bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of the nose in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring
Authors: Kohler M. , Bloch K. E. , Stradling J. R. 
Published: November 2007

Data from observational studies suggest that nasal obstruction contributes to the pathogenesis of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). To define more accurately the relationship between snoring, OSA and nasal obstruction, the current authors have summarised the literature on epidemiological and physiological studies, and performed a systematic review of randomised controlled trials in which the effects of treating nasal obstruction on snoring and OSA were investigated.Searches of bibliographical databases revealed nine trials with randomised controlled design. External nasal dilators were used in five studies, topically applied steroids in one, nasal decongestants in two, and surgical treatment in one study.Data from studies using nasal dilators, intranasal steroids and decongestants to relieve nasal congestion showed beneficial effects on sleep architecture, but only minor improvement of OSA symptoms or severity. Snoring seemed to be reduced by nasal dilators. Nasal surgery also had minimal impact on OSA symptoms.In conclusion, chronic nasal obstruction seems to play a minor role in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnoea, and seems to be of some relevance in the origin of snoring. The impact of treating nasal obstruction in patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea on long-term outcome remains to be defined through randomised controlled trials of medical and surgical therapies.
Evidence on measures for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia
Authors: Lorente L. , Blot S. , Rello J. 
Published: November 2007

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in ventilated patients.Evidence-based guidelines have been issued since 2001 by the European Task Force on ventilator-associated pneumonia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Canadian Critical Care Society, and also by the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America, which have produced a joint set of recommendations.The present review article is based on a comparison of these guidelines, together with an update of further publications in the literature. The 100,000 Lives campaign, endorsed by leading US agencies and societies, states that all ventilated patients should receive a ventilator bundle to reduce the incidence of VAP.The present review article is useful for identifying evidence-based processes that can be modified to improve patients' safety.
Aqua jogging-induced pulmonary oedema
Authors: Wenger M. , Russi E. W. 
Published: November 2007

The present study reports the case of a 43-yr-old very sporty male, who developed shortness of breath and expectorated bloody froth during aqua jogging. Pulmonary oedema was diagnosed clinically and by computed tomography of the chest. The patient made a full recovery and his echocardiography was entirely normal.Pulmonary oedema occurring in healthy scuba-divers and swimmers has been reported previously. However, this is the first case where pulmonary oedema was observed during aqua jogging.
Double knockdown of α1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8) and GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase (GMD) in antibody-producing cells: a new strategy for generating fully non-fucosylated therapeutic antibodies with enhanced ADCC
Authors: Imai-Nishiya Harue , Mori Katsuhiro , Inoue Miho , Wakitani Masako , Iida Shigeru , Shitara Kenya , Satoh Mitsuo 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Background
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is greatly enhanced by the absence of the core fucose of oligosaccharides attached to the Fc, and is closely related to the clinical efficacy of anticancer activity in humans in vivo. Unfortunately, all licensed therapeutic antibodies and almost all currently-developed therapeutic antibodies are heavily fucosylated and fail to optimize ADCC, which leads to a large dose requirement at a very high cost for the administration of antibody therapy to cancer patients. In this study, we explored the possibility of converting already-established antibody-producing cells to cells that produce antibodies fully lacking core fucosylation in order to facilitate the rapid development of next-generation therapeutic antibodies.

Results
Firstly, loss-of-function analyses using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against the three key genes involved in oligosaccharide fucose modification, i.e. α1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8), GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase (GMD), and GDP-fucose transporter (GFT), revealed that single-gene knockdown of each target was insufficient to completely defucosylate the products in antibody-producing cells, even though the most effective siRNA (>90% depression of the target mRNA) was employed. Interestingly, beyond our expectations, synergistic effects of FUT8 and GMD siRNAs on the reduction in fucosylation were observed, but not when these were used in combination with GFT siRNA. Secondly, we successfully developed an effective short hairpin siRNA tandem expression vector that facilitated the double knockdown of FUT8 and GMD, and we converted antibody-producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to fully non-fucosylated antibody producers within two months, and with high converting frequency. Finally, the stable manufacture of fully non-fucosylated antibodies with enhanced ADCC was confirmed using the converted cells in serum-free fed-batch culture.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that FUT8 and GMD collaborate synergistically in the process of intracellular oligosaccharide fucosylation. We also demonstrated that double knockdown of FUT8 and GMD in antibody-producing cells could serve as a new strategy for producing next-generation therapeutic antibodies fully lacking core fucosylation and with enhanced ADCC. This approach offers tremendous cost- and time-sparing advantages for the development of next-generation therapeutic antibodies.
Cognitive dysfunction in first-episode psychosis: the processing
speed hypothesis
Authors: Rodríguez-Sánchez José Manuel , Crespo-Facorro Benedicto , González-Blanch Cesar , Pérez-Iglesias Rocío , Vázquez-Barquero José Luis ,   PAFIP Group Study
Published: November 2007

BackgroundSpeed of processing is a cognitive process underlying cognitive
dysfunction in people with chronic schizophreniaAimsTo investigate the contribution of speed of processing to the cognitive
deficits observed in a representative large sample with first-episode
schizophreniaMethodPeople with a diagnosis of first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders
(n=26) and healthy controls (n=28)
were compared on several cognitive measures before and after controlling
for speed of processingResultsBefore controlling for speed of processing, patients and controls
differed significantly on all cognitive measures. All significant
differences in cognitive functioning disappeared when the result of the
Digital Symbol Substitution Test was included as an additional
covariateConclusionsSpeed of information processing may be considered a core cognitive
deficit in schizophrenia and might be mediating a broader diversity of
cognitive disturbances
One-year effect of changing duration of untreated psychosis in a
single catchment area
Authors: Larsen Tor K. , Melle Ingrid , Friss Svein , Joa Inge , Johannessen Jan Olav , Opjordsmoen Stein , Simonsen Erik , Vaglum Per , McGlashan Thomas H. 
Published: November 2007

BackgroundThere is highly replicated positive correlation between longer duration
of untreated psychosis and poorer outcomeAimsTo study the effect of early intervention in first psychosis on one-year
outcome using an historical quasi-experimental designMethodWe compare the outcome of two samples of first-episode psychosis from the
same healthcare district at different time periods. The historical
control sample was assessed during 19931994, before the establishment of
a system for early detection of psychosis. The experimental sample is the
early detection sample in the Early Treatment and Intervention in
Psychosis study assessed during 1997–2000ResultsAt 1-year follow-up, the early detection group was younger, had a smaller
fraction of individuals with schizophrenia, had less severe negative and
general symptoms and had more friends in the past year than the
historical control group. No differences were found in clinical course
(remission, relapse, continuously psychotic) or positive symptoms, but
more patients in the early detection sample were treated as outpatients
without hospitalisationConclusionsEarly detection of schizophrenia in one healthcare sector is associated
with less severe deterioration at 1 year
The Lambeth Early Onset Crisis Assessment Team Study: general
practitioner education and access to an early detection team in
first-episode psychosis
Authors: Power Paddy , Iacoponi Eduardo , Reynolds Nicola , Fisher Helen , Russell Morris , Garety Philippa A. , McGuire Phillip K. , Craig Tom 
Published: November 2007

BackgroundThere are few evaluations of strategies to improve rates of early
detection and treatment of patients with first-episode psychosisAimsTo evaluate the effectiveness of a general practitioner (GP) education
programme and an early detection assessment team (the Lambeth Early Onset
Crisis Assessment Team; LEO CAT) in reducing delays in accessing
treatment for first-episode psychosis patients.Method46 clusters of GP practices randomised to GP education in early detection
with direct access to LEO CATv. care as usual. Primary
outcome measures were GP referral rates, duration of untreated psychosis
(DUP) and delays in receiving treatment. Results 150
patients with first-episode psychosis were recruited; 113 were registered
with the study GPs, who referred 54 (47.7%) directly to mental health
services. Significantly more intervention group GPs (86.1%
v. 65.7%) referred their patients directly to mental
health services and fewer patients experienced long delays in receiving
treatment. However, their overall DUP was unaffectedConclusionsEducating GPs improves detection and referral rates of first-episode
psychosis patients. An early detection team reduces the long delays in
initial assessment and treatment. However, these only impact on the later
phases of the DUP. Broader measures, such as public health education, are
needed to reduce the earlier delays in DUP.
Impairment of self-monitoring: part of the endophenotypic risk
for psychosis
Authors: Versmissen Dagmar , Myin-Germeys Inez , Janssen Ilse , Franck Nicolas , Georgieff Nicolas , Campo Joosta , Mengelers Ron , Van Os Jim , Krabbendam Lydia 
Published: November 2007

BackgroundA disorder of self-monitoring may underlie the positive symptoms of
psychosis. The cognitive mechanisms associated with these symptoms may
also be detectable in individuals at risk of psychosisAimsTo investigate (a) whether patients with psychosis show impaired
self-monitoring, (b) to what degree this is associated with positive
symptoms, and (c) whether this is associated with liability to psychotic
symptomsMethodThe sample included: individuals with a lifetime history of non-affective
psychosis (n=37), a genetically defined risk group
(n=41), a psychometrically defined risk group
(n=40), and control group (n=49).
All participants carried out an action-recognition taskResultsNumber of action – recognition errors was associated with psychosis risk
(OR linear trend over 3 levels: 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.20) and differential
error rate was associated with the degree of delusional ideation in a
dose–response fashion (OR linear trend over 3 levels: 1.13, 95% CI
1.00–1.26)ConclusionsAlterations in self-monitoring are associated with psychosis with
evidence of specificity for delusional ideation. In the risk state, this
is expressed more as failure to recognise self-generated actions, whereas
in illness failure to recognise alien sources come to the fore
Virtual reality and paranoid ideations in people with an ‘at-risk mental state’ for psychosis
Authors: Valmaggia Lucia R. , Freeman Daniel , Green Catherine , Garety Philippa , Swapp David , Antley Angus , Prescott Corinne , Fowler David , Kuipers Elizabeth , Bebbington Paul , Slater Mel , Broome Matthew , McGuire Philip K. 
Published: November 2007

BackgroundVirtual reality provides a means of studying paranoid thinking in controlled laboratory conditions. However, this method has not been used with a clinical groupAimsTo establish the feasibility and safety of using virtual reality methodology in people with an at-risk mental state and to investigate the applicability of a cognitive model of paranoia to this groupMethodTwenty-one participants with an at-risk mental state were assessed before and after entering a virtual reality environment depicting the inside of an underground trainResultsVirtual reality did not raise levels of distress at the time of testing or cause adverse experiences over the subsequent week. Individuals attributed mental states to virtual reality characters including hostile intent. Persecutory ideation in virtual reality was predicted by higher levels of trait paranoia, anxiety, stress, immersion in virtual reality, perseveration and interpersonal sensitivityConclusionsVirtual reality is an acceptable experimental technique for use with individuals with at-risk mental states. Paranoia in virtual reality was understandable in terms of the cognitive model of persecutory delusions
Structural brain abnormalities in individuals with an at-risk
mental state who later develop psychosis
Authors: Borgwardt Stefan J. , McGuire Philip K. , Aston Jacqueline , Berger Gregor , Dazzan Paola , Gschwandtner Ute , Pflüger Marlon , D'Souza Marcus , Radue Ernst-Wilhelm , Riecher-Rössler Anita 
Published: November 2007

BackgroundNeuroanatomical abnormalities are a well-established feature of
schizophrenia. However, the timing of their emergence and the extent to
which they are related to vulnerability to the disorder as opposed to
psychotic illness itself is unclearAimsTo assess regional grey matter volume in the at-risk individuals who
subsequently developed psychosisMethodMagnetic resonance imaging data from at-risk individuals who developed
psychosis (n = 12) within the following 25 months were
compared with data from healthy volunteers (n=22) and
people with first-episode psychosis (n=25)ResultsCompared with healthy volunteers, individuals who subsequently developed
psychosis had smaller grey matter volume in the posterior cingulate
gyrus, precuneus, and paracentral lobule bilaterally and in the left
superior parietal lobule, and greater grey matter volume in a left
parietal/posterior temporal region. Compared with first-episode patients,
they had relatively greater grey matter volume in the temporal gyrus
bilaterally and smaller grey matter volume in the right lentiform
nucleusConclusionsSome of the structural brain abnormalities in individuals with an at-risk
mental state may be related to an increased vulnerability to psychosis,
while others are associated with the development of a psychotic
illness
Cognitive and neural processes in non-clinical auditory
hallucinations
Authors: Barkus Emma , Stirling John , Hopkins Richard , McKie Shane , Lewis Shôn 
Published: November 2007

BackgroundThe nosological status of auditory hallucinations in non-clinical samples
is unclearAimsTo investigate the functional neural basis of non-clinical
hallucinationsMethodAfter selection from 1206 people, 68 participants of high, medium and low
hallucination proneness completed a task designed to elicit verbal
hallucinatory phenomena under conditions of stimulus degradation. Eight
subjects who reported hearing a voice when none was present repeated the
task during functional imagingResultsDuring the signal detection task, the high hallucination-prone
participants reported a voice to be present when it was not (false
alarms) significantly more often than the average or low participants
(P<0.03, d.f. =2). On functional magnetic
resonance imaging, patterns of activation during these false alarms
showed activation in the superior and middle temporal cortex
(P<0.001)ConclusionsAuditory hallucinatory experiences reported in non-clinical samples
appear to be mediated by similar patterns of cerebral activation as found
during hallucinations in schizophrenia
Placenta Defects and Embryonic Lethality Resulting from Disruption of Mouse Hydroxysteroid (17-β) Dehydrogenase 2 Gene
Authors: Rantakari Pia , Strauss Leena , Kiviranta Riku , Lagerbohm Heidi , Paviala Jenni , Holopainen Irma , Vainio Seppo , Pakarinen Pirjo , Poutanen Matti 
Published: November 2007

AbstractHydroxysteroid (17-β) dehydrogenase 2 (HSD17B2) is a member of aldo-keto reductase superfamily, known to catalyze the inactivation of 17β-hydroxysteroids to less active 17-keto forms and catalyze the conversion of 20α-hydroxyprogesterone to progesterone in vitro. To examine the role of HSD17B2 in vivo, we generated mice deficient in Hsd17b2 [HSD17B2 knockout (KO)] by a targeted gene disruption in embryonic stem cells. From the homozygous mice carrying the disrupted Hsd17b2, 70% showed embryonic lethality appearing at the age of embryonic d 11.5 onward. The embryonic lethality was associated with reduced placental size measured at embryonic d 17.5. The HSD17B2KO mice placentas presented with structural abnormalities in all three major layers: the decidua, spongiotrophoblast, and labyrinth. Most notable was the disruption of the spongiotrophoblast and labyrinthine layers, together with liquid-filled cysts in the junctional region and the basal layer. Treatments with an antiestrogen or progesterone did not rescue the embryonic lethality or the placenta defect in the homozygous mice. In hybrid background used, 24% of HSD17B2KO mice survived through the fetal period but were born growth retarded and displayed a phenotype in the brain with enlargement of ventricles, abnormal laminar organization, and increased cellular density in the cortex. Furthermore, the HSD17B2KO mice had unilateral renal degeneration, the affected kidney frequently appearing as a fluid-filled sac. Our results provide evidence for a role for HSD17B2 enzyme in the cellular organization of the mouse placenta.
Mechanical properties of the rigid and hydrostatic skeletons of molting blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun
Authors: Taylor Jennifer R. A. , Hebrank Jack , Kier William M. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARY
Molting in crustaceans involves significant changes in the structure and function of the exoskeleton as the old cuticle is shed and a new one is secreted. The flimsy new cuticle takes several days to harden and during this time crabs rely on a hydrostatic skeletal support system for support and movement. This change from a rigid to a hydrostatic skeletal support mechanism implies correlated changes in the function, and thus mechanical properties, of the cuticle. In particular, it must change from primarily resisting compression, bending and torsional forces to resisting tension. This study was designed to explore the changes in the mechanical properties of the crustacean cuticle as the animals switch between two distinct skeletal support mechanisms. Samples of cuticle were removed from blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, at 1 h (soft-shell stage), 12 h (paper-shell stage), and 7 days(hard-shell stage) following molting. We measured and compared the flexural stiffness, Young's modulus of elasticity (in tension), and tensile strength for each postmolt stage. We found that the hard-shell cuticle has a flexural stiffness fully four orders of magnitude greater than the soft-shell and paper-shell cuticle. Although the soft-shell cuticle has a Young's modulus significantly lower than that of the paper-shell and hard-shell cuticle, it has the same tensile strength. Thus, the soft-shell and paper-shell cuticles are unable to resist the significant bending forces associated with a rigid skeletal support system, but can resist the tensile forces that characterize hydrostatic support systems. The mechanical properties of the cuticle thus change dramatically during molting in association with the change in function of the cuticle. These results emphasize the significant role that mechanics plays in the evolution of the molting process in arthropods, and possibly other ecdysozoans.
Control of neuronal firing by dynamic parallel fiber feedback:implications for electrosensory reafference suppression
Authors: Lewis John E. , Lindner Benjamin , Laliberté Benoit , Groothuis Sally 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARY
The cancellation of self-generated components of sensory inputs is a key function of sensory feedback pathways. In many systems, cerebellar parallel fiber feedback mediates this cancellation through anti-Hebbian plasticity,resulting in the generation of a negative image of the reafferent inputs. Parallel fiber feedback involves direct excitation and disynaptic inhibition as well as synaptic plasticity on multiple time scales. How the dynamics of these processes interact with anti-Hebbian plasticity to shape synaptic inputs and provide a cancellation mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the influence of parallel fiber feedback onto pyramidal neurons of the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) in weakly electric fish under open loop conditions. We mimicked naturalistic parallel fiber inputs in an ELL brain slice by implementing an experimentally based model of this synaptic pathway using dynamic clamp. We showed that as parallel fiber activity increases, the effective input to ELL pyramidal neurons changes from net excitation to net inhibition, resulting in a non-monotonic firing response. Using a model neuron, we found that this robust non-monotonic response is due to a shift from balanced excitation and inhibition at low parallel fiber input rates, to dominant inhibition at high input rates. We then showed that this non-monotonic response provides a simple basis for negative image generation. Through changes in the mean activation rate of parallel fibers, the feedback can switch roles between enhancement and suppression of sensory inputs in a manner that is directly determined by the slope of the non-monotonic response curve.
Influence of Institutionalization on Time to HIV Disease Progression in a Cohort of Romanian Children and Teens
Authors: Ferris Margaret , Burau Keith , Constantin Ana Maria , Mihale Stefania , Murray Nancy , Preda Alina , Ross Michael , Kline Mark W. 
Published: November 2007

OBJECTIVES.The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of institutionalization on death and CD4 decline in a cohort of 325 HIV-infected Romanian children.
METHODS. A retrospective database analysis was conducted. Data from a nearly 3-year period were examined with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis models. Subjects all received primary and HIV specialty care and treatment at the Romanian American Children's Center in Constanta, Romania. Children in one group resided with their biological families and the other children resided in “family home”–style institutions.
RESULTS. There was no difference between groups for death during the follow-up period, although there was a trend for survival advantage for children in institutional care. There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups in terms of CD4 decline, although there was a trend toward greater decline among children who resided with their biological families. Children with their biological families were more likely to experience disease progression through either death or CD4 decline than were children in institutions.
CONCLUSIONS. The family home–style institution may prove to be a replicable model for the safe and appropriate care of HIV-infected orphaned and abandoned children and teens.