bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential expression of IL‐10 receptor by epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages
Authors: Lim S. , Caramori G. , Tomita K. , Jazrawi E. , Oates T. , Chung K. F. , Barnes P. J. , Adcock I. M. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Interleukin (IL)‐10 is a pleiotropic cytokine with a broad spectrum of immunosuppressive and anti‐inflammatory effects. IL‐10 secretion from alveolar macrophages is defective in patients with asthma and lower concentrations of IL‐10 are found in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from asthmatic patients than in normal control subjects. Reduced IL‐10 may result in exaggerated and more prolonged inflammatory responses in asthmatic airways. IL‐10 acting through the IL‐10 receptor (IL‐10R) stimulates the transcription factors STAT1 and STAT3.Methods:  We investigated IL‐10 and IL‐10R expression in normal and asthmatic bronchial epithelium and BAL macrophages using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The functional effect of IL‐10 was examined using granulocyte–macrophage‐colony stimulating factor, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting for phosphorylated STAT1 and STAT3.Results:  IL‐10 was not expressed in epithelial cells; furthermore these cells did not express the IL‐10R and had no functional response to exogenous IL‐10. Bronchial epithelial cells expressed variable levels of phosphorylated STAT1 and STAT3 with no change in expression between normal subjects and asthmatics. IL‐10 protein and IL‐10R expression was detected in alveolar macrophages from all subjects.Conclusion:  Our study suggests that the bronchial epithelium is not a source of IL‐10 and cannot respond to exogenous IL‐10 because of a lack of IL‐10R expression.
Allergic rhinitis due to house dust mites: evaluation of the efficacy of specific sublingual immunotherapy
Authors: Tonnel A. B. , Scherpereel A. , Douay B. , Mellin B. , Leprince D. , Goldstein N. , Delecluse P. , Andre C. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in patients with chronic rhinitis related to sensitization to house dust mites are still controversial.Methods:  After application of an anti‐mite mattress cover, patients were only included in the study when the cumulative symptom score over a fortnight was greater than 70 out of a possible total of 168. Thirty‐two of the 120 patients selected were randomized to receive SLIT for 2 years: 17 received placebo and 15 received the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae 50/50 allergen extract.Results:  Significant between‐group differences were observed after 1 year and persisted at the end of the second year for the rhinitis total score (P < 0.02), blocked nose score (P < 0.01) and nasal itching score (P < 0.01). Skin reactivity to house dust mites was significantly reduced in the group receiving house dust mite extract (P < 0.03). No statistical difference was observed between the two groups for medication scores, but a low medication consumption was observed in all patients. No serious and no systemic adverse reactions were reported.Conclusion:  This study indicates the superiority of active treatment vs. placebo, evaluated on efficacy criteria (rhinitis score) or objective criteria (skin reactivity). The availability of a solid form (tablet) could represent a progress in terms of patient acceptability.
Efficacy of sublingual swallow immunotherapy in children with severe grass pollen allergic symptoms: a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Bufe A. , Ziegler‐Kirbach E. , Stoeckmann E. , Heidemann P. , Gehlhar K. , Holland‐Letz T. , Braun W. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Local application of allergen extracts in specific immunotherapy is accompanied by increased compliance and significantly reduced side effects. However, efficacy of local immunotherapy in children has yet not been sufficiently demonstrated. This study was performed to determine clinical efficacy of high dose sublingual swallow immunotherapy (SLIT) by a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study in children with grass pollen allergy using high dose allergen extracts.Methods:  A total of 161 children with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis of which, 68 had also asthma symptoms were enrolled in a multicenter double‐blind placebo‐controlled study for 1 year and treated on a daily basis with sublingually applied allergen drops. After 1 year all children were given treatment for another 2 years in an open‐controlled setting. Symptom scores and medication were assessed during the pollen seasons with structured interviews. Applied allergen dosage, compliance, and side effects were documented by daily diary cards. Primary endpoint was a clinical index (CI) combining symptom scores with medication index. Titrated skin prick tests (SPT) and specific antibody measurements were performed each year.Results:  Combining symptom with medication scores to CI was highly reliable (reliability coefficient = 0.89, standard error = 9.6%). Allergen‐specific IgE‐ and IgG‐subclass antibodies increased significantly in patients treated with SLIT indicating an activation of the immune response induced by the locally applied grass pollen extract. SPT reactivity did not change during therapy. After 1 year of SLIT in the original design we observed no significant difference in the CI between treatment and placebo analyzing all patients included in the study per intention to treat and per protocol. However, subgroup analysis in a repeated measures model revealed that patients with SLIT and severe symptoms before the beginning of treatment (CI > mean/ > 1.51) showed a significant improvement of clinical symptoms after 3 years.Conclusion:  In this study SLIT was accompanied by a significant placebo effect. Efficacy of treatment could only be seen in children with severe clinical symptoms and this became clinically marked after 3 years of therapy.
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism and IgE‐mediated allergy in the Central European population
Authors: Hollá L. I. , Schüller M. , Bučková D. , Vácha J. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Several findings suggest that nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in the regulation of the Th1/Th2 balance and contributes to the development of allergic diseases. Our study investigates a possible association of C/T transition located 276‐bp downstream from the translation termination site in exon 29 of the human nitric oxide synthase type 1 (NOS1) gene with immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated allergic diseases in the Czech population.Methods:  The study included 688 subjects – 368 patients with clinically manifested allergic diseases and 320 unrelated controls with negative familial history of asthma/atopy. The NOS1 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction analysis by Eco72I.Results:  No significant differences were found for allele or genotype frequencies of the 5266 C/T polymorphism in exon 29 of the NOS1 gene between IgE‐mediated allergic diseases (or asthma alone) and healthy subjects. However, this common polymorphism showed a significant association with signs of atopy, especially with total serum IgE levels [loge IgE levels (mean ± SD): CC genotype = 4.34 ± 1.40; CT genotype = 4.58 ± 1.53; TT genotype = 5.01 ± 1.61; P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that NOS1 gene may participate in the pathogenesis of high total serum IgE levels in allergic diseases in our population. These findings provide support for NOS1 as a candidate gene for IgE‐mediated allergy.
Sensitization to house dust mites in Reykjavik, Iceland, in the absence of domestic exposure to mites
Authors: Hallas T. E. , Gislason D. , Björnsdottir U. S. , Jörundsdottir K. B. , Janson C. , Luczynska C. M. , Gislason T. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  House dust mites are common sources of indoor allergens. In Reykjavik, Iceland, 9% of the young adult population had serum‐specific IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Sensitization to mites is usually assumed to be due to exposure to house dust mites in the indoor environment. This investigation was carried out to measure the concentrations of house dust mite allergens and to investigate which species of mites were present in beds in Iceland.Methods:  A total of 197 randomly selected adults were visited at home using the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) II Indoor protocol. Dust samples were collected from mattresses for measurement of house dust mite allergen concentrations and to estimate the number and type of house dust mites. Additional samples from mattresses and floors were collected from the homes of 10 patients with positive skin prick tests (SPT) to D. pteronyssinus. House dust mite allergen concentrations were measured using ELISA and examination of mite species was carried out using microscopy. Climatic parameters were assessed using psychrometer readings in the bedrooms and outdoors.Results:  We found two single mite specimens, both D. pteronyssinus, in two dust samples. Mite allergen analyses indicated that two other dust samples had Der f 1 results close to the cut‐off of 0.1 μg/g of dust. No samples were positive for Der p 1. In an additional collection of dust from the homes of 10 SPT‐positive patients no Dermatophagoides spp. were found.Conclusions:  Reykjavik citizens are exposed to extremely low amounts of house dust mite allergens in their homes. Possible alternative sources for sensitization are discussed, such as bird nests, exposure from travelling abroad, or other mites or invertebrates that cross‐react with house dust mite allergens. Our findings suggest that exposures other than to house dust mites indoors are possible sources of mite allergen exposure.
von Willebrand's disease and psychotic disorders: co‐segregation and genetic associations
Authors: Lee Yu‐Sang , Miller Mary , Hassett Andrea Cortese , Lee‐Kim Byung‐Yeon , Kim Jung Jin , Haracznak Michelle , Ranade Swati , Wood Joel , Reddy Ravinder , Kupfer David J , Bontempo Franklin , Nimgaonkar Vishwajit L 
Published: December 2004

Objectives:  To evaluate co‐segregation and genetic associations between von Willebrand's disease (vWD) and psychotic disorders.Methods:  The study was initiated following ascertainment of a nuclear family in which four members were diagnosed with vWD and psychotic/mood disorders. As co‐segregation was uncertain in the extended pedigree, we also investigated population‐based linkage and association using polymorphisms of vWF, the gene conferring susceptibility to vWD. Three common vWF polymorphisms were investigated among 194 patients with psychotic disorders (bipolar I disorder, BD I; schizoaffective disorder, SZA and schizophrenia, SZ) and their parents. The cases were also compared with unrelated population‐based controls (n = 183).Results:  The transmission disequilibrium test and related analyses suggested nominally significant transmission distortion of one allele and related haplotypes to the probands from their parents. The most significant results were obtained among patients with BD I, and similar trends were also evident in the SZ sample. Comparisons between the cases and population‐based controls did not reveal associations, though marginally significant case–control differences were obtained in the BD I sample.Conclusions:  These studies are consistent with association and linkage between vWF and BD I. However, given the relatively small sample, stochastic variation is an alternative explanation.
The analgesic effect of intravenous ketamine and lidocaine on pain after spinal cord injury
Authors: Kvarnström A. , Karlsten R. , Quiding H. , Gordh T. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Pain following spinal cord injury (SCI) is a therapeutic challenge. Only a few treatments have been assessed in randomized, controlled trials. The primary objective of the present study was to examine the analgesic effect of ketamine and lidocaine in a group of patients with neuropathic pain below the level of spinal cord injury. We also wanted to assess sensory abnormalities to see if this could help us to identify responders and if treatments resulted in changes of sensibility.Methods:  Ten patients with spinal cord injury and neuropathic pain below the level of injury were included. The analgesic effect of ketamine 0.4 mg kg−1 and lidocaine 2.5 mg kg−1 was investigated. Saline was used as placebo. The drugs were infused over 40 min. A randomized, double‐blind, three‐period, three‐treatment, cross‐over design was used. Systemic plasma concentrations of ketamine and lidocaine were assessed. Pain rating was performed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Sensory function was assessed with a combination of traditional sensory tests and quantitative measurement of temperature thresholds.Results:  Response to treatment, defined as 50% reduction in VAS‐score during infusion, was recorded in 5/10 in the ketamine, 1/10 in the lidocaine and 0/10 in the placebo groups. Neither ketamine nor lidocaine changed temperature thresholds or assessments of mechanical; dynamic and static sensibility. Nor could these sensory assessments predict response to treatment in this setting. Lidocaine and particularly ketamine were associated with frequent side‐effects.Conclusion:  Ketamine but not lidocaine showed a significant analgesic effect in patients with neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury. The pain relief was not associated with altered temperature thresholds or other changes of sensory function.
Analgesia and discharge following preincisional ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block combined with general or spinal anaesthesia for inguinal herniorrhaphy
Authors: Toivonen J. , Permi J. , Rosenberg P. H. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Preincisional ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block (IINB) reduces postoperative analgesics after inguinal herniorrhaphy. The effect of an IINB on postoperative pain and discharge profile was therefore studied in day‐surgery patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy with general or spinal anaesthesia.Methods:  Seventy ASA I–II adult patients scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy received an IINB before the surgical incision with 15 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. In a randomized fashion half of them received general anaesthesia with spontaneous breathing via a laryngeal mask (GA‐group) and the other half received spinal anaesthesia with 5 mg of bupivacaine diluted with sterile water to 2.5‐ml volume (SPIN‐group). In the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU), pain was assessed on a scale from 0 to 10 (VAS) and ketorolac 30 mg i.v. (VAS < 5), or fentanyl 0.05 mg i.v. (VAS ≥ 5) was administered as scheduled. In the day surgery unit and at home the analgesic was a tablet of ibuprofen 200 mg + codeine 30 mg (VAS ≥ 3).Results:  Patients in the SPIN‐group reported lower postoperative pain scores at 30, 60 min (P < 0.0001) and 120 min (P < 0.05) after surgery, and longer time to first analgesic use (P < 0.0001). Patients in the GA‐group had a shorter time to discharge without voiding (P < 0.001) and with voiding (P < 0.05). After discharge, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding pain scores at rest and at walking, or the doses of analgesic. Adverse events were rare in both groups.Conclusion:  Only a relatively short immediate analgesic benefit could be demonstrated by a combination of IINB with spinal anaesthesia compared with IINB combined with general anaesthesia. The use of general anaesthesia facilitated an earlier postoperative discharge than spinal anaesthesia.
Effects of sodium benzoate on the complications of 1. 5% glycine solution using two different intravesical pressures during bladder irrigation
Authors: Yagmurdur H. , Ceyhan A. , Dagli G. , Yuksel U. , Altunatmaz K. , Ide T. , Unal N. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  In this experimental study we researched the effects of sodium benzoate on the complications of 1.5% glycine solution using with two different intravesical pressures during bladder irrigation.Methods:  Thirty‐six male adult New Zealand rabbits with body weight ranging from 1500 to 2800 g were used in the experiments. The rabbits were randomly allocated to four groups. In groups 1 and 2, 500 ml of 1.5% gylcine was used as irrigating fluid during 30 min, but only group 2 received 500 mg kg−1 of sodium benzoate treatment by oral route immediately after irrigation. In groups 3 and 4, 500 ml of 1.5% glycine was used as irrigating fluid during 60 min, but only group 4 received the same treatment as group 2. Ammonia, urea, sodium, potassium, hemoglobin, hemotocrit and platelet levels were studied at preirrigation and postirrigation on the 4 h and 24 h. Also electrocardiographic (ECG) changes were monitored at the same time with blood parameters.Results:  At 4 h postirrigation, Na+ levels were decreased significantly in group 1 and non‐significantly in group 3 when compared with preirrigation levels. But these levels were not changed in groups 2 and 4. Both at 4 h and 24 h, ammonia and urea levels were significantly increased in groups 1 and 3. Ammonia level was decreased but the urea level was not changed in groups 2 and 4 at the same time points. K+ level was significantly changed only in group 1 at 4 h and 24 h. Hemoglobin and hemotocrit concentrations were decreased both at 4 h and 24 h compared with preirrigation levels in all groups. Also there were ECG changes between the treated and untreated groups.Conclusion:  Sodium benzoate was very effective against the complications of 1.5% glycine during bladder irrigation experimentally. But this needs further investigation, especially for the applicability of this new treatment model in human TURP syndrome.
Improved application of Lidocaine/Prilocaine cream in children. A randomized and prospectively controlled study of two application regimes
Authors: Gad L. N. , Olsen K. S. , Lysgaard A. B. , Culmsee M. 
Published: December 2004

Summary:  Intravenous cannulation in children aged 6–12  years is less painful after a 90‐min application of a Lidocaine/ Prilocaine cream followed by a 30‐min interval without cream, than cannulation immediately after a 60‐min application.Background:  Sixty‐min application of an eutectic mixture of 25 mg g−1 Lidocaine and 25 mg g−1 Prilocaine cream is widely used in both adults and children to alleviate pain related to intravenous cannulation. However, studies have shown that this is not the optimal procedure in adults. Inspired by the results from these studies, the aim of the present study was to find an improved application regime for children.Methods:  In this prospective, randomized, and single‐blind study 60 Caucasian children, aged 6–12 years, presenting for an i.v. cannulation were included. The children were allocated to either a 60‐min application of anaesthetic cream followed by i.v. cannulation (Group A) or to a 90‐min application followed by an interval of 30 min before cannulation (Group B). No sedatives or analgesics were given. The children scored their pain by a faces scale with four faces.Results:  The i.v. cannulations in Group B were less painful than the cannulations in Group A (Mann–Whitney test, P = 0.01). There was no difference between the two groups as regards problems when performing the cannulations.Conclusion:  I.v. cannulation after application of anaesthetic cream for 90 min followed by a 30‐min interval is less painful than the widely used 60‐min application directly followed by cannulation.
Changes in diaphragm structure following prolonged mechanical ventilation in piglets
Authors: Radell P. , Edström L. , Stibler H. , Eriksson L. I. , Ansved T. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Prolonged mechanical ventilation and inactivity negatively affect muscle function. The mechanisms for this dysfunction are unclear and clinical studies of respiratory muscle are difficult to carry out. An animal model simulating the critical care environment was used to investigate the effects of 5 days' mechanical ventilation and diaphragm inactivity on diaphragm muscle morphology.Methods:  Twelve 2–4‐month‐old piglets weighing 23–30 kg were studied. Seven animals received controlled mechanical ventilation and sedation such that spontaneous breathing efforts were inhibited over 5 days. Five control animals were ventilated for only 4–6 h following surgical preparation. Diaphragm biopsies were obtained from the left costal region at the end of all experiments.Results:  Morphometric, morphologic, electron microscopic and enzyme histochemical examination of costal diaphragm biopsies was carried out. Contractile properties were studied over 5 days and the results have been previously reported.Cross‐sectional area of alI fiber types was increased compared with controls. The proportion of type IIb/x fibers increased following inactivity (P < 0,05) and the proportion of type I and IIa fibers tended to decrease although not significantly. Focal areas of diaphragm fiber regeneration were found without signs of inflammation. Increased appearance of cytoplasmic vacuoles consisting of lipid accumulation was noted in type I fibers. Several study animals developed focal areas with weak myofibrillar ATPase activity and disrupted fiber organization. There were areas of myofibrillary destruction and loss of sarcomeric pattern, without evidence of selective thick filament loss or a change in the myosin to actin ratio.Conclusion:  Five days' mechanical ventilation with sedation and complete diaphragm inactivity resulted in changes in muscle fiber structure. A causal relationship can not be concluded but the acute changes in fiber type distribution and structure suggest that previously reported diaphragm contractile impairment occurs at the level of muscle fibers.
Spinal anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery
Authors: Gürkan Y. , Canatay H. , Özdamar D. , Solak M. , Toker K. 
Published: December 2004

Background and objective:  The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of adding 50 µg of morphine, 25 µg of fentanyl or saline to 6 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine on postoperative analgesia and time to urination in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under spinal anesthesia.Methods:  The study was designed in a prospective, randomized, double‐blinded and placebo‐controlled manner. Sixty ASA I–II patients were randomized into the following three groups: Group BM: 6 mg of bupivacaine and 50 µg of morphine, Group BF: 6 mg of bupivacaine and 25 µg of fentanyl, and Group BS: 6 mg of bupivacaine and saline. Selective spinal anesthesia was performed in a lateral decubitus position, with the operative knee dependent for 10 min.Results:  In all groups satisfactory anesthesia was provided during the operation. There was a statistically significant difference between all the groups in times to voiding [Group BM 422 ± 161 min; Group BF 244 ± 163 min; Group BS 183 ± 54 min (mean ± SD)]. The incidence of pruritus was significantly greater in Group BM (80%) and BF (65%) in comparison with Group BS (no pruritus) (P < 0.05). The incidence of nausea was significantly increased in Group BM (35%) in comparison with Group BF (10%) and Group BS (P < 0.05). Analgesic consumption was significantly greater in Group BS in comparison with Groups BM and BF (P < 0.01).Conclusions:  We conclude that during spinal anesthesia even mini‐dose intrathecal morphine is not acceptable for outpatient surgery due to side‐effects, especially severely prolonged time to urination.