bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Symptom structure and psychiatric comorbidity of combat‐related post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Vukšíc‐Mihaljevíc Željka , Mandíc Nikola , Mihaljevíc Silvio , Ivandíc Ante 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe placement of the diagnostic category of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among anxiety disorders reflects the recognition that anxiety is a predominant reaction to trauma. Indeed, the symptoms of PTSD overlap considerably with those of other anxiety disorders. The nosological criteria render PTSD as quite a heterogeneous diagnosis. Two individuals with no common symptoms can be diagnosed as having PTSD. In this report we provide information on the phenomenology and psychiatric comorbidity in a sample of 33 patients with combat‐related PTSD. The finding of clinical heterogeneity in subjects with combat‐related PTSD and the therapy implications are discussed.
Temporal order of sleepiness, performance and physiological indices during 19‐h sleep deprivation
Authors: Nakano Toshio , Araki Kazunori , Michimori Akihiro , Inbe Hiroyuki , Hagiwara Hiroshi , Koyama Emi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNineteen‐hour variation of subjective sleepiness, performance and physiological indices were assessed during sleep deprivation. Longitudinal data of each index had its characteristic curve through which the values changed from day level to night level. A comparison of the time when each curve crossed its mid‐range (50% value of its range) showed that those of subjective sleepiness and heart rate were significantly earlier than those of tracking error and coefficient of variation of R‐R interval (CVR‐R), P < 0.01. That of rectal temperature was located at between 1:00 and 4:00 am. These temporal relationships were reproducible under two lighting conditions. These results will be useful in considering the occurrence of human errors by night‐time workers in the early morning.
Effects of daytime activity on nocturnal sleep in the elderly
Authors: Shirota Ai , Tamaki Munehisa , Hayashi Mitsuo , Hori Tadao 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between the level of daytime activities and nocturnal sleep in the elderly using the wrist actigraph and ambulatory polysomnograph system. Five male and five female subjects (mean age = 73.8 ± 3.05 years; range 69–77 years) participated in this study. The level of daytime activity was positively correlated with the sleep efficiency of the subsequent night only for male subjects, who were shown to be less active during the daytime. The results imply that increments in the time spent on physical activities may improve the quality of nocturnal sleep in elderly male subjects.
Age‐related changes of sleeping pattern during adolescence
Authors: Fukuda Kazuhiko , Ishihara Kaneyoshi 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA questionnaire concerning sleep‐related lifestyle, and physical and mental health was administered to the students of junior high schools (12–15 years), high schools (15–18 years), and universities. While bedtime linearly delayed with age throughout the adolescence (from junior high school to university age), rise time remained constant until high school ages. As a result, total nocturnal sleep time considerably decreased during this period. Rise time then delayed with age in the university sample. Daytime sleepiness increased with age peaking at high school age, then decreased gradually during university age. Several physical and mental health conditions got worse during high school and university ages. Compared with the adolescent samples, daytime sleepiness and mental health complaints were very low in the adult samples.
Behavioral and developmental disorders among conduct disorder
Authors: HARADA YUZURU , SATOH YURI , SAKUMA AYAKO , IMAI JUNKO , TAMARU TUNEMI , TAKAHASHI TOHRU , AMANO NAOJI 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to clarify the percentage of children with conduct disorder (CD) who also have behavioral and developmental disorders. A survey of comorbidity observed in children with CD, was carried out on 33 subjects from a disciplinary facility for children. Female teachers as the mother were interviewed as regards the subjects’ condition using the semistructured interview, and male teachers as the father were interviewed for their psychosocial problems. The subjects underwent the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)‐III and their conditions were diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn; DSM‐IV). Of the 33 children, 27 were diagnosed as having CD. Of the 27 CD children, 18 (67%) were diagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 19 (70%) had oppositional defiant feature (ODF). Eight children (30%) were diagnosed as having mental retardation and in seven children (26%), the verbal IQ was significantly lower than the performance IQ. Two (7%) were diagnosed as having pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Of 27 children diagnosed with CD, 23 (85%) had some behavioral and developmental disorders. The classification of these behavioral and developmental disorders into the following three types appeared to be clinically useful: type 1, ADHD and ODF; type 2, low intelligence, especially low verbal intelligence; and type 3, PDD. To understand and treat children with CD, the accurate diagnosis of these underlying behavioral and developmental disorders is indispensable.
Quantitative analysis of apoptotic cell death in granulomatous inflammation induced by intravenous challenge with Cryptococcus neoformans and bacillus Calmette‐Guérin vaccine
Authors: Matsunaga Kotaro , Ito Makoto 
Published: March 2003

AbstractApoptotic cell death of macrophage has become recognized as a significant mechanism responsible for the resolution of inflammation. The purpose of this study was to examine how the apoptotic cell death involves the formation and resolution of granulomas in rats intravenously inoculated with Cryptococcus neoformans (Cr. neoformans) and Mycobacterium bovis‐derived bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccine. The number and size of granulomas in the livers obtained on days 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 after inoculation were examined by morphometric image analysis, as well as the occurrence of apoptotic cell death quantitatively analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) procedure on tissue sections. In both groups the number and size of granulomas were maximized on day 10, then the granulomas were almost resolved until day 25 when the inoculated Cr. neoformans and BCG almost disappeared. From the induction to the resolving stages of granulomatous inflammation, TUNEL‐positive cells constantly appeared in granulomas, and the highest frequency of apoptotic cells in granulomas was observed in the earlier stage of granuloma formation. These results indicate that the maintenance and resolution of infectious granulomas are regulated by the balance between the influx of newly recruited macrophages and the apoptotic elimination of granuloma macrophages. The apoptosis of granuloma macrophages actively involves the cellular turnover in both granuloma formation and resolution.
Effects of salinity on growth and content of intracellular solutes in Heterococcus sp. (Tribonennatales, Xanthophyceae) from Antarctica
Authors: Fujii Shuhei , Yamamoto Ryoichi , Nakayama Shin , Yasui Shinro , Broady Paul A. 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe growth and osmoregulation of Heterococcus sp. isolated from dry soil collected in Antarctica were investigated in relation to salinity. This alga was able to grow over a wide range of saline conditions from 0 to 0.8 mol L‐1 NaCI, although growth was suppressed in proportion to the increase in extracellular concentration of NaCI. This indicates that the alga is halotolerant. Using gas‐liquid chromatography‐mass spectroscopy, it was found to contain mannitol as an osmoticum. The intracellular content of mannitol increased with increase in concentration of extracellular NaCI, suggesting that mannitol acts as an osmoregulatory substance.
The role of cysteinyl leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of asthma: Clinical study of leukotriene antagonist pranlukast for 1 year in moderate and severe asthma
Authors: Kohrogi Hirotsugu , Iwagoe Hajime , Fujii Kazuhiko , Hamamoto Junji , Fukuda Koichiro , Hirata Naomi , Kawano Osamu , Matsumoto Mitsuhiro , Suga Moritaka , Ando Masayuki 
Published: March 2003

AbstractClinical studies have shown that pranlukast (Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Osaka, Japan) is effective for mild and moderate asthma. However, it is not well known that pranlukast is also effective on moderate and severe persistent asthma in the long term. We studied the effect of pranlukast on moderate and severe asthmatics by evaluating the change of peak expiratory flow (PEF) and therapeutic scores for 1 year before and during pranlukast therapy. We gave pranlukast 225 mg twice daily orally to 25 patients who were receiving more than 400 μg/day beclomethasone inhalation and β2 stimulant inhalation with or without oral corticosteroid. Pranlukast increased PEF more than 10 L/min in 14 patients in the first 4 weeks. In these 14 patients, 10 patients continued to monitor PEF and kept asthma diaries for 1 year. We compared the data for 1 year before and during the pranlukast therapy. During the pranlukast therapy, PEF significantly increased, puffs of β2 stimulant inhalation significantly decreased. The incidence of oral corticosteroid rescue therapy reduced, and the mean daily dose of oral corticosteroid decreased; however, they were not statistically significant. During treatment with pranlukast, no side effect was observed. From these results, we suggest that pranlukast is effective for more than half of the moderate and severe persistent asthmatics, and that the effectiveness continues for more than 1 year.
Utility of near patient testing and home care analysis using a portable critical care analyser
Authors: Hosokawa Yoshifumi , Yoshizawa Akitaka , Yoshizawa Takayuki , Sawada Sigemasa , Horie Takashi 
Published: March 2003

Objective:This study was conducted in order to determine the usefulness of the application of home patient care using a portable critical care analyser (OPTI‐C) after the precision of the OPTI‐C was examined. Methodology: The OPTI‐C, which measures sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) as well as pH, PCO2 and PO2 in whole blood, was used. In order to confirm the linearity of the OPTI‐C, analysis using reference materials was performed (n = 81). Correlation testing with whole blood samples from patients was also performed using other analysers in the laboratory (n = 108). Home patient testing was performed with 15 patients. Results: The slope linearity and correlation coefficients were as follows: pH, 1.0174 ± 0.0091, 0.99972; PCO2, 0.9681 ± 0.0094, 0.99967; PO2, 0.9844 ± 0.0085, 0.99974; NaST, 0.9788 ± 0.0115, 0.99911 and KST 0.9964 ± 0.0128, 0.99893.The equivalent results from other analysers showed pH, 1.071 ± 0.009, 0.9963; PCO2 0.985 ± 0.016, 0.9870; PO2 0.989 ± 0.007, 0.9976; Na+, 1.075 ± 0.278, 0.9662 and K+ 1.120 ± 0.020, 0.9842. The correlation coefficients and P values were as follows: pH, 0.9790, P > 0.1; PCO2, 0.9990, P > 0.1; PO2, 0.9980, P > 0.1; Na+, 0.9438, P > 0.05, and K+, 0.9174, P > 0.1. Conclusion: The use of portable critical care analysers for near patient testing for home‐care patients is recommended in order to increase the efficiency of visits as well as to improve the quality of patient care.
Diesel exhaust particles activate human bronchial epithelial cells to express inflammatory mediators in the airways: A review
Authors: Takizawa Hajime , Ohtoshi Takayuki , Kawasaki Shin , Abe Shinji , Sugawara Isamu , Nakahara Kazuhiko , Matsushima Kouji , Kudoh Shoji 
Published: March 2003

Objective:Epidemiological as well as experimental studies suggest that particulate air pollutants, including diesel exhaust particles (DEP), may play a role in the recent increase of respiratory morbidity and mortality. We studied the effect of DEP on the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators including IL‐8 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) by human airway epithelial cells in vitro.Methodology:Suspended DEP were added to cultured normal human bronchial epithelial cells or transformed BEAS‐2B cells. The release of cytokines and mediators was evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The transcriptional levels of IL‐8 mRNA was studied by northern blot analysis and run‐on transcription assay. Activation of transcription factors was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results: Non‐toxic doses of suspended DEP showed a significant stimulatory effect on IL‐8 and GM‐CSF production by airway epithelial cells. Diesel exhaust particles increased the steady‐state levels of IL‐8 mRNA, which was suggested to be largely due to increased transcriptional rates. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that DEP induced increased binding to the specific motif of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB, but not of transcription factor AP‐1. Both N‐acetylcysteine and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate attenuated the action of DEP on IL‐8 mRNA expression, suggesting that oxidant‐mediated pathway might be involved in its processes. Transient transfection of airway epithelial cells with wild and NF‐κB binding motifs indicated that the activation of NF‐κB was essential for IL‐8 gene upregulation by reporter gene assay. Conclusions: These results suggested that DEP activate NF‐κB, which might be an important pathway for the expression of inflammatory cytokines in vitro.
Endobronchial actinomycosis associated with a foreign body
Authors: Ho James C. M. , Ooi Gaik C. , Lam Wah‐Kit , Lam Bing , Cheung Tung‐Fai 
Published: March 2003

Abstract:Primary endobronchial actinomycosis is an exceedingly rare condition which closely mimics bronchial carcinoma both clinically and radiologically. We report the case of a middle‐aged Chinese man who had right lower lobe endobronchial actinomycosis associated with inhalation of a presumed chicken bone. The patient made a complete clinical and radiological recovery after a 2 month combined course of amoxycillin and clavulanate, after removal of the foreign body, which was only detected after using contiguous computed tomography. Our experience in the management of this patient should help clinicians in the investigation and management of this rare but treatable condition.
Use of star volume to measure the size of the alveolar space in the asthmatic guinea‐pig lung
Authors: YANG ZHENG‐WEI , QIN YAN‐HONG , SU SHU‐RONG 
Published: March 2003

Background:The ovalbumin‐sensitized guinea‐pig is a useful small‐animal model of allergic asthma; however, it is unclear whether considerable morphological changes occur in the lung.Methodology:Guinea‐pigs were initially given ovalbumin (i.p. injection) for 14 days and asthma was then induced by daily challenges with aerosolized ovalbumin for 10 days. During this time, animals were treated with either saline (positive control) or dexamethasone. Pulmonary sections were prepared to estimate the volume and surface area of the alveolar space, mean thickness of the alveolar septum and star volume of the alveolar space using stereological methods.Results:The primary change in the lung in the positive control group was a significantly increased star volume, which was approximately threefold that of animals not treated with ovalbumin and the dexamethasone‐treated group. There were no significant differences in other morphometric parameters between the groups.Conclusion:Star volume of the alveolar space appears to be a good and useful parameter to detect morphological changes of the asthmatic lung.
Adherence to asthma self‐management plans with inhaled corticosteroid and oral prednisone: A descriptive analysis
Authors: WRAIGHT JONATHAN M. , COWAN JAN O. , FLANNERY ERIN M. , TOWN G. IAN , TAYLOR D. ROBIN 
Published: March 2003

Background: Asthma self‐management plans (SMP) are widely recommended for use, but there is little information regarding the degree of patient adherence to their instructions. The aim of the present study was to perform a descriptive analysis of patient responses to worsening asthma with regard to using individualized SMP.Methods: Diary data were obtained from an earlier 2 year study in which patients used regularly revised SMP in combination with daily recordings of peak expiratory flow (PEF) and symptoms to manage intercurrent asthma episodes. Based on PEF and symptom changes, the SMP contained instructions about increasing the dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) or commencing oral prednisone during worsening asthma, depending on severity. Data from 165 patient diaries were analysed. First, documented responses to episodes of worsening asthma were matched against SMP instructions and adherence was determined using a priori criteria. Second, each occasion when the ICS dose was increased or prednisone was commenced was identified and changes in PEF and/or symptoms that may have led to these actions were sought.Results: Adherence for increasing the ICS dose was dependent on asthma severity, ranging from 78% during severe episodes to 31% during mild short‐lived events. When oral prednisone was indicated, patients were adherent on 56% of occasions. Symptoms prompted intervention more frequently than changes in PEF. Significant changes in PEF were absent on 41 and 48% of occasions for ICS dose increase and oral prednisone use, respectively.Conclusions: Adherence to asthma SMP is variable and often poor. It tends to increase in proportion to the severity and duration of an asthma episode. This underscores the importance of SMP in more severe asthma. Symptoms are more important then PEF in prompting patients to alter treatment. This ought to modify our approach in constructing individual asthma SMP.
Prevalence of self‐reported respiratory symptoms in rural areas of Iran in 2000
Authors: GOLSHAN MOHAMMAD , ESTEKI BEHNOOSH , DADVAND PAYAM 
Published: March 2003

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to measure the population prevalence of symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis, obstructive lung disease and non‐specific respiratory symptoms in randomly selected rural communities in south‐west Isfahan, Iran.Methodology: Nine hundred and ninety‐four subjects from a total of 1127 villagers (88.2% response rate) took part in a medical interview conducted by interns from the Isfahan Medical School.Results: The mean (±SD) age of the population surveyed was 25.21 ± 17.55 years and the smoking rate was 7.2%. The self‐reported prevalence rates for current asthma, chronic bronchitis, non‐specific exercise‐induced cough and night cough were 6.1, 4.4, 13.3 and 11.3%, respectively.Conclusion: Asthma, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory disorders in rural Isfahan are more prevalent than expected for a young rural population with low smoking rates. The cause of this should be investigated.
Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels correlate better with tumour stage in small cell lung cancer than albumin, neuron‐specific enolase or lactate dehydrogenase
Authors: MALL JULIAN W. , SCHWENK WOLFGANG , PHILIPP ANDREAS W. , MEYER‐KIPKER CATHRINE , MALL WERNER , MÜLLER JOACHIM , POLLMANN CHRISTIAN 
Published: March 2003

Objective: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important cytokine in the process of angiogenesis. Elevated serum levels of the cytokine may determine cancer patients who will benefit from adjuvant anti‐angiogenic therapy in the future. To correlate serum levels of VEGF with tumour stage and established prognostic markers in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a prospective study was performed on 70 patients.Methodology: From August 1999 to May 2000, 70 consecutive patients (51 male, 19 female) with histologically proven SCLC were enrolled into the study. Staging of the disease included clinical investigation, bronchoscopy, chest X‐ray, thoracic computed tomography and ultrasound. The patients were grouped into five stages according to the Marburg classification (very limited disease (VLD), limited disease (LD), extensive disease I (EDI), extensive disease II (EDII) and extensive disease III (EDIII)). Prior to treatment, a 10 mL serum sample from each patient was examined by ELISA to quantify levels of VEGF and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and albumin levels were determined by photomorphometric analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the Waller–Duncan k ratio t‐test and Pearson’s correlation test.Results: Serum VEGF levels correlated well with tumour stage (P < 0.0001). Albumin levels were not correlated with tumour stage, but levels of NSE and LDH increased with stage progression. When patients were divided into two groups (VLD and LD vs EDI–III), VEGF levels were significantly lower in the initial stages of the disease compared with extensive disease (P < 0.0001). Serum levels of VEGF correlated better with tumour stage than did concentrations of NSE, LDH or albumin.Conclusion: Serum VEGF levels may serve as an additional prognostic marker in the course of patients with SCLC. Further studies are needed to determine whether these patients may benefit from additional anti‐angiogenic therapy in the future.
Cigarette smoke inhibits the growth of lung fibroblasts from patients with pulmonary emphysema
Authors: NOBUKUNI Sumie , WATANABE Kentaro , INOUE Jun , WEN Fu‐Qiang , TAMARU Noriko , YOSHIDA Minoru 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To investigate the proliferative characteristics of fibroblasts cultured from emphysematous lungs.Methods: Fibroblasts were isolated and cultured from emphysematous lungs surgically resected as a consequence of lung volume reduction surgery and from non‐cancerous areas of lungs obtained following resection for lung cancer as a non‐emphysematous control. Their proliferative activities were compared, as was the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on fibroblast proliferation. After incubation with various concentrations of CSE, cells were harvested and cell numbers were counted. Growth curves were constructed and doubling time was calculated to compare the proliferative activity of fibroblasts from emphysematous and non‐emphysematous lungs.Results: The proliferation of fibroblasts from emphysematous lungs cultured with normal medium appeared suppressed compared with non‐emphysematous lungs. The addition of CSE to the medium induced more obvious growth inhibition in emphysematous lung fibroblasts. The growth of both fibroblast cultures was inhibited by CSE and this appeared to be concentration dependent.Conclusions: Fibroblasts from emphysematous lungs had lower proliferative activity and were more susceptible to cigarette smoke than those from non‐emphysematous lungs. Cigarette smoke may play a critical role in the development and deterioration of pulmonary emphysema by suppressing the growth of lung fibroblasts.