Boston-area communities.
Patients: Women with or without a history of major depression, based on structured clinical interviews for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, were enrolled. A subset of patients who had provided an early follicular phase blood specimen at study enrollment and two or more other samples over the first 18-month period of follow-up were included.
Intervention: There were no interventions.
Main Outcome Measure: Serum inhibin B levels were measured.
Results: Serum FSH levels were higher in women with a history of depression, whereas inhibin B levels did not differ between groups. Body mass index and age were significantly and inversely related to serum inhibin B levels. Smoking history was noted, for the first time, to have a significant negative association with inhibin B levels.
Conclusions: Smoking has a direct negative effect on ovarian reserve, as suggested by decreased serum inhibin B levels. In contrast, effects of depression on the reproductive axis may occur at the level of the pituitary and/or hypothalamus rather than at the gonadal level, as suggested by increased serum FSH levels.
A Divide-and-Conquer Algorithm Use to Study Some Benzenoid Hydrocarbons. A Graphtheoretic and Computational Approach
Authors: Patra Swarna M , Mishra Rama K 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
A computer program based on a divide-and-conquer algorithm was used to numerically split a univariate polynomial into factors depicting the various parts of Eπ (π: electronic energy) and K (total Kekulé structure count) of the benzenoid graphs. A multivariate regression equation is suggested, taking n, m, and Ki as the independent variables and Eπ (total) as the dependent variable; n, m, and Ki are the number of vertices, edges, and the fraction of the total K, respectively. A satisfactory correlation coefficient (R2 &gt; 0.99) was obtained.