bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Construction of the RSS V3.2 Lower-Tropospheric Temperature Dataset from the MSU and AMSU Microwave Sounders
Authors: Mears Carl A. , Wentz Frank J. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Measurements made by microwave sounding instruments provide a multidecadal record of atmospheric temperature in several thick atmospheric layers. Satellite measurements began in late 1978 with the launch of the first Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) and have continued to the present via the use of measurements from the follow-on series of instruments, the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU). The weighting function for MSU channel 2 is centered in the middle troposphere but contains significant weight in the lower stratosphere. To obtain an estimate of tropospheric temperature change that is free from stratospheric effects, a weighted average of MSU channel 2 measurements made at different local zenith angles is used to extrapolate the measurements toward the surface, which results in a measurement of changes in the lower troposphere. In this paper, a description is provided of methods that were used to extend the MSU method to the newer AMSU channel 5 measurements and to intercalibrate the results from the different types of satellites. Then, satellite measurements are compared to results from homogenized radiosonde datasets. The results are found to be in excellent agreement with the radiosonde results in the northern extratropics, where the majority of the radiosonde stations are located.
A comparison of the quality of care provided to cancer patients in the UK in the last three months of life in in-patient hospices compared with hospitals, from the perspective of bereaved relatives: results from a survey using the VOICES questionnaire
Authors: Addington-Hall JM , O’Callaghan AC 
Published: February 2009

The importance of evaluating systematically the effectiveness of hospice care has been noted for at least 20 years. There is, however, limited evidence about whether and how the care provided to terminally ill patients by in-patient hospices in the UK differs from that provided in NHS hospitals. In this article, we, therefore, present a comparison of hospice in-patient care and hospital care for cancer patients in the UK, from the perspective of bereaved relatives who had experienced both types of care during the last 3 months of the patient’s life. The Office of National Statistics drew a random sample of 800 deaths in South London in 2002, and sent the person who registered the death (the informant) a Views of Informal Carers – Evaluation of Services (VOICES) questionnaire 3–9 months after the death, with up to two reminders. There was a response rate of 48%. For this analysis, 40 cancer patients whose informant reported both a hospice in-patient admission and a hospital admission in the last 3 months of life were identified. Informants answered the same questions about each admission and responses on these were compared. There were statistically significant differences between respondents’ views of hospice and hospital care on eight out of 13 variables measuring aspects of satisfaction with care, with a trend towards statistical significance on a further two: in all cases respondents rated hospice care more positively than hospital care. There were no differences in the experience of pain and breathlessness in the two settings, but respondents rated pain control by the hospice as more effective. In comparison to hospital care, from the perspective of bereaved relatives, hospice in-patient care provided better pain control, better communication with patients and families, and better medical, nursing and personal care, which treated the patient with more dignity. Further research is needed to confirm these findings using a wider sample of in-patient hospices in the UK and including the perspectives of patients. Providing high quality care for terminally ill patients in acute hospitals remains an important challenge.
Anatomical Reconstruction for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability in the High-Demand Athlete
Authors: Li Xinning , Killie Heather , Guerrero Patrick , Busconi Brian D. 
Published: February 2009

Background Modification of the Bröstrom repair with suture anchors has been used to address chronic lateral ankle instability. However, there are few studies in the literature reporting the functional outcomes after this particular procedure in the high-demand athlete. Hypothesis Anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments for chronic instability will return the high-demand athlete functionally to his or her previous level of activity. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Sixty-two patients who had grade III ankle sprain that failed at least a 6-month course of supervised conservative management with a preinjury Tegner score of ≥ 6 underwent a variant of the Gould-modified Broström procedure with suture anchors for lateral ankle instability. Each patient was given the Tegner and Karlsson questionnaire at the 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year time points. Range of motion of the operative ankle was also assessed. The mean age was 19.6 years (range, 16-26 years), and 10 patients were lost to follow-up. Results The mean follow-up was 29 months (minimum, 24 months) in the remaining 52 patients (84%). Mean Tegner scores at the 1- and 2-year time points were 8.2 (range, 5-9) and 8.6 (range, 5-9), respectively. The mean Karlsson scores were 92 ± 5.2 and 95 ± 3.1 at the 1- and 2-year time points, respectively. Range of motion was equal to the contralateral ankle in all but 3 patients at the 2-year follow up. A 6% major complication rate included 3 reruptures. Conclusion Anatomical ligament reconstruction for chronic lateral ankle instability using a variant of the Gould-modified Broström procedure with suture anchors was effective in returning high-demand athletes to their preinjury functional level.
Influence of Age, Sex, Technique, and Exercise Program on Movement Patterns after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Program in Youth Soccer Players
Authors: DiStefano Lindsay J. , Padua Darin A. , DiStefano Michael J. , Marshall Stephen W. 
Published: February 2009

Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs show promising results with changing movement; however, little information exists regarding whether a program designed for an individual's movements may be effective or how baseline movements may affect outcomes. Hypothesis A program designed to change specific movements would be more effective than a “one-size-fits-all” program. Greatest improvement would be observed among individuals with the most baseline error. Subjects of different ages and sexes respond similarly. Study Design Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods One hundred seventy-three youth soccer players from 27 teams were randomly assigned to a generalized or stratified program. Subjects were videotaped during jump-landing trials before and after the program and were assessed using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), which is a valid clinical movement analysis tool. A high LESS score indicates more errors. Generalized players performed the same exercises, while the stratified players performed exercises to correct their initial movement errors. Change scores were compared between groups of varying baseline errors, ages, sexes, and programs. Results Subjects with the highest baseline LESS score improved the most (95% CI, −3.4 to −2.0). High school subjects (95% CI, −1.7 to −0.98) improved their technique more than pre–high school subjects (95% CI, −1.0 to −0.4). There was no difference between the programs or sexes. Conclusions Players with the greatest amount of movement errors experienced the most improvement. A program's effectiveness may be enhanced if this population is targeted.
Clinical Efficacy of the Microfracture Technique for Articular Cartilage Repair in the Knee
Authors: Mithoefer Kai , McAdams Timothy , Williams Riley J. , Kreuz Peter C. , Mandelbaum Bert R. 
Published: February 2009

Background Despite the popularity of microfracture as a first-line treatment for articular cartilage defects in the knee, systematic information on its clinical efficacy for articular cartilage repair and long-term improvement of knee function is not available. Hypothesis Systematic analysis of the existing clinical literature of microfracture in the knee can improve the understanding of the advantages and limitations of this cartilage repair technique and can help to optimize its indications and clinical outcomes. Study Design Systematic review. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed using established search engines (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) to identify original human studies of articular cartilage repair with microfracture. Modified Coleman Methodology Scores were used to analyze the quality of the existing studies. Clinical efficacy of articular cartilage repair was evaluated by systematic analysis of short- and long-term functional outcome scores, macroscopic and microscopic repair cartilage quality, and findings of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Results Twenty-eight studies describing 3122 patients were included in the review. The average follow-up was 41 months, with only 5 studies reporting follow-up of 5 years or more. Six studies were randomized controlled trials and the mean Coleman Methodology Score was 58 (range, 22–97). Microfracture effectively improved knee function in all studies during the first 24 months after microfracture, but the reports on durability of the initial functional improvement were conflicting. Several factors were identified that affected clinical outcome. Defect fill on magnetic resonance imaging was highly variable and correlated with functional outcome. Macroscopic repair cartilage quality positively affected long-term failure rate, while the influence of histologic repair tissue quality remained inconclusive. Conclusion This systematic analysis shows that microfracture provides effective short-term functional improvement of knee function but insufficient data are available on its long-term results. Shortcomings of the technique include limited hyaline repair tissue, variable repair cartilage volume, and possible functional deterioration. The quality of the currently available data on micro-fracture is still limited by the variability of results and study designs. Further well-designed studies are needed to determine the long-term efficacy of microfracture and to define its specific clinical indications compared to other cartilage repair techniques.
Sequence analysis of human rhinovirus aspirated from the nasopharynx of patients with relapsing-remitting MS
Authors: Kneider M , Bergström T , Gustafsson C , Nenonen N , Ahlgren C , Nilsson S , Andersen O 
Published: February 2009

Background Upper respiratory infections were reported to trigger multiple sclerosis relapses. A relationship between picornavirus infections and MS relapses was recently reported. Objective To evaluate whether human rhinovirus is associated with multiple sclerosis relapses and whether any particular strain is predominant. Method Nasopharyngeal fluid was aspirated from 36 multiple sclerosis patients at pre-defined critical time points. Reverse-transcriptase-PCR was performed to detect human rhinovirus-RNA. Positive amplicons were sequenced. Results We found that rhinovirus RNA was present in 17/40 (43%) of specimens obtained at the onset of a URTI in 19 patients, in 1/21 specimens during convalescence after URTI in 14 patients, in 0/6 specimens obtained in 5 patients on average a week after the onset of an “at risk” relapse, occurring within a window in time from one week before to three weeks after an infection, and in 0/17 specimens obtained after the onset of a “not at risk” relapse not associated with any infection in 12 patients. Fifteen specimens from healthy control persons not associated with URTI were negative. The frequency of HRV presence in URTI was similar to that reported for community infections. Eight amplicons from patients represented 5 different HRV strains. Conclusion We were unable to reproduce previous findings of association between HRV infections and multiple sclerosis relapses. HRV was not present in nasopharyngeal aspirates obtained during “at risk” or “not at risk” relapses. Sequencing of HRV obtained from patients during URTI did not reveal any strain with predominance in multiple sclerosis.
An overview of mixed methods research
Authors: Doyle Louise , Brady Anne-Marie , Byrne Gobnait 
Published: February 2009

Abstract Mixed methods research is viewed as the third methodological movement and as an approach it has much to offer health and social science research. Its emergence was in response to the limitations of the sole use of quantitative or qualitative methods and is now considered by many a legitimate alternative to these two traditions. Purists’ view of the dichotomy between positivist and non-positivist philosophies is prevalent; however, mixed methods afford researchers an opportunity to overcome this ‘false dichotomy’. The philosophical underpinning of pragmatism allows and guides mixed methods researchers to use a variety of approaches to answer research questions that cannot be addressed using a singular method. In particular, healthcare researchers may benefit from the opportunity to use such a dynamic approach to address the complex and multi-faceted research problems often encountered in the health care sector.
Climate change and respiratory disease: European Respiratory Society position statement
Authors: Ayres J. G. , Forsberg B. , Annesi-Maesano I. , Dey R. , Ebi K. L. , Helms P. J. , Medina-Ramón M. , Windt M. , Forastiere F. 
Published: February 2009

Climate change will affect individuals with pre-existing respiratory disease, but the extent of the effect remains unclear.The present position statement was developed on behalf of the European Respiratory Society in order to identify areas of concern arising from climate change for individuals with respiratory disease, healthcare workers in the respiratory sector and policy makers. The statement was developed following a 2-day workshop held in Leuven (Belgium) in March 2008.Key areas of concern for the respiratory community arising from climate change are discussed and recommendations made to address gaps in knowledge. The most important recommendation was the development of more accurate predictive models for predicting the impact of climate change on respiratory health.Respiratory healthcare workers also have an advocatory role in persuading governments and the European Union to maintain awareness and appropriate actions with respect to climate change, and these areas are also discussed in the position statement.
Lysosomal iron in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a case report
Authors: Persson H. L. , Vainikka L. K. 
Published: February 2009

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is characterised by accumulation of surfactant-like material in the distal air spaces. Since lysosomes play a crucial role for degradation of large biomolecules taken up from the cell's environment, it was hypothesised that oxidant-induced lysosomal disruption and ensuing cell death might play a role in disease development.In the present study, alveolar macrophages, harvested by whole-lung lavage from a patient diagnosed with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, are shown to contain large amounts of undigested material within lysosomes, and the same organelle exhibits increased amounts of haemosiderin-bound iron. Compared with murine macrophage-like J774 cells (iron exposed or not), the status of human macrophages was pro-oxidative,i.e.macrophages exhibited a low level of the antioxidant glutathione and large amounts of iron available for Fenton-type chemistry. As a consequence, macrophageal lysosomes were particularly fragile when exposed to physiological concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (generated by glucose oxidase in culture medium). Such lysosomal disruption resulted in extensive cell death by both necrosis and apoptosis independent of caspase-3 activation.Considering the potential role of iron-catalysed oxidant-induced lysosomal rupture and ensuing cell killing for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis pathology and disease progression, whole-lung lavage might be considered early in those cases in which cytochemical staining reveals great numbers of haemosiderin-laden alveolar macrophages.
Central airway stenosis in a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis
Authors: Ito M. , Yasuo M. , Yamamoto H. , Tsushima K. , Tanabe T. , Yokoyama T. , Hamano H. , Kawa S. , Uehara T. , Honda T. , Kawakami S. , Kubo K. 
Published: February 2009

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a unique form of chronic pancreatitis characterised by a high-serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G4 concentration involving various extra pancreatic lesions.A 63-yr-old female with autoimmune pancreatitis complained of cough. Chest computed tomography revealed an irregular stenosis of the central airway, lung hilar and mediastinal lymph node swelling, and a marked thickness of the bronchovascular bundle. Bronchoscopic examination revealed an irregular tracheobronchial stenosis accompanied with an oedematous mucosa and engorged vessels. Lung hilar and mediastinal lymph node swelling, central airway stenosis and bronchoscopic findings remarkably resembled those of sarcoidosis.Bronchial biopsy specimens demonstrated diffuse infiltrations of plasma cells, lymphocytes and eosinophils with fibrosis. Immunostaining showed infiltration of several IgG4-positive plasma cells. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone at 1 mg·kg−1·day−1for pancreatic lesions. A month later, the lung lesions, including central airway stenosis, lung hilar and mediastinal lymph node swelling, and bronchovascular bundle thickness, had dramatically improved along with improvement of pancreatitis, thus indicating a close association between the two conditions.This is the first report of a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis showing central airway stenosis similar to that of sarcoidosis.
Genetic variation as a predictor of smoking cessation success. A promising preventive and intervention tool for chronic respiratory diseases?
Authors: Quaak M. , van Schayck C. P. , Knaapen A. M. , van Schooten F. J. 
Published: February 2009

Tobacco smoking continues to be the largest preventable cause of premature morbidity and mortality throughout the world, including chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although most smokers are highly motivated to quit and many smoking cessation therapies are available, cessation rates remain very low.Recent research strongly suggests that variation in genetic background is an important determinant of smoking behaviour and addiction. Since these genetic variants might also influence the response to smoking cessation pharmacotherapies, it is likely that assessment of genetic background could be a promising tool to guide selection of the most effective cessation treatment for an individual smoker. Recently, it has been shown that genetic variants in the dopaminergic system, opioid receptors, the bupropion-metabolising enzyme CYP2B6 and the nicotine-metabolising enzyme CYP2A6 may play an important role in predicting smoking cessation responses to nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion treatment. Despite the progress that has been made, several challenges will still have to be overcome before genetically tailored smoking cessation therapy can be implemented in standard clinical practice.
Local effector failure in mesothelioma is not mediated by CD4+CD25+T-regulator cells
Authors: Jackaman C. , Cornwall S. , Lew A. M. , Zhan Y. , Robinson B. W. S. , Nelson D. J. 
Published: February 2009

The aim of the present study was to define the point at which mesothelioma T-cell responses fail in order to design better immunotherapies.A murine model of mesothelioma was used which was established with asbestos. Inoculation of tumour cells into syngeneic mice results in progressing tumours with similar histopathology to human mesothelioma. The tumour cells secrete a marker tumour antigen similar to secreted tumour-associated products, such as mesothelin.The mesothelioma microenvironment contains stromal elements including dendritic cells, effector CD8+and CD4+T-cells, and CD4+T-regulatory (Tregs) cells, all of which are activatedin situ, implying chronic inflammation. Tumour antigens are rapidly transported to draining lymph nodes wherein tumour-specific T-cell responses are generated. Despite the generation of potent CD8+cytotoxic lymphocyte in lymphoid organs, those that infiltrate tumours cannot restrain tumour growth suggesting local suppression. Splenic Tregs did not suppress protective responses in adoptive transfer experiments suggesting that systemic Tregs play little role in regulating anti-mesothelioma immune responses. Finally, removal of CD25+Tregs from the tumour site and lymphoid organs did not alter tumour growth with or without interleukin (IL)-2 or IL-21 immunotherapy.Tregs are not potent regulators of anti-mesothelioma immunity and targeting these cells may not improve results.
Lung deposition of inhaled α1-proteinase inhibitor in cystic fibrosis and α1-antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Brand P. , Schulte M. , Wencker M. , Herpich C. H. , Klein G. , Hanna K. , Meyer T. 
Published: February 2009

Individuals with α1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency and cystic fibrosis (CF) have a protease–antiprotease imbalance in their lungs, which leads to early onset progressive lung disease. Inhalation of AAT may restore protective levels in the lungs. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of delivering AAT using a novel inhalation device in subjects with AAT deficiency and CF compared with healthy subjects.In total, 20 subjects (six healthy, seven with AAT deficiency and seven with CF) inhaled ∼70 mg of radiolabelled active AAT, with controlled breathing patterns adjusted to lung function. Post-inhalation, total and regional lung deposition and extrathoracic deposition of radiolabelled AAT were measured.Total lung deposition of AAT was ∼70% of the filling dose. The magnitude of deposition was similar in all treatment groups, with no adverse effect on lung function or any influence of disease severity on total lung deposition.Inhalation with controlled breathing patterns using the AKITA2device (lung function adapted) leads to high total lung deposition regardless of the degree of lung function impairment. Delivery of large amounts of AAT was achieved in a short period of time. This device may be an ideal option for aerosol therapy.
Long-term outcome with intravenous iloprost in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Hoeper M. M. , Gall H. , Seyfarth H. J. , Halank M. , Ghofrani H. A. , Winkler J. , Golpon H. , Olsson K. M. , Nickel N. , Opitz C. , Ewert R. 
Published: February 2009

There is limited data on the long-term efficacy of intravenous iloprost in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).This retrospective multicentre analysis evaluated the clinical course of patients with PAH treated withi.v.iloprost, in most cases after having received inhaled iloprost as first-line therapy.Between 1997 and 2001, 79 PAH patients were treated withi.v.iloprost and followed until 2007. These patients had advanced and progressive disease as indicated by a mean pulmonary vascular resistance of 1,533 dyn·s·cm−5at the time of diagnosis and of 1,858 dyn·s·cm−5at the onset ofi.v.iloprost therapy. Introduction ofi.v.iloprost therapy resulted in initial haemodynamic and clinical improvement. At the end of the observation period, however, 50 (61%) patients had died and 21 (26%) required lung transplantation. Transplantation-free survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 yrs were 86%, 59% and 45%, respectively, after the diagnosis of PAH, and 54%, 31% and 15%, respectively, after the introduction ofi.v.iloprost therapy. Predictors of an adverse outcome at baseline were a low 6-min walk distance and a low mixed venous oxygen saturation.In conclusion, despite initial haemodynamic and clinical improvement, overall long-term survival withi.v.iloprost therapy was limited.