bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fewer allergic respiratory disorders among farmers' children in a closed birth cohort from Sweden
Authors: Klintberg B. , Berglund N. , Lilja G. , Wickman M. , van Hage-Hamsten M. 
Published: October 2002

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of respiratory allergy, eczema and atopic sensitization in a closed birth cohort of Swedish schoolchildren, 7–8 yrs of age (n=707), of farmers and nonfarmers on the island of Gotland, in the Baltic Sea. All children were born and raised on the island.The survey comprised a questionnaire on atopic diseases and lifestyle factors. Atopic sensitization was assessed by the skin-prick test (SPT) with 15 standardized allergens.The risk ratio (RR) for ever having asthma and/or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was significantly lower among children of farmers compared to children of nonfarmers (RR=0.38, confidence interval (CI) 95% 0.19–0.77). SPTs (test rate 92%) showed that 32% of the children had at least one positive test. Although the number of positive SPTs did not differ between the groups, there was a reduced risk among children of farmers for having both respiratory symptoms and sensitization to any International Study on Asthma and Allergy in Childhood allergen (RR=0.28, CI 95% 0.09–0.88).The present indicate that living in a farming population seems to protect against development of respiratory allergic disorders but not against allergic sensitization.
High morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis patients compound heterozygous for 3905insT and ΔF508
Authors: Schibler A. , Bolt I. , Gallati S. , Schöni M.H. , Kraemer R. 
Published: October 2002

Genotype-phenotype association in cystic fibrosis (CF) is difficult because of heterogeneous disease expression. The genotype-phenotype correlation for the 3905insT mutation in comparison to ΔF508 was studied here.Thirty CF patients compound heterozygous for 3905insT were compared to clinical presentation of matched patients homozygous for ΔF508 (1960–1997). Sweat tests, age at diagnosis, at death and at onset ofPseudomonas aeruginosacolonization were analysed. Chrispin-Norman scores and pulmonary function forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) determined severity of lung disease. Twenty-five of the patients with 3905insT had ΔF508 as a second mutation and five had another rare mutation.At the age of 15 yrs, 60% of patients with 3905insT had an FEV1<60% predicted in comparison to 25% of patients with ΔF508 (p<0.05). Age at death and cumulative survival rate was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the 3905insT than in the ΔF508 group (20.3 and 24.0 yrs, respectively). Age at onset ofP. aeruginosacolonization was not different in the study groups. Sweat chloride concentrations were lower in patients homozygous for ΔF508 (105.63±15.3 mmol·L−1) than in patients with 3905insT (119.9±22.1 mmol·L−1) (p<0.05).Patients compound heterozygous for 3905insT have similar high morbidity and mortality to patients homozygous for ΔF508.
Health-related quality of life in COPD: why both disease-specific and generic measures should be used
Authors: Engström C.P. , Persson L.O. , Larsson S. , Sullivan M. 
Published: October 2002

Although research has consistently demonstrated that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impairs health-related quality of life (HRQL), little agreement has been evidenced regarding the factors identified as contributing to impaired HRQL. The aim was to study such factors using well established generic and specific HRQL instruments.The patients (n=68) were stratified by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to represent a wide range of disease severity. Pulmonary function, blood gases and 6-min walking distance test (6MWD) were assessed. HRQL instruments included: St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Mood Adjective Check List.The strength of the impact of COPD on HRQL was represented along a continuum ranging from lung function, functional status (physical and psychosocial) to wellbeing. Although correlations between FEV1versusSGRQ total and SIP overall scores (r=−0.42 and −0.32) were stronger than previously reported, multiple regression analyses showed that lung function contributed little to the variance when dyspnoea-related limitation, depression scores and 6MWD were included in the models. These three factors were important to varying degrees along the whole range of HRQL.Physiological, functional and psychosocial consequences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are only poorly to moderately related to each other. The present study concludes that a comprehensive assessment of the effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requires a battery of instruments that not only tap the disease-specific effects, but also the overall burden of the disease on everyday functioning and emotional wellbeing.
Expression of members of the phospholipase A2family of enzymes in human nasal mucosa
Authors: Lindbom J. , Ljungman A.G. , Lindahl M. , Tagesson C. 
Published: October 2002

Phospholipase A2(PLA2) is a family of enzymes thought to play a key role in inflammation by releasing arachidonic acid for the synthesis of eicosanoids and lysophospholipid for the synthesis of platelet-activating factor. However, the precise contribution of different PLA2types to the formation of inflammatory lipid mediators in the upper airways is not known and the expression of different PLA2genes in the human nasal mucosa has not been examined.This study therefore investigated the occurrence of messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) for different PLA2forms (IB, IIA, IID, IIE, III, IVA, IVB, IVC, V, VI, VII, X, acid calcium-independent (aiPLA2), and calcium-independent membrane bound PLA2, (iPLA2-2)) in the nasal mucosa of five healthy human subjects.Using reversed transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques it was found that all these PLA2types except PLA2V were expressed in all subjects, whereas PLA2V was detected in only one individual on one single occasion. The relative abundance of the different PLA2transcripts were aiPLA2>X≈IVA>IIA≈IIE≈IVB≈VI>IB≈IID≈III≈IVC≈VII≈iPLA2-2. To further quantify the mRNA-expression of PLA2X, IVA and IIA, the samples were reanalysed with a quantitative PCR-technique utilizing competitive deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mimics as references. The amounts of PLA2X, IVA and IIA mRNA were then estimated to 0.9±0.2, 1.1±0.7, and 0.0025±0.0021 amol (mean±se), respectively, confirming the relative abundance of these PLA2transcripts and indicating that the recently described PLA2X form is relatively strongly expressed.These findings demonstrate that a large number of PLA2types are expressed in the normal human nasal mucosa. Moreover, this investigation demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of the newly discovered phospholipase A2forms IID, IIE, III, IVB, IVC, X and calcium-independent membrane bound phospholipase A2in the human nasal mucosa and raises the possibility that one or several of these may be involved in inflammatory reactions in the nose.
High-resolution computed tomography scanning in α1-antitrypsin deficiency: relationship to lung function and health status
Authors: Dowson L.J. , Guest P.J. , Hill S.L. , Holder R.L. , Stockley R.A. 
Published: October 2002

The development of computed tomography (CT) has enabled emphysema to be assessed noninvasively. Objective quantification of lung density correlates well with lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and has been shown to be a sensitive tool for monitoring disease progression.In order to determine the clinical impact of changes seen on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), the relationship between the objective quantification of emphysema on HRCT, lung function and health status in 111 patients with α1-antitrypsin deficiency was examined (PiZ).The degree of HRCT scan abnormality correlated well (p<0.001 for all comparisons) with forced expiratory volume in one second (r=−0.60–−0.75), specific airway conductance (r=−0.67–0.76), residual volume/total lung capacity (r=0.46–0.58) and transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (r=−0.64–−0.81). In addition, the CT scans correlated (p<0.001) with health status as assessed by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ total: r=−0.38–0.50) and the Short-Form health survey (e.g.physical functioning: r=−0.39–0.54).In summary, other workers have shown high-resolution computed tomography to be a sensitive indicator of disease progression. This study confirms the relationship between high-resolution computed tomography and lung physiology, and suggests the relationship is even stronger in patients with predominantly lower zone pan-lobular emphysema than in usual chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. High-resolution computed tomography also relates to patients disability and impairment as defined by health status questionnaires and, therefore, should be considered as an alternative outcome measure particularly in a1-antitrypsin deficiency.
Intron-8 polythymidine sequence in Australasian individuals with CF mutations R117H and R117C
Authors: Massie R.J.H. , Poplawski N. , Wilcken B. , Goldblatt J. , Byrnes C. , Robertson C. 
Published: October 2002

Compound heterozygotes for a severe cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutation and the R117H or R117C mutation (R117H/C) have clinical presentations that vary from classic cystic fibrosis (CF) to an incidental genetic finding.The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the intron-8 polythymidine sequence (IVS8) on the relationship between genotype and phenotype of individuals with R117H/C.All individuals with R117H/C known to CF clinics in Australia and New Zealand were retrospectively studied by collecting information on genotype, age, pancreatic status, sweat electrolytes, sputum microbiology and pulmonary function.Forty-one individuals (39 with R117H and two with R117C), 16 on an IVS8-5T background and 25 on an IVS8-7T background were identified. Twelve individuals presented clinically, four were siblings of known R117H/C compound heterozygotes and 25 were detected by newborn screening. Eleven of 14 of the IVS8-5T group (78%) with sweat chloride results available had sweat Cl>60 mmol·L−1compared to 5 (20%) of the R117H/7T group (Chi-squared=10.4, p=0.001). Two were pancreatic insufficient, both IVS8-5T. Two IVS8-5T individuals have recently died (aged 43 and 19) and of the 14 surviving IVS8-5T group, 11 (79%) are symptomatic compared to eight (32%) of the IVS8-7T individuals (Chi-squared=6.1, p=0.01).In conclusion, most individuals with R117H/C on a IVS8-5T background have an elevated sweat chloride and clinical cystic fibrosis, which in some cases is severe. Most individuals with R117H/C on an IVS8-7T background do not have clinical cystic fibrosis but should be followed for the development of clinical disease.
Breathing pattern and gas exchange at peak exercise in COPD patients with and without tidal flow limitation at rest
Authors: Díaz O. , Villafranca C. , Ghezzo H. , Borzone G. , Leiva A. , Milic-Emili J. , Lisboa C. 
Published: October 2002

Expiratory flow limitation (FL) at rest is frequently present in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. It promotes dynamic hyperinflation with a consequent decrease in inspiratory capacity (IC). Since in COPD resting IC is strongly correlated with exercise tolerance, this study hypothesized that this is due to limitation of the maximal tidal volume (VT,max) during exercise by the reduced IC. The present study investigated the role of tidal FL at rest on: 1) the relationship of resting IC toVT,max; and 2) on gas exchange during peak exercise in COPD patients.Fifty-two stable COPD patients were studied at rest, using the negative expiratory pressure technique to assess the presence of FL, and during incremental symptom-limited cycling exercise to evaluate exercise performance.At rest, FL was present in 29 patients. In the 52 patients, a close relationship ofVT,maxto IC was found using non-normalized values (r=0.77; p<0.0001), and stepwise regression analysis selected IC as the only significant predictor ofVT,max. Subgroup analysis showed that this was also the case for patients both with and without FL (r=0.70 and 0.76, respectively). In addition, in FL patients there was an increase (p<0.002) in arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure at peak exercise, mainly due to a relatively lowVT,maxand consequent increase in the physiological dead space (VD)/VTratio. The arterial oxygen partial pressure also decreased at peak exercise in the FL patients (p<0.05).In conclusion, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients the maximal tidal volume, and hence maximal oxygen consumption, are closely related to the reduced inspiratory capacity. The flow limited patients also exhibit a significant increase in arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure and a decrease in arterial oxygen partial pressure during peak exercise.
Increased circulating levels of α1-antitrypsin and calprotectin are associated with reduced gas diffusion in the lungs
Authors: Welle I. , Bakke P.S. , Eide G.E. , Fagerhol M.K. , Omenaas E. , Gulsvik A. 
Published: October 2002

The aim was to examine the relationship of serum inflammatory markers to the level of single-breath diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (TL,CO).A stratified sample (n=1,121) of a Norwegian general population aged 18–73 yrs was examined. The inflammatory markers measured were calprotectin, a prominent protein in the cytosol fraction of neutrophil granulocytes, and α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT), the major inhibitor of neutrophil elastase in the lower respiratory system. Both markers have increased circulating levels in the course of an acute inflammatory reaction.Subjects with a TL,CO<80% of predicted value had a higher level of both α1-AT (p=0.003) and calprotectin (p<0.03) than those with a TL,CO>100%. In multiple linear regression analyses, α1-AT was still significantly associated withTL,COafter adjusting for sex, age, smoking habits, haemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin, forced expiratory volume in one second and alveolar volume. In a similar analysis, no significant overall association was found between calprotectin and TL,CO, but in a stratified analysis, calprotectin was significantly related to TL,COin females. However, no significant sex interaction in the relationship between the inflammatory markers and TL,COwas found.The findings suggest that increased levels of α1-antitrypsin and of calprotectin are risk factors for decreased diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide.
Supported discharge shortens hospital stay in patients hospitalized because of an exacerbation of COPD
Authors: Sala E. , Alegre L. , Carrera M. , Ibars M. , Orriols F.J. , Blanco M.L. , Cárceles F. , Bertran S. , Mata F. , Font I. , Agustí A.G.N. 
Published: October 2002

This prospective, controlled, but not formally randomized study investigates the feasibility and efficiency of an alternative to standard hospitalization for patients with exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based upon supported discharge with nurse supervision at home.Over a 12-month period, emergency physicians, not directly involved in the study, admitted 205 patients with exacerbated COPD to the authors' respiratory unit. Patients were included in the supported discharge group (n=105) if they voluntarily chose to participate in the programme and lived in the city of Palma de Mallorca (where adequate home support could be provided). Patients not fulfilling these criteria (mainly residents outside the city) served as controls (n=100). Inpatient treatment was standardized in all patients and included oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, antibiotics and steroids.Both groups were comparable in terms of age (mean±sd: 70±10versus65±11 yr for supported discharge and control group, respectively), severity of airflow obstruction (forced expiratory volume in one second 45±18% referenceversus46±19% ref.), comorbidity and socioeconomic status. Length of hospital stay (LOS) in the supported discharge group was shorter (5.9±2.8versus8.0±5.1 days, p<0.001). After discharge, a respiratory nurse visited supported discharge patients at home during 7.3±3.8 days. Only one patient (1%) required hospital readmission during this period of time. The reduced LOS resulted in a lower utilization of hospital beds at any given point in time throughout the study period.Within the framework and potential limitations of this study, the results indicate that the supported discharge programme in Spain: 1) allows a significant reduction in the length of hospital stay of patients hospitalized because of an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; 2) does not result in an inappropriately increased rate of hospital readmissions; and 3) reduces the utilization of hospital resources.
A bibliometric evaluation of European Union research of the respiratory system from 1987–1998
Authors: García-Río F. , Serrano S. , Dorgham A. , Alvarez-Sala R. , Ruiz Peña A. , Pino J.M. , Alvarez-Sala J.L. , Villamor J. 
Published: October 2002

This study analyses the evolution of the bibliometric indicators of productivity and repercussion of European Union (EU) research into the respiratory system during the period from 1987–1998, describing the geographical distribution.Using MedLine, a selection was made of those articles by EU authors published between 1987–1998 in 38 respiratory system journals (classification from the Institute for Scientific Information). The journals, country of origin, number of articles and the relation to socioeconomic data, productivity index, visibility index, expected impact factor (EIF) and relative impact factor (RIF) were all analysed.The number of EU publications in respiratory system journals experienced an exponential increase, going from 606 articles (14.3% of world production) in 1987, to 2,325 (33.2%) in 1998. During this same period, the EIF increased from 1,258 to 2,111. The greatest gross productivities were those of the UK, France, Italy and Germany, although when corrected for number of inhabitants, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark headed the list. The countries with the greatest mean EIF were the Netherlands, the UK, Spain and Belgium.In conclusion, productivity and repercussions of European Union research of the respiratory system experienced an important increase during this period.
A model of viral wheeze in nonasthmatic adults: symptoms and physiology
Authors: Mckean M.C. , Leech M. , Lambert P.C. , Hewitt C. , Myint S. , Silverman M. 
Published: October 2002

Episodic wheezing associated with viral infections of the upper respiratory tract (URT) is a common problem in young children but also occurs in adults. It is hypothesized that an experimental infection with human coronavirus (HCoV), the second most prevalent common cold virus, would cause lower respiratory tract (LRT) changes in adults with a history of viral wheeze.Twenty-four viral wheezers (15 atopic) and 19 controls (seven atopic) were inoculated with HCoV 229E and monitored for the development of symptoms, changes in airway physiology and provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (PC20). At baseline, viral wheezers were similar to controls in PC20(mean±sd log2PC20: 5.1±1.9 and 5.8±1.4 g·L−1, respectively) but had a lower FEV1than controls (mean±sd 85.8±11.4 and 95.6±13.2% predicted, respectively p<0.05). Nineteen viral wheezers and 11 controls developed colds. Viral wheezers with colds reported significantly more URT symptoms than controls (median scores (interquartile range): 24 (10–37) and 6 (4–15), respectively p=0.014). Sixteen viral wheezers and no controls reported LRT symptoms (wheeze, chest tightness and shortness of breath). The viral wheezers with colds had small (3–4%) reductions in FEV1and peak expiratory flow on days with LRT symptoms (days 3–6), but a progressive reduction in PC20from baseline on days 2, 4 and 17 after inoculation (by 0.82, 1.35 and 1.82 doubling concentrations, respectively). The fall in PC20affected both atopic and nonatopic subjects equally. There were no changes in FEV1or PC20in controls.An adult model of viral wheeze that is independent of atopy and therefore, of classical atopic asthma was established.
Type II alveolar epithelial cells and interstitial fibroblasts express connective tissue growth factor in IPF
Authors: Pan L-H. , Yamauchi K. , Uzuki M. , Nakanishi T. , Takigawa M. , Inoue H. , Sawai T. 
Published: October 2002

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a growth and chemotactic factor for fibroblasts encoded by an immediate early gene that is transcriptionally activated by transforming growth factor-β. Previous studies have shown that both CTGF messenger ribonuclear acid (mRNA) and protein are expressed in renal fibrosis and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate the localization of CTGF protein and its mRNA expression in the fibrotic lung tissue of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).Using human fibrotic lung tissue obtained from eight autopsy cases and four biopsy cases with IPF, immunohistochemical staining,in situhybridization, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed.The cellular immunoreactivity for CTGF was markedly increased in the lung tissue of patients with IPF, compared to normal lungs. The immunolocalization of CTGF was confined predominantly to proliferating type II alveolar epithelial cells and activated fibroblasts. In the normal lung, type II alveolar epithelial cells stained for CTGF were sparsely distributed. CTGF mRNA was localized in proliferating type II alveolar epithelial cells and activated fibroblasts in the interstitium of fibrotic lung tissues. RT-PCR analysis showed that CTGF mRNA was expressed at a higher level in fibrotic lungs than in normal lungs.In both an autocrine and a paracrine manner, type II alveolar epithelial cells and activated fibroblasts may play a critical role in pulmonary fibrosis by producing connective tissue growth factor which modulates fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix production.
Vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis in the acute phase of experimental and clinical lung injury
Authors: Maitre B. , Boussat S. , Jean D. , Gouge M. , Brochard L. , Housset B. , Adnot S. , Delclaux C. 
Published: October 2002

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic and endothelial survival factor, which is abundantly expressed in the normal lung. Conceivably, VEGF may be released by numerous cell types found around the airspaces, including alveolar type 2 cells, alveolar macrophages, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils.Using a bacteria-induced lung injury model in rats, VEGF expression in lung was investigated. Both VEGF protein and VEGF messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), 4 and 24 h after bacterial challenge (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), were decreased compared with sham rats.VEGF protein was also investigated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from patients studied within 7 days of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) onset and in patients without ARDS. VEGF protein levels in BAL were decreased in patients with ARDSversusthose without (14.3±11.1 pg·mL−1versus76.8±51.1 pg·mL−1, p=0.03).In aggregate, these findings show that the initial phase of acute lung injury is associated with a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor in the lung. This downregulation may represent a protective mechanism aimed at limiting endothelial permeability, and may participate in the decrease in capillary number that is observed during early acute respiratory distress syndrome.