bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expiratory flow limitation detected by forced oscillation and negative expiratory pressure
Authors: Dellacà R. L. , Duffy N. , Pompilio P. P. , Aliverti A. , Koulouris N. G. , Pedotti A. , Calverley P. M. A. 
Published: November 2006

The within-breath change in reactance (ΔX̄rs) measured by forced oscillation technique (FOT) at 5 Hz reliably detects expiratory flow limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study compared this approach to the standard negative expiratory pressure (NEP) method.In total, 21 COPD patients were studied by applying both techniques to the same breath and in 15 patients the measurements were repeated after bronchodilator. For each patient and condition five NEP tests were performed and independently scored by three operators unaware of the FOT results.In 180 tests, FOT classified 53.3% as flow limited. On average, the operators scored 27.6% of tests flow limited and 47.6% non-flow limited, but could not score 24.8%. The methods disagreed in 7.9% of cases; in 78% of these the NEP scores differed between operators. Bronchodilation reduced NEP and ΔX̄rsscores, with only the latter achieving significance. Averaging the operators′ NEP scores, a threshold between 24.6–30.8% of tidal volume being flow limited by NEP produced 94% agreement between methods.In conclusion, when negative expiratory pressure and forced oscillation technique were both available they showed good agreement. As forced oscillation technique is automatic and can measure multiple breaths over long periods, it is suitable for monitoring expiratory flow limitation continuously and identifying patients′ breathing close to the onset of expiratory flow limitation, where intermittent sampling may be unrepresentative.
Eotaxin-2 in sputum cell culture to evaluate asthma inflammation
Authors: Scheicher M. E. , Teixeira M. M. , Cunha F. Q. , Teixeira A. L. , Filho J. T. , Vianna E. O. 
Published: November 2006

The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the culture of cells recovered from induced sputum may represent a suitable model to evaluate cytokine and chemokine production by airway inflammatory cells.Sputum induction was performed in 21 normal subjects and 30 asthmatic patients. A total of 21 out of the 30 asthmatic patients were taking inhaled corticosteroids, while the remaining nine were steroid-naive asthmatics. The steroid-naive group was evaluated before and after a 14-day treatment with oral prednisone (40 mg·day−1). The supernatant of lysed and centrifuged sputum and the supernatant of sputum cell culture were analysed. Tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-8 (CXCL8), IL-1β, IL-13 and eotaxin-2 (CCL24) concentrations were determined by specific ELISA.Eotaxin-2 production by cell culture was higher in the asthma group (131±108 pg·mL−1) than in the control group (36±41 pg·mL−1) and treatment with oral corticosteroids eliminated this difference. In addition, reduction of eotaxin-2 levels by corticosteroid treatment was greater in cell culture (81.3% reduction) than in sputum (26.4%). There was correlation between the decrease in eotaxin-2 production and the decrease in blood eosinophil number and between eotaxin-2 and eosinophils in sputum.Eotaxin-2 may play an important role in asthma and the response to corticosteroid treatment suggests that analysis of sputum cell culture is relevant as an inflammatory parameter.
Noninvasive and invasive evaluation of pulmonary arterial pressure in highlanders
Authors: Kojonazarov B. K. , Imanov B. Z. , Amatov T. A. , Mirrakhimov M. M. , Naeije R. , Wilkins M. R. , Aldashev A. A. 
Published: November 2006

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate Doppler echocardiography for the detection of pulmonary hypertension in high-altitude inhabitants.In total, 60 (55 male) patients aged 18–71 yrs were recruited from an ECG screening programme applied to 1,430 inhabitants living at an altitude of 2,500–3,600 m in Kyrgyzstan. Of these, 44 met ECG criteria for right ventricular hypertrophy. All underwent Doppler echocardiography followed by a cardiac catheterisation within 7 days of arrival in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan; altitude 760 m). Pulmonary flow acceleration time and the maximum velocity of tricuspid regurgitation were measured.Sufficient quality tricuspid regurgitant jets were recovered in only 28% of the patients. Therefore, pulmonary artery pressure was estimated from the pulmonary flow acceleration time, which was recovered in 100% of the patients. It was found that 37 (62%) of the patients had pulmonary hypertension on echocardiography. Pulmonary hypertension was confirmed in 29 patients on catheterisation. Pulmonary hypertension was detected with 70% sensitivity and 88% specificity by echocardiography, as compared to 59% sensitivity and 81 % specificity by ECG. The correlation coefficient between echocardiography and catheterisation studies was r2 = 0.78.It is concluded that a combination of ECG and echocardiography may be useful for screening high-altitude pulmonary hypertension.
Ethnic differences in the time trend of female breast cancer incidence: Singapore, 1968 – 2002
Authors: Sim Xueling , Ali R Ayesha , Wedren Sara , Goh Denise Li-Meng , Tan Chuen-Seng , Reilly Marie , Hall Per , Chia Kee-Seng 
Published: November 2006

Abstract

Background
From 1968 to 2002, Singapore experienced an almost three-fold increase in breast cancer incidence. This increase appeared to be different across the three main ethnic groups: Chinese, Malays and Indians. This paper used age-period-cohort (APC) modelling, to determine the effects of age at diagnosis, calendar period, and birth cohort on breast cancer incidence for each ethnic group.

Methods
This study included all breast cancer cases (n = 15,269) in the three ethnic groups, reported to the Singapore Cancer Registry from 1968 to 2002 between the ages 25 to 79. Age-specific fertility rates from the Department of Statistics were used to explore the role of fertility.

Results
In the 1970s, Indian women had the highest age-standardized breast cancer but by the mid-1980s the highest rates were seen among the Chinese. Remarkable differences were seen in the age-specific incidence rates by ethnic groups. After age 49, the incidence rates for the Chinese and Malays leveled off whereas it continued to rise in the Indians. While our analyses provided some evidence that an age-drift model described the trend seen in the Indians, age-period-cohort model and age-cohort model had the best fit for the Chinese and Malays aged 25 to 79 respectively. Overall, Chinese and Malay women born in later cohorts were at increased risk of developing breast cancer relative to their counterparts in the earlier cohorts. The three ethnic groups experienced similar changes in their fertility in the 1970s, which likely explained much of the increase in their breast cancer incidence but not the ethnic differences. There was a stronger inverse association between total fertility rate and pre-menopausal breast cancer incidence in the Chinese and Malays than the Indians.

Conclusion
The observed dissimilarity among ethnic groups suggests ethnic differences in exposure or response to certain risk factors. It is likely that longer and subtler differences in childbearing trends and other risk factors may further explain these ethnic differences.
Direct and indirect costs of Multiple Sclerosis in Baix Llobregat (Catalonia, Spain), according to disability
Authors: Casado Virginia , Martínez-Yélamos Sergio , Martínez-Yélamos Antonio , Carmona Olga , Alonso Lucia , Romero Lucia , Moral Esther , Gubieras Laura , Arbizu Txomin 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable chronic disease that predominantly affects young adults. It has a high socio-economic impact which increases as disability progresses. An assessment of the real costs of MS may contribute to our knowledge of the disease and to treat it more efficiently. Our objective is to assess the direct and indirect costs of MS from a societal perspective, in patients monitored in our MS Unit (Baix Llobregat, Catalonia) and grouped according to their disability (EDSS).MethodsWe analysed data from 200 MS patients, who answered a questionnaire on resource consumption, employment and economical status. Mean age was 41.6 years, mean EDSS 2.7, 65.5% of patients were female, 79.5% had a relapsing-remitting course, and 67.5% of them were receiving immunomodulatory treatment (IT). Patients were grouped into five EDSS stages. Data from the questionnaires, hospital charts, Catalan Health Service tariffs, and figures from Catalan Institute of Statistics were used to calculate the direct and indirect costs. The cost-of-illness method, and the human capital approach for indirect costs, were applied. Sensitivity analyses were performed to strengthen results.ResultsThe mean total annual cost of MS per patient results 24272 euros. This cost varied according to EDSS: 14327 euros (EDSS = 0), 18837 euros (EDSS = 1–3), 27870 euros (EDSS = 3.5–5.5), 41198 euros (EDSS = 6–7) and 52841 euros (EDSS>7.5). When the mean total annual costs was adjusted by the mean % of patients on IT in our Unit (31%) the result was 19589 euros. The key-drivers for direct costs were IT in low EDSS stages, and caregiver costs in high stages. Indirect costs were assessed in terms of the loss of productivity when patients stop working. Direct costs accounted for around 60% of total costs in all EDSS groups. IT accounts from 78% to 11% of direct costs, and decreased as disability progressed.ConclusionThe total mean social costs of MS in a cohort from Baix Llobregat (Catalonia) were estimated at 24272 euros per patient/year, and ranged between 14327 euros (EDSS = 0) and 52841 euros (EDSS = 7.5–9.5). Total costs, and particularly informal and direct costs, increased as the disability progressed. IT should be able to delay the progression of disability to be efficient and not only effective.
Genomic presence of recombinant porcine endogenous retrovirus in transmitting miniature swine
Authors: Martin Stanley I , Wilkinson Robert , Fishman Jay A 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
The replication of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) in human cell lines suggests a potential infectious risk in xenotransplantation. PERV isolated from human cells following cocultivation with porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells is a recombinant of PERV-A and PERV-C. We describe two different recombinant PERV-AC sequences in the cellular DNA of some transmitting miniature swine. This is the first evidence of PERV-AC recombinant virus in porcine genomic DNA that may have resulted from autoinfection following exogenous viral recombination. Infectious risk in xenotransplantation will be defined by the activity of PERV loci in vivo.
Molecular Predictors of Outcome With Gefitinib in a Phase III Placebo-Controlled Study in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hirsch Fred R. , Varella-Garcia Marileila , Bunn Paul A. , Franklin Wilbur A. , Dziadziuszko Rafal , Thatcher Nick , Chang Alex , Parikh Purvish , Pereira José Rodrigues , Ciuleanu Tudor , von Pawel Joachim , Watkins Claire , Flannery Angela , Ellison Gillian , Donald Emma , Knight Lucy , Parums Dinah , Botwood Nicholas , Holloway Brian 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe phase III Iressa Survival Evaluation in Lung Cancer (ISEL) trial compared gefitinib with placebo in 1,692 patients with refractory advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. We analyzed ISEL tumor biopsy samples to examine relationships between biomarkers and clinical outcome after gefitinib treatment in a placebo-controlled setting.MethodsBiomarkers included epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization (n = 370); EGFR (n = 379) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) protein expression (n = 382) by immunohistochemistry; and mutations in EGFR (n = 215), KRAS (n = 152), and BRAF (n = 118).ResultsHigh EGFR gene copy number was a predictor of a gefitinib-related effect on survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61 for high copy number and HR, 1.16 for low copy number; comparison of high v low copy number HR, P = .045). EGFR protein expression was also related to clinical outcome (HR for positive, 0.77; HR for negative, 1.57; comparison of high v low protein expression HR, P = .049). Patients with EGFR mutations had higher response rates than patients without EGFR mutations (37.5% v 2.6%); there were insufficient data for survival analysis. No relationship was observed between p-Akt protein expression and survival outcome, and the limited amount of data collected for KRAS and BRAF mutations prevented any meaningful evaluation of clinical outcomes in relation to these mutations.ConclusionEGFR gene copy number was a predictor of clinical benefit from gefitinib in ISEL. Additional studies are warranted to assess these biomarkers fully for the identification of patients most likely to benefit from gefitinib treatment.
Jet propulsion in the cold: mechanics of swimming in the Antarctic scallopAdamussium colbecki
Authors: Denny Mark , Miller Luke 
Published: November 2006

SUMMARYUnlike most bivalves, scallops are able to swim, relying on a shell with reduced mass and streamlined proportions, a large fast-twitch adductor muscle and the elastic characteristics of the shell's hinge. Despite these adaptations, swimming in scallops is never far from failure, and it is surprising to find a swimming scallop in Antarctica, where low temperature increases the viscosity of seawater, decreases the power output of the adductor muscle and potentially compromises the energy storage capability of the hinge material (abductin, a protein rubber). How does the Antarctic scallop, Adamussium colbecki, cope with the cold? Its shell mass is substantially reduced relative to that of temperate and tropical scallops, but this potential advantage is more than offset by a drastic reduction in adductor-muscle mass. By contrast, A. colbecki's abductin maintains a higher resilience at low temperatures than does the abductin of a temperate scallop. This resilience may help to compensate for reduced muscle mass,assisting the Antarctic scallop to maintain its marginal swimming ability. However, theory suggests that this assistance should be slight, so the adaptive value of increased resilience remains open to question. The high resilience of A. colbecki abductin at low temperatures may be of interest to materials engineers.
Growth and photosynthesis of two Mediterranean corals, Cladocora caespitosa and Oculina patagonica, under normal and elevated temperatures
Authors: Rodolfo-Metalpa Riccardo , Richard Cécile , Allemand Denis , Ferrier-Pagès Christine 
Published: November 2006

SUMMARY
The Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean) experienced warm summers in 1998, 1999 and from 2003 to 2005. The temperature was 1-3°C higher than the mean summer value (24°C) and remained high over a long period. During these summers, mass-mortality events, affecting several sessile benthic species,were reported. In the present study, we tested the long-term (3-7 weeks)effect of different temperatures (20°C measured in spring and autumn,24°C observed in summer, and 26°C and 28°C abnormal summer values)on two Mediterranean corals, Cladocora caespitosa and Oculina patagonica. Growth rate, photosynthetic efficiency(Fv/Fm), relative electron transport rate (ETR), zooxanthellae and chlorophyll (chl) contents were measured during 48 days incubation. At 20°C, all parameters remained constant during the whole experiment for both species. At higher temperatures, most physiological parameters were affected by only 2-5 weeks at 24°C, and were severely depressed at higher temperatures. Small replicate samples (nubbins) of O. patagonica significantly decreased their zooxanthellae and chl concentrations at all temperatures, after 2 weeks of incubation. Their Fv/Fm values, as well as their growth rates, were also gradually reduced during the incubation at all temperatures. However, only a few nubbins maintained at 28°C showed signs of tissue necrosis after 34 days, and these gradually recovered tissue when temperature was returned to normal. In nubbins of C. caespitosa, chl and zooxanthellae concentrations decreased only after 34 days of incubation at 26°C and 28°C. At the same time, tissue necrosis was observed,explaining the loss of the symbionts. Fv/Fm was reduced only after 34 days of incubation at the different temperatures, and growth rate was first enhanced, before collapsing by 30% at 24°C and by 90-100% at 26°C and 28°C. All samples maintained at 26°C and 28°C had died, due to tissue necrosis, by the end of the experiment. Results obtained suggest that O. patagonica is more able than C. caespitosa to resist high temperature conditions because of its rapid bleaching capacity. In contrast,it seems that C. caespitosa is living close to its thermal limit during the summer period; therefore, a long-term increase at 24°C or above could be lethal for this coral, just as was observed in situ during the recent warm summers.
Response characteristics of visual altitude control system in Bombus terrestris
Authors: Tanaka Kensaku , Kawachi Keiji 
Published: November 2006

SUMMARY
Frequency response characteristics of bumblebees to vertical visual oscillations were measured and analyzed. We measured the vertical force of the bees at four oscillation frequencies (0.9, 1.8, 3.6 and 7.4 Hz), and summarized their response characteristics in terms of amplitude and phase differences. The amplitude was almost constant throughout the examined frequency domain, whereas the phase gradually lagged with increasing frequency. In order to view the relationship between the input (visual oscillation) and output (response of the bee) more clearly as a control system, we compared them in the same dimension; we calculated hypothetical positions of the tethered bees on the basis of the measured variation in the vertical force, and compared them with the visual stripe positions. The resultant gain and phase data were plotted on a Bode plot. A transfer function was identified from the Bode plot, revealing that the response characteristics of the measured system could be represented as a simple expression.
The dynamic control characteristics of the bumblebees were analyzed on the basis of the frequency response data. First, we showed that the measured system possesses a substantial stability margin. This means that the control system has substantial damping characteristics, and was suitable for stable flight control. In addition, our results showed that the measured bumblebee system possesses superior steady state and quick-response characteristics in comparison with a human pilot-vehicle system. Such excellence in both the steady state and transient characteristics (i.e. damping and quick response characteristics) provide the evidence that bumblebees can effectively control their flight with stability and maneuverability.
Stage II glottic carcinoma: Prognostic factors and management
Authors: Kaplan Michael J. , Johns Michael E. , Mclean W. Copley , Slaughter G. FITZ‐HUGH , Clark David A. , Boyd James C. , Cantrell Robert W. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThree hundred thirty‐six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx treated at the University of Virginia Medical Center from 1960 through 1977 were reviewed. Seventy patients with T2N0M0 disease, grouped according to the criteria of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 1978, form the basis of this report. The 5‐year actuarial survivals, recurrences, salvages, and prognostic factors were examined. Treatment was radiation, surgery, or a combination of radiation and surgery.Impaired vocal cord mobility in Stage II glottic squamous cell carcinoma is the crucial significant prognostic factor in predicting response to therapy, survival, and response to salvage therapy for recurrences. The 90% 5‐year recurrence‐free rate with freely mobile cords is comparable to that achieved with Stage I lesions. Impaired mobility resulted in a 5‐year recurrence‐free rate of 73%, which is comparable to that of T3N0 lesions.We support the concept of reclassifying Stage II disease into Stage Ha (mobile cords) and Stage IIb (impaired mobility).Based on this review and those reported in the literature, we recommend radiation therapy for Stage IIa disease. Surgery results in fewer recurrences and in longer survival than irradiation when the vocal cords are not freely mobile (Stage IIb).
Combined preoperative radiotherapy and surgery in the treatment of carcinoma of the anterior two‐thirds of the tongue
Authors: Holm Lars‐Erik , Lundquist Per‐Gotthard , Bengt‐Inge Rudén  , Silfverswärd Claes , Sobin Aron , Wersäll Jan 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSixty‐three patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two‐thirds of the tongue were treated with preoperative external radiotherapy (mean target dose 42.60 Gray or 4260 rad) and surgery. The expected 5‐year survival, expressed as life table estimate of percent of survivors, was 77% for patients with Stage I tumors, 69% with Stage II, and 13% for patients with tumors in Stages III‐IV (p < 0.001). Fourteen patients experienced local recurrences, 7 had homolateral neck metastases, 4 had contralateral neck metastases and 3 had distant metastases. In 15 cases no cancer could be detected at review of the surgical specimens, but 2 of these died of their cancers. In 43 cases cancer was present in the specimens, and 26 of these died of their cancer (p < 0.01).
Morphological changes in the normal and neomycin‐perfused guinea pig cochlea following chronic prosthetic implantation.
Authors: Duckert Larry G. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe effects of chronic prosthetic implantation and interval electrical stimulation were studied in the normal and neomycin‐perfused cochlea of the guinea pig. One group of guinea pigs was implanted with a multiple‐electrode prosthesis in the scala tympani. During a 4‐week period, the device was stimulated for 3 hours weekly with a continuous, 1 kHz sinusoidal current of constant intensity. A second group of guinea pigs underwent identical implantation and stimulation except that cochlear perfusion with .1 M neomycin was performed at the time of implantation. Current intensities ranged from .1 to .6 mA RMS. Two complementary control groups were implanted but not stimulated. The animals were sacrificed, the cochleae were perfused with a fixative, and the temporal bones were prepared for examination under a light, transmission, or scanning electron microscope.In the electrically stimulated cochleae, degenerative changes occurred in both the inner and outer hair cells and supporting elements. A decrease was apparent in spiral ganglion cell and nerve fiber populations in areas of inner hair cell depletion and did not seem to correspond to the survival of supporting cells. The electrically active electrodes were uniformly surrounded by a connective tissue matrix and areas of immature bone. These changes occurred at all the intensities tested, and did not monotonically relate in severity to current intensity. None of the changes was apparent in the normal control ears. Morphological changes induced by the ototoxic drug neomycin were so severe is both stimulated and unstimulated cochleae that comparison was not possible; this form of pretreatment is apparently unsuitable for use in studies of electrically induced damage. It appears that in the normal animal, chronic implantation with interval electrical stimulation results in a cumulative form of sensory and neural damage histologically similar to that proceeding from chronic noise exposure as well as other ototoxic agents. Such effects should be minimized if surviving sensorineural and supporting elements in the functionally compromised cochlea are to be preserved.