bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blood Gases and Sex Hormones in Women with and without Genital Descensus
Authors: Eterović Davor , Strinić Tomislav , Dujić Željko , Boban Mladen 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Abnormalities in connective tissue and spirometric disorders have previously been found in women with genital descensus. <i>Objective:</i> To evaluate the association of descensus and respiratory function. <i>Methods:</i> The blood gases and sex hormones were measured in 130 women scheduled for surgical correction of descensus and 60 matched women without descensus. All subjects were nonsmokers and without past or present cardiorespiratory disease. <i>Results:</i> Women with descensus had a lower pH (7.39 ± 0.04 vs. 7.41 ± 0.04, p = 0.01), lower arterial tensions of oxygen (12.7 ± 12. vs. 14.1 ± 0.9 kPa, p = 0.003) and carbon dioxide (5.1 ± 0.4 vs. 5.3 ± 0.3 kPa) but a higher hemoglobin concentration (141 ± 11 vs. 132 ± 9 g/l) and a higher serum progesterone in the follicular phase of the cycle (3.1 ± 4 vs. 1.5 ± 1 ng/ml, p = 0.03). In 39 (30%) women with descensus, the arterial carbon dioxide tension was below 4.9 kPa. All subjects ventilated more in the luteal compared to the follicular phase of the cycle. In women with descensus, the hemoglobin concentration increased with decreasing arterial oxygen tension (p = 10<sup>–4</sup>) and with decreasing pH (p < 10<sup>–3</sup>). <i>Conclusion:</i> Women with descensus frequently hyperventilate and, compared with women without descensus, have a lower arterial oxygen tension, increased hemoglobin concentration and slightly lower pH.
Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Outpatients: Randomized Study of Clarithromycin Alone versus Clarithromycin and Cefuroxime
Authors: Rovira E. , Martínez-Moragón E. , Belda A. , Gonzalvo F. , Ripollés F. , Pascual J.M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To evaluate the efficacy of clarithromycin alone in comparison with the combination of clarithromycin and cefuroxime in the treatment of nonhospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in a Mediterranean population. <i>Methods:</i> CAP was defined as the acute onset of fever (>38°C) with pulmonary opacity on chest roentgenogram. The American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria (1993) were used to decide on patient hospitalization. Ninety subjects, of whom 53 (59%) were men, with a mean age (± SD) of 38 ± 15 years, were randomized: 45 received clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. orally for 14 days (CL group), and 45 received clarithromycin plus cefuroxime 500 mg b.i.d. orally for 7 days (CLCE group). Patients were monitored with clinical, radiological, and laboratory controls at 3 and 21 days. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to demographic, clinical, physical and laboratory data. <i>Results:</i> The mean time to defervescence was 2.4 ± 1.4 and 2.4 ± 1.5 days, respectively. Chest roentgenogram clearance was complete in all cases, without statistically significant differences in the time to resolution between both arms. Side effects were mild (no significant differences between groups): 5 patients in the CL group and 3 in the CLCE group showed gastrointestinal symptoms. Two patients (2.2%), both in the CLCE group, needed hospital admission during follow-up, but all 90 patients showed an excellent outcome. A causative agent was determined in 25 cases (28%). <i>Legionella pneumophila, Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>, and <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> were the most frequent pathogens. <i>Conclusion:</i> Empirical treatment of outpatient CAP with clarithromycin can be considered adequate in the Mediterranean area, independently of the microbiological etiology. ATS criteria for admitting patients with CAP are appropriate in this population.
Proinflammatory or Regulatory Cytokines Released from BALF Macrophages of Healthy Smokers
Authors: Mikuniya Takeshi , Nagai Sonoko , Tsutsumi Takeo , Morita Koji , Mio Tadashi , Satake Norio , Izumi Takateru 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background: </i>Chronic smoking influences bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell profiles in healthy subjects, which may alter profiles of inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. <i>Objective: </i>We focused on the evaluation of smoking-related changes in the amounts of cytokines released from BALF macrophages. <i>Methods: </i>We measured the amounts of immunoreactive culture supernatants by using ELISA. <i>Results: </i>The amounts of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were lower in smokers [n = 10, median 22.1 ng/ml, 25th and 75th percentiles (18.7–39.1)] than in nonsmokers [n = 10, 48.6 (39.2–66.1), p = 0.010]. In smokers, lipopolysaccharide stimulation revealed decreases in the amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) [nonsmokers: 2.1 ng/ml (0.68–5.4 vs. smokers: 0.5 (0.03–0.87), p = 0.049] as well as IL-1ra [nonsmokers: 69.2 ng/ml (48.3– 83.8) vs. smokers: 27.3 (17.2–56.7), p = 0.028]. A delay in release from intracellular storage was not the cause of the reduced amounts of IL-1ra. In addition, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was positively correlated with IL-6 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor in nonsmokers, but not in smokers. Furthermore, the decreases in IL-1ra and interleukin-8 were correlated with the increase in the number of BALF macrophages in smokers, but not in nonsmokers. <i>Conclusions: </i>Chronic smoking caused changes in the profiles of cytokines released from BALF macrophages in healthy subjects. Decreases in the amounts of regulatory cytokines, but not prominent changes in the amounts of inflammatory ones, were characteristic.
Inhaled Corticosteroids May Reduce Neutrophilic Inflammation in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Yildiz F. , Kaur A.C. , Ilgazlı A. , Celikoglu M. , Kaçar Özkara S. , Paksoy N. , Özkarakaş O. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Although both inhaled and oral corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory effects causing improvement in clinical symptoms and spirometry in the treatment of asthma, the role of corticosteroids in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is controversial. <i>Objective:</i> To evaluate the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on sputum neutrophilia in clinically stable COPD patients. <i>Methods:</i> In total, 18 patients were enrolled in the study. During 2 months, 9 patients in group A inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) 500 μg 3 times daily. In group B 9 patients received placebo. All of the patients continued to inhale both salbutamol and ipratropium bromide. In 9 patients, sustained-released theophylline was also administered. Blood samples, spirometric tests, blood gas analyses, and either spontaneous or induced sputum cultures were evaluated on entry into the study, after a 2 months of treatment and following the 6-week washout period. <i>Results:</i> After the 2-month FP treatment, no significant changes in the number of peripheral blood neutrophils, blood gas and spirometry data were observed in both groups. In group A, the total cell number and the number of neutrophils decreased from a mean of 3.4 ± 1.3 × 10<sup>6</sup> cells/g and 0.6 ± 0.3 × 10<sup>6</sup> neutrophils/g on entry into study to 1.9 ± 0.6 × 10<sup>6</sup> cells/g and 0.02 ± 0.01 × 10<sup>6</sup> neutrophils/g after 8-week treatment with FP, returning to 3.3 ± 1.1 × 10<sup>6</sup> cells/g and 0.5 ± 0.3 × 10<sup>6</sup> neutrophils/g following the washout period. The percentages of neutrophils were 55.6 and 77.9% in groups A and B after 2 months of FP treatment. There was no significant change in group B values during the study. <i>Conclusion:</i> These data suggest that neutrophilic inflammation in sputum may be decreased by inhaled corticosteroids in clinically stable COPD patients.
Effect of Intravenous Fructose 1,6-Diphosphate Administration in Malnourished Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure
Authors: Marchesani Francesca , Valerio Giuseppe , Dardes Nicola , Viglianti Bruno , Sanguinetti Claudio M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Weight loss and skeletal muscle wasting are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can influence the course and the prognosis of COPD. Hypophosphatemia is a pathologic status often characterized by muscle weakness and is a frequent laboratory finding in these patients. <i>Objective:</i> The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an organic phosphate (fructose 1,6-diphosphate, FDP) administration on respiratory performance in 45 malnourished COPD patients in stable clinical conditions. <i>Methods:</i> Physiologic evaluation including spirometry, maximal voluntary ventilation (MMV), elevated arm test, maximal mouth pressures (PImax and PEmax), respiratory response to CO<sub>2</sub>, oxygen (PaO<sub>2</sub>) and carbon dioxide (PaCO<sub>2</sub>) arterial tension, a visual analogic scale (VAS) to measure dyspnea, and complete blood tests were done at the beginning and again at the end of the study. <i>Results:</i> After FDP administration, there was a significant increase in PImax (43.0 ± 18.3 cm H<sub>2</sub>O before treatment vs. 49.8 ± 14.9 cm H<sub>2</sub>O after treatment; p < 0.005). This did not occur in the placebo group (40.3 ± 17.4 cm H<sub>2</sub>O before treatment vs. 42.6 ± 20.1 cm H<sub>2</sub>O after treatment, nonsignificant). There was also a trend of VAS to decrease and of MVV to increase. <i>Conclusions:</i> These results show that FDP administration may be useful in the management of malnourished COPD patients, especially in increasing their respiratory muscle strength.
Comparison of the Effect on Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness of Beclomethasone Dipropionate Administered via a Novel Multidose Dry-Powder Inhaler or a Conventional Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler
Authors: Morice A.H. , Andrews B. , Taylor M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background: </i>Treatment with inhaled corticosteroids improves symptoms and reduces bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) associated with asthma. Delivery of drugs into the lung is dependent on the inhaler device. Furthermore, environmental concerns regarding the use of chlorofluorocarbon propellants in pressurised inhalers and patient acceptability of inhaler devices both influence the extent of use of different delivery systems. <i>Objectives: </i>To compare the efficacy of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) administered via a novel multidose dry-powder inhaler (DPI) and a conventional pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) with spacer in patients with BHR. <i>Methods: </i>A randomised, double-blind, crossover study was carried out in a group of 27 patients (aged 19–55 years) with a clinical diagnosis of reversible airway disease, who demonstrated BHR to methacholine (PD<sub>20</sub> ≤6.4 mg). Each patient received BDP (≤2 mg/day) via the DPI or pMDI, for periods of 4 weeks. The randomised treatment periods were preceded by 3-week washout periods when no corticosteroid was used. Five clinic visits marked the start and end of each study phase. The primary efficacy endpoint was BHR as defined by the pharmacodynamic parameter, PD<sub>20</sub>, which was determined at the start and end of each treatment period. Clinical endpoints including lung function, symptoms and adverse events were also evaluated. <i>Results: </i>Both treatments caused a significant decrease in BHR (p < 0.05 vs. pre-treatment values). Mean ± SD changes in log PD<sub>20</sub> were: DPI 0.59 ± 1.29; pMDI 0.59 ± 0.94 mg. There was no statistically significant difference between treatments and no evidence of a carry-over effect between treatments on BHR. Clinical efficacy and safety parameters also demonstrated no statistically significant treatment differences, and patients found the DPI easier to use. <i>Conclusion: </i>Efficacy of BDP in reducing BHR is comparable via the DPI and pMDI plus spacer.
Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome before and after Treatment with Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Authors: Alchanatis Manos , Paradellis George , Pini Helen , Tourkohoriti Georgia , Jordanoglou John 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Previous studies have yielded disparate results regarding the effect of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome on left ventricular (LV) function. <i>Objectives:</i> In order to clarify this, we performed a prospective study investigating OSA patients with no history of systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial, pericardial or valvular problems, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before and after treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). <i>Methods:</i> Fifteen patients (3 women, 12 men) with an apnoea/hypopnoea index >15 (mean ± SD = 52 ± 21) were studied with complete polysomnography, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, M-mode two-dimensional echocardiography and pulsed Doppler echocardiography in two phases, i.e. before and after 12–14 weeks of nCPAP therapy. We measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) separately in the daytime and night-time, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), the ratio of peak early filling velocity (E) to peak late velocity (A) diastolic transmitral flow (E/A), posterior wall thickness (PWT) and septal thickness (IVST). The shortening fraction (SF) was also calculated. Eleven overweight non-apnoeic normal subjects matched for age were used as the control group. <i>Results:</i> Our results showed that the patient group exhibited, before treatment, LV diastolic, but not systolic, dysfunction compared with the normal group (IVRT = 94.3 ± 11.6 ms, p < 0.05; E/A = 0.94 ± 0.26, p < 0.02; SF = 39.9 ± 4.1%, not significant (NS); IVST = 9.9 ± 1.2 mm, NS; PWT = 8.3 ± 1.2 mm, NS). Moreover, the patient group developed diastolic hypertension both in the daytime and night-time (BP/diastolic/daytime = 93.3 ± 9.2 mm Hg, BP/diastolic/night-time = 90.3 ± 10.7 mm Hg). After 12–14 weeks of nCPAP treatment (no change in body mass index), significant improvement in LV diastolic function and a drop in blood pressure were noticed (IVRT = 85.6 ± 8.8 ms, p < 0.05; E/A = 1.07 ± 0.3, p < 0.05; BP/diastolic/daytime = 86.3 ± 5.5 mm Hg, p < 0.02; BP/diastolic/night-time = 83.9 ± 8.6 mm Hg, p < 0.05) in our patient group. <i>Conclusions:</i> We conclude that repetitive apnoeas/hypopnoeas are very important factors in the development of both LV diastolic dysfunction and diastolic systemic hypertension in patients with OSA syndrome. Treatment with nCPAP leads to significant improvement in both ventricular function and systemic hypertension.
Direct Spinal Cord Electrical Stimulations during Surgery of Intramedullary Tumoral and Vascular Lesions
Authors: Duffau Hugues , Capelle Laurent , Sichez Jean-Pierre 
Published: April 2003

Despite the use of somatosensory evoked potentials during surgery for spinal cord tumors or vascular lesions, postoperative neurological disorders, particularly motor deficits, frequently occur after aggressive surgery with an attempt of gross total resection. We report the use of peroperative direct spinal cord electrical stimulation to decrease morbidity while improving the quality of resection. Three patients with intramedullary lesions (1 ependymoma and 2 cavernomas), initially revealed by pain and followed by neurological deficit, were operated at our institution using peroperative direct medullary electrical stimulations (60 Hz, biphasic square wave pulses with 1 ms/phase, 0.9 mA) under general anesthesia without curare. In all cases, gross total resection was performed until motor responses to stimulation, which indicated anterior and lateral boundaries between the lesion and the functional tissue, were obtained. There was no postoperative neurological worsening, but an immediate partial improvement of sensory and bladder disorders in the patient with ependymoma. Postoperative MRI confirmed total resection in the 3 patients. These cases demonstrate that direct medullary electrical stimulation is a safe, easy, precise and reliable method to reduce morbidity during spinal cord surgery.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Appearance of Perinidal T<sub>2</sub> Hyperintensity Signal as a Predictor of Favorable Treatment Response
Authors: Mobin Fardad , De Salles Antonio A.F. , Abdelaziz Osama , Cabatan-Awang Cynthia , Solberg Timothy , Selch Michael 
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this study was to analyze the significance of perinidal T<sub>2</sub> hyperintensity appearance after radiosurgery of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), as a predictor of treatment response. Our initial experience with linear accelerator (LINAC) radiosurgery at University of California, Los Angeles, between 1990 and 1997 involved treatment of 129 patients affected by cerebral AVMs. Based upon availability of neuroimaging follow-up, 48 patients with 50 AVMs were selected for review. Forty (80%) of the AVMs underwent complete obliteration or significant reduction on follow-up MRI, on average 20 months after radiosurgery. Thirteen (72%) of 18 obliterated AVMs were associated with perinidal T<sub>2</sub> hyperintensity signal, on average 18 months (6–49) after radiosurgery. Ten (20%) of 50 AVMs (average volume 23.1 cm<sup>3</sup>, ranging 7.5–46.5) were unchanged. Furthermore, only 3 AVMs in this group showed reversible T<sub>2</sub> signal changes. In patients with complete nidal obliteration, appearance of T<sub>2</sub> hyperintensity signal achieves 72% sensitivity in predicting successful treatment response.
In vivo Human Skin Barrier Modulation by Topical Application of Fatty Acids
Authors: Tanojo Hanafi , Boelsma Esther , Junginger Hans E. , Ponec Maria , Boddé Harry E. 
Published: April 2003

The in vivo effects of fatty acids on skin barrier function were assessed by measuring: (i) transepidermal water loss (TEWL), (ii) diffusion lag times for hexyl nicotinate (HN), and (iii) irritant skin response using laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) in combination with visual scoring. Two classes of fatty acids have been investigated: straight-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA), having 6–12 carbon atoms, and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA): oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic and arachidonic acids. It has been reported that these acids can enhance the permeation of various compounds across the skin. After topical and occlusive application as a solution in propylene glycol (PG) for 3 h on the volar arm of human subjects, SFA only caused a slight irritation and increase in TEWL. The diffusion lag times of HN were reduced by the application SFA to the same extent as and not more than by the application of the pure solvent PG. In contrast, the application of UFA caused a significant increase in TEWL and LDV (irritation) responses. The TEWL values after oleic acid application were higher than those observed for the other three acids, while the irritation potential of arachidonic acid was the highest among UFA. As with SFA, sites treated with UFA did not show significantly different lag times of HN diffusion from PC-treated sites. The data suggest that the degree of irritation and the degree of barrier modulation for fatty acids are not necessarily correlated.
Dehydrogenation of 3-Phenoxybenzyl Alcohol in Isolated Perfused Rabbit Skin, Skin Homogenate and Purified Dehydrogenases
Authors: Bast G.E. , Kampffmeyer H.G. 
Published: April 2003

The formation of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid from 3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol was determined in (a) rabbit ears, single-pass perfused with a protein-free buffer, pH 7.4; (b) the microsomal fraction and its supernatant from homogenized rabbit skin; and (c) purified alcohol dehydrogenase from horse liver and baker’s yeast. The inhibition of product formation in (a) was about 60% by various 4-methylpyrazole concentrations, but metyrapone had no effect. Following ultracentrifugation, only the supernatant of homogenized skin showed product formation (apparent V<sub>may</sub>: 32 pmol/min per cm<sup>2</sup> skin; apparent K<sub>m</sub>: 64 µ<i>M</i>). 3-Phenoxybenzyl alcohol and ethanol dehydrogenation was similar by alcohol dehydrogenase from horse liver (apparent K<sub>m</sub>: 0.7 vs. 0.4 m<i>M</i>; apparent V<sub>max</sub>: 0.3 vs. 0.2 U/µg protein). In baker’s yeast, the apparent K<sub>m</sub> of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid formation was several times larger than that for ethanol dehydrogenation. The K<sub>I</sub> of 4-methylpyrazole for alcohol dehydrogenase from horse liver was 0.6 (3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol) vs. 0.04 µ<i>M</i> (ethanol). The K<sub>I</sub> for ethanol in baker’s yeast was 470 µ<i>M</i>. In conclusion dehydrogenation is an important metabolic pathway in the skin for xenobiotics with an aliphatic alcohol at a side chain.
Comparative Analgesic Efficacy of Nimesulide and Diclofenac Gels after Topical Application on the Skin
Authors: Sengupta S. , Velpandian T. , Sapra P. , Mathur P. , Gupta S.K. 
Published: April 2003

Nimesulide is a newer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with selective cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 blocking property and has demonstrated a potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity on oral and rectal administration. However, the C<sub>max</sub> through both these routes is reached only after 3 h of administration. Dose-dependent gastrointestinal side effects also limit the concentration of drug that can be achieved at the site of inflammation when administered through these routes. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antinociception induced by a new gel formulation of nimesulide when applied on the skin. Efficacy of topical nimesulide gel 1% (w/w) was studied on mice in the acetic-acid-induced writhing, tail flick latency (TFL) test and formalin-induced pain models. The antinociceptive effect of nimesulide was compared to diclofenac gel (1% w/w). Both the drugs induced dose-dependent analgesia with peak effect seen between 90 and 120 min after treatment. Greater antinociceptive effect (expressed as percent maximum possible effect) was seen in the writhing test than in the TFL test, indicating the peripheral action of both drugs. Nimesulide evidenced significant protection in the first phase of formalin-induced pain indicating modulation of peripheral nociceptors unlike other conventional NSAIDs. This suggests that COX-2 may be a primary contributor to afferent evoked increase in prostanoid-mediated changes in pain processing. Antinociception seen following drug application on the skin was lower than that seen on intraperitoneal administration, indicating localised action following topical application. The findings of the present study suggest that the transgel formulation of nimesulide provides significant analgesic activity when applied topically.
<i>cis</i>-Urocanic Acid Induces Mast Cell Degranulation and Release of Preformed TNF--α: A Possible Mechanism Linking UVB and <i>cis</i>-Urocanic Acid to Immunosuppression of Contact Hypersensitivity
Authors: Wille John J. , Kydonieus Agis F. , Murphy George F. 
Published: April 2003

The search for effective inhibitors of transdermal drug-induced contact sensitization was directed to dermal mast-cell-degranulating agents (MCDA). Human skin organ cultures were employed to test whether <i>cis</i>-urocanic acid (C-UA) and other potential MCDAs cause mast cell degranulation. These were then tested for their ability to inhibit the induction phase of the contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR). C-UA at 1 μg/ml significantly depleted mast cell chymase, whereas <i>trans</i>-urocanic acid (T-UA) was relatively ineffective. C-UA, but not T-UA, induced local effects of liberated mast cell TNF-α, as detected by E-selectin expression on the microvascular dermal endothelium. C-UA significantly reduced (>70%) the ear swelling response in Balb/c mice, when applied 24 h prior to application of a sensitizing amount of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and induced a prolonged (>3 weeks) state of immune tolerance (>40%). Similar effects on local immunosuppression of CHR were observed with topical chloroquine and capsaicin, while cromolyn, a mast cell membrane stabilizer, was unable to inhibit DNCB-induced CHR. It is suggested that MCDAs may interfere with downstream events associated with accessory cell function.