bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of smoking cessation groups offered to hospitalised patients with symptoms of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Authors: Borglykke Anders , Pisinger Charlotta , Jørgensen Torben , Ibsen Hans 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIntroduction:  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Results from randomised trials regarding smoking cessation in hospitalised patients with COPD are few.Objectives:  To assess the effect of smoking cessation groups (SCG) in patients with COPD admitted to hospital.Methods:  Two hundred and twenty‐three patients admitted to hospital were assigned to either a control group (n = 102) or an intervention group (n = 121) by matter of vacancy. The smokers in the intervention group were offered participation in an SCG. Smoking status and change in self‐reported symptoms were assessed after 1 year. Smoking status was self‐reported and verified with carbohemoglobin measurement. Survival and hospital admissions were assessed after 5 years through national registers.Results:  Forty‐eight patients participated in an SCG. After 1 year, 36 (30%) patients in the intervention group were abstinent compared with 13 (13%) patients in the control group [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.83 (1.40–5.74)]. There was a significant difference between the intervention group and the control group regarding change in self‐reported phlegm. There was a non‐significant tendency towards better survival in the intervention group (50.4%) compared with the control group (43.1%). After 3 years, the intervention group had a significantly fewer total number of days admitted to hospital and number of days hospitalised with COPD.Conclusion:  This study shows that an intervention consisting of offering participation in an SCG to chronic patients makes it possible to obtain higher abstinence rates. Furthermore, this intervention showed impact on phlegm, survival and hospital readmissions.Please cite this paper as: Borglykke A, Pisinger C, Jørgensen T and Ibsen H. The effectiveness of smoking cessation groups offered to hospitalised patients with symptoms of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 158–165.
Long‐term effects of a preoperative smoking cessation programme
Authors: Villebro Nete M. , Pedersen Tom , Møller Ann M. , Tønnesen Hanne 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIntroduction:  Preoperative smoking intervention programmes reduce post‐operative complications in smokers. Little is known about the long‐term effect upon smoking cessation.Aim:  To discover long‐term quit rates and the reasons behind successful cessation.Materials and Methods:  101 one of 120 smokers, randomised to smoking intervention or no intervention before hip and knee surgery, completed questionnaires concerning smoking after 1 year. We selected representative men and women for focus group interviews.Results:  Significantly more patients from the intervention group abstained from smoking for 1 year post‐operatively [13 in 60 patients (22%) vs 2 in 60 (3%), P < 0.01]. Sex (male), low nicotine dependency, non‐smoking spouse and preoperative smoking intervention were related to smoking cessation. All patients gave the same reasons for smoking cessation: improved health and saving money. Follow‐up for 5 years showed 17% of the controls and 8% in the intervention group (P = 0.42) had died.Conclusion:  The intervention group had a significantly higher quit rate 1 year after a preoperative smoking cessation programme.Please cite this paper as: Villebro NM, Pedersen T, Møller AM and Tønnesen H. Long‐term effects of a preoperative smoking cessation programme. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 175–182.
Emerging treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: O'Callaghan Dermot S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIntroduction:  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, progressive disease for which no cure exists. However, improved understanding of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms has led to the development of several effective treatments that improve haemodynamics and functional status.Objective:  An overview of emerging pharmacological approaches to the management of PAH is presented.Materials and methods:  A Medline search was performed for studies describing novel treatments and potential therapeutic targets relevant to PAH.Results:  Several different treatments that modulate abnormalities in the prostacyclin, endothelin and nitric oxide pathways have shown efficacy in randomised, controlled studies and are now licensed for use for PAH patients with advanced disease. Furthermore, there is now encouraging long‐term survival data associated with use of these agents. A number of other targets with therapeutic potential have also been identified, such as serotonin, platelet‐derived growth factor and vasoactive intestinal peptide. Recently, strategies involving combinations of different PAH‐specific agents have emerged as a promising approach for those failing monotherapy.Conclusion:  The therapeutic options available for PAH has improved considerably in recent years and is likely to expand in the future.Please cite this paper as: O'Callaghan DS. Emerging treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 132–140.
Interdisciplinary approach to oral health for persons with developmental disabilities
Authors: Seirawan Hazem , Schneiderman Janet , Greene Veronica , Mulligan Roseann 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of this interdisciplinary study was to survey the oral health among persons with developmental disabilities (PDD), and to evaluate the impact of the routine referral process at a regional center in Los Angeles, California. This study evaluated the subjects' oral health, access to care, oral health behaviors, and adherence to referrals.The study recruited 102 subjects (74% were African American or Hispanic). Among them, 24% reported brushing their teeth less than once a day, and 68% had dental insurance. The prevalence of leukoplakia was 4% and the prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking and pain were 11% and 9%, respectively. Their decayed, missing, filled (DMF) equaled 14 points with 7 missing teeth.The subjects' DMF index was poorer compared to the general population. The routine referral process was not effective in improving the subjects' access to dental care. More sophisticated referral systems need to be developed for this population.
Death, dying and bereavement: a survey of dental practitioners
Authors: Klieb Hagen B.E. , Wiseman Michael 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThe dentist's role following the death of a patient in his/her practice has received little attention in the literature. This study determined the prevalence of death within a dental practice. It also investigated methods by which dentists supported grieving survivors, and how frequently dentists received formal bereavement education in dental school. A perceived need for training in death and dying was also investigated. A survey was mailed to 200 randomly selected general dental practitioners in Ontario, Canada. It was found that (1) the vast majority of respondents (86%) had experienced the death of a patient within the past 12 months; (2) support methods included sending sympathy cards (79.3%), sending flowers (34.5%), attending the funeral or wake (23%), or visiting/calling survivors (11.5%); (3) only 4% of respondents reported receiving formal bereavement education during dental school; and (4) 61% believed bereavement education should be included in the dental school curricula. While the majority of dentists in this study provided bereavement support and believed they could effectively comfort grieving persons, these dentists experienced significant stress when dealing with issues of death and bereavement. The stress may be explained by inadequate education and exposure to the issues of death and dying.
Anisakis simplex: from Obscure Infectious Worm to Inducer of Immune Hypersensitivity
Authors: Audicana M. Teresa , Kennedy Malcolm W. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYInfection of humans with the nematode worm parasiteAnisakis simplexwas first described in the 1960s in association with the consumption of raw or undercooked fish. During the 1990s it was realized that even the ingestion of dead worms in food fish can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, that these may be more prevalent than infection itself, and that this outcome could be associated with food preparations previously considered safe. Not only may allergic symptoms arise from infection by the parasites (“gastroallergic anisakiasis”), but true anaphylactic reactions can also occur following exposure to allergens from dead worms by food-borne, airborne, or skin contact routes. This review discussesA. simplexpathogenesis in humans, covering immune hypersensitivity reactions both in the context of a living infection and in terms of exposure to its allergens by other routes. Over the last 20 years, several studies have concentrated onA. simplexantigen characterization and innate as well as adaptive immune response to this parasite. Molecular characterization ofAnisakisallergens and isolation of their encoding cDNAs is now an active field of research that should provide improved diagnostic tools in addition to tools with which to enhance our understanding of pathogenesis and controversial aspects ofA. simplexallergy. We also discuss the potential relevance of parasite products such as allergens, proteinases, and proteinase inhibitors and the activation of basophils, eosinophils, and mast cells in the induction ofA. simplex-related immune hypersensitivity states induced by exposure to the parasite, dead or alive.
Molecular Genetic Basis of Ribotyping
Authors: Bouchet Valérie , Huot Heather , Goldstein Richard 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYNearly 2,000 ribotyping-based studies exist, ranging from epidemiology to phylogeny and taxonomy. None precisely reveals the molecular genetic basis, with many incorrectly attributing detected polymorphisms to rRNA gene sequences. Based on in silico genomics, we demonstrate that ribotype polymorphisms result from sequence variability in neutral housekeeping genes flanking rRNA operons, with rRNA gene sequences serving solely as conserved, flank-linked tags. We also reveal that from such an informatics perspective, it is readily feasible a priori to design an interpretable ribotyping scheme for a genomically sequenced microbial species, and we discuss limitations to the basic restriction fragment length polymorphism-based method as well as alternate PCR ribotyping-based schemes.
Human Bocavirus: Passenger or Pathogen in Acute Respiratory Tract Infections?
Authors: Schildgen Oliver , Müller Andreas , Allander Tobias , Mackay Ian M. , Völz Sebastian , Kupfer Bernd , Simon Arne 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a newly identified virus tentatively assigned to the family
Parvoviridae
, subfamily
Parvovirinae
, genus
Bocavirus
. HBoV was first described in 2005 and has since been detected in respiratory tract secretions worldwide. Herein we review the literature on HBoV and discuss the biology and potential clinical impact of this virus. Most studies have been PCR based and performed on patients with acute respiratory symptoms, from whom HBoV was detected in 2 to 19% of the samples. HBoV-positive samples have been derived mainly from infants and young children. HBoV DNA has also been detected in the blood of patients with respiratory tract infection and in fecal samples of patients with diarrhea with or without concomitant respiratory symptoms. A characteristic feature of HBoV studies is the high frequency of coinciding detections, or codetections, with other viruses. Available data nevertheless indicate a statistical association between HBoV and acute respiratory tract disease. We present a model incorporating these somewhat contradictory findings and suggest that primary HBoV infection causes respiratory tract symptoms which can be followed by prolonged low-level virus shedding in the respiratory tract. Detection of the virus in this phase will be facilitated by other infections, either simply via increased sample cell count or via reactivation of HBoV, leading to an increased detection frequency of HBoV during other virus infections. We conclude that the majority of available HBoV studies are limited by the sole use of PCR diagnostics on respiratory tract secretions, addressing virus prevalence but not disease association. The ability to detect primary infection through the development of improved diagnostic methods will be of great importance for future studies seeking to assign a role for HBoV in causing respiratory illnesses.
Central Nervous System Tuberculosis: Pathogenesis and Clinical Aspects
Authors: Rock R. Bryan , Olin Michael , Baker Cristina A. , Molitor Thomas W. , Peterson Phillip K. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYTuberculosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is a highly devastating form of tuberculosis, which, even in the setting of appropriate antitubercular therapy, leads to unacceptable levels of morbidity and mortality. Despite the development of promising molecular diagnostic techniques, diagnosis of CNS tuberculosis relies largely on microbiological methods that are insensitive, and as such, CNS tuberculosis remains a formidable diagnostic challenge. Insights into the basic neuropathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the development of an appropriate animal model are desperately needed. The optimal regimen and length of treatment are largely unknown, and with the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, the development of well-tolerated and effective antibiotics remains a continued need. While the most widely used vaccine in the world largely targets this manifestation of tuberculosis, the BCG vaccine has not fulfilled the promise of eliminating CNS tuberculosis. We put forth this review to highlight the current understanding of the neuropathogenesis of M. tuberculosis, to discuss certain epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of CNS tuberculosis, and also to underscore the many unmet needs in this important field.
Respiratory Viruses Other than Influenza Virus: Impact and Therapeutic Advances
Authors: Nichols W. Garrett , Peck Campbell Angela J. , Boeckh Michael 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYThough several antivirals have been developed and marketed to treat influenza virus infections, the development of antiviral agents with clinical activity against other respiratory viruses has been more problematic. Here we review the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts, examine the evidence surrounding the currently available antivirals for respiratory viral infections other than influenza, highlight those that are in the pipeline, and discuss the hurdles for development of such agents.
Clinical and ultrasonographic correlation between scapular dyskinesia and subacromial space measurement among junior elite tennis players
Authors: Silva R T , Hartmann L G , Laurino C F de Souza , Biló J P Rocha 
Published: April 2008

ObjectivesIn this study, the hypothesis that tennis players with scapular dyskinesia present a smaller subacromial space than non-athletes was investigated. Additionally, the correlation between the size of the subacromial space and abnormalities in scapular movement during arm abduction was studied.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsA total of 53 elite tennis players and 20 control participants were enrolled in the study. Participation was restricted to elite-level, junior tennis players who had no current shoulder pain or history of shoulder injuries.InterventionEach individual was examined for scapular dyskinesia by a single physician and by ultrasound, with the results analysed in a blind fashion by a single radiologist.Results43.4% of the tennis players and 20% of control participants presented with scapular dyskinesia. Of the 106 shoulders evaluated, 39.6% of tennis players and 10% of control participants presented with scapular dyskinesia in the clinical examination (p = 0.005). Ultrasonographic measurements demonstrated that tennis players presented statistically smaller subacromial spaces compared with control participants (p<0.001). A decrease in the subacromial space was observed in tennis players when the shoulder was raised from 0° to 60° of abduction; however, dyskinesia-afflicted athletes demonstrated a significantly greater decrease following this movement (19.3 vs 13.8 mm, p = 0.002).ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrated that tennis players with scapular dyskinesia present a smaller subacromial space than control participants. Furthermore, when the shoulder was analysed dynamically, moving from neutral abduction to 60° of elevation, the tennis players with scapular dyskinesia presented a greater reduction in the subacromial space compared with unaffected athletes.
Mechanisms of calcium-induced mitochondrial biogenesis and GLUT4 synthesis
Authors: Wright David C. 
Published: April 2008

Regularly performed aerobic exercise leads to increases in skeletal muscle mitochondria and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein content, resulting in an enhanced capacity to oxidize substrates and improvements in insulin- and contraction-mediated glucose uptake. Although the specific mechanisms governing these adaptive responses have not been fully elucidated, accumulating evidence suggests that the increase in cytosolic Ca2+that occurs with each wave of sacrolemmal depolarization is a key component of these processes. Treating L6 muscle cells with agents that increase Ca2+without causing reductions in ~P or the activation of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase leads to increases in GLUT4 and mitochondrial protein contents. This effect is likely controlled through calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK), since KN93, a specific CaMK inhibitor, blocks these adaptive responses. Recent findings provide evidence that the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in the pathway through which Ca2+/CaMK mediates mitochondrial and GLUT4 biogenesis. p38 MAPK initiates GLUT4 and mitochondrial biogenesis through the activation of transcription factors and transcriptional coactivators such as myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α). Subsequent increases in the content of these proteins further enhance Ca2+-induced GLUT4 and mitochondrial biogenesis. Since decreases in mitochondrial and GLUT4 contents are associated with skeletal muscle insulin resistance, an understanding of the mechanisms by which these processes can be normalized will aid in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Hormetic effects of regular exercise in aging: correlation with oxidative stress
Authors: Goto Sataro , Naito Hisashi , Kaneko Takao , Chung Hae Young , Radák Zsolt 
Published: April 2008

To explore mechanisms of the beneficial consequences of regular exercise, we studied the effects of regular swimming and treadmill exercise on oxidative stress in the brain and liver of rats. Protein carbonyl was significantly reduced and the activity of proteasome was upregulated in the brain extracts of young and middle-aged animals after 9 weeks of swimming training. Furthermore, their cognitive functions were significantly improved. In separate experiments, the activation of transcription nuclear factor κB was attenuated in the liver of old rats after 8 weeks of regular treadmill exercise and the DNA binding activity of glucocorticoid receptor reduced with age was restored, suggesting that inflammatory reactions are alleviated by the regimen. This was accompanied by upregulation of the glutathione level and reduced reactive oxygen species generation. Similar training reduced the 8-oxodeoxyguanosine content in the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA of the liver of old rats. Thus, these findings, together with reports of other investigators, suggest that moderate regular exercise attenuates oxidative stress. The mild oxidative stress possibly elicited by regular exercise appears to manifest a hormesis-like effect in nonmuscular tissues, constituting beneficial mechanisms of exercise by adaptively upregulating various antioxidant mechanisms, including antioxidative and repair–degradation enzymes for damaged molecules. Importantly, the adaptation induced by regular exercise was effective even if initiated late in life.
Stresses induced by alkali–silica reactivity in prototypes of reinforced concrete columns incorporating various types of reactive aggregates
Authors: Smaoui N. , Bissonnette B. , Bérubé M. A. , Fournier B. 
Published: April 2008

Prototypes of columns were cast with different percentages of rebars and stirrups and various alkali–silica reactive aggregates. The deformations of concrete were measured along the three directions using surface metal studs and internal vibrating wire gauges. The deformations of steel were measured using fiber-optic gauges and short rods welded to rebars and stirrups. Along each direction, the deformations of concrete and steel were quite similar up to 0.08% longitudinal expansion, beyond which the rebars were generally showing less (longitudinal) expansion than concrete. The rebars reduced the longitudinal expansion; the higher the percentage of longitudinal steel, the higher this reduction. On the other hand, the expansion increased in the other two transverse directions to give comparable volumetric expansions for all specimens of the same mixture, with or without relatively spaced-out stirrups. The transverse expansion perpendicular to the casting plane was always higher than the transverse expansion parallel to this plane. The rebars were tensioned up to 280 MPa. The concrete was prestressed parallel to the rebars, up to 3.3 MPa. For their part, the stirrups were highly stressed in tension and flexure, and usually reached plastification.
Virulence potential and genetic diversity ofAeromonas caviae,Aeromonas veronii, andAeromonas hydrophilaclinical isolates from Mexico and Spain: a comparative study
Authors: Aguilera-Arreola Ma. Guadalupe , Hernández-Rodríguez César , Zúñiga Gerardo , Figueras María José , Garduño Rafael A. , Castro-Escarpulli Graciela 
Published: April 2008

A comparative study of 109 Aeromonas clinical isolates belonging to the 3 species most frequently isolated from patients with diarrhea in Mexico and Spain was performed to investigate the distribution of 3 prominent toxin genes and the gene encoding flagellin of lateral flagella; 4 well-established virulence factors in the genus Aeromonas. The aerolysin–hemolysin toxin genes were the most prevalent, being present in 89% of the total isolates. The ast toxin gene was conspicuously absent from the Aeromonas caviae and Aeromonas veronii groups but was present in 91% of the Aeromonas hydrophila isolates. Both the alt toxin gene and the lafA flagellin gene also had a low incidence in A. caviae and A. veronii. Differences in the prevalence of alt and lafA were observed between isolates from Mexico and Spain, confirming genus heterogeneity according to geographic location. Carriage of multiple toxin genes was primarily restricted to A. hydrophila isolates, suggesting that A. caviae and A. veronii isolates circulating in Mexico and Spain possess a limited array of virulence genes. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenetic consensus – polymerase chain reaction showed that the Aeromonas populations sampled lack dominant clones and were genetically heterogeneous, with A. caviae being the most diverse species. Further surveys of virulence determinants in genetically heterogeneous populations of Aeromonas isolates circulating worldwide are required to enhance the understanding of their capacity to cause disease.