bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An analysis of pre‐ and post‐hatching maternal effects mediated by carotenoids in the blue tit
Authors: BIARD C. , SURAI P. F. , MØLLER A. P. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractMaternal effects increase phenotypic plasticity in offspring traits and may therefore facilitate adaptation to environmental variability. Carotenoids have been hypothesized to mediate costs of reproduction in females as well as maternal effects. However, assessing potential transgenerational and population consequences of environmental availability of carotenoids requires a better understanding of mechanisms of maternal effects mediated by these antioxidant pigments. Manipulating dietary availability of carotenoids to egg‐laying female blue tits and subsequently cross‐fostering nestlings between female treatments allowed us to specifically investigate the relative importance of maternal effects through egg carotenoids and through post‐hatching care mediated by antioxidants in females. Nestling body size and mass and plasma antioxidants were not significantly affected by pre‐ or post‐hatching maternal effects mediated by antioxidants, although both types of maternal effects in interaction explained the variation in growth, as measured by wing length. Development of the ability to mount a cell‐mediated immune response as well as its temporal dynamics was influenced by both pre‐ and post‐hatching maternal effects, with an advantage to nestlings originating from, or reared by, carotenoid‐supplemented females. In addition, nestlings reared by carotenoid‐fed females had a lower blood sedimentation rate, indicating that they may have been less infected than nestlings from controls. Finally, prehatching maternal effects in interaction with nestling plasma carotenoid levels affected the development of carotenoid‐based plumage. Maternal effects mediated by carotenoids may thus act as a proximate factor in development and phenotypic plasticity in traits associated with nestling fitness, such as immune response and ability to metabolize and use antioxidants, and ultimately participate in the evolution of phenotypic traits.
In vitro study of the safety limits of bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation in the presence of airway stents
Authors: COLT Henri G. , CRAWFORD Stephen W. 
Published: August 2006

Objective and background:  The purpose of this study was to identify the safety limits of bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) around indwelling airway stents.Methodology:  This is an experimental in vitro study simulating a patient‐care environment. Uncovered and covered Nitinol (Ultraflex), uncovered and covered Wallstent and studded silicone stents were deployed in the tracheobronchial tree of a ventilated and oxygenated heart–lung block from an expired pig. APC was performed at power settings of 40 and 80 W using FIO2 of 0.21, 0.40 and 1.00 and an argon gas‐flow rate of 0.8 L/min through a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. The primary outcome was the time taken for the APC to cause stent damage. Stent damage was defined as discoloration, ignition or rupture.Results:  Airway fires involving all five stents consistently occurred in the presence of 100% oxygen at powers of 40 W and 80 W. At lower FIO2 (0.21 and 0.40) silicone stents were not damaged at 40 W and 80 W. Uncovered Ultraflex stents were undamaged using 40 W at either FIO2 (0.21 and 0.40), but could be damaged using both FIO2 levels when the power was increased to 80 W. Covered Ultraflex and both uncovered and covered Wallstents were damaged at both power settings (40 W and 80 W) and FIO2 (0.21 and 0.40) levels, with a trend towards earlier damage using higher FIO2 and power.Conclusion:  Working within the parameters identified in this study (power 40 W, FIO2 0.21, APC flow‐rate 0.8 L/min), APC is a safe method for tissue devitalization and destruction and avoids the risk of airway stent ignition, especially if short bursts of APC are employed. The safety limits identified using an FiO2 of 0.4, however, are also important because some patients undergoing resection may require oxygen therapy.
Sarcoidosis in residents of northern Israel of Arabic and Jewish origin: a comparative study
Authors: YIGLA Mordechai , BADARNA‐ABU‐RIA Nahal , GORALNIK Luda , RUBIN Ami‐Hai E. , WEILER‐RAVELL Daniel 
Published: August 2006

Background:  This study describes the features of sarcoidosis among Arab patients and compares it to Jewish patients residing in northern Israel.Methods:  All new cases of biopsy‐confirmed sarcoidosis diagnosed between 1980 and 1996 in northern Israel were divided into two groups according to their ethnic origin: Jewish (n = 72) and Arabic (n = 48). Disease parameters were recorded and compared.Results:  Arabs and Jews had similar incidence rates that increased from 0.2/105 in 1980 to 2/105 per year in 1996. The peak incidence was in the sixth and seventh decades and the female/male ratio was 2 and 1.4 for Arabic and Jewish patients, respectively. Jewish patients had higher proportion stage II–IV pulmonary disease (78% vs. 51.2%) while their Arabic counterparts had higher proportion of stage I disease (70.8% vs. 41.7%). The proportion of extra‐thoracic organ involvement was similar. Different disease phenotype indicated differed diagnostic procedures; higher proportion of mediastinoscopy for stage I disease among Arabic patients (47.9% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.015) and trans‐bronchial biopsy for stage II–IV pulmonary disease among Jewish patients (25% vs. 8.35%, P = 0.05). Corticosteroids were used in a non‐significantly higher proportion of Jewish patients (56.9% vs. 43.8%, P > 0.05). Of six sarcoidosis‐related deaths (5%), five occurred in Jewish patients.Conclusions:  This study has documented different forms of presentation, clinical manifestation, severity and prognosis of sarcoidosis present among patients of Arabic and Jewish origin residing in the area of northern Israel.
Self‐management plans in the primary care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: McGEOCH Graham R. B. , WILLSMAN Karen J. , DOWSON Claire A. , TOWN George I. , FRAMPTON Christopher M. , McCARTIN Fiona J. , COOK Julie M. , EPTON Michael J. 
Published: August 2006

Objective and background:  The role of COPD self‐management plans in improving health outcomes remains unclear. The objective of this study was to assess whether self‐management plans administered in primary care have beneficial effects on quality of life, self‐care behaviour and health outcomes in the long term for patients with COPD.Material, patients and methods:  The study was a prospective, unblinded, randomized controlled trial of usual care vs. usual care plus structured education on the use of a written self‐management plan and patient‐initiated short courses of antibiotics and oral corticosteroids. The study was conducted in general practice, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Participants were 159 patients with COPD randomized by general practice site into control or intervention groups. The primary outcome measure was change in St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire. Secondary variables were frequency of hospital and primary‐care attendance, frequency of use of courses of antibiotics and oral corticosteroids over 12 months, and change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Self‐management knowledge was assessed using a structured interview, the COPD Self‐Management Interview.Results:  Self‐management plans and structured education were associated with higher levels of self‐management knowledge at 12 months, but had no effect on change in St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, health utilization, mental health or self‐reported outcomes of patients with COPD managed in general practice.Conclusions:  Self‐management knowledge was higher in the intervention group but there was no difference in quality of life or health outcomes due to self‐management plans.
Overexpression of nitric oxide synthase by the endothelium attenuates bleomycin‐induced lung fibrosis and impairs MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 balance
Authors: YOSHIMURA Sho , NISHIMURA Yoshihiro , NISHIUMA Teruaki , YAMASHITA Tomoya , KOBAYASHI Kazuyuki , YOKOYAMA Mitsuhiro 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is thought to effect an anti‐inflammatory response, but its mechanism is still unknown.Methods:  eNOS transgenic (eNOS‐TG) mice and their littermate controls (C57/BL6) were used to clarify the role of NO derived from eNOS. Bleomycin hydrochloride (1 U/body/day) or PBS was injected intraperitoneally.Results:  Subpleural fibrotic changes and hydroxyproline content in the eNOS‐TG mice were significantly reduced compared with those of the wild‐type (WT) mice by day 56. Administration of Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester, a potent inhibitor of NO synthase, worsened the fibrotic response in bleomycin‐treated eNOS‐TG mice. Gelatinolytic activity in lung homogenates, corresponding to metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), was significantly increased in bleomycin‐injured WT mice on day 14. In contrast, the level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1), an endogenous MMP‐9 inhibitor, was increased in the bleomycin‐treated eNOS‐TG mice compared with WT. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 were strongly expressed in inflammatory cells, including subpleural fibrotic lesions.Conclusion:  These data suggested that eNOS overexpression attenuates bleomycin‐induced lung injury by ameliorating the MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 balance.
Fifteen‐Count Breathlessness Score in adults with COPD
Authors: WILLIAMS Marie , DE PALMA Laura , CAFARELLA Paul , PETKOV John 
Published: August 2006

Objective and background:  The Fifteen‐Count Breathlessness Score (15CBS) has been reported to quantify breathlessness. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the 15CBS in adults with COPD.Methods:  Using an observational correlation design, subjects with clinical signs and symptoms of COPD were videotaped performing the 15CBS at a self‐selected (task 1) and an 8‐s counting pace (task 2), on two occasions with 5‐min rest between attempts. Respiratory‐related quality of life questionnaires, self‐report shortness of breath measures and pulmonary function tests were completed by all subjects.Results:  Thirty subjects completed the protocol. No significant differences and good linear relationships were calculated for the 15CBS within subjects (task 1 P = 0.32, r = 0.75 and task 2 P = 1.00, r = 0.86) and between assessors (task 1 P = 0.57, r = 0.99 and task 2 P = 0.21, r = 0.75). No significant relationships were evident between the 15CBS and shortness of breath or quality of life scores. Significant relationships existed between the 15CBS and FVC (litres and per cent predicted).Conclusion:  Most subjects completed the 15CBS using one breath, limiting discrimination between subjects with differing degrees of breathlessness. Although data from this study confirmed that the 15CBS is a reliable procedure within people with COPD, further modification is required to increase the validity and discriminative ability of this instrument.
Microarray analysis of gene expression associated with extrapulmonary dissemination of tuberculosis
Authors: KIM Deog Kyeom , PARK Geun Min , HWANG Yong Il , KIM Hyun Ji , HAN Sung Koo , SHIM Young‐Soo , YIM Jae‐Joon 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  Although extrapulmonary organs are involved in 20% of patients with tuberculosis, the host genetic factors associated with the extrapulmonary dissemination of tuberculosis are not yet known. The aim of this study was to identify the host genetic factors associated with the extrapulmonary dissemination of tuberculosis by comparing gene expression profiles of patients who had recovered from extrapulmonary tuberculosis and those who had recovered from pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:  Five patients from each group were enrolled. Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells that had been incubated for 48 h with whole lysate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv, 0.5 µg/mL). Gene expression profiles were acquired using the GeneChip® array and its applied systems. Gene expression profiles from five patients with previous extrapulmonary tuberculosis and one pooled control sample from five patients with previous pulmonary tuberculosis were analysed and compared. Genes that were expressed concordantly in more than 80% of arrays and that showed more than twofold changes in at least one array among samples from patients who had recovered from extrapulmonary tuberculosis were identified.Results:  Compared with the control sample, the expression of 16 genes, including those for tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and cathepsin W, was increased, and the expression of 45 genes including that for TNF‐receptor superfamily member 7 (TNFRSF7), was decreased in the extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients. The altered expression of the TNF‐α, cathepsin W and TNFRSF7 genes was confirmed by quantitative RT‐PCR.Conclusions:  Altered expression of the genes for TNF‐α, cathepsin W and TNFRSF7 may be risk factors for the extrapulmonary dissemination of tuberculosis in humans.
Comparison of airway dimensions in different anatomic locations on chest CT in patients with COPD
Authors: OHARA Tadashi , HIRAI Toyohiro , SATO Susumu , SATO Atsuyasu , NISHIOKA Michiyoshi , MURO Shigeo , MISHIMA Michiaki 
Published: August 2006

Objective:  It is not well known whether there is heterogeneity in the airway dimensions at different anatomic locations in individual patients with COPD. The first objective was to compare airway dimensions of the basal segment bronchus between COPD patients and healthy controls. The second and third objectives were to compare the airway dimensions in two anatomic locations, and to investigate the relationship between CT measurements and pulmonary function among COPD patients.Methods:  Thirty males with COPD (aged 68.7 ± 8.1 years) and 18 healthy males (aged 64.9 ± 14.0 years) were enrolled in the study. COPD was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease Workshop Report. Pulmonary function tests and CT scans were performed on all subjects. Airway dimensions and lung attenuation were automatically determined using methods that were validated with a phantom.Results:  Age, smoking index and height did not significantly differ between the COPD patients and healthy controls. The COPD patients had a significantly thicker airway wall than healthy controls. Among the COPD patients, there were no significant differences in the airway dimensions of bronchi in different segments; however, the airway and lung attenuation measurements of the lower lung field were more strongly correlated with FEV1 than those of the upper lung field.Conclusion:  Patients with COPD had no significant heterogeneity in airway dimensions at different anatomic locations. The airway and lung attenuation measurements of the lower lung field were more strongly correlated with airflow limitation than those of the upper lung field.
Significant bronchospasm during sickle cell painful crises is associated with a lower peripheral eosinophil count
Authors: HASSAN Hilali , MUGHAL Inam , DAR Javeed , AL MEKKI Taj E. , CHAPUNDUKA Zivani , HADDAD Ahmad , HASSAN Imad S. A. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and/or bronchospasm are recognized complications of sickle cell disease.Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of bronchospasm during painful crises, using simple spirometry in patients with sickle cell disease.Methods:  A prospective, non‐randomized study was undertaken in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease, who presented with increasing pain. A painful crisis was defined as any increase in bodily pains necessitating hospital admission. A 15% increase in FEV1 following salbutamol nebulization was considered significant.Results:  Thirty‐nine patients took part in the study. Significant bronchodilator responses were demonstrable in 48.7% of patients during painful crises. Patients with such a response had a significantly lower peripheral blood eosinophil count (mean count 0.17 × 109/L vs. 0.445 × 109/L, P = 0.02, confidence interval for difference between groups, 0.0, 0.39). Furthermore, the magnitudes of the bronchodilator responses were related to the degree of lowering of peripheral blood eosinophil counts (rs = −0.344, P = 0.037).Conclusion:  Significant bronchospasm is demonstrable in a sizeable proportion of patients presenting with painful sickle cell crises. There seems to be a negative correlation between the magnitude of bronchospasm and the peripheral blood eosinophil count. We postulate a possible role for pulmonary sequestration of eosinophils in the pathophysiology of bronchospasm in sickle cell disease patients.
Written action plans in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increase appropriate treatment for acute exacerbations
Authors: WOOD‐BAKER Richard , McGLONE Shauna , VENN Alison , WALTERS E. Haydn 
Published: August 2006

Objective and background:  COPD is a progressive disorder characterized by periodic exacerbations. While comprehensive self‐management programmes decrease health‐care resource utilization, the essential components are unclear. We performed a study of written action plans in the management of COPD.Methodology:  A randomized, controlled, prospective parallel‐group study compared written action plans to usual practice.Subjects:  Recruited from general practices, received an educational intervention with or without an action plan, which usually emphasized prompt treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids. Subjects were followed up 3‐monthly for a year.Results:  One hundred and thirty‐nine participants, mean FEV1 45 ± 16% predicted, were recruited, 81% completing the study. Both groups had a decline in lung function and physical activity, but increase in quality of life over the study period. Exacerbations were common. The intervention group was significantly more likely to have treatment with antibiotics (χ2 = 3.86; d.f. = 1; P = 0.05) or short course oral corticosteroids (χ2 = 14.25; d.f. = 1; P < 0.001). No differences were found between the number of general practitioner consultations, attendances at emergency departments or hospitalizations.Conclusions:  The use of a written action plan in COPD increased appropriate therapeutic interventions for exacerbations, but this effect was not associated with a decrease in the use of health‐care resources.
Outcome in patients with lung cancer invisible on chest roentgenograms but detected only by helical computed tomography
Authors: KASHIWABARA Kosuke , KOHSHI Shu‐ichi 
Published: August 2006

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis for patients with lung cancer detected by helical CT but not by CXR.Patients and methods:  One hundred and thirty‐seven asymptomatic patients with lung cancer diagnosed by annual mass screening of the chest were enrolled over a 7‐year period. Five‐year survival rates in patients with lung cancer detected only by helical CT (n = 19: CT‐only detection group) and in patients with lung cancer visible by both CXR and helical CT (n = 118: control group) were evaluated, and clinical variables were examined as possible predictors of survival time using the Cox proportional‐hazards model.Results:  There was a significant difference between the 5‐year survival rates in the CT‐only detection group and in the control group (80% vs. 39%, log rank: P = 0.0171). The risk of death decreased 77% in CT‐only detectable lung cancer (hazard ratio: 0.219, 95% confidence interval: 0.057–0.845, P = 0.0275). Lung cancer could not be seen by CXR because nodules were small or faint (n = 11) or overlapping a shadow of thoracic components (n = 8). The percentage of subsolid nodules (classified as either part‐solid or non‐solid nodules) was higher in the subgroup with small or faint nodules (82% vs. 25%, P = 0.0423).Conclusion:  Helical CT has the ability to detect early lung cancer before the small or faint nodules increase to a size visible on CXR, and patients with lung cancer detected only by helical CT have a better prognosis.
REDEFINING THE ROLE OF SPLENECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC SPLENOMEGALY
Authors: Pottakkat Biju , Kashyap Rajesh , Kumar Ashok , Sikora Sadiq S. , Saxena Rajan , Kapoor Vinay K. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Despite extensive work‐up to establish the cause of splenomegaly, splenectomy may be required for diagnosis in certain situations. The aim of this study was to find out the role of diagnostic splenectomy in the current era.Methods:  Between January 1989 and June 2004, 211 patients underwent splenectomy for indications other than trauma. In 41 (19%) patients, splenectomy was carried out for diagnostic purposes. Retrospective analysis of these patients was done for the purpose of the study.Results:  All patients who underwent diagnostic splenectomy had a complete haemogram, biochemical tests for liver and renal function, bone marrow biopsy and abdominal ultrasonography before splenectomy. There were 28 (68%) men and 13 (32%) women with median age of 37 years (range, 6–62 years). The median duration of symptoms was 12 months (range, 1–180 months). Common presentations were fever (n = 27; 66%), malaise (n = 26; 63%), pallor (n = 33; 80%) and gross splenomegaly (n = 27; 66%). Thirty‐two (78%) patients had hypersplenism. Splenic lesions were shown in 14 (34%) patients on ultrasonogram and in 16 (39%) patients on contrast‐enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen. Open splenectomy was carried out in all patients. Seventeen (41%) patients had postoperative complications. Among these, three (7%) patients had postoperative bleeding. One patient died because of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Final histopathology of the spleen showed lymphoma in 15 (37%), tuberculosis in five (12%) and other lesions in five (12%) patients. Sixteen (39%) patients had only congestive splenomegaly.Conclusion:  A high proportion of patients presenting with idiopathic splenomegaly will have underlying haematological malignancies even in tropical countries. The clinical presentation, laboratory profile and imaging findings were not helpful in differentiating between patients with haematological malignancies and non‐malignant conditions. Splenectomy still has an important role in establishing the pathology in patients presenting with idiopathic splenomegaly.
EFFICACY OF MULTI‐SLICE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY CHOLANGIOGRAPHY BEFORE LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY
Authors: Hirano Yasumitsu , Tatsuzawa Yasuhiko , Shimizu Junzo , Kinoshita Seiichi , Kawaura Yukimitsu , Takahashi Shiro 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Bile duct injury is one of the serious surgical complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Clear biliary tract imaging to detect the anomaly of the bile ducts before operation is thought to be useful to prevent this complication. The objective of this study was to investigate the preoperative feasibility of using multi‐slice computed tomography scanning after drip infusion cholangiography–computed tomography (DIC‐CT) for LC.Methods:  Laparoscopic cholecystectomies were carried out in 33 patients and DIC‐CT and magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) were also carried out in all of these patients. We evaluated the recognition of the junction of the cystic duct and detection of anomalies of the extrahepatic bile ducts using the latter two methods.Results:  In 33 patients, DIC‐CT showed the junction of the cystic duct in 31 (94%) and MRC in 25 (76%) patients, respectively. Anomalies of the extrahepatic bile ducts or the cystic duct were detected in four (12%) patients by DIC‐CT, but MRC could show only one of these lesions. There were no major adverse reactions in either examination.Conclusion:  DIC‐CT is an efficacious preoperative technique as compared with MRC for the biliary tract imaging. DIC‐CT may be of benefit for both patients scheduled to undergo LC and their surgeons.