bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Similar Cytokine Responses and Degrees of Anemia in Patients withPlasmodium falciparumandPlasmodium vivaxInfections in the Brazilian Amazon Region
Authors: Fernandes Andréa Aparecida Morais , de Moura Carvalho Leonardo José , Zanini Graziela Maria , da Silva Ventura Ana Maria Revorêdo , Souza José Maria , Cotias Paulo Marcelo , Silva-Filho Isaac Lima , Daniel-Ribeiro Cláudio Tadeu 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTThe mechanisms of malarial anemia induction are poorly understood, but cytokines and autoantibodies are considered to play important roles. This work aimed at evaluating the degree of anemia and the plasmatic profile of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-12 (IL-12), migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and IL-10 and the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) chemokine, as well as evaluating the presence of antibodies directed to components of the normal erythrocyte membrane and to cardiolipin in individuals with malaria from the Brazilian Amazon. No difference was observed in the frequency of anemia between patients infected byPlasmodium vivaxand those infected byPlasmodium falciparum, and there was no relationship between the levels of parasitemia and the manifestations of anemia inP. vivaxandP. falciparumpatients. Significant increases in the concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, MIF, and MCP-1 were observed in patients withP. falciparumandP. vivaxmalaria, whereas the concentrations of IL-10 was increased only in patients withP. vivaxinfection. Higher concentrations of IL-12 and IL-10 were observed in theP. falciparumanemic patients, while for TNF-α this profile was observed in the nonanemic ones.P. vivax-infected andP. falciparum-infected patients with positive immunoglobulin M (IgM) or IgM and IgG responses, respectively, against blood-stage forms of the parasites had significantly lower hemoglobin levels than did those with negative responses. There was no correlation between the presence of anti-erythrocyte and anti-cardiolipin antibodies and the presence or intensity of the anemia. Our data suggest that in areas of low endemicity and unstable transmission of malaria,P. vivaxandP. falciparuminfections present similar characteristics in terms of the induction of anemia and cytokine responses.
A Preferred Scale for Warm-Core Instability in a Nonconvective Moist Basic State
Authors: Kahn Brian H. , Sinton Douglas M. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The existence, scale, and growth rates of subsynoptic-scale warm-core circulations are investigated with a simple parameterization for latent heat release in a nonconvective basic state using a linear two-layer shallow-water model. For a range of baroclinic flows from moderate to high Richardson number, conditionally stable lapse rates approaching saturated adiabats consistently yield the most unstable modes with a warm-core structure and a Rossby number ∼O(1), with higher Rossby numbers stabilized. This compares to the corresponding most unstable modes for the dry cases that have cold-core structures and Rossby numbers ∼O(10−1) or in the quasigeostrophic range. The maximum growth rates of 0.45 of the Coriolis parameter are an order of magnitude greater than those for the corresponding most unstable dry modes. Because the Rossby number of the most unstable mode for nearly saturated conditions is virtually independent of Richardson number, the preferred scale of these warm-core modes varies directly with the mean vertical shear for a given static stability.
This scale relation suggests that the requirement to maintain nearly saturated conditions on horizontal scales sufficient for development can be met more easily on the preferred subsynoptic horizontal scales associated with weak vertical shear. Conversely, the lack of instability for higher Rossby numbers implies that stronger vertical shears stabilize smaller subsynoptic regions that are destabilized for weaker vertical shears. This has implications for the scale and existence of warm-core circulations in the tropics, such as those assumed a priori in wind-induced surface heat exchange (WISHE).
Wind Spatial Variability and Topographic Wave Frequency
Authors: Shilo Elad , Ashkenazy Yosef , Rimmer Alon , Assouline Shmuel , Mahrer Yitzhaq 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The association of topographic waves with wind action has been documented in several natural lakes throughout the world. However, the influence of the wind’s spatial variability (wind stress curl) on the frequency of topographic waves has only been partially investigated. Here the role of wind stress curl on the frequency of topographic waves in an idealized elliptic paraboloid basin has been studied both analytically and numerically. It is shown that the analytical solution is the sum of an elliptic rotation determined by the wind stress curl and two counterrotating circulation cells, which propagate cyclonically after the wind ceases. Furthermore, it is shown that cyclonic elliptical rotation (associated with positive wind stress curl) increases the rotation frequency of the double-gyre pattern while anticyclonic elliptical rotation (associated with negative wind stress curl) decreases the oscillatory mode frequency. It is also shown that bottom friction has some effect on the structure of the double-gyre pattern but hardly affects the oscillatory frequency. Numerical solutions of the depth-integrated nonlinear shallow-water equations confirmed that the frequency of the topographic wave increases (decreases) when forcing the model with cyclonic (anticyclonic) wind curl.
Genre-dependent metonymy in Norse skaldic poetry
Authors: Sullivan Karen 
Published: February 2008

This article describes a metonymic process which is common in skaldic verse, but rare in everyday language. This process allows one member of a category to stand for another (for example, SEA is referred to by the name of another member of BODIES OF WATER, such as `river' or `fjord'). This process has previously been called `metaphor' (cf. Fidjestøl, 1997). However, I show that the process lacks several characteristics of metaphor as defined in cognitive linguistics, including multiple mappings and the creation of target-domain inferences. I suggest that the process is more similar to metonymies such as Category for Member (cf. Radden and Kövecses, 1999), and should be called `Member for Member' metonymy. I argue that Member for Member metonymy is rare in conversational language because it fails to generate the inferences and cognitive benefits provided by most metaphors and metonymies. However, Member for Member is abundant in skaldic verse, because the aesthetic and sociolinguistic goals of this genre outweigh the considerations of clarity and efficiency imposed on conversation by the Gricean Maxims. I furthermore propose that Member for Member metonymy is a defining feature of classical skaldic poetry, and one that distinguishes this genre from later, more naturalistic styles such as hrynhent. The observation that Member for Member occurs in a specific literary genre like skaldic poetry — even though it is normally barred from conversational language — indicates that cognitive linguists must study the full range of linguistic genres in order to document the cognitive processes that underlie language use.
Forced oscillations in the clinical setting in young children with neonatal lung disease
Authors: Udomittipong K. , Sly P. D. , Patterson H. J. , Gangell C. L. , Stick S. M. , Hall G. L. 
Published: February 2008

The extent of respiratory dysfunction is not well characterised in children with neonatal chronic lung disease (nCLD) too young to perform spirometry. Forced oscillations are easily performed by healthy young children; however, they may be more difficult for those with nCLD. The present study aimed to describe the feasibility of using the forced oscillation technique in children with nCLD in a routine clinical setting and to investigate the influence of neonatal factors on subsequent lung function.Respiratory function tests were attempted in 64 patients with nCLD aged 3.2–6.6 yrs. Respiratory resistance and reactance at 6, 8 and 10 Hz were expressed as z-scores derived from a healthy reference population. The within-test variation and between-test repeatability were also assessed.Technically, satisfactory data were obtained from 77% of children. On grouped data, z-scores for all oscillatory indices were different from zero and related to hospital oxygen administration in the neonatal period.In conclusion, the forced oscillation technique was feasible in preschool children with neonatal chronic lung disease in the clinical outpatient setting. These children had lung function significantly worse than that predicted from healthy children. Respiratory function assessed using forced oscillations appeared to reflect the severity of lung disease during the neonatal period.
Impairment of serum albumin antioxidant properties in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Faure P. , Tamisier R. , Baguet J-P. , Favier A. , Halimi S. , Lévy P. , Pépin J-L. 
Published: February 2008

Antioxidant counteraction of oxidative stress has been poorly explored in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Serum albumin is a major antioxidant agent and structural modifications induced by glucose or free radicals impair its antioxidant properties.The aim of the present study was to compare antioxidant capacities and structural changes of albumin in nonobese OSA patients and healthy volunteers.Albumin structural changes were studied by quenching of fluorescence in the presence of acrylamide. Albumin thiols and fructosamines, reflecting oxidation- and glycation-induced changes in serum albumin, respectively, were assessed. Albumin structural changes were demonstrated by a significant decrease in quenching of fluorescence in OSA patients. Oxidation, resulting in a significant decrease in thiol groups (3.7±0.7versus2.3±0.4 μmol·g−1protein), and glycation, associated with a significant increase in fructosamines (226.6±27versus286±44.4 μmol·L−1), were found when comparing healthy volunteers with OSA patients. There was a significant relationship between both parameters and sleep apnoea severity. After continuous positive airway pressure intervention, albumin thiol groups were reassessed in seven of the 16 OSA patients and increased significantly from 2.25±0.39 to 2.79±0.31 µmol·g−1protein.Obstructive sleep apnoea patients demonstrated a reduction in serum albumin antioxidant properties that may aggravate oxidative stress and, thus, contribute to cardiovascular and metabolic morbidities.
Extracellular purines are biomarkers of neutrophilic airway inflammation
Authors: Esther C. R. , Alexis N. E. , Clas M. L. , Lazarowski E. R. , Donaldson S. H. , Pedrosa Ribeiro C. M. , Moore C. G. , Davis S. D. , Boucher R. C. 
Published: February 2008

Purinergic signalling regulates airway defence mechanisms, suggesting that extracellular purines could serve as airway inflammation biomarkers in cystic fibrosis (CF).The purines adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine were measured in sputum from 21 adults (spontaneously expectorated from seven CF patients, induced from 14 healthy controls) to assess normal values and CF-associated changes. Subsequently, purine levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 37 children (25 CF patients, 12 disease controls) and compared with neutrophil counts, presence of airway infection and lung function. To noninvasively assess airway purines, ATP levels were measured using luminometry in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) from 14 children with CF and 14 healthy controls, then 14 CF children during a pulmonary exacerbation.Both ATP and AMP were elevated in sputum and BALF from CF subjects compared with controls. In BALF, ATP and AMP levels were inversely related to lung function and strongly correlated with neutrophil counts. In EBC, ATP levels were increased in CF relative to controls and decreased after treatment of CF pulmonary exacerbation.The purines adenosine triphosphate and adenosine monophosphate are candidate biomarkers of neutrophilic airways inflammation. Measurement of purines in sputum or exhaled breath condensate may provide a relatively simple and noninvasive method to track this inflammation.
Exposure–response analysis of allergy and respiratory symptoms in endotoxin-exposed adults
Authors: Smit L. A. M. , Heederik D. , Doekes G. , Blom C. , van Zweden I. , Wouters I. M. 
Published: February 2008

The objective of the present study was to investigate exposure–response relationships between current endotoxin exposure and allergic and respiratory symptoms in adults, taking into account farming exposures during childhood.A cross-sectional study was conducted among 877 Dutch farmers and agricultural industry workers in 2006. Based on 249 full-shift personal airborne endotoxin samples, a job-exposure matrix was constructed to assign endotoxin exposure levels to all participants. Associations between endotoxin exposure and questionnaire data on symptoms were studied by multiple logistic regression.Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for an interquartile range increase in endotoxin level were elevated for respiratory symptoms such as wheezing (OR 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.16–1.72)), wheezing with shortness of breath (1.50 (1.18–1.90)) and daily cough (1.29 (1.03–1.62)). In contrast, endotoxin was strongly associated with a decreased prevalence of hay fever (0.62 (0.49–0.78)). Workers who had grown up on a farm had a lower prevalence of hay fever, but no evidence was found of effect modification by farm childhood.In conclusion, occupational endotoxin exposure in adulthood is associated with an increased risk of asthma-like symptoms but a reduced prevalence of hay fever.
Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein for risk assessment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Lankeit M. , Dellas C. , Panzenböck A. , Skoro-Sajer N. , Bonderman D. , Olschewski M. , Schäfer K. , Puls M. , Konstantinides S. , Lang I. M. 
Published: February 2008

Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a reliable marker of myocardial injury and was recently identified as a predictor of outcome in acute pulmonary embolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of H-FABP in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).In total, 93 consecutive patients with CTEPH were studied. During long-term follow-up (median duration 1,260 days, interquartile range (IQR) 708–2,460 days), 46 (49%) patients had an adverse outcome, defined as CTEPH-related death, lung transplantation or persistent pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA).Baseline H-FABP levels in plasma ranged from 0.69–24.3 ng·mL−1(median (IQR) 3.41 (2.28–4.86) ng·mL−1). Cox regression analysis revealed a hazard ratio of 1.10 (95% confidence interval 1.04–1.18) for each increase of H-FABP by 1 ng·mL−1, and continuous elevations of H-FABP emerged as an independent predictor of adverse outcome by multivariable analysis. PEA was performed in 52 patients and favourably affected the long-term outcome. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with baseline H-FABP concentrations >2.7 ng·mL−1, the median value of the biomarker in the surgically treated population, had a lower probability of event-free survival after PEA.Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein is a promising novel biomarker for risk stratification of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Effects of formoterol and salmeterol on the production of Th1- and Th2-related chemokines by monocytes and bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Hung C-H. , Chu Y-T. , Hua Y-M. , Hsu S-H. , Lin C-S. , Chang H-C. , Lee M-S. , Jong Y-J. 
Published: February 2008

It is unknown whether formoterol and salmeterol, two long-acting β2-adrenoreceptor agonists, have regulatory functions in the production of T-helper cell (Th) type 2- and Th1-related chemokines by monocytes and bronchial epithelial cells.In the present study, the effects of formoterol and salmeterol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of the Th2-related chemokine macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC; CCL22) and the Th1-related chemokine interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10 (CXCL10) were investigated in a monocytic cell line, THP-1, and in human primary monocytes. In addition, their effects on the expression of the Th2-related chemokine thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC; CCL17) were evaluated in an epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B.Formoterol enhanced MDC but suppressed IP-10 production in monocytes induced by LPS. Higher doses of salmeterol were required to enhance LPS-induced MDC expression in THP-1 cells. Formoterol and salmeterol could significantly suppress TARC expression in BEAS-2B cells. These effects could be reversed by a selective β2-adrenoreceptor antagonist, ICI-118551. Formoterol- and LPS-induced MDC expression was inhibited by budesonide.Both long-acting β2-adrenoreceptor agonists suppressed thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine expression in bronchial epithelial cells mediatedviaβ2-adrenoreceptors. Formoterol at physiological concentrations could suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced T-helper cell type 1-related chemokine (interferon-γ-inducible protein-10) but enhance T-helper cell type 2-related chemokine (macrophage-derived chemokine) expression in human monocytes. Long-acting β2-adrenoreceptor agonists may increase T-helper cell type 2-related chemokine expression in monocytes and T-helper cell type 2 recruitment and, therefore, long-acting β2-adrenoreceptor agonist monotherapy may not be an appropriate therapeutic option for asthma.
Pseudomonal airway colonisation: risk factor for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation?
Authors: Vos R. , Vanaudenaerde B. M. , Geudens N. , Dupont L. J. , Van Raemdonck D. E. , Verleden G. M. 
Published: February 2008

Airway colonisation with Pseudomonads, especiallyPseudomonas aeruginosa, is common in lung transplant (LTx) recipients. The current authors investigated whether pseudomonal colonisation affects the prevalence of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after lung transplantation.In the present retrospective study, 92 double (SS)LTx recipients (26 cystic fibrosis (CF) and 66 non-CF patients), with at least two consecutive post-operative bronchoalveolar lavage or sputum cultures evaluated for Pseudomonads, were included. Freedom of BOS was investigated in post-operatively colonised and noncolonised patients.The current study has shown post-operative airway colonisation to be an independent risk factor for BOS stage ≥1 and to be associated with a worse BOS stage ≥1-free survival in univariate analysis, especially in CF SSLTx recipients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a trend for colonisation only as an independent risk factor for BOS; however, this pointed to a possible role in the development of BOS.In conclusion, pseudomonal airway colonisation after lung transplantation may be associated with an increased prevalence of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, especially in cystic fibrosis patients. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms in the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome need further investigation, although the induction of neutrophilic airway inflammation seems to be its main characteristic.
Bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with COPD
Authors: Tashkin D. P. , Celli B. , Decramer M. , Liu D. , Burkhart D. , Cassino C. , Kesten S. 
Published: February 2008

The degree of acute improvement in spirometric indices after bronchodilator inhalation varies among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, and depends upon the type and dose of bronchodilator and the timing of administration.Acute bronchodilator responsiveness at baseline was examined in a large cohort of patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD participating in the Understanding Potential Long-term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT) trial, a 4-yr randomised double-blind trial evaluating the efficacy of 18 μg tiotropium daily in reducing the rate of decline in lung function. After wash-out of respiratory medications, patients received 80 μg ipratropium followed by 400 μg salbutamol. Spirometry was performed before and 90 min following ipratropium administration. The criteria used for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) responsiveness were: ≥12% increase over baseline and ≥200 mL; ≥15% increase over baseline; and ≥10% absolute increase in the percentage predicted value.Of the patients, 5,756 had data meeting the criteria for analysis (age 64.5 yrs; 75% male; baseline FEV11.10 L (39.3% predicted) and forced vital capacity (FVC) 2.63 L). Compared with baseline, mean improvements were 229 mL in FEV1and 407 mL in FVC. Of these patients, 53.9% had ≥12% and ≥200 mL improvement in FEV1, 65.6% had ≥15% improvement in FEV1, and 38.6% had ≥10% absolute increase in FEV1% pred.The majority of patients with moderate-to-very-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease demonstrate meaningful increases in lung function following administration of inhaled anticholinergic plus sympathomimetic bronchodilators.
Autopsy findings in 42 consecutive patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Daniels C. E. , Yi E. S. , Ryu J. H. 
Published: February 2008

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relentlessly progressive lung disease that commonly results in respiratory failure and death. However, the cause of death in these patients has not previously been fully defined.The current study reviews the clinical records and pathological findings of 42 consecutive patients with IPF who underwent apost mortemat the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA) over a 9-yr period, from January 1996 to December 2004.The median (range) age atpost mortemfor the patients was 74 (46–98 yrs) yrs, which included 25 (60%) males. A total of 31 (74%) patients died in the hospital. The immediate causes of death were reported as: respiratory (64%), cardiovascular (21%), or noncardiopulmonary (14%). Acute exacerbation of IPF was the most common immediate cause of death (29%). Pneumonia, aspiration and drug-induced lung disease were identified as other causes of respiratory death. Evidence of pulmonary hypertension was present in thepost mortemof 19 (45%) patients and was the immediate cause of death in two of these patients. The immediate cause of death was clinically unsuspected in five (12%) patients and IPF was diagnosedpost mortemin nine (21%) patients.The majority of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who had undergone apost mortemwere found to have died from respiratory causes. Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was found to be the most common cause of death whilst death from the gradual progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was found to be less common.