bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simkania negevensis and newly diagnosed asthma: A case‐control study in 1‐ to 6‐year‐old children
Authors: KORPPI Matti , PALDANIUS Mika , HYVÄRINEN Anne , NEVALAINEN Aino 
Published: January 2006

Background:  Simkania negevensis is an intracellular bacterium, sharing many characteristics with Chlamydophila and Chlamydia species. S. negevensis infection has been associated with bronchiolitis in infants and with pneumonia and exacerbations of COPD in adults.Objective:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in a case‐control setting, whether S. negevensis serology had any association with the onset of asthma in children.Methods:  S. negevensis‐specific IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies were measured by microimmunofluorescence in 104 children below school‐age with newly diagnosed asthma, and in 122 control children.Results:  S. negevensis‐specific IgM was detected in two (2%) cases and in nine (8%) of the controls. IgG was detected in 12 (12%) cases and 12 (10%) of the controls. IgA antibodies were absent in all children. The age distribution of the 35 children with S. negevensis‐specific antibodies was even, the positivity rate being 11% in the 12‐ to 23‐month‐old group and 20–23% in the children aged between 2 and 5 years.Conclusion:  Although S. negevensis appears to cause infections in the Finnish preschool‐aged population, there was no association with asthma.
Positron emission tomography with CT in the evaluation of non‐small cell lung cancer in populations with a high prevalence of tuberculosis
Authors: LOW Su‐Ying , ENG Philip , KENG Gilbert H.W. , NG David C.E. 
Published: January 2006

Objective and background:  To determine the utility of positron emission tomography with CT (PET‐CT) in the evaluation of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in an Asian context where tuberculosis rates are moderately high.Methods:  Case records of consecutive patients with NSCLC undergoing PET‐CT at the Singapore General Hospital over a 1‐year period were retrospectively reviewed. The authors evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of PET‐CT at their institution using surgical pathology or the tincture of time as the gold standard.Results:  A total of 54 patients underwent PET‐CT during this period. Seven patients were evaluated for solitary pulmonary nodule, for which PET‐CT gave a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 75%. There was one patient with false positive PET‐CT due to active tuberculosis. In total, 41 patients underwent PET‐CT for staging of NSCLC. There was one false positive (patient was found to have active tuberculous lymphadenitis) and one false negative for NSCLC. This gave a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 95%. Histology from the adrenal glands was available in two patients with PET‐CT that was positive for adrenal metastases. One proved to be benign whereas the other was consistent with metastasis. Two patients had PET‐CT positive for liver metastases, which was verified by histology. Two patients with positive PET‐CT for lesions in the colon turned out to be benign histologically.Conclusions:  Positron emission tomography with CT for the evaluation and follow‐up of solitary pulmonary nodule and NSCLC can provide additional useful information to conventional radiology for treatment planning and a non‐invasive determination of prognosis. However, physicians need to be aware of the limitations of this imaging modality, particularly when tuberculosis has a high prevalence in the population.
Intrapleural cisplatin and OK432 therapy for malignant pleural effusion caused by non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: ISHIDA Atsuko , MIYAZAWA Teruomi , MIYAZU Yuka , IWAMOTO Yasuo , ZAIMA Mika , KANOH Koji , SUMIYOSHI Hidetaka , DOI Masao 
Published: January 2006

Objective:  To evaluate the efficacy of combined intrapleural therapy with cisplatin, an antineoplastic agent, and OK432, a sclerosing agent, in controlling malignant pleural effusions, when compared with monotherapy with either agent.Methods:  A total of 49 non‐small cell lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion were randomly assigned to one of three groups: intrapleural cisplatin therapy (n = 17), intrapleural OK432 therapy (n = 17), or both (n = 15). They were compared in terms of success rate, duration of indwelling chest tube and adverse reactions.Results:  Rates of pleural effusion recurrence within 180 days following cisplatin, OK432, or combination therapy were 64.7%, 52.9% and 13.3%, respectively, being significantly lower in the combination therapy group (P = 0.01). The mean duration of chest tube drainage was 8.4 days, 5.5 days and 12.9 days, respectively, being significantly longer in the combination therapy group (P < 0.001). All procedures were well tolerated.Conclusions:  Although chest tube drainage took longer because of the time required for multiple administration of the agents, intrapleural combination therapy with cisplatin and OK432 was more effective in controlling malignant pleural effusions due to non‐small cell lung cancer than monotherapy with either agent.
Maintaining exercise capacity and quality of life following pulmonary rehabilitation
Authors: COCKRAM Joanne , CECINS Nola , JENKINS Sue 
Published: January 2006

Objective:  The optimum method for sustaining the benefits gained from pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has not been determined. In this report the authors describe the 4‐year referral and uptake patterns to a hospital‐based outpatient PR programme, and the sustained benefits of PR in patients with COPD attending a community‐based maintenance exercise programme.Methods:  Entry and exit data were mapped for all patients referred to the PR service over the review period. All eligible patients were offered a community‐based maintenance exercise programme upon completion of PR. A total of 21 patients underwent follow‐up assessment of functional exercise capacity, quality of life (QOL) and health‐care utilization.Results:  Over a 4‐year period, 467 patients (80% with COPD) were referred to the programme, of whom 230 entered PR. In total, 172 patients completed PR, with attrition (25%) being mostly due to medical problems. Of the 84 patients who elected for the community‐based programme, 46 were still attending at follow up and 21 patients with moderate‐to‐severe COPD (44.9 ± 12.6 (mean ± SD) FEV1% predicted) were reassessed at 18.4 ± 11.9 months post PR. Significant improvements (mean change (95% confidence interval)) persisted in 6‐min walk distance (41.1 m (15.7–66.5)), distance walked in 20 min (195.1 m (82.3–308)) and in QOL (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire) (11.0 points (4.4–17.6)) (P < 0.01). The QOL improvements exceeded the minimum clinically important difference. A trend towards a reduction in COPD‐related hospital admissions, bed‐days and emergency department presentations was observed in the 12 months following PR. Self‐reported adherence with the home exercise programme indicated that 67% of patients were exercising at least 3–5 days each week in addition to attending a class.Conclusion:  For patients with moderate‐to‐severe COPD, a weekly community‐based maintenance exercise class, supervised by a physiotherapist, combined with a home exercise programme is an effective intervention for maintaining improvements following PR.
Pulmonary surfactant proteins and lipids as modulators of inflammation and innate immunity
Authors: CHIBA Hirofumi , PIBOONPOCANUN Surapon , MITSUZAWA Hiroaki , KURONUMA Koji , MURPHY Robert C. , VOELKER Dennis R. 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  The pulmonary surfactant system of the human lung consists of unique lipids and proteins that contribute to the biophysical and innate immune properties of the organ. Surfactant protein A (SP‐A) is an oligomeric protein consisting of 18 protomers with collagen and lectin–like domains that recognizes glycoconjugates, lipids and protein determinants on both host cells and invading microorganisms. The authors examined the interaction of SP‐A with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and the influence of the protein upon the innate immune response to the bacteria.Methodology:  The authors quantified SP‐A interaction with bacteria using ELISA, and identified the major surface ligand by thin layer chromatography, HPLC and mass spectrometry. The inflammatory response of human and rat macrophages was measured by quantifying tumour necrosis factor‐α secretion using ELISA, and nitric oxide production.Results:  SP‐A bound the bacteria with high affinity and enhanced the inflammatory response of human and rat macrophages to the organism and its membranes. Analysis of the interaction of SP‐A with the bacteria revealed that the major ligand was a phospholipid. The lipid ligand was purified by a combination of thin layer and HPLC, and identified by mass spectrometry. The mass spectrometry demonstrated that the SP‐A reactive lipid consisted of several disaturated molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol (PtdGro). Additional experiments were performed to determine if disaturated PtdGro was capable of interfering with the action of SP‐A as an inhibitor of bacterial lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory mediator production by macrophages. The disaturated PtdGro failed to alter the anti‐inflammatory action of SP‐A but unexpectedly these same studies revealed that unsaturated PtdGro can modify the host response to lipopolysaccharide.Conclusions:  These findings reveal that both the lipids and proteins of pulmonary surfactant play a role in regulating the host response to invading microorganisms.
New concepts in collectin‐mediated host defense at the air–liquid interface of the lung
Authors: McCORMACK Francis X. 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  Surfactant proteins A (SP‐A) and D are collectins that play key roles in innate immune defense of the lung. Recent studies suggest that these proteins have a direct effect on the growth and viability of Gram‐negative bacteria, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Histoplasma capsulatum.Methodology:  The researchers examined membrane permeabilization by BAL fluid of mice that were sufficient or deficient in surfactant proteins, of rough and smooth LPS‐containing membranes, and of genetically altered bacteria. The permeability assay is based on the ability of agents to promote access of impermeable dyes propidium iodide and ELF97 to intracellular targets.Results:  The permeabilizing activity of concentrated BAL material from SP‐A+/+ mice was substantially greater than that from SP‐A–/– animals, and was sensitive to hyperoxic exposure. Oxidation of the collectins in vitro also blocked their antimicrobial effects. Rough but not smooth LPS conferred susceptibility of model bacterial membranes to permeabilization by the collectins. The screening of genetically engineered SP‐A mice with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa signature tagged mutagenesis library has revealed several pathways which are required for resistance to the permeabilizing effects of SP‐A, including those required for salicylate biosynthesis and flagellar function.Conclusion:  The researchers conclude that the pulmonary collectins directly permeabilize bacteria in an LPS‐dependent and rough LPS‐specific manner. Oxidative damage blocks the permeabilizing activity of alveolar lining fluid and purified proteins. The mechanism(s) of permeabilization is not known, but the crystal structure of SP‐A reveals a hydrophobic cleft lined by charged residues which may play a role in membrane perturbation.
Functional heterogeneity of colony‐stimulating factor‐induced human monocyte‐derived macrophages
Authors: AKAGAWA Kiyoko S. , KOMURO Iwao , KANAZAWA Hiroko , YAMAZAKI Toshio , MOCHIDA Keiko , KISHI Fumio 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  Macrophages (Mφs) have various functions and play a critical role in host defense and the maintenance of homeostasis. Mφs exist in every tissue in the body, but Mφs from different tissues exhibit a wide range of phenotypes with regard to their morphology, cell surface antigen expression and function, and are called by different names. However, the precise mechanism of the generation of macrophage heterogeneity is not known. In the present study, the authors examined the functional heterogeneity of Mφs generated from human monocytes under the influence of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and macrophage‐CSF (M‐CSF).Methodology:  CD14 positive human monocytes (Mos) were incubated with M‐CSF and GM‐CSF for 6–7 days to stimulate the generation of M‐CSF‐induced monocyte‐derived Mφs (M‐Mφs) and GM‐CSF‐induced monocyte‐derived Mφs (GM‐Mφs), respectively. The expression of cell surface antigens and several functions such as antigen presenting cell activity, susceptibility to oxidant stress, and the susceptibility to HIV‐1 and mycobacterium tuberculosis infection were examined.Results:  GM‐Mφs and M‐Mφs are distinct in their morphology, cell surface antigen expression, and functions examined. The phenotype of GM‐Mφs closely resembles that of human Alveolar‐Mφs (A‐Mφs), indicating that CSF‐induced human monocyte‐derived Mφs are useful to clarify the molecular mechanism of heterogeneity of human Mφs, and GM‐Mφs will become a model of human A‐Mφs.
Monitoring markers of disease activity for interstitial lung diseases with serum surfactant proteins A and D
Authors: TAKAHASHI Hiroki , SHIRATORI Masanori , KANAI Akiko , CHIBA Hirofumi , KUROKI Yoshio , ABE Shosaku 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  Surfactant protein (SP) A and D are specific serum markers for interstitial lung diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The authors evaluated the critical roles of these markers on the prognoses of patients with IPF and the mechanisms of their elevation in sera.Methodology:  The authors evaluated the relationship between prognosis and the serum markers in 82 IPF patients. The protein content and mRNA expression of the markers were evaluated using rats with interstitial pneumonia induced by bleomycin administration.Results:  Higher levels of serum SP‐D at the time of the initial visit to the Sapporo Medical University Hospital were associated with poorer prognoses, while SP‐A showed no significant affect on survival. Causes of the elevation in sera were due to the acceleration of, not only production in the lungs, leakage into the circulation. The elevation was associated with alveolitis but not fibrosis.Conclusions:  SP‐D is a good predictor of the prognosis in patients with IPF.
Why does the autoantibody against granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor cause lesions only in the lung?
Authors: NAKATA Koh , KANAZAWA Hiroko , WATANABE Masato 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  During the course of investigating the etiology of idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (IPAP), the authors found that the autoantibody against granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) was consistently present in both sera and the lung tissue. The autoantibody completely blocked bioactivity by direct binding with high specificity and avidity. Because of the existence of patients with congenital PAP who lack GM‐CSF receptors and the development of PAP in GM‐CSF and GM‐CSF receptor knock‐out mice, the autoantibody is likely to be the causative agent for IPAP. However, this finding posed the question as to why the autoantibody against GM‐CSF caused lesions only in the lung.Methodology:  To answer this question, the authors investigated, using immunohistochemistry, confocal laser microscopy, and immunoblotting, the expression of PU.1 in tissue macrophages. PU.1 is a critical transcription factor for terminal differentiation of alveolar macrophage (AM), as reported previously in the lung, liver, spleen, kidney, intestine and brain.Results:  PU.1 was consistently expressed in the nuclei of normal AM, but faintly or not at all in IPAP‐AM. Moreover, it was not expressed in the nuclei of any other normal tissue macrophages tested. Blood monocytes expressed PU.1 in the cytosol but not in the nuclei. These results suggested that the differentiation pathway is different between AM and other tissue macrophages. PU.1 was not expressed in the nuclei of newborn rat lung AM but was gradually expressed during the first 10 days.Conclusions:  The authors demonstrated that GM‐CSF is crucial for terminal differentiation of AM, but not for that of other tissue macrophages.
Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis [This article has been retracted]
Authors: JI Yuan , WANG Xiu Nan , LOU Wen Hui , SUJIE Akesu , TAN Yun Shan , JIN Da Yong 
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVE:  To clarify whether the various subtypes of serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs) of the pancreas can be distinguished from each other by marker profiles.METHODS:  The immunoprofiles of 13 SCNs were defined by using antibodies against cytoskeletal, neuroendocrine, hormone receptor, and mucin markers. In addition, we examined the expression of calrentinin and alpha‐inhibin.RESULTS:  SCN included 7 cases of serous microcystic adenomas (SMA), 3 cases of serous oligocystic ill‐defined adenomas (SOIA), 1 case of solid serous adenoma (SSA), 1 case of von Hippel‐Lindau‐associated cystic neoplasm (VHL‐CN), and 1 case of serous cystadenocarcinoma (SCC). These neoplasms are histologically similar, but differ in their localization, gross appearance, gender distribution, and biological behavior. The various types of SCNs showed a very similar immunoprofile, characterized by positivity for cytokeratins (100%) and negativity for vimentin and synaptophysin. Other markers that were commonly expressed in the SCNs were alpha‐inhibin (85%), MUC1 (69%) and MUC6 (77%).CONCLUSION:  The results suggest that, despite their biologic differences, the various types of SCNs have the same (or a very similar) cell type and may therefore have a common direction of differentiation. A centroacinar origin is supported by the finding that a number of SCNs share MUC1 and MUC6 expression with pancreatic centroacinar cells. Alpha‐inhibin, and MUC6 may be regarded as new markers for this type of pancreatic tumor.
Prospective randomized clinical trial of two drug delivery pathway in the treatment of inoperable advanced pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: HAN Guo Hong , YIN Zhan Xin , MENG Xiang Jie , HE Chuang Ye , ZHANG Hong Bo , SUN An Hua , WU Kai Chun , DING Jie , FAN Dai Ming 
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVES:  Evaluate the effect of an implanted percutaneous left subclavian artery port‐catheter drug delivery system for regional chemotherapy of inoperable pancreatic carcinoma.METHODS:  One hundred and forty patients with inoperable pancreatic carcinoma were enrolled and randomized into two groups to receive the FAM regimen on a 6‐day cycle at 1‐month intervals: 70 patients in the regional interventional chemotherapy group in which treatment was infused directly into the common hepatic artery, and 70 patients who received the same chemotherapy regimen via the peripheral vein.RESULT:  In the interventional chemotherapy group, there were 5 cases of complete remission (CR) and 49 cases of partial remission (PR), giving a response rate (CR+PR) of 77.1%; pain control was effective in 95.7% cases; survival time was 3–34 months (median 13.5). There was no case of CR in the systemic chemotherapy group, and 25 cases of PR, giving a response rate of 35.7%; pain control was effective in 35.7%, and survival time was 1–13 months (median 6.2). The differences between the two groups in response rate and survival were statistically significant (P < 0.005). Nausea and vomiting occurred in 48.6% of the interventional chemotherapy group and 41.3% of the systemic chemotherapy group (NS). There were three cases of serious myelosuppression in the systemic chemotherapy group and one case died. There was a significant difference between the two groups in white blood cell count after the chemotherapy, indicating that the myelosuppressive effect was serious in the systemic chemotherapy group.CONCLUSION:  Interventional arterial infusion chemotherapy could significantly improve quality of life and prolong the survival of patients with inoperable pancreatic carcinoma.
Meta‐analysis of inoperable pancreatic cancer: gemcitabine combined with cisplatin versus gemcitabine alone
Authors: XIE De Rong , LIANG Han Lin , WANG Yu , GUO Shuang Shuang 
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVES:  To compare the therapeutic effects of gemcitabine (GEM) monotherapy with GEM‐cisplatin (DDP) combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced stage pancreatic cancer (APCa) through meta‐analysis.METHODS:  MEDLINE and EMBASE searches were supplemented by information from trial registers of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for GEM‐DDP combination chemotherapy and GEM alone in APCa. A quantitative meta‐analysis using updated information based on inclusion criteria from all available RCTs was carried out by two reviewers. The primary meta‐analysis involved the overall survival (OS), objective remission rate (ORR) and toxicity.RESULTS:  The meta‐analysis included six RCTs. There was no significant advantage for the GEM‐DDP combination group in 6‐month survival rate (P = 0.24) or clinical benefit rate (P = 0.58). There was a marginal significant improvement for the GEM‐DDP combination group in ORR (RD = 6%, P = 0.05; RD, risk difference = risk in the GEM‐DDP combination group – risk in the GEM alone group). Moreover, there was a significant improvement for the combination group in 6‐month TTP/TTF (RD = 9%, P = 0.02). WHO grade 3–4 toxicity was higher for the GEM‐DDP combination group in terms of neutropenia (RD = 6%, P = 0.08), thrombocytopenia (RD = 8%, P = 0.17) and vomiting/nausea (RD = 11%, P = 0.07); none reached significant difference.CONCLUSION:  GEM‐DDP combination should not be recommended and GEM monotherapy remains the standard treatment for patients with APCa.
Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in healthy schoolchildren
Authors: BANI‐HANI Kamal E , SHATNAWI Nawaf J , EL QADERI Saleh , KHADER Yousef S , BANI‐HANI Bayan K 
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVE:  Data regarding the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and its potential risk factors among schoolchildren from the Middle East is scarce.METHODS:  An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to investigate H. pylori status in four groups of children: The first and second groups, 50 children each (25 boys, 25 girls) included children from high socioeconomic class (group 1 = 6 years old; group 2 = 9 years old). The third and fourth groups were sex‐ and age‐matched, but from low socioeconomic class. To evaluate the association between the seroprevalence of H. pylori and selected risk factors, odds ratios (crude and adjusted) were calculated using multiple regression analysis.RESULTS:  Overall seroprevalence rate was 55.5%. Seropositivity was 42%, 52%, 60%, and 68% for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Age and sex were not significantly associated with H. pylori seropositivity. In the final logistic regression model, which was adjusted for age and sex, the following risk factors were found to be significantly associated with seropositivity: living in rural areas (P = 0.015), poor sanitation (P < 0.001), overcrowding (P = 0.014), low maternal educational level (P = 0.010) and low socioeconomic status (P = 0.011).CONCLUSIONS:  The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Jordanian schoolchildren is high, suggesting that most acquisition occurs before the age of 6 years. The seroprevalence for H. pylori increases with social deprivation.