bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salicylic acid-induced suppression of Meloidogyne incognita infestation of okra and cowpea
Authors: Nandi Bidyut , Babu Santi Prasad Sinha , Banerjee Nirmalya , Kundu Kabita 
Published: February 2004

AbstractSalicylic acid (SA) applied as 10 mM foliar spray to okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) cv. Purbani Kranti and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cv. Pusa Ruby plants 24 h before inoculation of roots with Meloidogyne incognita juveniles, reduced infestation. Salicylic acid had no direct influence on plant growth and did not kill nematodes in an in vitro test. It induced increased accumulation of a 14 kDa pathogenesis-related protein (PR-1) in roots of both non-inoculated and inoculated salicylic acid-sprayed okra but not in the treated leaves. Salicylic acid sprays enhanced phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity in roots of both non-inoculated and inoculated cowpea, estimated at 15 days after inoculation. Infected roots had higher PAL activity than roots of the corresponding non-inoculated treatments. Both PAL activity and SA-induced resistance gradually declined with plant age after treatment.
Effects of sex on sleep-disordered breathing in adolescents
Authors: Fuentes-Pradera M.A. , Sánchez-Armengol Á. , Capote-Gil F. , Quintana-Gallego E. , Carmona-Bernal C. , Polo J. , Delgado-Moreno F. , Castillo-Gómez J. 
Published: February 2004

This study was conducted to determine the influence of puberty on features of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in adolescents.The study was performed in a general population sample of 226 adolescents of both sexes (aged 11–19 yrs) recruited from the secondary school population of the city of Seville, Spain. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1) postpubertal,i.e.females who had undergone menarche and males in whom axillary hair development or peak height velocity had occurred >1 yr before the study; and 2) peripubertal,i.e.females who had not undergone menarche and males who had not developed axillary hair nor reached peak height velocity, or subjects in whom these pubertal changes had appeared <1 yr before the study. All subjects answered a questionnaire on SDB and underwent overnight cardiorespiratory polygraphy.There were 50 males and 40 females (mean±sd age 13.5±1.2 yrs) in the peripubertal group, and 54 males and 82 females (age 16.3±1.7 yrs) in the postpubertal group. Males exhibited significantly higher neck circumference/height index and waist/hip index than females in both the peripubertal and postpubertal groups. In the postpubertal group, snoring and polygraphic alterations (respiratory events and oximetric parameters) were significantly more frequent in males than in females. Postpubertal adolescents showed sex differences in clinical and polygraphic parameters that were not observed at earlier pubertal stages.These findings support the influence of sex hormones on sex differences in sleep-disordered breathing.
Impact of lung volume reduction surgeryversusrehabilitation on quality of life
Authors: Mineo T.C. , Ambrogi V. , Pompeo E. , Elia S. , Mineo D. , Bollero P. , Nofroni I. 
Published: February 2004

This study aims at evaluating the effects of lung volume reductionversusrespiratory rehabilitation on quality of life, assessed by three different questionnaires.Sixty emphysematous patients were randomised by computer to receive either surgery (n=30) or rehabilitation (n=30). Life quality was evaluated by the Nottingham Health Profile, the Short Form (SF)‐36 item and the St George's questionnaires.As reported previously, dyspnoea index, forced expiratory volume in one second, residual volume, 6‐min walk test and arterial oxygen tension improved after surgery more than after rehabilitation. Quality of life was significantly improved after surgery as follows Nottingham Health Profile physical mobility; SF‐36 physical and social functioning, mental and general health, emotional role; St George's general, activity.At multivariate analysis 6‐ and 12‐month changes after surgery of Short Form‐36 physical functioning, general health, and St George's activity domains were significantly correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second, while Short Form‐36 social functioning and Nottingham Health Profile isolation correlated with residual volume. Functional and especially symptomatic improvements persisted: dyspnoea index, residual volume, and Short Form‐36 and St Georges's physical scores were still significant at 4 yrs. Surgery produces greater and longer effects than rehabilitation on quality of life by improving both physical and psychosocial domains. Symptomatic improvements persisted at 4 yrs.
Reversible inhibition of mitochondrial complex IV activity in PBMC following acute smoking
Authors: Alonso J-R. , Cardellach F. , Casademont J. , Miró Ò. 
Published: February 2004

Smoking causes a decrease of mitochondrial complex IV activity in chronic smokers. However, it is not known if this toxic effect is due to the acute effect of cigarette smoke itself or is a secondary phenomenon related to other smoking factors.The study assessed mitochondrial respiratory chain function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 15 healthy nonsmoker individuals before smoking (t0), immediately after smoking five cigarettes in 45 min (t1) and 24 h later (t2). Blood carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and carbon monoxide concentrations in exhaled air (COEA) were determined to ascertain smoke inhalation status.After acute smoking, COHb increased from 0.5±0.3% to 3.3±1.5%, and COEA from 2.9±2.5 to 26.1±9.9 ppm. Complex II and III enzyme activities did not change along the study. Complex IV activity showed a 23% inhibition at t1but returned to initial (t0) levels at t2. A decay in oxygen consumption was observed after the correction for mitochondrial content. Lipid peroxidation of cell membranes remained unchanged.Short-time smoking causes an acute and reversible mitochondrial complex IV inhibition in human mononuclear cells. These results suggest that smoke itself is one of the causes for the decrease of complex IV activity observed in chronic smokers.
Medical complications of lung transplantation
Authors: Kotloff R.M. , Ahya V.N. 
Published: February 2004

Surgical advances, in conjunction with more effective immunosuppressive strategies, have propelled the field of lung transplantation forward and have made intermediate-term survival an achievable goal. Nonetheless, the post-transplant course is often marked by complications that threaten both the quality and duration of the recipient's life.Many of the medical complications that arise are the direct consequence of the need to administer potent immunosuppressive agents, with their attendant risks of infection, malignancy and drug toxicity.This article will review the major medical complications, excluding allograft rejection, which may be encountered in the lung transplant recipient. Familiarity with, and vigilance for, these problems should facilitate earlier recognition, more expeditious intervention and more favourable outcomes.
Exaggerated bronchoconstriction due to inhalation challenges with occupational agents
Authors: Malo J‐L. , Cartier A. , Lemière C. , Desjardins A. , Labrecque M. , L'Archevêque J. , Perrault G. , Lesage J. , Cloutier Y. 
Published: February 2004

Inhalation challenges with occupational agents are used to confirm the aetiology of occupational asthma. It has been proposed that using closed-circuit equipment rather than the realistic challenge method would improve the methodology of these tests.Changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were examined in 496 subjects with “positive specific inhalation challenges”,i.e.changes in FEV1of ≥20% after exposure to an occupational agent, including 357 subjects exposed by the realistic method, 108 using the closed-circuit method and 31 by both methods.For immediate reactions, 18 of 95 (19%) showed changes in FEV1of ≥30% with the closed-circuit method, whereas a significantly larger proportion,i.e.77 of 200 (38.5%), showed such changes using the realistic method. As regards nonimmediate reactions, changes in FEV1of ≥30% occurred in 16 of 43 (37%) cases with the closed-circuit method as compared to a larger proportion,i.e.87 of 180 (48%) cases, using the realistic method. This favourable effect was significantly more pronounced in workers with higher levels of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine.It is concluded that, for agents that can be generated using the closed-circuit method, use of such apparatus results in a smaller proportion of exaggerated bronchoconstriction than does the realistic method, this being particularly true for low-molecular weight agents.
The Arg753Gln polymorphism of the human Toll-like receptor 2 gene in tuberculosis disease
Authors: Ogus A.C. , Yoldas B. , Ozdemir T. , Uguz A. , Olcen S. , Keser I. , Coskun M. , Cilli A. , Yegin O. 
Published: February 2004

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), a member of the Toll-like receptor family, plays an important role in recognition of, and subsequent immune response activation against, mycobacteria. The genetic polymorphism of TLR2 (arginine to glutamine substitution at residue 753 (Arg753Gln)) has been associated with a negative influence on TLR2 function, which may, in turn, determine the innate host response to mycobacteria. The aim of the present study was to investigate the Arg753Gln single nucleotide polymorphism of the TLR2 gene in tuberculosis (TB) patients compared to healthy controls.A retrospective case/control study was carried out. The Arg753Gln polymorphism of the TLR2 gene was studied in 151 TB patients compared to 116 ethnically and age-matched healthy control subjects.The TLR2 polymorphism (adenine (A) allele) was observed in 17.9 and 7.7% of TB patients and controls, respectively. When the ratios of the three genotypes were compared between the two groups, the AA genotype was found to be more significantly associated with TB. Allele frequencies for guanine (G) and A were found to be 0.95 and 0.05 in the control group and 0.86 and 0.14 in the TB patient group, respectively. The risk of developing TB disease was increased 6.04‐ and 1.60‐fold for carriers of the AA and GA genotypes, respectively.In conclusion, the present data suggest that the arginine to glutamine substitution at residue 753 polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 2 gene influences the risk of developing tuberculosis.
Chronic tonsillar enlargement and cough: preliminary evidence of a novel and treatable cause of chronic cough
Authors: Birring S.S. , Passant C. , Patel R.B. , Prudon B. , Murty G.E. , Pavord I.D. 
Published: February 2004

Tonsillar enlargement is sometimes seen in patients with otherwise unexplained chronic cough although its significance is unclear. In this study, the authors set out to test the hypothesis that cough symptoms and cough reflex sensitivity will improve after tonsillectomy in patients with otherwise unexplained chronic cough and enlarged tonsils.Eight consecutive patients with unexplained chronic cough and enlarged tonsils were recruited from 236 patients seen in a cough clinic between 2000 and 2001. Six patients with enlarged tonsils and no cough who were undergoing tonsillectomy for other reasons were recruited as a control group. All patients rated cough severity on a cough visual analogue score (0–100 mm) and had capsaicin cough reflex sensitivity measurement twice before and again 3 months after tonsillectomy.Patients with a chronic cough had heightened cough reflex sensitivity compared with the control group at baseline. There was a significant improvement in mean cough visual analogue score 3 months after tonsillectomy in patients with chronic cough (mean difference 30 mm; 95% confidence interval of difference 8–51 mm). The geometric mean concentration of capsaicin required to cause five coughs increased from 4 to 207 µmol·L−1after tonsillectomy in patients with chronic cough (mean difference from baseline 5.6 doubling concentrations; 95% confidence interval of difference 3.1–8.2). There was no change in cough reflex sensitivity in control patients after tonsillectomy.These preliminary findings suggest for the first time a possible role for tonsillectomy in patients with enlarged tonsils in whom other causes of cough have been ruled out.
Genetic background affects susceptibility in nonfatal pneumococcal bronchopneumonia
Authors: Preston J.A. , Beagley K.W. , Gibson P.G. , Hansbro P.M. 
Published: February 2004

A nonfatal pneumococcal lung infection model was required to investigate immune responses during recovery, and the interaction of other diseases subsequent to infection. A murine model of nonfatal pneumococcal lung infection was developed and the effect of genetic background on susceptibility was determined in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.Bacteria colonised the lungs and mice developed mild clinical illness with pathophysiology similar to human bronchopneumonia. Recovery was associated with immune cell influx, which cleared bacteria but induced tissue damage characteristic of pneumococcal bronchopneumonia.After clearance, immune cell populations returned to normal and tissues appeared less inflamed. Although bacterial exposure and clearance were similar, the extent of immune cell influx and tissue damage differed significantly. Larger numbers of neutrophils and lymphocytes entered lung tissue and the affected area was greater in BALB/c compared with C57BL/6 mice.An inflammatory basis for differences was determined with greater levels of phagocytosis and oxidative burst observed in BALB/c mice. C57BL/6 mice cleared the low inoculum with a reduced immune response; however, C57BL/6 mice are more susceptible to larger inocula, which overwhelms the immune system. These different susceptibilities result from a greater inflammatory response in BALB/c compared with C57BL/6 mice.
One-year cost-effectiveness of tiotropiumversusipratropium to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Oostenbrink J.B. , Rutten-van Mölken M.P.M.H. , Al M.J. , Van Noord J.A. , Vincken W. 
Published: February 2004

The aim of this paper is to assess the health economic consequences of substituting ipratropium with the new, once-daily bronchodilator tiotropium in patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).This prospective cost-effectiveness analysis was performed alongside two 1‐yr randomised, double-blind clinical trials in the Netherlands and Belgium. Patients had a diagnosis of COPD and a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) ≤65% predicted normal. Patients were randomised to tiotropium (18 µg once daily) or ipratropium (2 puffs of 20 µg administered four times daily) in a ratio of 2:1.The mean number of exacerbations was reduced from 1.01 in the ipratropium group (n=175) to 0.74 in the tiotropium group (n=344). The percentages of patients with a relevant improvement on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were 34.6% and 51.2% respectively. Compared to ipratropium, the number of hospital admissions, hospital days and unscheduled visits to healthcare providers was reduced by 46%, 42% and 36% respectively. Mean annual healthcare costs including the acquisition cost of the study drugs were 1721 (sem 160) in the tiotropium group and 1,541 (SEM 163) in the ipratropium group (difference 180). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were 667 per exacerbation avoided and 1084 per patient with a relevant improvement on the SGRQ.Substituting tiotropium for ipratropium in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients offers improved health outcomes and is associated with increased costs of 180 per patient per year.
Innate immunity in the lung: how epithelial cells fight against respiratory pathogens
Authors: Bals R. , Hiemstra P.S. 
Published: February 2004

The human lung is exposed to a large number of airborne pathogens as a result of the daily inhalation of 10,000 litres of air. The observation that respiratory infections are nevertheless rare is testimony to the presence of an efficient host defence system at the mucosal surface of the lung.The airway epithelium is strategically positioned at the interface with the environment, and thus plays a key role in this host defence system. Recognition systems employed by airway epithelial cells to respond to microbial exposure include the action of the toll-like receptors.The airway epithelium responds to such exposure by increasing its production of mediators such as cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobial peptides. Recent findings indicate the importance of these peptides as effector molecules of innate immunity by killing microorganisms, but also as regulators of inflammation, immunity and wound repair. Finally, the clinical relevance of the functions of the airway epithelium in innate immunity is discussed.
Long- and medium-term ozone effects on lung growth including a broad spectrum of exposure
Authors: Ihorst G. , Frischer T. , Horak F. , Schumacher M. , Kopp M. , Forster J. , Mattes J. , Kuehr J. 
Published: February 2004

The effects of semi-annual and 3.5 yr mean ozone (O3) concentrations on children's forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were assessed over a study period of 3.5 yrs in 2,153 schoolchildren from 15 study sites in South Western Germany and Lower Austria.Spirometric parameters were assessed twice a year, and differences between consecutive measurements divided by days were considered as a measure of lung growth. Exposure was analysed in four classes, separately for winter and summer (semi-annual mean O3concentrations 22–30, 30–38, 38–46, 46–54 parts per billion (ppb) in summer and 4–12, 12–20, 20–28, 28–36 ppb in winter).Regression methods for repeated measurements were used, and these revealed a significantly lower FVC (FEV1) increase estimated at −19.2 (−18.5) mL·100 days−1for semi-annual mean O3exposure in summer between 46 and 54 ppb compared to exposure between 22 and 30 ppb. However, in winter, the estimated difference in FVC (FEV1) was 16.4 (10.9) mL·100 days−1between the semi-annual O3class 28–36 ppb and the 4–12 ppb class. By means of linear regression the study found that there was no association between growth rates and mean summer O3for FVC and FEV1over a 3.5 yr period.The authors conclude that medium-term effects on schoolchildren's lung growth are possibly present, but are in the long-term not detectable for forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second over a 3.5 yr period due to partial reversibility.
Computed tomography features of liparitosis: a pneumoconiosis due to amorphous silica
Authors: Mazziotti S. , Gaeta M. , Costa C. , Ascenti G. , Barbaro Martino L. , Spatari G. , Settineri N. , Barbaro M. 
Published: February 2004

The purpose of this study was to describe the radiological features of pleural, parenchymal and mediastinal damage due to occupational inhalation of pumice.In total, 31 workers were evaluated for annual follow-up. Spiral computed tomography (CT) was obtained in the three patients with evident parenchymal abnormalities at chest radiograph. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed in the remaining 28 subjects with no radiographical evidence of pleuro-pulmonary damage or evidence of pleural plaques, in order to exclude parenchymal involvement. Pumice samples were analysed by radiograph diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.Spiral CT showed parahilar conglomerate masses containing fine reticular calcifications in three of 31 (9.7%) patients. HRCT showed several bilateral pleural plaques, without any parenchymal lesion in eight of 28 (28.6%) cases. Statistical analysis indicated correlation between CT findings and pulmonary function, as well as exposure to pumice. The analysis of pumice excluded the presence of asbestos.The findings from this study suggest that pleural plaque may be the only sign of disease in patients with a history of pumice inhalation. However, conglomerate parahilar masses are probably due to exposure to massive amounts of heated pumice, and seem to have different pathogenesis and histopathological characteristics to silicosis.
Chronic bronchiolitis in a 5‐yr-old child after exposure to sulphur mustard gas
Authors: Dompeling E. , Jöbsis Q. , Vandevijver N.M.A. , Wesseling G. , Hendriks H. 
Published: February 2004

Exposure to sulphur mustard (SM) gas may have extensive immediate effects on the respiratory system. However, long-term effects are far less known. This case report describes a Kurdish male child who was exposed to SM gas during a chemical attack in Iraq at 5 yrs of age.In the acute phase, the child developed severe respiratory symptoms with a chemical pneumonia. Extensive burning of the skin occurred. In the course of 10 yrs, lung function deteriorated progressively to a forced expiratory volume in one second of 30% of predicted value. Severe air-trapping occurred. The lung function abnormalities were not reversed by treatment with corticosteroids or bronchodilators. Infectious exacerbations of the child's lung disease occurred. High resolution computed tomography scan showed multiple bronchiectasis. The histological picture of an open lung biopsy was best described as a “chronic bronchiolitis”.
JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA
Authors: Manosevitz Jason U. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractAnalysis of Japan-South Korea security interaction shows a solidifying security relationship rooted less in threats from North Korea and more in shared economic interests. Remarkable as the ongoing security relationship is, it is limited in operation and narrowly focused. This has implications for regional security organization and proponents of the U.S.-Japan-South Korea “virtual alliance.”
Categorization of Musical Motifs in Infancy
Authors: Mélen Marc , Wachsmann Julie 
Published: February 2004

This article reports a study on categorization of music by 6- to 10-month-old infants. In the first experiment, infants were taught to categorize different sequences from a piece by Schubert into two categories. The results obtained were consistent with the categorization hypothesis; however, they did not reach statistical significance. We assumed that the results did not reach significance because the balance between the intercategorical and the intracategorical contrasts was tipped in favor of the intracategorical contrasts. The second experiment was a control experiment on adult participants, which aimed to evaluate the degree of similarity between the different exemplars for each category involved in the first experiment. The third experiment replicated the first one, but with sequences taken from two distinct pieces in order to increase the contrast between the categories. The data were fully consistent with the categorization hypothesis. The results are interpreted in terms of the model of sameness anddifference (I. Deliège, 1987).
Le présent article rapporte une étude relative à la catégorisation musicale chez les nourrissons de six à dix mois. Dans la première expérience, les nourrissons apprenaient à répartir en deux catégories différentes séquences issues d'une pièce de Schubert. Les résultats obtenus étaient conformes à l'hypothèse de catégorisation, mais sans être statistiquement significatifs. Nous avons supposé que cela était dû à un déséquilibre entre les contrastes inter- et intracatégoriels, les seconds étant favorisés. La deuxième expérience était une expérience de contrôle avec des participants adultes; elle visait à évaluer le degré de similarité entre les différents exemplaires des deux catégories impliquées dans la première expérience. La troisième expérience répliquait la première, mais cette fois les séquences provenaient de deux pièces distinctes, de façon à augmenter le contraste entre les catégories. Les données furent pleinement compatibles avec l'hypothèse de catégorisation. Les résultats sont interprétés à la lumière du modèle du même et du différent (I. Deliège, 1987).