bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms, Language Acquisition, and Self-Sufficiency
Authors: Corvo Kenneth , Peterson Jaia 
Published: July 2005

Summary: This non-experimental study was undertaken in order to explore the nature of the relationship between mental health status, English language acquisition, and economic self-sufficiency among recent Bosnian refugees. The subjects (N = 34) were Bosnian refugees recruited from a Catholic refugee resettlement program in the Syracuse area of central New York. Findings: Though no correlation was found among the hypothesized variable relationships, serious trauma-related symptoms were identified in about one-third of refugees. Although no empirical link was identified between trauma-related symptoms and self-sufficiency, the incidence of those symptoms is a cause for concern. Frequently indicated symptoms included sleep disturbance, loneliness, and hopelessness about the future. Applications: From our findings, we can only consider these issues as mental health or quality of life concerns, not as barriers to self-sufficiency. Independently of this study’s lack of support for the latter, these quality of life concerns per se are deserving of attention. Given the regional labor shortage at the time of the study, it is possible that economic self-sufficiency may be more problematic in other periods and places
Negative regulation of CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis by the lipid phosphatase activity of tumor suppressor PTEN
Authors: Gao Ping , Wange Ronald L. , Zhang Ning , Oppenheim Joost J. , Howard O. M. Zack 
Published: July 2005

AbstractPhosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a multifunctional tumor suppressor, has been shown to play a regulatory role in cell migration. Dictyostelium discoideum cells lacking PTEN exhibited impaired migration toward chemoattractant gradients. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of PTEN in chemotaxis of mammalian cells by examining PTEN-null Jurkat T cells. We observed that, in contrast to observations made in D discoideum, PTEN-null Jurkat T cells exhibited potent chemotactic responses to the chemokine stromal cell–derived factor 1α (SDF-1α), indicating that PTEN was not requisite for CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)–mediated chemotaxis of Jurkat cells. Conversely, reconstitution of PTEN in Jurkat cells by using a tetracycline (Tet-on)–inducible expression system down-regulated CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis. Furthermore, we established the lipid phosphatase activity of PTEN as essential for its inhibitory effect on chemotaxis. In addition, using PTEN-expressing T-cell lines and primary T cells, we demonstrated that down-regulation of PTEN expression with vector-based small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) enhanced CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis. Based on these results, we conclude that PTEN expression negatively regulates chemotaxis of lymphoid mammalian cells via its lipid phosphatase activity. Our findings may account for the reported increase in metastatic activity of PTEN-null tumor cells.
In vivo gene transfer into rat bone marrow progenitor cells using rSV40 viral vectors
Authors: Liu Bianling , Daviau Judy , Nichols Carmen N. , Strayer David S. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractHematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene transfer has been attempted almost entirely ex vivo and has been limited by cytokine-induced loss of self-renewal capacity and transplantation-related defects in homing and engraftment. Here, we attempted to circumvent such limitations by injecting vectors directly into the bone marrow (BM) to transduce HSCs in their native environment. Simian virus 40 (SV40)–derived gene delivery vectors were used because they transduce resting CD34+ cells very efficiently. Rats received SV-(Nef-FLAG), carrying FLAG marker epitope—or a control recombinant SV40 (rSV40)—directly into both femoral marrow cavities. Intracellular transgene expression by peripheral blood (PB) or BM cells was detected by cytofluorimetry. An average of 5.3% PB leukocytes expressed FLAG for the entire study—56 weeks. Transgene expression was sustained in multiple cell lineages, including granulocytes (average, 3.3% of leukocytes, 20.4% of granulocytes), CD3+ T lymphocytes (average, 0.53% of leukocytes, 1% of total T cells), and CD45R+ B lymphocytes, indicating gene transfer to long-lived progenitor cells with multilineage capacity. An average of 15% of femoral marrow cells expressed FLAG up to 16.5 months after transduction. Thus, direct intramarrow administration of rSV40s yields efficient gene transfer to rat BM progenitor cells and may be worthy of further investigation.
Decreased macrophage release of TGF-β and TIMP-1 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Pons A. R. , Sauleda J. , Noguera A. , Pons J. , Barceló B. , Fuster A. , Agustí A. G. N. 
Published: July 2005

The present study tested the hypothesis that alveolar macrophages (AM) from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) release more pro-inflammatory and/or less anti-inflammatory mediators than those from smokers with normal lung function and never-smokers.AM were sorted by flow cytometry from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 13 patients with COPD (mean±SEM67±2 yrs, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 61±4% reference), 16 smokers with normal lung function (55±2 yrs, FEV197±4% reference) and seven never-smokers (67±7 yrs, FEV194±4% reference). After sorting, AM were cultured (with and without lipopolysaccharide stimulation) after 4 h and 24 h, and the concentrations of leukotriene B4(LTB4), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were quantified in the supernatant by ELISA. The production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in freshly isolated AM was determined by flow cytometry.LTB4secretion and ROI production were not different between groups. In contrast, AM from COPD patients released significantly less TGF-β1and TIMP-1 than those from smokers with normal lung function and nonsmokers.In conclusion, these observations are compatible with reduced anti-inflammatory and anti-elastolytic capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.
Nerve growth factor is released by IL-1β and induces hyperresponsiveness of the human isolated bronchus
Authors: Frossard N. , Naline E. , Olgart Höglund C. , Georges O. , Advenier C. 
Published: July 2005

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor essential for the development and survival of neurons, and is also an important mediator of inflammation. It is released by airway cells stimulated by interleukin (IL)-1β. As IL-1β induces airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to the tachykinin NK-1 receptor agonist [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-substance P in human isolated bronchi, the aim of this study was to determine whether IL-1β was able to induce NGF release from isolated bronchi, and whether NGF might participate into IL-1β-induced AHR.IL-1β (10 ng·mL−1; 21°C; 15 h) increased the release of NGF from human isolated bronchiin vitro, and, in organ bath studies, the response of human bronchi to [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-substance P (0.1 µm). A significant correlation was found between these responses. AHR induced by IL-1β was abolished by a blocking anti-human NGF antibody. Finally, NGF (1 ng·mL−1; 37°C; 0.5 h) by itself induced a significant increase in [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-substance P responsiveness. By contrast, it did not change the maximal contraction to acetylcholine.In conclusion, the present study clearly demonstrated that nerve growth factor may participate in the airway hyperresponsiveness induced by interleukin-1β, which supports the neuro-immune cross-talk that may be active in the development of hyperresponsiveness in the human airways, and suggests nerve growth factor is active in the airways in asthma.
Quality control of equipment in home mechanical ventilation: a European survey
Authors: Farre R. , Lloyd-Owen S. J. , Ambrosino N. , Donaldson G. , Escarrabill J. , Fauroux B. , Robert D. , Schoenhofer B. , Simonds A. , Wedzicha J. A. 
Published: July 2005

Quality control of the equipment used in home mechanical ventilation is necessary in order to ensure that patients safely and accurately receive the prescribed ventilatory support. The aim of this study was to carry out a survey on the quality-control procedures in different centres and countries.The survey was carried out in the context of a European Commission Concerted Action covering 16 European countries. The study was extensive and detailed, involving 326 centres, which provided home ventilation to >20,000 patients.The survey showed that: 1) ventilator servicing was mainly carried out by external companies (62% of centres), with a servicing frequency ranging 3–12 months; 2) interaction between servicing companies and prescribers was limited (only 61% of centres were always informed of major incidents); 3) participation of centres in equipment quality control was poor (only 56% of centres assessed that patients/caregivers correctly cleaned/maintained the ventilator); and 4) centres were insufficiently aware of vigilance systems (only 23% of centres). Moreover, the data showed considerable inter- and intra-country differences. The size of the centre was an important determinant of many of these quality-control aspects.This survey provides information that will enable the European Commission Concerted Action to formulate recommendations on procedures for home-ventilator quality control.
Bronchodilator response in the lung health study over 11 yrs
Authors: Anthonisen N. R. , Lindgren P. G. , Tashkin D. P. , Kanner R. E. , Scanlon P. D. , Connett J. E. 
Published: July 2005

Long-term changes in bronchodilator response in people with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were assessed in this study.Changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in response to isoproterenol was measured in 4,194 participants in the Lung Health Study annually for 5 yrs, and again 11 yrs after study entry. Responses were quantitated in terms of mL (absolute), as per cent of the pre-bronchodilator value (relative), and as a per cent of the predicted normal value (% predicted).At baseline, the mean pre-bronchodilator FEV1was 75.4% predicted, and responses were small. Relative and percentage predicted responses were similar in males and females; and correlated positively with methacholine reactivity, and negatively with smoking intensity and age. Baseline bronchodilator responses did not correlate with subsequent decline in FEV1. There was a substantial increase in response over the first year of the study, largely due to smoking cessation, with larger increases in those who stopped smoking. After the first year absolute responses changed little in those who maintained smoking cessation, but increased in those who did not. Mean relative and percentage predicted responses increased in all participants throughout the study. There was substantial annual variability of absolute response, and it was poorly reproducible in individual participants.In conclusion, smoking cessation increased bronchodilator response, and response did not predict the rate of decline of forced expiratory volume in one second.
VEGF levels in the alveolar compartment do not distinguish between ARDS and hydrostatic pulmonary oedema
Authors: Ware L. B. , Kaner R. J. , Crystal R. G. , Schane R. , Trivedi N. N. , McAuley D. , Matthay M. A. 
Published: July 2005

Although overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 165 in the lung causes pulmonary oedema, its role in human acute lung injury (ALI) is unclear. VEGF levels are reported to be lower in bronchoalveolar lavage from ALI patients compared with normals, but these studies did not include a comparably ill control group with noninflammatory pulmonary oedema.The current authors hypothesised that VEGF levels in pulmonary oedema fluid would be lower in ALI patients compared with control patients with severe hydrostatic pulmonary oedema. VEGF was measured in pulmonary oedema fluid and plasma from 56 patients with ALI and 46 controls with severe hydrostatic pulmonary oedema.Pulmonary oedema fluid levels of VEGF did not differ between patients with hydrostatic oedema (median 799 pg·mL−1, interquartile range (IQR) 226–2,281) and ALI (median 507, IQR 0.8–1,031). Plasma levels were also the same (median 20.5 pg·mL−1, IQR 0–152versus4.8, IQR 0–99.8). There was no association between plasma or oedema fluid VEGF levels and outcomes including mortality.Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in pulmonary oedema fluid were depressed both in acute lung injury and hydrostatic pulmonary oedema. The decrease in air space concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor in acute lung injury may not be a function of the degree of lung injury, but rather may result from alveolar flooding.
Non-CF bronchiectasis: does knowing the aetiology lead to changes in management?
Authors: Li A. M. , Sonnappa S. , Lex C. , Wong E. , Zacharasiewicz A. , Bush A. , Jaffe A. 
Published: July 2005

The aim of the current study was to review the aetiology of non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis from two tertiary paediatric respiratory units in order to determine how often making a specific aetiological diagnosis leads to a change in management, and to assess the contribution of computed tomography (CT) in determining the underlying diagnosis.The case records of all patients who were diagnosed as having bronchiectasis by CT, currently being seen at the Royal Brompton Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (London, UK), were reviewed. All patients had undergone extensive investigations, and the underlying aetiology and the area of pulmonary involvement (as seen on CT) were recorded. A total of 136 patients were identified; there were 65 young males and the group median (range) age was 12.1 yrs (3.1–18.1). Immunodeficiency, aspiration and primary ciliary dyskinesia accounted for 67% of the cases. In 77 (56%) children, the identification of a cause led to a specific change in management. There was no association between aetiology and the distribution of CT abnormalities.In conclusion, immunodeficiency and other intrinsic abnormalities account for the majority of cases of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis seen in the current authors' units. Computed tomography scans do not contribute towards identifying the aetiology and, most importantly, a specific aetiological diagnosis frequently leads to a change in management.
Tuberculosis infection in children who are contacts of immigrant tuberculosis patients
Authors: Verver S. , van Loenhout-Rooyackers J. H. , Bwire R. , Annee-van Bavel J. A. C. M. , de Lange H. J. M. , van Gerven P. J. H. J. , Borgdorff M. W. 
Published: July 2005

The present study aimed to determine what proportion of children who are in close contact with immigrant tuberculosis (TB) patients are infected withMycobacterium tuberculosis.For 1.5 yrs, 14 municipal health services in the Netherlands collected data from all non-Dutch TB patients and their contacts. Close contacts aged <16 yrs received a tuberculin skin test (TST). A positive TST was defined as an induration of ≥10 mm among nonvaccinated children, and ≥16 mm among bacille Calmette–Guérin-vaccinated children.In total, 244 patients had 359 close contacts aged <16 yrs. Nine out of the 359 (2.5%) had TB. A TST test was given to 298 out of the 359 (83%). Of the 115 contacts of 44 extrapulmonary TB patients, three (3%) had a positive TST. Of the 186 contacts of 58 positive pulmonary TB patients, 30 (16%) had a positive TST. Contacts of sputum smear-positive patients significantly more often had a positive TST (25%), compared with the contacts of sputum smear-negative patients (7%). Children born abroad significantly more often had a positive TST (20%) than children born in the Netherlands (5%).In conclusion, the prevalence of active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection among children who are close contacts of immigrant tuberculosis patients is high and warrants an expansion of contact investigation.
The protease inhibitor PI*S allele and COPD: a meta-analysis
Authors: Dahl M. , Hersh C. P. , Ly N. P. , Berkey C. S. , Silverman E. K. , Nordestgaard B. G. 
Published: July 2005

In many countries, the protease inhibitor (SERPINA1) PI*S allele is more common than PI*Z, the allele responsible for most cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. However, the risk of COPD due to the PI*S allele is not clear.The current authors located studies that addressed the risk of COPD or measured lung function in individuals with the PI SZ, PI MS and PI SS genotypes. A separate meta-analysis for each genotype was performed.Aggregating data from six studies, the odds ratio (OR) for COPD in PI SZ compound heterozygotes compared with PI MM (normal) individuals was significantly increased at 3.26 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.24–8.57). In 17 cross-sectional and case-control studies, the OR for COPD in PI MS heterozygotes was 1.19 (95%CI: 1.02–1.38). However, PI MS genotype was not associated with COPD risk after correcting for smoking. Furthermore, mean forced expiratory volume in one second, a measure of airflow obstruction and a defining feature of COPD, did not differ between PI MS and PI MM individuals. There were not enough cases to summarise the risk of COPD in PI SS homozygotes.In conclusion, the results show that the PI SZ genotype is a significant risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to the PI MS genotype is not substantially elevated.
Traditional and patient-centred outcomes with three classes of asthma medication
Authors: Jenkins C. R. , Thien F. C. K. , Wheatley J. R. , Reddel H. K. 
Published: July 2005

Lung function is commonly used as the primary endpoint in asthma clinical trials, but it may not reflect changes which are important to patients. The present study compared changes in, and relationships between, traditional and patient-centred end-points during treatment with three classes of asthma medication.Subjects with mild-to-moderate asthma were randomised to double-blind, double-dummy crossover treatment with eformoterol 12 µgb.i.d.or montelukast 10 mgq.d., then single-blind treatment with fluticasone 250 µgb.i.d./placebo capsules, with 6-week treatment periods and 1-week washouts. Individual “traditional” end-points (symptoms, reliever use, forced expiratory volume in one second per cent predicted, morning peak expiratory flow, airway hyperresponsiveness) and “patient-centred” end-points (asthma control questionnaire, quality of life, patient global assessments) were assessed. Principal component analysis and linear modelling were used to explore overall rank orders for treatment, and relationships between outcomes.A total of 58 subjects were randomised. The rank order of benefit from eformoterol and fluticasone differed for three factors derived from principal component analysis (eformoterol>fluticasone for symptom/reliever use factor, fluticasone>eformoterol for lung function factor, eformoterol = fluticasone for patient-centred factor). Montelukast was ranked third for all three factors. A significant relationship between patient-based variables and lung function was found only for montelukast treatment.In asthma treatment, traditional end-points do not fully capture patient-centred benefits, and the relationship between end-points differs with medication class.
Ukrain – a new cancer cure? A systematic review of randomised clinical trials
Authors: Ernst E , Schmidt K 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackgroundUkrain is an anticancer drug based on the extract of the plantChelidonium majusL. Numerous pre-clinical and clinical investigations seem to suggest that Ukrain is pharmacologically active and clinically effective. We wanted therefore to critically evaluate the clinical trial data in the form of a systematic review.MethodsSeven electronic databases were searched for all relevant randomised clinical trials. Data were extracted and validated by both authors, tabulated and summarised narratively. The methodological quality was assessed with the Jadad score.ResultsSeven trials met our inclusion criteria. Without exception, their findings suggest that Ukrain has curative effects on a range of cancers. However, the methodological quality of most studies was poor. In addition, the interpretation of several trials was impeded by other problems.ConclusionThe data from randomised clinical trials suggest Ukrain to have potential as an anticancer drug. However, numerous caveats prevent a positive conclusion, and independent rigorous studies are urgently needed.
Association of CETP TaqI and APOE polymorphisms with type II diabetes mellitus in North Indians: a case control study
Authors: Dixit Manjusha , Bhattacharya Sandeep , Mittal Balraj 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackgroundGenetic variants of proteins involved in lipid metabolism may play an important role in determining the susceptibility for complications associated with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Goal of the present study was to determine the association of cholesteryl ester transfer proteinTaqI B, D442G, andAPOE HhaI polymorphisms with T2DM and its complications.MethodsStudy subjects were 136 patients and 264 healthy controls. All polymorphisms were detected using PCR-RFLP and statistical analysis done with χ2test and ANOVA.ResultsAlthoughCETP TaqI B polymorphism was not associated with the T2DM, yet B1B2 genotype was significantly (p = 0.028) associated with high risk of hypertension in diabetic patients (OR = 3.068, 95% CI 1.183–7.958). In North Indians D442G variation inCETPgene was found to be absent. Frequency ofAPOE HhaIpolymorphism was also not different between patients and controls. In diabetic patients having neuropathy and retinopathy significantly different levels of total-cholesterol [(p = 0.001) and (p = 0.029) respectively] and LDL-cholesterol [(p = 0.001) and (p = 0.001) respectively] were observed when compared to patients with T2DM only. However, lipid levels did not show any correlation with theCETP TaqI B andAPOE HhaI genetic polymorphisms.ConclusionCETP TaqI B andAPOE HhaI polymorphism may not be associated with type II diabetes mellitus in North Indian population, howeverCETP TaqI B polymorphism may be associated with hypertension along with T2DM.
Genomic analysis of metabolic pathway gene expression in mice
Authors: Ghazalpour Anatole , Doss Sudheer , Sheth Sonal S , Ingram-Drake Leslie A , Schadt Eric E , Lusis Aldons J , Drake Thomas A 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
Background
A segregating population of (C57BL/6J × DBA/2J)F2 intercross mice was studied for obesity-related traits and for global gene expression in liver. Quantitative trait locus analyses were applied to the subcutaneous fat-mass trait and all gene-expression data. These data were then used to identify gene sets that are differentially perturbed in lean and obese mice.

Results
We integrated global gene-expression data with phenotypic and genetic segregation analyses to evaluate metabolic pathways associated with obesity. Using two approaches we identified 13 metabolic pathways whose genes are coordinately regulated in association with obesity. Four genomic regions on chromosomes 3, 6, 16, and 19 were found to control the coordinated expression of these pathways. Using criteria that included trait correlation, differential gene expression, and linkage to genomic regions, we identified novel genes potentially associated with the identified pathways.

Conclusion
This study demonstrates that genetic and gene-expression data can be integrated to identify pathways associated with clinical traits and their underlying genetic determinants.