bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Integrative Review of Patients' Perceptions Regarding Telehealth used in their Health Care
Authors: Thurmond Veronica A. , Boyle Diane K. 
Published: April 2004

Abstract(1) The rapid changes in technology and communication have had a great impact on the delivery of health care in the United States. Such changes have spurred the growth of an arena in health care known as telehealth. An important medium in telehealth care is the use of video. This paper examines the research that has been undertaken in determining patients' perceptions of the use of a video component in their health care. Ten studies examined used real‐time, interactive video to deliver care, while one evaluated still images. The results of the integrative review tentatively suggest that patients are amenable to the use of video in telehealth interventions. Limitations of the studies reviewed also are discussed.
Synthesis of Research Findings Regarding Alzheimer's Disease: Part I, Assessment/Diagnosis
Authors: Bower Fay L. , McCullough Cyndi S. , Pille Barbara L. 
Published: April 2004

Abstract(1) Alzheimer's disease (AD) is predicted to strike 14 million Americans by 2050. To date, the only accurate way to diagnose this devastating disease is at autopsy, so the importance of ruling out other diseases and instituting a plan of care for early symptoms is vital. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the knowledge about the assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease so clinicians can understand what is needed to differentiate AD from other diseases/conditions.
An Interview with Judy G. Barber: Prenuptial Agreements, Intimacy, Trust and Control
Authors: Mendoza Drew S. , Krone Sharon P. 
Published: April 2004

A business-owning family and a soon-to-be-wed couple often face two mutually exclusive goals that seem impossible to reconcile. On the one hand, a couple considering marriage wants to believe that love alone will keep them together. On the other hand, statistics today say there is a good chance the relationship will not last. A prenuptial agreement provides the protection an individual or the family may want against a possible divorce, but the process by which the document is introduced and negotiated can deplete the relationship of intimacy. How can a woman from a wealthy business-owning family express and reinforce the emotional commitment and trust she has for her partner while presenting a prenuptial agreement] How can a son administer a prenuptial agreement to his fiancee without controlling the process or outcome of his spouse's financial welfare] How can a family require a prenuptial agreement without jeopardizing their future relationship with the newlyweds] In the following interview, Judy Barber, a consultant and licensed marriage and family counselor specializing in the psychology of money, outlines several recommendations for families and couples who are considering a prenuptial agreement.
Differential Regulation of DAP12 and Molecules Associated with DAP12 during Host Responses to Mycobacterial Infection
Authors: Aoki Naoko , Zganiacz Anna , Margetts Peter , Xing Zhou 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTDAP12 and its associating molecules MDL-1, TREM-1, and TREM-2 are the recently identified immune regulatory molecules, expressed primarily on myeloid cells including monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, and neutrophils. However, little is known about the regulation of their expression during host antimicrobial responses. We have investigated the effect of pulmonary mycobacterial infection and type 1 cytokines on the expression of these molecules both in vivo and in vitro. While DAP12 was constitutively expressed at high levels in the lungs, the MDL-1, TREM-1, and TREM-2 molecules were inducible during mycobacterial infection. Their kinetic expression was correlated with that of the type 1 cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ). In primary lung macrophage cultures, high constitutive levels of DAP12 and TREM-2 were not modulated by mycobacterial or type 1 cytokine exposure. In contrast, expression of both MDL-1 and TREM-1 was markedly induced by mycobacterial infection and such induction was inhibited by concurrent exposure to IFN-γ. On mycobacterial infection of TNF-α−/−and IFN-γ−/−mice in vivo or their lung macrophages in vitro, TNF-α was found to be critical for mycobacterially induced MDL-1, but not TREM-1, expression whereas IFN-γ negatively regulated mycobacterially induced MDL-1 and TREM-1 expression. Our findings thus suggest that DAP12 and its associating molecules are differentially regulated by mycobacterial infection and type 1 cytokines and that MDL-1- and TREM-1-triggered DAP12 signaling may play an important role in antimicrobial type 1 immunity.
Leishmania majorAmastigotes Induce p50/c-Rel NF-κΒ Transcription Factor in Human Macrophages: Involvement in Cytokine Synthesis
Authors: Guizani-Tabbane Lamia , Ben-Aissa Khadija , Belghith Meriam , Sassi Atfa , Dellagi Koussay 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTInvasion of a host by pathogens is frequently associated with activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which is implicated in various aspects of immune function required for resistance to infection. However, pathogens may also subdue these mechanisms to secure their survival. Here we describe the effect ofLeishmania majorinfection on NF-κB transcription factor activation in both promonocytic human cell line U937 and fresh human monocytes. Infection byL. majoramastigotes blocked nuclear translocation of a phorbol-12 myristate-13 acetate (PMA)-induced p50/p65 NF-κB complex in PMA-treated differentiated U937 cells and triggered expression of p50- and c-Rel-containing complexes in both U937 cells and fresh human monocytes. These p50/c-Rel complexes, triggered by direct cell-parasite interactions, were detectable within 30 min after the interaction and were transcriptionally active. The NF-κΒ inhibitor caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibited production of both tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10 (IL-10) induced byLeishmaniaamastigotes in differentiated U937 cells. Similar results for IL-10 induction were observed with amastigote-infected human monocytes. Our results indicate thatL. majoramastigotes activate NF-κB by specifically inducing p50- and c-Rel-containing complexes which are likely involved in the regulation of cytokine synthesis.
Down-Modulation of Lung Immune Responses by Interleukin-10 and Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) and Analysis of TGF-β Receptors I and II in Active Tuberculosis
Authors: Bonecini-Almeida M. Glória , Ho John L. , Boéchat Neio , Huard Richard C. , Chitale Sadhana , Doo Howard , Geng Jiayuan , Rego Lorena , Lazzarini Luiz Claudio Oliveira , Kritski Afrânio L. , Johnson Warren D. , McCaffrey Timothy A. , Silva José R. Lapa e 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTImmune factors influencing progression to active tuberculosis (TB) remain poorly defined. In this study, we investigated the expression of immunoregulatory cytokines and receptors by using lung bronchoalveolar lavage cells obtained from patients with pulmonary TB, patients with other lung diseases (OLD patients), and healthy volunteers (VOL) by using reverse transcriptase PCR, a transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) bioactivity assay, and an enzyme immunoassay. TB patients were significantly more likely than OLD patients to coexpress TGF-β receptor I (RI) and RII mRNA, as well as interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA (thereby indicating the state of active gene transcription in the alveolar cells at harvest). In contrast, gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and IL-2 mRNA was seen in both TB and OLD patients. Likewise, significantly elevated pulmonary steady-state protein levels of IL-10, IFN-γ, and bioactive TGF-β were found in TB patients versus those in OLD patients and VOL. These data suggest that the combined production of the immunosuppressants IL-10 and TGF-β, as well as coexpression of TGF-β RI and RII (required for cellular response to TGF-β), may act to down-modulate host anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosisimmunity and thereby allow uncontrolled bacterial replication and overt disease. Delineating the underlying mechanisms ofM. tuberculosis-triggered expression of these immune elements may provide a molecular-level understanding of TB immunopathogenesis.
Helicobacter pyloriInduces Apoptosis of Macrophages in Association with Alterations in the Mitochondrial Pathway
Authors: Menaker Rena J. , Ceponis Peter J. M. , Jones Nicola L. 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTHelicobacter pyloriis a gastric bacterial pathogen that evades host immune responses in vivo and is associated with the development of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancers. Induction of macrophage apoptosis is a method employed by multiple pathogens to escape host immune responses. Therefore, we hypothesized thatH. pyloriinduces apoptosis of infected macrophages. RAW 264.7 cells were infected withH. pyloristrain 60190, and apoptosis was assessed. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy showed that infected macrophages displayed morphological features characteristic of apoptosis. Quantification by acridine orange-ethidium bromide fluorescent-dye staining showed that apoptosis was dose and time dependent, and apoptosis was further confirmed by increased binding of annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to externalized phosphatidylserine of infected but not of control macrophages. Macrophages infected with isogenic mutants ofH. pyloristrain 60190 deficient in eithercagAorvacAinduced significantly less apoptosis than the parental strain, as assessed by increased binding of annexin V-FITC. Western blot analysis of whole-cell protein lysates revealed that infection with strain 60190 induced a time-dependent increase in cleavage of procaspase 8 and disappearance of full-length Bid compared with uninfected cells. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of caspase 8 caused a decrease in levels of apoptosis. Finally, infection caused a time-dependent increase in mitochondrial-membrane permeability and release of cytochromecinto the cytosol. These results suggest thatH. pyloriinduces apoptosis of macrophages in association with alterations in the mitochondrial pathway. Elimination of this key immunomodulatory cell may represent a mechanism employed by the bacterium to evade host immune responses.
LuxS Is Required for Persistent Pneumococcal Carriage and Expression of Virulence and Biosynthesis Genes
Authors: Joyce Elizabeth A. , Kawale Amita , Censini Stefano , Kim Charles C. , Covacci Antonello , Falkow Stanley 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaecauses several diseases, including otitis media, pneumonia, and meningitis. Although little is known about the regulation of or how individual pneumococcal factors contribute to these disease states, there is evidence suggesting that some factors are regulated by a cell-density-dependent mechanism (quorum sensing). Quorum sensing allows bacteria to couple transcription with changes in cell density; bacteria achieve this by sensing and responding to small diffusible signaling molecules. We investigated how the LuxS signaling system impacts the biology ofS. pneumoniae. An analysis of the transcriptional profiles of a serotype 2 strain and an isogenicluxSdeletion strain utilizing anS. pneumoniae-specific microarray indicated that LuxS regulates gene expression involved in discrete cellular processes, including pneumolysin expression. Contrary to the paradigm for quorum sensing, we observed pronounced effects on transcription in early log phase, where gene expression was repressed in the mutant. Assessing the mutant for its ability to infect and cause disease in animals revealed a profound defect in ability to persist in the nasopharyngeal tissues. Our analysis of anS. pneumoniaetranscriptome revealed a function for LuxS in gene regulation that is not dependent upon high cell density and is likely involved in the maintenance of pneumococcal load in susceptible hosts.
Protection Elicited by a Double Leucine and Pantothenate Auxotroph of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Sampson Samantha L. , Dascher Christopher C. , Sambandamurthy Vasan K. , Russell Robert G. , Jacobs William R. , Bloom Barry R. , Hondalus Mary K. 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACT

We developed a live, fully attenuated
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
vaccine candidate strain with two independent attenuating auxotrophic mutations in leucine and pantothenate biosynthesis. The Δ
leuD
Δ
panCD
double auxotroph is fully attenuated in the SCID mouse model and highly immunogenic and protective in the extremely sensitive guinea pig tuberculosis model, reducing both bacterial burden and disease pathology.
TwoSalmonellaOmpC Kb-Restricted Epitopes for CD8+-T-Cell Recognition
Authors: Diaz-Quiñonez Alberto , Martin-Orozco Natalia , Isibasi Armando , Ortiz-Navarrete Vianney 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTWe report the identification of two peptides fromSalmonellaOmpC porin that can bind to major histocompatibility complex class I Kbmolecules and are targets of cytotoxic T lymphocytes fromSalmonella-infected mice. These peptides are conserved in gram-negative bacterial porins and are the firstSalmonellaporin-specific epitopes described for possible CD8+-T-cell elimination of infected cells.
A mouse model for visualization and conditional mutations in the erythroid lineage
Authors: Heinrich Achim C. , Pelanda Roberta , Klingmüller Ursula 
Published: April 2004

AbstractHematologic disorders can be caused by sporadic or inherited mutations. However, the molecular mechanisms that lead to pathogenicity are only partially understood. An accurate method to generate mouse models is conditional gene manipulation facilitated by the Cre-loxP recombination system. To enable identification and genomic manipulation of erythroid progenitor cells, we established a knock-in mouse model (ErGFPcre) that expresses an improved GFPcre fusion protein controlled by the endogenous erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) promoter. We show that ErGFPcre mice enable the identification of GFP-positive erythroid progenitor cells and the highly specific genomic manipulation of the erythroid lineage. Analysis of GFP-positive erythroid progenitor cells suggests a developmental switch in lineage progression from the hematopoietic stem cell compartment to early erythroid progenitor cells that are stem cell antigen-1–negative (Sca-1–) and c-kithigh. Within the hematopoietic system, Cre-mediated recombination is limited to erythroid progenitor cells and occurs in the adult bone marrow at a frequency of up to 80% and in the fetal liver with an efficiency close to 100%. Differential transcriptional activity of the wild-type and the knock-in locus was observed in nonhematopoietic tissues. Thus, our ErGFPcre mouse model could promote the identification of regulatory elements controlling nonhematopoietic EpoR expression and facilitates the characterization and genomic manipulation of erythroid progenitor cells.
Asthma severity and medical resource utilisation
Authors: Antonicelli L. , Bucca C. , Neri M. , De Benedetto F. , Sabbatani P. , Bonifazi F. , Eichler H‐G. , Zhang Q. , Yin D.D. 
Published: April 2004

Asthma represents a growing public health problem and the cost of asthma has been rising in many countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the direct and indirect cost of asthma among adult patients in Italy, and to assess the relationship between healthcare resource use and asthma severity according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) classification system.A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 Italian hospital-based specialised asthma clinics. Data collection was based on self-administered questionnaires and took place during the period May 1–November 30, 1999, and 500 consecutive patients with asthma, aged 18–55 yrs, were enrolled during regularly scheduled visits. Direct costs (drugs, physician visits, emergency service use and hospitalisation), indirect costs (loss of paid workdays) and total costs were determined in euros () for 1999.Patients with more severe disease, as classified by the GINA guideline, exhibited more night-time and daytime symptoms and were more limited in performing normal daily activities. The mean total cost of asthma per patient per year was estimated to be 1,260; drug costs accounted for 16%, physician costs 12%, emergency service and hospitalisation costs 20% and indirect costs 52% of the mean cost. Stratified by severity, the total annual cost per patient amounted to 720, 1,046, 1,535 and 3,328 for patients with intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent asthma, respectively.Asthma severity, as determined by the Global Initiative for Asthma classification, is significantly associated with symptoms, limitations in normal daily activities, asthma-related medical resource utilisation and both direct and indirect costs. Asthma control is not only a clinical but also an economic imperative.
Report of a workshop: quantitative computed tomography scanning in longitudinal studies of emphysema
Authors: Newell J.D. , Hogg J.C. , Snider G.L. 
Published: April 2004

It has been reported that quantitative computed tomography (CT) scanning of the lungs showed decreased progression of emphysema in a randomised clinical trial in patients with severe α1‐antitrypsin (α1‐AT) deficiency receiving monthly intravenous augmentation therapy with human α1‐AT. Comparable results were not obtained using rate of decline of forced expiratory volume in one second.Accordingly, the Alpha‐1 Foundation convened a workshop to explore the feasibility of using quantitative CT data as a primary outcome variable in trials of drugs for treating α1‐AT deficiency.This report reviews the following: the principles for the use of modern CT scanners for quantifying emphysema; the methods and data on validation by comparison with measurements of severity of emphysema in inflation-fixed specimens of lungs; and the possibility of decreasing radiation dosage from CT to make it safe and ethically possible to use CT in longitudinal studies.The workshop concluded that it is feasible, safe and ethically possible to use computed tomography in longitudinal studies of emphysema. It recommended that the primary end-point should be a significant shift in the 15th percentile of lung density.
Inhaled corticosteroids and the risk of a first exacerbation in COPD patients
Authors: de Melo M.N. , Ernst P. , Suissa S. 
Published: April 2004

The role of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma is well established, but their benefit in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still controversial. The current study assessed whether ICS are effective in preventing a first exacerbation of COPD.A cohort of newly treated COPD patients was formed from the Administrative Databases of Saskatchewan Health. The outcome was the occurrence of a first moderate or severe exacerbation from 1990–1999. Moderate exacerbations involved prescriptions for an antibiotic and an oral corticosteroid on the same day. Severe exacerbations were hospitalisations with a primary discharge diagnosis of COPD. A nested case-control design was used and matched on year of birth and cohort entry. Rate ratios (RR) were further adjusted for use of other medication and other confounders.There were 995 exacerbations among 4,455 subjects. The rate of a first exacerbation was increased with any use of ICS in the year prior to the index date (RR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.08–1.48) and with current use (RR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.22–1.87), and it increased with increasing daily doses of ICS.Inhaled corticosteroids do not seem to be beneficial in reducing the risk of a first exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Suppression of matrix metalloproteinase production from nasal fibroblasts by macrolide antibioticsin vitro
Authors: Kanai K. , Asano K. , Hisamitsu T. , Suzaki H. 
Published: April 2004

It is well known that low-dose and long-term administration of macrolide antibiotics favourably modify the clinical status of chronic airway inflammatory diseases. However, the therapeutic mode of action of macrolide antibiotics is not well understood. The present study aimed to examine the influence of macrolide antibiotics, roxithromycin (RXM) and josamycin (JM) on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production from nasal polyp fibroblasts (NPF)in vitro.NPF, at a concentration of 2.5×105cells·mL−1, were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the presence of various concentrations of RXM or JM for 24 h. MMP‐2 and ‐9 levels in culture supernatants were analysed by ELISA, and MMP mRNA expression was examined by RT-PCR. The influence of RXM on nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)‐1 activation was also examined.Addition of RXM (but not JM) at 5.0 and 7.5 µg·mL−1significantly suppressed the production of MMP‐2 and ‐9 from NPF induced by TNF-α stimulation. RXM also suppressed MMP mRNA expression through the inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1 activation.The present results suggest that the suppressive activity of roxithromycin on MMP‐2 and ‐9 production is, in part, responsible for the therapeutic action of macrolides on chronic airway inflammatory diseases.
Increased long-term mortality in heart failure due to sleep apnoea is not yet proven
Authors: Roebuck T. , Solin P. , Kaye D.M. , Bergin P. , Bailey M. , Naughton M.T. 
Published: April 2004

Previous small-scale studies of the effect of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on prognosis in congestive heart failure (CHF) are either lacking or conflicting.The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the presence and type of SDB on mortality in a patient group with severe CHF referred to a specialised heart failure centre.Out of 78 patients ((mean±sd) 53±9 yrs, left ventricular ejection fraction 19.9±7.2% and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 16.5±8.3 mmHg) followed-up over a median period of 52 months, 29% had no apnoea (CHF‐N), 28% had obstructive sleep apnoea (CHF‐OSA) and 42% had central sleep apnoea (CHF‐CSA). At 52 months, their overall mortality was 40%, and combined mortality and transplantation was 72%. Mortality rates were similar between the three apnoea groups. Survivors had a similar prevalence of SDB (71%) as the nonsurvivors (70%). Although a significant increase in mortality was evident at 500 days in those patients with either CHF‐SDB or CHF‐CSA as compared with CHF‐N, this was not significant at final follow-up (52 months) using Kaplan Meier analysis. Multivariate analysis identified transplantation but not SDB type or severity as a significant predictor of survival.In conclusion, sleep-disordered breathing impacts upon early (500 day), but not long-term (52 month), mortality in a specialised heart failure centre.
Masquerade syndrome: sebaceous carcinoma presenting as an unknown primary with pagetoid spread to the nasal cavity
Authors: Shet Tanuja , Kelkar Gauri , Juvekar Shashi , Mistry Rajesh , Borges Anita 
Published: April 2004

Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid is an uncommon tumour with unusual modes of presentation. It can remain occult at the primary site, without producing any mass, masquerading as chronic blepharoconjunctivitis, while setting up metastases in the regional lymph nodesespecially in the pre-auricular group.We report here a case that not only masqueraded as chronic blepharoconjunctivitis with nodal metastases from an ’unknown primary’ in the neck, but whose tumour spread in a pagetoid manner along the nasolacrimal duct producing a nasal tumour that was believed to be the ’unknown primary’.This case emphasizes the need for ophthalmologists, ENT surgeons and pathologists to keep sebaceous carcinoma in mind while evaluating patients with chronic blepharoconjunctivitis and cervical node metastases from ’unknown primary’. Histological clues for picking up a sebaceous carcinoma at a metastatic site include a tumour with comedo or ductal growth pattern and intracytoplasmic lipid.