bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CPU0213, A NON‐SELECTIVE ETA/ETB RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST, IMPROVES PULMONARY ARTERIOLAR REMODELING OF MONOCROTALINE‐INDUCED PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN RATS
Authors: Cui Bing , Cheng Yu‐Si , Dai De‐Zai , Li Na , Zhang Tian‐Tai , Dai Yin 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARY

The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of CPU0213, a dual endothelin ETA/ETB receptor antagonist, and nifedipine, a calcium antagonist, in relieving pulmonary hypertension (PH). Both endothelin receptor and calcium antagonists have been reported to be effective in alleviating the remodelling of pulmonary arteries induced by monocrotaline (MCT) in rats.
After an initial single dose of 60 mg/kg, s.c., MCT, CPU0213 was administered to rats at doses of 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg, p.o., for 28 days. In addition, nifedipine was administered to another group of rats at a dose of 10 mg/kg, p.o., for 28 days. The haemodynamics of the right ventricle, pulmonary vascular activity, remodelling of the pulmonary arterioles (< 150 µm) and biochemical changes were evaluated.
Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), central venous pressure (CVP), the maximum rate of uprising pressure (dP/dTmax) and the weight index of the right ventricle were significantly elevated in MCT‐treated rats. In addition, increases in pulmonary endothelin‐1, malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline content and a reduction in superoxide dismutase activity was found after MCT treatment. The thickness and area of the pulmonary arterial wall were significantly increased in MCT‐treated rats compared with control rats. At all three doses tested, CPU0213 ameliorated these changes in a dose‐dependent manner and the effects were associated with a greater reduction in the remodelling of pulmonary arterioles. However, nifedipine was only partially effective in amelerioating biochemical and haemodynamic changes induced by MCT, significantly reducing RVSP, CVP, +dp/dtmax, tissue MDA, inducible nitric oxide synthase and hydroxyproline content, increasing –dp/dtmin and having no effect on the other parameters investigated. In addition, nifedipine had no effect on remodelling of the arterial wall.
In conclusion, CPU0213 is more effective than nifedipine in suppressing the remodelling of pulmonary arterioles in PH induced by MCT treatment of rats. Furthermore, CPU0213 may have promise in treating PH secondary to connective tissue disease.
FLUID MECHANICS OF ARTIFICIAL HEART VALVES
Authors: Dasi Lakshmi P , Simon Helene A , Sucosky Philippe , Yoganathan Ajit P 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARY

Artificial heart valves have been in use for over five decades to replace diseased heart valves. Since the first heart valve replacement performed with a caged‐ball valve, more than 50 valve designs have been developed, differing principally in valve geometry, number of leaflets and material. To date, all artificial heart valves are plagued with complications associated with haemolysis, coagulation for mechanical heart valves and leaflet tearing for tissue‐based valve prosthesis. For mechanical heart valves, these complications are believed to be associated with non‐physiological blood flow patterns.
In the present review, we provide a bird's‐eye view of fluid mechanics for the major artificial heart valve types and highlight how the engineering approach has shaped this rapidly diversifying area of research.
Mechanical heart valve designs have evolved significantly, with the most recent designs providing relatively superior haemodynamics with very low aerodynamic resistance. However, high shearing of blood cells and platelets still pose significant design challenges and patients must undergo life‐long anticoagulation therapy. Bioprosthetic or tissue valves do not require anticoagulants due to their distinct similarity to the native valve geometry and haemodynamics, but many of these valves fail structurally within the first 10–15 years of implantation.
These shortcomings have directed present and future research in three main directions in attempts to design superior artificial valves: (i) engineering living tissue heart valves; (ii) development of advanced computational tools; and (iii) blood experiments to establish the link between flow and blood damage.
EFFECT OF ENDURANCE TRAINING ON HYPOTHALAMIC SEROTONIN CONCENTRATION AND PERFORMANCE
Authors: Caperuto EC , Dos Santos RVT , Mello MT , Costa Rosa LFBP 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARY

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that modulates several functions, such as food intake, energy expenditure, motor activity, mood and sleep. Acute exhaustive endurance exercise increases the synthesis, concentration and metabolism of serotonin in the brain. This phenomenon could be responsible for central fatigue after prolonged and exhaustive exercise. However, the effect of chronic exhaustive training on serotonin is not known. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of exhaustive endurance training on performance and serotonin concentrations in the hypothalamus of trained rats.
Rats were divided into three groups: sedentary rats (SED), moderately trained rats (MOD) and exhaustively trained rats (EXT), with an increase of 200% in the load carried during the final week of training.
Hypothalamic serotonin concentrations were similar between the SED and MOD groups, but were higher in the EXT group (P < 0.05). Performance was lower in the EXT group compared with the MOD group (P < 0.05).
Thus, the present study demonstrates that exhaustive training increases serotonin concentrations in the hypothalamus, together with decreased endurance performance after inadequate recovery time. However, the mechanism underlying these changes remains unknown.
Bronchoscopy in Japan: A survey by the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy in 2006
Authors: NIWA Hiroshi , TANAHASHI Masayuki , KONDO Takashi , OHSAKI Yoshinobu , OKADA Yoshinori , SATO Shigeki , SUZUKI Eiichi , SENBA Hiroshi , FUJINO Shozo , MIYAZAWA Teruomi , KOBAYASHI Koichi 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  In order to obtain information on the clinical application of bronchoscopy in Japan, the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy (JSRE) conducted a postal survey.Methods:  A questionnaire was sent to 526 authorized institutes of the JSRE. The subject was bronchoscopy procedures performed during 2006.Results:  The response rate was 71.3%. The total number of bronchoscopies performed was 74 770. Of these, 74 412 were flexible bronchoscopies and 358 were rigid bronchoscopies. At least one JSRE‐authorized specialist had worked with 97% of respondents. Eighty‐five per cent of respondents performed bronchoscopy under topical anaesthesia for almost all patients. Seventy‐five per cent of respondents routinely used the oral route. The reported numbers of diagnostic bronchoscopies was 12 509 for simple bronchoscopy, 25 971 for forceps biopsy, 26 289 for brush biopsy, 25 659 for bronchial washing, 1387 for transbronchial needle aspiration and 6716 for BAL. Three deaths were caused by forceps biopsy (0.012%). The morbidity rates for these diagnostic procedures ranged from 0.14% to 2.5%. The reported numbers of therapeutic bronchoscopies was 476 for tracheobronchial stent, 164 for neodymium (Nd): yttrium‐aluminium garnet (YAG) laser photoresection (LPR), 40 for photodynamic therapy, 81 for balloon dilatation, 145 for endobronchial electrocautery, 120 for argon plasma coagulation, 109 for microwave coagulation (MWC), 116 for ethanol injection, 110 for foreign body removal and 89 for bronchial occlusion. Deaths occurred only as a consequence of Nd : YAG LPR (0.61%). The morbidity rates for these therapeutic procedures ranged from 0% to 5%.Conclusions:  The preparation for, and practice of, bronchoscopy varied greatly between respondents. Diagnostic bronchoscopy was well tolerated and safe. Therapeutic procedures did not appear to be practised widely or frequently.
T‐cell cytokine profiles are altered in childhood asthma exacerbation
Authors: CALDERON Czarina , RIVERA Luis , HUTCHINSON Paul , DAGHER Hayat , VILLANUEVA Elmer , GHILDYAL Reena , BARDIN Philip G. , FREEZER Nicholas J. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Stable asthma is characterized by the production of Th2 cytokines, although Th1 cytokines may play a key role in aspects such as airway hyper‐responsiveness. This study explored cytokine profiles associated with asthma exacerbation.Methods:  Intracellular T‐cell cytokine production was measured in 16 children with acute severe asthma (emergency department), after convalescence (6 weeks, n = 13), with stable disease (after 6 months, n = 7) and in 14 age‐matched hospital controls. Flow cytometry was used to identify CD4+ and CD8+ cells and to quantify intracellular T‐cell production of the cytokines interferon (IFN)‐γ, IL‐4 and IL‐13. Cytokine production was compared using analysis of variance and random‐effects generalized linear models and associations were examined using Pearson's correlation.Results:  Cytokine production was evident in CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and compared with asthmatic children, non‐asthmatics had a higher percentage of IFN‐γ+CD4+ cells (P = 0.01). The percentage of CD8+IFN‐γ+ cells was increased in the convalescent phase compared with acute (P = 0.009) and stable asthma (P = 0.004). IL‐4+ cells were not significantly altered. IL‐13 levels were higher in acute disease than in stable asthma (P = 0.009 in CD4+ cells) and IFN‐γ/IL‐13 ratios indicated a Th2 profile during exacerbation (P = 0.005 in CD4+ cells).Conclusions:  IL‐13, rather than IL‐4, may play a pro‐inflammatory role during acute severe asthma, whereas IFN‐γ responses were associated with recovery from acute severe asthma. These results suggest that altered T‐cell cytokine profiles may contribute to the pathogenesis of and recovery from asthma exacerbations.
The effectiveness of a bronchial drainage technique (ELTGOL) in COPD exacerbations
Authors: KODRIC Metka , GARUTI Giancarlo , COLOMBAN Mario , RUSSI Barbara , PORTA Rossana D. , LUSUARDI Mirco , CONFALONIERI Marco 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Exacerbations of COPD are often characterized by increased mucus production that is difficult to treat and worsens patients' outcome. This study evaluated the efficacy of a chest physiotherapy technique (expiration with the glottis open in the lateral posture, ELTGOL) during acute exacerbations of COPD using as outcome measures sputum volume, length of hospitalization, reduction in dyspnoea (Borg score), improvement in quality of life (assessed by the St George Respiratory Questionnaire) and incidence of COPD exacerbations during follow up.Methods:  The study recruited 59 patients hospitalized for the treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD, who were randomly assigned to a control group and an intervention group. The control group was treated with standard medical therapy while the intervention group was treated with ELTGOL plus medical therapy. A subgroup of patients was followed for 6 months to verify the effects on COPD exacerbations and need for hospitalizations.Results:  At the time of hospital discharge there was no significant difference between the two groups in the outcome measures, with the exception of the Borg score, which was significantly improved in the ELTGOL group (4.3 ± 1.5 in the control group vs 3.0 ± 1.8 in the ELTGOL group, P = 0.004). After 6 months there was no significant difference in the other measured parameters between a subset of the groups available for follow up. During follow up, the ELTGOL group had numerically fewer exacerbations and less need for hospitalization though differences were not statistically significant.Conclusions:  Chest physiotherapy using the ELTGOL technique has a limited role in patients with mild exacerbation of moderate to severe COPD with a tendency towards fewer exacerbations and hospitalizations.
A case of hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with chronic cough successfully treated with imatinib
Authors: KOBAYASHI Makoto , KUBOTA Tetsuya , UEMURA Yoshiki , TAGUCHI Hirokuni 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTChronic cough is caused by a wide variety of disease conditions, including asthma, rhino‐sinusitis and gastro‐oesophageal reflux. We describe the case of a 42‐year‐old man with hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with chronic dry cough. The cough did not respond to inhaled corticosteroid or leucotriene receptor antagonists. Hepatosplenomegaly was noted and the patient became anaemic and thrombocytopenic. He was refractory to treatment with hydroxyurea and interferon‐α. Administration of imatinib resulted in complete resolution of eosinophilia and cough, without the use of anti‐asthma drugs. Analysis of RNA from this patient demonstrated expression of the Fip1‐like 1/platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐alpha (FIP1L1–PDGFRA) fusion gene. The myeloproliferative variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome may cause chronic intractable cough, and a trial of imatinib treatment may be warranted.
Pulmonary complications of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndromes in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: CROTHERS Kristina , HUANG Laurence 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTImmune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) describes a paradoxical worsening of clinical status related to recovery of the immune system, as can occur after the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV‐infected patients. Most commonly, IRIS results from opportunistic infections that can unmask or develop paradoxical worsening following HAART. Cancers, autoimmune conditions and sarcoidosis have also been associated with IRIS. Pulmonary complications may be frequently encountered. This article reviews the types and clinical presentation of IRIS, with a focus on the pulmonary manifestations. Management and outcome of IRIS are considered.
Frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells is associated with the phenotypes of allergic asthma
Authors: MATSUMOTO Koichiro , INOUE Hiromasa , FUKUYAMA Satoru , KAN‐O Keiko , EGUCHI‐TSUDA Miyuki , MATSUMOTO Takafumi , MORIWAKI Atsushi , NAKANO Takako , NAKANISHI Yoichi 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  A forkhead/winged‐helix family transcriptional repressor, Foxp3, is highly expressed on CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells. The role of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells in asthma remains to be elucidated. Using mouse models and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from subjects with allergic asthma, we aimed to explore whether Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells associate with asthma phenotypes.Methods:  Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells were detected by FACS and the correlation between the frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells and asthma phenotypes was assessed.Results:  The frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells among total CD4+CD25+ T cells in the lungs showed an inverse correlation with eosinophilic inflammation in BALB/c, A/J and C57BL/6 strains. In addition, the frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells was inversely correlated with BHR and allergen‐specific IgE levels in the serum of A/J mice. In BALB/c mice, the frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells correlated with the level of IL‐10 in BAL fluid. The inverse correlation between the frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells and eosinophilic inflammation disappeared when mice were treated with anti‐IL‐10 receptor mAb during allergen challenge. Interestingly, intracellular cytokine staining of lung cells revealed that IL‐10 was predominantly produced by Foxp3‐CD4+CD25+ T cells. The frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells among total CD4+CD25+ T cells in PBMC of asthmatics was significantly lower than that of healthy subjects, although there was no significant correlation between the frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells and asthma severity.Conclusions:  These results suggest a role for lung Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells in the regulation of asthma phenotypes, presumably through an IL‐10‐mediated mechanism.
Langerhans' cell histiocytosis mimicking metastatic carcinoma of the lung
Authors: NIKSARLIOGLU Yelda O. , GUREL Bora , TEZEL Gaye G. , FIRAT Pinar , DOGAN Riza , KARS Ayse , COPLU Lutfi 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTLangerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH), previously known as Histiocytosis X, is characterized by abnormal accumulations of large mononuclear cells forming granulomas in various organs, mainly bone, skin and lung. This case report describes a 50‐year‐old man with a history of left pneumonectomy due to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). During routine follow up, a CXR showed new parenchymal nodules in the right lung 57 months post treatment. Chest CT scan confirmed the presence of multiple parenchymal nodules. Open lung biopsy from the right upper lobe was performed and LCH was diagnosed. Re‐analysis of the initial pneumonectomy specimen revealed no evidence of LCH in the surrounding lung tissue. On diagnosis, the patient stopped smoking and was treated with vinblastine and prednisolone for LCH. The nodules disappeared and have not returned in a further 18 months of follow up. In this patient LCH was diagnosed after SCC, which highlights that smoking‐related diseases can be seen concomitantly or sequentially in the same patient.
Posterior mediastinal paragangliomas: A report of three patients with peculiar tumours
Authors: AYADI‐KADDOUR Aïda , BRAHAM Emna , ISMAIL Olfa , SMATI Bellahssan , DJILANI Habiba , EL MEZNI Faouzi 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTParagangliomas of the mediastinum are rare neoplasms, representing less than 0.3% of mediastinal tumours and less than 2% of all paragangliomas. To date, no definitive morphologic criteria exist that correlate with the clinical outcome of these tumours. This report describes three patients with peculiar primary paragangliomas of the posterior mediastinum: gangliocytic, dumbbell and functional paraganglioma. The clinicopathological characteristics of these patients are presented and the literature reviewed.
Varenicline for smoking cessation: A placebo‐controlled, randomized study
Authors: WANG Chen , XIAO Dan , CHAN Kenneth Ping Wah , POTHIRAT Chaicharn , GARZA Dahlia , DAVIES Simon 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Varenicline tartrate, a novel, selective, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, has been developed specifically as a smoking cessation drug. This study evaluated the efficacy of a standard regimen of varenicline compared with placebo for smoking cessation in 333 subjects in China, Singapore and Thailand.Methods:  This 24‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of varenicline, 1 mg bd, consisted of a 12‐week treatment period followed by a 12‐week non‐treatment follow‐up period. The primary study end‐point was the 4‐week continuous abstinence rate defined as the proportion of subjects who reported total abstinence from smoking and other nicotine products from weeks 9–12. A key secondary end‐point was the continuous abstinence rate from weeks 9–24, defined as the proportion of subjects who achieved the primary end‐point as well as total abstinence from all tobacco products from weeks 13–24.Results:  Both end‐points were achieved by a significantly higher proportion of subjects in the varenicline group than in the placebo group. The 4‐week continuous abstinence end‐point was achieved by 50.3% and 31.6% in the varenicline and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.0003), while continuous abstinence from weeks 9–24 was achieved by 38.2% and 25.0% of subjects, respectively (P = 0.0080). The treatment effect was generalizable by treatment centre and country. Varenicline was safe and appeared to be well tolerated by most subjects.Conclusion:  Varenicline was significantly more efficacious for smoking cessation than placebo over a 12‐week treatment period and a further 12‐week non‐treatment follow‐up period in smokers from China, Singapore and Thailand. No significant side‐effects were noted.
Zinc ions are endogenous modulators of neurotransmitter‐stimulated capacitative Ca2+ entry in both cultured and in situ mouse astrocytes
Authors: Kresse Wolfgang , Sekler Israel , Hoffmann Anja , Peters Oliver , Nolte Christiane , Moran Arie , Kettenmann Helmut 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAstrocytes express a variety of metabotropic receptors and their activation leads to a biphasic Ca2+ response due to Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and subsequent capacitative Ca2+ entry. We performed Ca2+ imaging with Fura‐2 on cultured mouse astrocytes and showed that extracellular zinc reversibly blocks the capacitative Ca2+ entry following application of the metabotropic ligands ATP, glutamate and endothelin‐1. Zinc blocked the plateau phase of the ligand‐triggered Ca2+ responses. When ligands were repetitively applied in the presence of zinc the calcium responses progressively decayed and even disappeared, indicating that capacitative Ca2+ entry is required to refill the stores. Zinc inhibited the capacitative Ca2+ entry with a Ki of ≈ 6 µm, which is well within the physiological concentration range of zinc found in the brain. Application of the reducing agent DTT prevented the blocking effect by zinc ions but not the inhibition elicited by the nonphysiological metal ions Gd3+ and La3+, indicating that zinc has a distinct binding site. To monitor the capacitative Ca2+ entry in astrocytes in situ and to determine the effect of zinc on this pathway we utilized X‐rhod‐1 imaging in hippocampal slices of a transgenic mouse line with green fluorescent astrocytes. Zinc affected the repetitive metabotropic Ca2+ response in the following fashion: (i) after depleting stores in Ca2+‐free solution, re‐addition of Ca2+ led to an influx of Ca2+ via a zinc‐sensitive Ca2+ entry route; (ii) with repetitive application of metabotropic ligands, Ca2+ responses became smaller and even disappeared in the presence of zinc. We conclude that zinc, which is coreleased from glutamatergic synaptic vesicles upon neuronal activity, has a major impact on shaping the astrocytic calcium responses.
Activity in human medial temporal lobe associated with encoding process in spatial working memory revealed by magnetoencephalography
Authors: Campo Pablo , Maestú Fernando , Capilla Almudena , Fernández Santiago , Fernández Alberto , Ortiz Tomás 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAnimal studies have suggested that working memory may be affected after lesions in the medial temporal lobe, although this assumption has not been corroborated by neuropsychological studies in humans. However, very recently, several functional neuroimaging studies in humans have successfully observed activation of the medial temporal lobe during working memory tasks. The main aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of the medial temporal lobe to the encoding process in spatial working memory. To address this issue we registered the neuromagnetic brain patterns of eight adult volunteers while they performed a spatial working memory task and more perceptual task using identical stimuli. After a initial phase (between 200 and 400 ms) without differences in activation, the medial temporal lobe showed a sustained activity, more evident in the right hemisphere, lasting up to 800 ms during the encoding stage of the spatial working memory task, while the activation in the perceptual task terminated earlier (∼400 ms after stimulus onset). The finding of a continued activation of the medial temporal lobe strongly suggests the contribution of this brain region to encoding operations in working memory.