bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scintigraphic measurement of tracheal mucus velocityin vivo
Authors: Morgan L. , Pearson M. , de Iongh R. , Mackey D. , van der Wall H. , Peters M. , Rutland J. 
Published: March 2004

Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is an important mechanism for removing inhaled particles, secretions and cellular debris from the respiratory tract. Here, a direct measurement of tracheal mucus velocity (TMV) for assessment of MCC, suitable for clinical and research use, is reported, and a comparison is made of TMV in normal subjects and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).A 0.1‐mL bolus of radiolabelled (2–5 MBq), technetium-labelled macroaggregated human albumin (99mTc MAA) was injected through the cricothyroid membrane into the trachea of 20 young (<50 yrs) and 12 older (>50 yrs) normal subjects and 34 patients with COPD. Repeat studies were carried out in 13 normal subjects and 16 COPD patients. Movement of the bolus in the trachea was recorded (15 min) using a gamma camera interfaced to a computer. Data were analysed using specifically designed software.The test was well tolerated by subjects and patients, and no significant adverse events were reported. No significant differences were observed between data recorded from different regions of the bolus (leading edge, peak, trailing edge) by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Bland-Altman plots of the repeat studies indicated that data were more variable in normal subjects (coefficient of repeatability (COR) 10.3 mm·min−1) than in COPD patients (COR 5.5 mm·min−1). TMV (mean±sd) in young normal subjects (n=20) was 10.7±3.5 mm·min−1. TMV was reduced in older normal subjects (n=12; 6.5±2.6 mm·min−1) and further reduced in COPD (n=34; 2.1±2.7 mm·min−1).In conclusion, this technique can be used to measure tracheal mucus velocity rapidly and safely in healthy subjects and patients with respiratory tract disease. This study has confirmed that tracheal mucus velocity declines with age and is further impaired in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Does systemic inflammation trigger local exercise-induced oxidative stress in COPD?
Authors: Koechlin C. , Couillard A. , Cristol J.P. , Chanez P. , Hayot M. , Le Gallais D. , Préfaut C. 
Published: March 2004

Inflammatory abnormalities may be involved in the inadequate basal oxidant/antioxidant balance and local exercise-induced oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.The time course of oxidative stress and inflammation was investigated in 10 COPD patients and seven healthy subjects before and after local dynamic quadriceps endurance exercise at 40% of maximal strength. Venous samples were collected before, immediately after and up to 48 h after exercise.At rest, levels of an oxidant released by stimulated phagocytes, the superoxide anion, were significantly higher in patients, as were plasma levels of C‐reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6, inflammatory markers. An inverse relationship was found between baseline C‐reactive protein levels and endurance time in patients. Six hours after exercise, superoxide anion release and levels of protein oxidation products, an index of oxidative stress, increased similarly in both groups, whereas thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels, another index of oxidative stress, increased significantly only in patients. Plasma nonenzymatic antioxidant and inflammatory cytokine levels were unchanged by the exercise protocol.The increased baseline systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients could be related to disturbed oxidant/antioxidant balance, and, together, these may have triggered the exercise-induced oxidative stress. The absence, however, of local exercise-induced systemic inflammation suggests that additional mechanisms explain local exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Dose-response relationship of inhaled budesonide in adult asthma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Masoli M. , Holt S. , Weatherall M. , Beasley R. 
Published: March 2004

The aim of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship of inhaled budesonide in adolescents and adults with asthma.A meta-analysis was carried out on placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trials, presenting data on at least one outcome measure of asthma and using at least two doses of budesonide, delivered by turbuhaler or metered-dose inhaler+spacer twice daily.A total of six studies of 1,435 adolescents and adults, with mild to moderately severe asthma, met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. A negative exponential model indicated that 80% of the benefit at 1,600 µg·day−1was achieved at doses of ∼200–400 µg·day−1and 90% by 300–600 µg·day−1. Meta-regression with a quadratic term in dose showed that the maximum effect was obtained with doses of ∼1,000 µg·day−1.In conclusion, the available published data indicate that, in adolescents and adults with mild to moderate asthma, most of the therapeutic benefit of budesonide delivered by turbuhaler or metered-dose inhaler+spacer is achieved with a dose of ∼400 µg·day−1and the maximum effect is achieved at ∼1,000 µg·day−1. This conclusion is qualified by the recognition that there is considerable individual variability in the response to inhaled corticosteroids and that the subjects included in this meta-analysis had predominantly mild to moderate asthma.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Dartevelle P. , Fadel E. , Mussot S. , Chapelier A. , Hervé P. , de Perrot M. , Cerrina J. , Ladurie F.L. , Lehouerou D. , Humbert M. , Sitbon O. , Simonneau G. 
Published: March 2004

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a severe disease that has been ignored for a long time. However, over the past 20 yrs chest physicians, cardiologists and thoracic surgeons have shown increasing interest in this disease because of the development of new therapies, that have improved both the outcome and quality of life of patients, including pulmonary transplantation and prostacyclin therapy.Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTEPH) can be cured surgically through a complex surgical procedure: the pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is performed under hypothermia and total circulatory arrest.Due to clinically evident acute-pulmonary embolism episodes being absent in >50% of patients, the diagnosis of CTEPH can be difficult. Lung scintiscan showing segmental mismatched perfusion defects is the best diagnostic tool to detect CTEPH.Pulmonary angiography confirms the diagnosis and determines the feasability of endarterectomy according to the location of the disease, proximalversusdistal. The technique of angiography must be perfect with the whole arterial tree captured on the same picture for each lung. The lesions must start at the level of the pulmonary artery trunk, or at the level of the lobar arteries, in order to find a plan for the endarterectomy.When the haemodynamic gravity corresponds to the degree of obliteration, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy can be performed with minimal perioperative mortality, providing definitive, excellent functional results in almost all cases.
Reduced spontaneous apoptosis in peripheral blood neutrophils during exacerbation of COPD
Authors: Pletz M.W.R. , Ioanas M. , de Roux A. , Burkhardt O. , Lode H. 
Published: March 2004

A major feature of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the accumulation of activated neutrophils in the bronchial tree. This phenomenon can be explained by an increased migration and/or by a prolonged survival due to an inhibition of spontaneous apoptosis. The aim of this study was to assess the apoptotic behaviour of peripheral blood neutrophils in COPD patients during an acute exacerbation.Thirty-six hospitalised COPD patients with an acute exacerbation and 10 healthy volunteers were included. Blood samples were obtained at admission, after 3–5 days and at discharge. Spontaneous apoptosis of isolated neutrophils was measured based on Annexin V‐PE binding and nuclear morphology after culturing for 18 h.At admission, significantly lower rates of spontaneous apoptosis were noted in COPD patients compared with healthy volunteers (mean±sd 31±13%versus44±18%). The mean percentages of apoptotic neutrophils were 31±13% at admission, 39±15% after 3–5 days and 47±18% at discharge. There was a statistically significant difference between the rates of spontaneous apoptosis on the first day and at discharge. Neither forced expiratory volume in one second <35% predicted, smoking habit, corticosteroid therapy nor evidence of bacterial infection showed any influence on the spontaneous apopotosis in this study.In conclusion, during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neutrophil granulocytes show a reduced spontaneous apoptosis that increases progressively after treatment and clinical remission. This raises the question of the importance of neutrophil apoptosis in the development and resolution of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Long-term durable benefit after whole lung lavage in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Authors: Beccaria M. , Luisetti M. , Rodi G. , Corsico A. , Zoia M.C. , Colato S. , Pochetti P. , Braschi A. , Pozzi E. , Cerveri I. 
Published: March 2004

Whole lung lavage (WLL) is still the gold-standard therapy for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). The few studies on the duration of the effect of WLL, belonging to a rather remote period, show significant but transient benefits.In 21 patients with idiopathic PAP, the duration of any benefit and, in 16 of them, the time course of lung function improvement (at baseline, 1 week, 6 months, 1 yr and then every 2 yrs after WLL) were evaluated. The present WLL technique takes longer, is invasively monitored and partially modified with respect to past techniques.More than 70% of patients remained free from recurrent PAP at 7 yrs. The bulk of the improvement in spirometric results was almost completely gained in the immediate post‐WLL period due to the efficient clearance of the alveoli. At a median of 5 yrs, recovery of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide was incomplete (75±19% of the predicted value) and there were residual gas exchange abnormalities (alveolar to arterial oxygen tension difference 3.6±1.5 kPa (27±11 mmHg)) and exercise limitation, probably explained by engorgement of lymphatic vessels.In conclusion, whole lung lavage for idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is currently a safe procedure in an experienced setting, and provides long-lasting benefits in the majority of patients.
Impact of Src Homology 2-Containing Inositol 5′-Phosphatase 2 on the Regulation of Insulin Signaling Leading to Protein Synthesis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Cultured with Excess Amino Acids
Authors: Murakami Shihou , Sasaoka Toshiyasu , Wada Tsutomu , Fukui Kazuhito , Nagira Kiyofumi , Ishihara Hajime , Usui Isao , Kobayashi Masashi 
Published: March 2004

Abstract
Src homology 2-containing inositol 5′-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) possesses 5′-phosphatase activity to specifically hydrolyze the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase product PI(3,4,5)P3 in the regulation of insulin signaling. In the present study, we examined the impact of SHIP2 on the regulation of insulin signaling leading to protein synthesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes cultured with standard and excess concentrations of amino acids. Insulin-induced translocation of PDK1 to the plasma membrane, phosphorylation of Akt and p70S6-kinase and ribosomal protein S6, increase in the amount of 4E-BP1 γ-form, association of eIF4E with eIF4G, and protein synthesis were decreased by overexpression of wild-type SHIP2 by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. The effect of SHIP2 overexpression on the regulation of insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and p70S6-kinase was somewhat augmented by the incubation with 5-fold excess concentrations of amino acids for 30 min. In contrast, the impact of SHIP2 expression was diminished in insulin-induced phosphorylation of p70S6-kinase and S6, but not of Akt, after the incubation for 16 h. Interestingly, incubation with the excess concentrations of amino acids for 30 min induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphorylation of Akt, whereas phosphorylation of p70S6-kinase and S6 was decreased. Furthermore, although the exposure for longer time periods up to 24 h did not elicit phosphorylation of Akt, it markedly induced phosphorylation of p70S6-kinase and S6. These results indicate that SHIP2 plays an important role in the negative regulation of insulin signaling for the protein synthesis and that the impact of SHIP2 is altered, dependent on the acute or chronic exposure of excess concentrations of amino acids in culture.
Molecular Mechanisms of the Effects of Low Concentrations of Taxol in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells
Authors: Pushkarev V. M. , Starenki D. V. , Saenko V. A. , Namba H. , Kurebayashi J. , Tronko M. D. , Yamashita S. 
Published: March 2004

Abstract
Understanding the detailed mechanisms of a chemotherapeutic agent action on cancer cells is essential for planning the clinical applications because drug effects are often tissue and cell type specific. This study set out to elucidate the molecular pathways of Taxol effects in human anaplastic thyroid cancer cells using as an experimental model four cell lines, ARO, KTC-2, KTC-3 (anaplastic thyroid cancer), and FRO (undifferentiated follicular cancer), and primary thyrocytes. All cell lines were sensitive to Taxol, although to different extent. In primary thyrocytes the drug displayed substantially lower cytotoxicity. In thyroid cancer cells, Taxol-induced changes characteristic to apoptosis such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and procaspase cleavage and alteration of membrane asymmetry only within a narrow concentration range, from 6 to 50 nm. At higher concentration, other form(s) of cell death perhaps associated with mitochondrial collapse was observed. Low doses of Taxol enhanced Bcl2 phosphorylation and led to its degradation observed on the background of a sustained or increasing Bax level and accumulation of survivin and X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis. c-jun-NH2 terminal kinase activation was essential for the apoptosis in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells, whereas Raf/MAPK kinase/ERK and phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase/Akt were likely to comprise main survival mechanisms. Our results suggest an importance of cautious interpreting of biological effects of Taxol in laboratory studies and for determining optimal doses of Taxol to achieve the desired therapeutic effect in anaplastic thyroid cancers.
The Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Is Regulated by Estrogen and Forms a Functional Complex with the Estrogen-Regulated Protein Ezrin in Pituitary GH3 Somatolactotropes
Authors: Smith Perry M. , Cowan Ann , White Bruce A. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractEstrogen regulates the function, growth, and proliferation of lactotropes in the pituitary. We report here that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) gene expression and LDL uptake are strongly up-regulated by estrogen in pituitary somatolactotropic GH3 cells. The uptake of LDL was significantly inhibited by the F-actin-severing drug, swinholide A, indicating that LDL uptake is dependent on the integrity of the cortical actin cytoskeleton in GH3 cells. We examined whether the estrogen-inducible cytoskeletal linker protein, ezrin, interacts with the LDLR. The LDLR coimmunoprecipitated with ezrin, and fluorescently labeled LDL bound to regions of the cell membrane that colocalized with the active, phosphorylated form of ezrin (phosphoezrin). Evidence for a functional interaction between ezrin and the LDLR was obtained by transient transfection experiments using ezrin-green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression constructs. We observed that transient transfection of GH3 cells with an ezrin N terminus-GFP dominant-negative construct prevented the uptake of LDL particles, whereas expression of GFP alone or an ezrin C terminus-GFP construct had no effect on LDL uptake. Transfection with the ezrin N terminus dominant- negative construct had no effect on the endocytosis of transferrin. Thus, estrogen stimulates the expression of ezrin and the LDLR in GH3 cells, which interact physically and functionally to facilitate the endocytosis of LDL. We propose that the up-regulation and interaction of ezrin and the LDLR serves to augment the delivery of cholesterol and other lipids in support of the hypertrophic and proliferative response of cells to estrogen.
Preparative Synthesis of the Key Intermediate, (4R,5R)-3-Benzyloxymethyl-4,5-isopropylidenedioxycyclopent-2-enone for Carbocyclic Nucleosides
Authors: Moon Hyung Ryong , Choi Won Jun , Kim Hea Ok , Jeong Lak Shin 
Published: March 2004

Abstract
(4R,5R)-3-Benzyloxymethyl-4,5-isopropylidenedioxycyclopent-2-enone (1), a versatile intermediate for the synthesis of carbocyclic nucleosides was synthesized from d-ribose in 10 steps and 26% overall yield.
A Modified Thermodynamically Controlled Deracemization of 2-Allylcyclohexanone and Its Application to Asymmetric Synthesis of (R)-(−)-Epilachnene
Authors: Kaku Hiroto , Okamoto Natsuko , Nakamaru Aya , Tsunoda Tetsuto 
Published: March 2004

Abstract
The efficiency of thermodynamically controlled deracemization was influenced considerably by the solvent used. Based on this finding, an improved method was developed, by which 2-allylcyclohexanone was converted to the R-isomer of 93% ee in 72% yield. As an application of the method, (R)-(−)-epilachnene, an antipode of the defensive droplets from the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis, was synthesized in short steps.
Radiological study of the intumescentia septi nasi anterior
Authors: Arslan Mubeccel , Muderris Togay , Muderris Suphi 
Published: March 2004

Intumescentia septi nasi anterior (ISNA) is a common anatomical variation that is not routinely noticed by surgeons or radiologists. ISNA is a mucosal bulging located on each side of the anterior part of
the septum. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ISNA in different ages and sexes. In this study, computerized tomography (CT) scans of the paranasal sinus were obtained from 595
patients who had symptoms of chronic sinusitis. Among 595 subjects, ISNA was found in 332 (55.79 per cent) of subjects. It was found more frequently in males than females in every age group.Although ISNA is a common anatomical variation, it is generally overlooked. This is the first report on ISNA in different age groups and sexes.
Plasma γ-Globin Gene Expression Suggests that Fetal Hematopoietic Cells Contribute to the Pool of Circulating Cell-Free Fetal Nucleic Acids during Pregnancy
Authors: Wataganara Tuangsit , LeShane Erik S , Chen Angela Y , Borgatta Lynn , Peter Inga , Johnson Kirby L , Bianchi Diana W 
Published: March 2004

Abstract
Background: Reports of placental mRNA sequences in the plasma of pregnant women suggest that the placenta is the predominant source of cell-free fetal nucleic acids in maternal plasma during pregnancy. We developed an assay for γ-globin mRNA concentrations to determine whether hematopoietic cells also contribute to the pool of fetal mRNA in maternal plasma.
Methods: Frozen paired plasma samples obtained from 40 women before and within 20 min after elective first-trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) were analyzed. Fresh plasma samples from eight nonpregnant individuals were included as controls. Plasma γ-globin mRNA was measured by use of real-time reverse transcription-PCR and analyzed with gestational age. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA was used to confirm the presence of cell-free RNA in each sample.
Results: γ-Globin and GAPDH mRNA sequences were detected in every plasma sample. The concentrations of both messages were significantly increased in pregnancy (P &lt;0.01). The concentrations of γ-globin mRNA were decreased in most women after TOP, but γ-globin mRNA was increased in some patients when TOP was performed later than 9 weeks of gestation.
Conclusions: γ-Globin mRNA sequences can be detected and measured in fresh and frozen plasma samples. Plasma γ-globin and GAPDH mRNA concentrations are affected by pregnancy. The increased posttermination γ-globin mRNA concentrations seen in some patients suggest that the source of this message is fetal hematopoietic cells. Further study in pregnant women after 9 weeks of gestation is necessary to evaluate the potential of γ-globin mRNA as a marker for fetomaternal hemorrhage.
Compatibilization of water borne poly(ethylene oxide)‐silica hybrids
Authors: Manaf Ishak , Mascia Leno 
Published: March 2004

AbstractOrganic‐inorganic hybrid materials, incorporating nanostructured silica networks within a poly(ethylene oxide) matrix (PEO), were produced via the sol–gel process from water solution mixtures of poly(ethylene oxide) and prehydrolyzed tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of a trialkoxysilane compatibilization agent, γ‐glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOTMS). These mixtures were cast into films by evaporating the solvent and finally drying in an air‐circulating oven at 60°C. By varying the composition of the alkoxysilane solution mixture and mixing conditions, different morphologies were obtained, ranging from semi‐interpenetrating networks of PEO within highly cross‐linked siloxane domains, to finely dispersed nanostructured systems exhibiting either co‐continuous or particulate structure. The effects of pH, type of solvents, mixing temperatures and time, as well as the concentration of the compatibilization agent was found to be extremely important in controlling the morphology and properties of the final PEO‐SiO2hybrid films. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 23: 125–134, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20001
Evaluation of performance of polyurethanes based on hydroxy alkylated cardanol formaldehyde resins under aging conditions
Authors: Sathiyalekshmi K. , Gopalakrishnan S. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractRigid polyurethanes were synthesized using hydroxy alkylated cardanol formaldehyde and hydroxy alkylated dimerized‐cardanol formaldehyde resins and dicyclo hexyl methane diisocyanate. The studies on the aging (hydrolytic stability, absorption of water/toluene, chemical resistance, dimensional stability, and thermal stability) of these polyurethanes reveal appreciable stability. The performance of these polyurethanes was compared with elastoplastic polyurethanes synthesized with the addition of commercially available poly(ethylene glycol). The rigid polyurethanes are distinctly stable than elastoplastic polyurethanes under various aging conditions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 23: 91–102, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20005
Quantitation of Nonextractable Anthropogenic Quantitation of Nonextractable Anthropogenic Sediments after Chemical Degradation
Authors: Schwarzbauer Jan , Ricking Mathias , Littke Ralf 
Published: March 2004

AbstractFour highly contaminated sediment samples obtained from three sampling locations of the Teltow Canal, Berlin, were investigated by quantitation of extractable and nonextractable organic contaminants. The selection of the anthropogenic contaminants (including chlorinated and brominated naphthalenes, 2, 4, 6‐tribromoaniline, phthalates, tri‐n‐butylphosphate, 2, 2, 4‐trimethyl‐1, 3‐pentanediol diisobutyrate, bisphenol A, butylated nitrophenols, 4‐nitrobenzoic acid, galaxolide, and tonalide) based on the results of extended GC‐MS screening analyses applied to the extracts of the sediment samples as well as to the extracts derived from selective chemical degradation procedures. In detail, alkaline hydrolyses, BBr3‐treatment and RuO4‐oxidation were applied to the pre‐extracted sediment samples in both a separate and a sequential mode.