bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vehicle exhaust exposure in an incident case–control study of adult asthma
Authors: Modig L. , Järvholm B. , Rönnmark E. , Nyström L. , Lundbäck B. , Andersson C. , Forsberg B. 
Published: March 2006

The objective of this case–control study was to evaluate whether traffic-related air pollution exposure at home increases the risk of asthma in adults and to compare two commonly used exposure variables and differences between urban and rural living.Incident cases of asthma and matched controls of subjects aged 20–60 yrs were recruited in Luleå, Sweden. In total 203 cases and 203 controls were enrolled in the study. Exposure was estimated by traffic flow and measured levels of outdoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the surrounding environment of each home, respectively. The relationship between measured levels of NO2and traffic flow was studied using linear regression.The results indicated a nonsignificant tendency between living in a home close to a high traffic flow and an increased risk of asthma. The association between asthma and measured NO2was weak and not significant, but the skin-prick test result acted as an effect modifier with a borderline significant association among positives. The correlation between traffic flow and outdoor NO2was low.The results suggest that living close to high traffic flows might increase the asthma incidence in adults, while the tendency for nitrogen dioxide was only seen among atopics. Traffic flow and nitrogen dioxide had a lower than expected correlation.
Use of a T-cell-based test for detection of tuberculosis infection among immunocompromised patients: Table 1—
Authors: Piana F. , Codecasa L. R. , Cavallerio P. , Ferrarese M. , Migliori G. B. , Barbarano L. , Morra E. , Cirillo D. M. 
Published: March 2006

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the T-SPOT.TBTMtest, a T-cell-based test, with the tuberculin skin test (TST) in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection.The study was carried out in 138 immunosuppressed haematology patients who had been nosocomially exposed to a case of smear-positive TB.Overall, 44.2% of the contacts were positive by T-SPOT.TBTMtest, and 17.4% by TST (concordance 67.8%). The apparent prevalence of infection fell from 25.9 to 14.5% with the TST with increasing immunosuppression, although this difference was not significant. In contrast, the apparent prevalence of infection with the T-SPOT.TBTMtest was unaffected at 44.6 and 44.3%, respectively. The T-SPOT.TBTMtest had an overall indeterminate rate of 4.3%, and this was also unaffected by the level of immunosuppression.This study suggests that the T-SPOT.TBTMtest maintains its sensitivity and performance in immunocompromised patients, identifying a large number of truly infected patients anergic to the tuberculin skin test.
Cardiopulmonary stress during exercise training in patients with COPD
Authors: Probst V. S. , Troosters T. , Pitta F. , Decramer M. , Gosselink R. 
Published: March 2006

Exercise training is an essential component of pulmonary rehabilitation. However, the cardiopulmonary stress imposed during different modalities of exercise training is not yet known.In the present study, the cardiopulmonary stress of a 12-week exercise training programme in 11 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (forced expiratory volume in one second 42±12%pred, age 69±6 yrs) was measured. Pulmonary gas exchange and cardiac frequency (fC) of three training sessions were measured with a portable metabolic system at the beginning, mid-term and end of the programme. Symptoms were assessed with Borg scores.The exercise intensity was compared with the recommendations for exercise training by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Training effects were significant (maximum change in work: 14±11 Watts, 6-min walk test: 44±36 m). Whole body exercises (cycling, walking and stair climbing) consistently resulted in higher cardiopulmonary stress (oxygen uptake (V′O2), minute ventilation andfC) than arm cranking and resistance training. Dyspnoea was higher during cycling than resistance training. Patients exercised for >70% (>20 min) of the total exercise time at >40% of theV′O2reserve andfCreserve (“moderate” intensity according to the ACSM) throughout the programme.The cardiopulmonary stress resistance training is lower than during whole-body exercise and results in fewer symptoms. In addition, exercise testing based on guidelines using a fixed percentage of baseline peak performance and symptom scores achieves and sustains training intensities recommended according to the American College of Sports Medicine.
Does expiratory flow limitation predict chronic dyspnoea in adults with cystic fibrosis?
Authors: Holland A. E. , Denehy L. , Wilson J. W. 
Published: March 2006

Tidal expiratory flow limitation (EFL) may promote dynamic hyperinflation and contribute to chronic dyspnoea. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of EFL to chronic dyspnoea in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).The presence of EFL was determined in 102 adults with stable CF (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 17.3–91.5% predicted) and 20 age-matched control subjects using the negative expiratory pressure technique. Measurements of inspiratory capacity (IC) and spirometry were performed, and chronic dyspnoea was evaluated using the modified Medical Research Council scale.EFL was present in 34 subjects (33%), with 18 subjects flow limited in the sitting position and 16 subjects flow limited only in the supine position. Flow limitation in the sitting position was associated with older age and lower FEV1compared with flow-limited supine position and non-flow-limited subjects. A significant reduction in IC accompanied EFL in both the sitting and supine positions. Flow limitation in the sitting position was associated with significantly higher levels of chronic dyspnoea. Ordinal regression analysis indicated that EFL was the best predictor of chronic dyspnoea in a model that included FEV1% pred.Expiratory flow limitation in cystic fibrosis is associated with reduced forced expiratory volume in one second, older age and dynamic hyperinflation. Expiratory flow limitation significantly contributes to chronic dyspnoea in cystic fibrosis.
Short-term effects of nitrogen dioxide on mortality: an analysis within the APHEA project
Authors: Samoli E. , Aga E. , Touloumi G. , Nisiotis K. , Forsberg B. , Lefranc A. , Pekkanen J. , Wojtyniak B. , Schindler C. , Niciu E. , Brunstein R. , Dodič Fikfak M. , Schwartz J. , Katsouyanni K. 
Published: March 2006

The short-term effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on total, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality in 30 European cities participating in the Air Pollution on Health: a European Approach (APHEA)-2 project were investigated.The association was examined using hierarchical models implemented in two stages. In the first stage, data from each city were analysed separately, whereas in the second stage, the city-specific air pollution estimates were regressed on city-specific covariates to obtain overall estimates and to explore sources of possible heterogeneity.A significant association of NO2with total, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality was found, with stronger effects on cause-specific mortality. There was evidence of confounding in respiratory mortality with black smoke and sulphur dioxide. The effect of NO2on total and cardiovascular mortality was observed mainly in western and southern European cities, and was larger when smoking prevalence was lower and household gas consumption was higher. The effect of NO2on respiratory mortality was higher in cities with a larger proportion of elderly persons in the population and higher levels of particulate matter with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm.The results of this large study are consistent with an independent effect of nitrogen dioxide on mortality, but the role of nitrogen dioxide as a surrogate of other unmeasured pollutants cannot be completely ruled out.
A small amount of inhaled nitric oxide does not increase lung diffusing capacity
Authors: Zavorsky G. S. , Murias J. M. 
Published: March 2006

The aim of the present study was to determine: 1) whether 40–50 ppm nitric oxide (NO) increases diffusing capacity of the lung for NO (DL,NO) and carbon monoxide (DL,CO), membrane diffusing capacity for CO (Dm,CO) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc); 2) the actual number of tests required to provide a reasonable estimate ofDL,NO,DL,CO,Dm,COandVc; and 3) repeatability of these parameters using the single-breathDL,NO–DL,COmethod.In total, 31 subjects performed five single-breath hold manoeuvres at rest, inhaling 43±3 ppm NO together with a standard diffusion mixture.DL,NO(Dm,CO) remained unchanged from the first to fifth trial. However, compared with the first trial,DL,COandVchad decreased by the fourth (−4±5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −5– −2%) and third trial (−5±7%; 95% CI = −7– −2%), respectively. Repeatability over five trials was 17, 3 and 7 mL·min−1·mmHg−1forDL,NO,DL,COandDm,CO, respectively, and 13 mL forVcwhenDm,CO = DL,NO/2.42.In conclusion, nitric oxide inhaled during sequential single-breath manoeuvres has no effect on diffusing capacity of the lung for nitric oxide and, thus, membrane diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. Since more than two and three trials will lower pulmonary capillary blood volume and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, respectively, the average value of only two properly performed trials is suggested.
Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-3 Inhibits Interleukin-1 Signaling by Targeting the TRAF-6/TAK1 Complex
Authors: Frobøse Helle , Groth Rønn Sif , Heding Peter E. , Mendoza Heidi , Cohen Philip , Mandrup-Poulsen Thomas , Billestrup Nils 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIL-1 plays a major role in inflammation and autoimmunity through activation of nuclear factor κ B (NFκB) and MAPKs. Although a great deal is known about the mechanism of activation of NFκB and MAPKs by IL-1, much less is known about the down-regulation of this pathway. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 was shown to inhibit IL-1-induced transcription and activation of NFκB and the MAPKs JNK and p38, but the mechanism is unknown. We show here that SOCS-3 inhibits NFκB-dependent transcription induced by overexpression of the upstream IL-1 signaling molecules MyD88, IL-1R-activated kinase 1, TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF)6, and TGFβ-activated kinase (TAK)1, but not when the MAP3K MAPK/ERK kinase kinase-1 is used instead of TAK1, indicating that the target for SOCS-3 is the TRAF6/TAK1 signaling complex. By coimmunoprecipitation, it was shown that SOCS-3 inhibited the association between TRAF6 and TAK1 and that SOCS-3 coimmunoprecipitated with TAK1 and TRAF6. Furthermore, SOCS-3 inhibited the IL-1-induced catalytic activity of TAK1. Because ubiquitination of TRAF6 is required for activation of TAK1, we analyzed the role of SOCS-3 on TRAF6 ubiquitination and found that SOCS-3 inhibited ubiquitin modification of TRAF6. These results indicate that SOCS-3 inhibits IL-1 signal transduction by inhibiting ubiquitination of TRAF6, thus preventing association and activation of TAK1.
Chemoreceptor plasticity and respiratory acclimation in the zebrafishDanio rerio
Authors: Vulesevic B. , McNeill B. , Perry S. F. 
Published: March 2006

SUMMARYThe goals of this study were to assess the respiratory consequences of exposing adult zebrafish Danio rerio to chronic changes in water gas composition (hypoxia, hyperoxia or hypercapnia) and to determine if any ensuing effects could be related to morphological changes in branchial chemoreceptors. To accomplish these goals, we first modified and validated an established non-invasive technique for continuous monitoring of breathing frequency and relative breathing amplitude in adult fish. Under normal conditions 20% of zebrafish exhibited an episodic breathing pattern that was composed of breathing and non-breathing (pausing/apneic) periods. The pausing frequency was reduced by acute hypoxia (PwO2&lt;130 mmHg)and increased by acute hyperoxia (PwO2&gt;300 mmHg), but was unaltered by acute hypercapnia.Fish were exposed for 28 days to hyperoxia (PwO2&gt;350 mmHg), or hypoxia (PwO2=30 mmHg) or hypercapnia(PwCO2=9 mmHg). Their responses to acute hypoxia or hypercapnia were then compared to the response of control fish kept for 28 days in normoxic and normocapnic water. In control fish, the ventilatory response to acute hypoxia consisted of an increase in breathing frequency while the response to acute hypercapnia was an increase in relative breathing amplitude. The stimulus promoting the hyperventilation during hypercapnia was increased PwCO2 rather than decreased pH. Exposure to prolonged hyperoxia decreased the capacity of fish to increase breathing frequency during hypoxia and prevented the usual increase in breathing amplitude during acute hypercapnia. In fish previously exposed to hyperoxia,episodic breathing continued during acute hypoxia until PwO2 had fallen below 70 mmHg. In fish chronically exposed to hypoxia, resting breathing frequency was significantly reduced (from 191±12 to 165±16 min–1); however, the ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia were unaffected. Long-term exposure of fish to hypercapnic water did not markedly modify the breathing response to acute hypoxia and modestly blunted the response to hypercapnia.To determine whether branchial chemoreceptors were being influenced by long-term acclimation, all four groups of fish were acutely exposed to increasing doses of the O2 chemoreceptor stimulant, sodium cyanide,dissolved in inspired water. Consistent with the blunting of the ventilatory response to hypoxia, the fish pre-exposed to hyperoxia also exhibited a blunted response to NaCN. Pre-exposure to hypoxia was without effect whereas prior exposure to hypercapnia increased the ventilatory responses to cyanide.To assess the impact of acclimation to varying gas levels on branchial O2 chemoreceptors, the numbers of neuroepithelial cells (NECs) of the gill filament were quantified using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Consistent with the blunting of reflex ventilatory responses, fish exposed to chronic hyperoxia exhibited a significant decrease in the density of NECs from 36.8±2.8 to 22.7±2.3 filament–1.
Tribute to R. G. Boutilier: The effect of size on the physiological and behavioural responses of oscar,Astronotus ocellatus, to hypoxia
Authors: Sloman Katherine A. , Wood Chris M. , Scott Graham R. , Wood Sylvia , Kajimura Makiko , Johannsson Ora E. , Almeida-Val Vera M. F. , Val Adalberto L. 
Published: March 2006

SUMMARYThe physiological and behavioural responses of two size groups of oscar(Astronotus ocellatus) to hypoxia were studied. The physiological responses were tested by measuring ṀO2 during decreasing environmental oxygen tensions. Larger oscars were better able to maintain oxygen consumption during a decrease in PO2, regulating routine ṀO2 to a significantly lower PO2 threshold (50 mmHg)than smaller oscars (70 mmHg). Previous studies have also demonstrated a longer survival time of large oscars exposed to extreme hypoxia, coupled with a greater anaerobic enzymatic capability. Large oscars began aquatic surface respiration (ASR) at the oxygen tension at which the first significant decrease in ṀO2was seen (50 mmHg). Interestingly, smaller oscars postponed ASR to around 22 mmHg, well beyond the PO2 at which they switched from oxyregulation to oxyconformation. Additionally, when given the choice between an hypoxic environment containing aquatic macrophyte shelter and an open normoxic environment, small fish showed a greater preference for the hypoxic environment. Thus shelter from predators appears particularly important for juveniles, who may accept a greater physiological compromise in exchange for safety. In response to hypoxia without available shelter, larger fish reduced their level of activity (with the exception of aggressive encounters) to aid metabolic suppression whereas smaller oscars increased their activity, with the potential benefit of finding oxygen-rich areas.
Effects of acclimation temperature and cadmium exposure on cellular energy budgets in the marine molluskCrassostrea virginica: linking cellular and mitochondrial responses
Authors: Cherkasov Anton S. , Biswas Pradip K. , Ridings Daisy M. , Ringwood Amy H. , Sokolova Inna M. 
Published: March 2006

SUMMARYIn order to understand the role of metabolic regulation in environmental stress tolerance, a comprehensive analysis of demand-side effects (i.e. changes in energy demands for basal maintenance) and supply-side effects (i.e. metabolic capacity to provide ATP to cover the energy demand) of environmental stressors is required. We have studied the effects of temperature (12, 20 and 28°C) and exposure to a trace metal, cadmium (50 μg l–1), on the cellular energy budget of a model marine poikilotherm, Crassostrea virginica (eastern oysters), using oxygen demand for ATP turnover, protein synthesis, mitochondrial proton leak and non-mitochondrial respiration in isolated gill and hepatopancreas cells as demand-side endpoints and mitochondrial oxidation capacity, abundance and fractional volume as supply-side endpoints. Cadmium exposure and high acclimation temperatures resulted in a strong increase of oxygen demand in gill and hepatopancreas cells of oysters. Cd-induced increases in cellular energy demand were significant at 12 and 20°C but not at 28°C,possibly indicating a metabolic capacity limitation at the highest temperature. Elevated cellular demand in cells from Cd-exposed oysters was associated with a 2–6-fold increase in protein synthesis and, at cold acclimation temperatures, with a 1.5-fold elevated mitochondrial proton leak. Cellular aerobic capacity, as indicated by mitochondrial oxidation capacity,abundance and volume, did not increase in parallel to compensate for the elevated energy demand. Mitochondrial oxidation capacity was reduced in 28°C-acclimated oysters, and mitochondrial abundance decreased in Cd-exposed oysters, with a stronger decrease (by 20–24%) in warm-acclimated oysters compared with cold-acclimated ones (by 8–13%). These data provide a mechanistic basis for synergism between temperature and cadmium stress on metabolism of marine poikilotherms. Exposure to combined temperature and cadmium stress may result in a strong energy deficiency due to the elevated energy demand on one hand and a reduced mitochondrial capacity to cover this demand on the other hand, which may have important implications for surviving seasonally and/or globally elevated temperatures in polluted estuaries.
Concrete is the Future for Offshore Foundations
Authors: Vølund Per 
Published: March 2006

This paper compares the costs of using concrete foundations against steel monopile foundations for offshore wind turbines, and argues that concrete foundations will be cheaper. Most offshore windfarms have steel monopile foundations, but in Denmark concrete gravity foundations have been used with success. Two projects have tendered for steel monopiles and for concrete foundations and have implemented the concrete foundations that proved cheaper. No project has tendered for both foundation concepts and chosen steel monopiles. Nysted Offshore Windfarm with concrete foundations has the cheapest foundations of any offshore windfarm so far. A conceptual foundation study carried out for the London Array West Offshore Windfarm indicates that the same method and very low-cost foundations as for Nysted can be used. Optimised design of light-weight concrete constructions is the key to low-cost installation. Cheap manufacture can be carried out near the site or at even lower cost in Eastern Europa from where it can be shipped at little extra cost. The main construction of steel monopile foundations will become twice as costly as of concrete gravity foundations, and though installation is more costly for the gravity foundations it seems most likely that tendering between steel monopile and concrete gravity for London Array West will prove concrete considerably cheaper. It is argued that these considerations are to a wide extent generally valid, and also for very large turbines in deeper water. Concrete foundations will in 2006 be installed at Lillegrunden Offshore Windfarm in Sweden, and at Belgian Thornton Bank in 2006–7. So indications are strong that concrete is the future for offshore foundations.
Standardizing the Performance Evaluation of Short-Term Wind Power Prediction Models
Authors: Madsen Henrik , Pinson Pierre , Kariniotakis George , Nielsen Henrik Aa. , Nielsen Torben S. 
Published: March 2006

Short-term wind power prediction is a primary requirement for efficient large-scale integration of wind generation in power systems and electricity markets. The choice of an appropriate prediction model among the numerous available models is not trivial, and has to be based on an objective evaluation of model performance. This paper proposes a standardized protocol for the evaluation of short-term windpower prediction systems. A number of reference prediction models are also described, and their use for performance comparison is analysed. The use of the protocol is demonstrated, using results from both on-shore and offshore wind farms. The work was developed in the frame of the Anemos project (EU R&D project) where the protocol has been used to evaluate more than 10 prediction systems.
High Maternal Blood S100B Concentrations in Pregnancies Complicated by Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Authors: Gazzolo Diego , Marinoni Emanuela , Di Iorio Romolo , Lituania Mario , Marras Mauro , Bruschettini Matteo , Bruschettini Pierluigi , Frulio Rosanna , Michetti Fabrizio , Petraglia Felice , Florio Pasquale 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with perinatal mortality and with neurologic damage from intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). We investigated whether S100B, a neural protein found in high concentrations after cell injury in the nervous system, is increased in serum of women whose pregnancies are complicated by IUGR and whose newborns develop IVH. We also explored the prognostic accuracy of maternal serum S100B for IVH in the newborn.Methods: We conducted a case–control study of 106 pregnancies complicated by IUGR, including a subgroup (n = 26) who developed IVH after birth, and 212 unaffected pregnancies matched for gestational age. Ultrasound examination, Doppler velocimetry patterns (in the utero-placental vessels and middle cerebral artery), and maternal blood collection were performed before birth; cerebral ultrasound and neurologic examinations were performed after birth.Results: S100B was higher (P &lt;0.001) in IUGR pregnancies complicated by IVH than in those that were not and in controls. At a cutoff of 0.72 μg/L, sensitivity was 100% [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 87%–100%] and specificity was 99.3% (97.5%–99.9%) for prediction of IVH (area under the ROC curve, 0.999). The prevalence of IVH was 8.2% in the whole study population, 93% (95% CI, 83.6%–100%) in those with maternal S100B &gt;0.72 μg/L, and 0% (0%–2.5%) in those with maternal S100B &lt;0.72 μg/L.Conclusion: For prediction of IVH, measurements of maternal S100B may be useful at times before clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound patterns can identify risk of IVH.