bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Steroid treatment based on the findings of transbronchial biopsy in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Watanabe K. , Higuchi K. , Ninomiya K. , Ohshima T. , Aritomi T. , Kawabata Y. , Yoshida M. 
Published: November 2002

This study was performed to find the rationale for administering steroids to patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), which was unlikely to be usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) but was not surgically biopsied.Among IIP patients in the file of the departments, nine patients who met the following criteria were selected for this study (“non-UIP” group): 1) transbronchial lung biopsy showed dense mononuclear cell infiltration in thickened alveolar septa; 2) chest radiograph and computed tomography showed irregular linear, reticular or ground-glass opacities with alveolar consolidation without honeycombing in the lung base; and 3) spirometry was performed before and after steroid therapy. Ten patients with pathologically confirmed nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (“NSIP” group) were also selected for the comparison. Baseline values and percentage increase of vital capacity (VC) after steroid therapy were plotted.Steroids improved VC in both groups of patients. After 1 yr of steroid therapy, percentage increase of VC in “non-UIP” was 28.8±7.7%, which was not significantly different from that in NSIP (30.0±11.7%). One “non-UIP” patient and one NSIP patient died after 6.4 and 4.3 yrs of follow-up, respectively.Patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia presenting cellular interstitial pneumonia in transbronchial lung biopsy, in addition to radiographic findings not typical for usual interstitial pneumonia, could expect a beneficial effect of steroids without undergoing surgical biopsy.
Sex-related interactive effect of smoking and household pets on asthma incidence
Authors: Chen Y. , Dales R. , Tang M. , Krewski D. 
Published: November 2002

The authors examined the interactive effect of smoking and pets at home on the incidence of asthma and the difference between sexes.The longitudinal data from the first two cycles of the National Population Health Survey, conducted in Canada, were used. A total of 12,636 subjects who reported no asthma at baseline were included in the analysis.The 2-yr cumulative incidence of asthma was higher in females than in males. Female sex and household pets demonstrated a significant interaction in the development of asthma. After adjustment for age, immigration and history of allergy, the odds ratio for smoking in relation to the asthma incidence was 2.50 (95% confidence interval: 1.24–5.05) for females who had pets at home and close to unity for those who had no pets. The incidence of asthma was not associated with smoking status and household pets in males.These results indicate that smoking, having pets at home and other environmental factors can partly explain asthma morbidity among female Canadians.
Evidence for left ventricular dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Alchanatis M. , Tourkohoriti G. , Kosmas E.N. , Panoutsopoulos G. , Kakouros S. , Papadima K. , Gaga M. , Jordanoglou J.B. 
Published: November 2002

There is limited information on the development of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in the absence of lung and cardiac comorbidity. This study aimed to investigate whether OSA patients without heart morbidity develop LV dysfunction, and to assess the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on LV function.Twenty-nine OSA patients and 12 control subjects were studied using technetium-99m ventriculography to estimate LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV peak emptying rate (LVPER), time to peak emptying rate (TPER), peak filling rate (LVPFR) and time to peak filling rate (TPFR) before and after 6 months of treatment with CPAP.A significantly lower LVEF was found in OSA patients, compared to control subjects, (53±7versus61±6%) along with a reduced LVPER (2.82±0.58versus3.82±0.77 end-diastolic volumes·s−1). Furthermore, OSA patients had significantly lower LVPFR (2.67±0.71versus3.93±0.58 end-diastolic volumes·s−1) and delayed TPFR (0.19±0.04versus0.15±0.03 s) in comparison with the control group. Six-months of CPAP treatment was effective in significantly improving LVEF, LVPER, LVPFR and TPFR.In conclusion, obstructive sleep apnoea patients without any cardiovascular disease seem to develop left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, which may be reversed, either partially or completely, after 6 months of continuous positive airway pressure treatment.
Electroencephalographic spectral analysis: detection of cortical activity changes in sleep apnoea patients
Authors: Dingli K. , Assimakopoulos T. , Fietze I. , Witt C. , Wraith P.K. , Douglas N.J. 
Published: November 2002

There are no visible electroencephalographic (EEG) changes at the termination of some apnoeas and hypopnoeas. This study tests the hypothesis that cortical activity fluctuates at apnoea/hypopnoea termination, despite the lack of visible changes.To detect these changes, EEG spectral analysis was performed and centred around the end of apnoeas/hypopnoeas in 15 sleepy patients. Ten second windows were applied and comparisons were conducted between the normalised power of the same frequency bands before and after termination of each apnoea/hypopnoea. Comparisons were performed within patients between apnoeas/hypopnoeas and periods of undisturbed sleep as well as between patients and healthy subjects during sleep.Normalised theta power (4–8 Hz) decreased significantly at apnoea/hypopnoea termination. No significant changes were found between consecutive periods of undisturbed sleep across the 15 patients. During nonrapid eye movement sleep, changes were detected irrespective of arousal visibility. During rapid eye movement sleep, nonarousal apnoeas/hypopnoeas were not accompanied by any significant spectral power changes. Theta power was significantly lower across patients compared to healthy subjects (p=0.03) and was correlated to the apnoea/hypopnoea index (rho=0.6, p=0.008).The authors conclude that electroencephalographic spectral analysis improves detection of changes at apnoea/hypopnoea termination. Further validation is needed to determine whether it improves correlation between nocturnal measures and daytime symptoms.
CC and C chemokine expression in pulmonary sarcoidosis
Authors: Petrek M. , Kolek V. , Szotkowská J. , du Bois R.M. 
Published: November 2002

The chemokines RANTES (regulated on activation, T-cell expressed and secreted; CC chemokine ligand (CCL)-5) and monocyte inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α (CCL-3) have been implicated in the development of alveolitis in pulmonary sarcoidosis. The novel C chemokine single cysteine motif (SCM)-1α (XCL-1) and the CC chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (CCL-2) are also mononuclear-cell attractants and represent alternative candidate mediators of alveolitis. Therefore, the expression of MCP-1 and SCM-1α was investigated together with the expression of RANTES and MIP-1α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from control subjects and patients with sarcoidosis. The relationship between chemokine expression and sarcoidosis clinical course was also explored.Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression for all four chemokines was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of RNA extracted from unseparated bronchoalveolar cells (17 patients, 12 controls). RANTES, MIP-1α and MCP-1 proteins were measured by enzyme-linked immunosobent assay of unconcentrated BALF (60 patients, 17 controls).MCP-1, and namely RANTES and SCM-1α mRNA expression was upregulated in sarcoidosis, particularly in patients with more advanced disease. RANTES, and namely MCP-1 concentrations were elevated in BALF samples obtained from patients; MCP-1 levels were most increased in patients with chest radiographic stage 2 disease and also in patients with persistent and recurrent disease.In conclusion, chemokines monocyte chemotactive protein-1 and single cysteine motif-1α are, in addition to RANTES, associated with the development of alveolitis in sarcoidosis and their expression parallels the disease course.
Effects of formoterol and ipratropium bromide in COPD: a 3-month placebo-controlled study
Authors: Wadbo M. , Löfdahl C-G. , Larsson K. , Skoogh B.E. , Tornling G. , Arweström E. , Bengtsson T. , Ström K. 
Published: November 2002

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of formoterol, ipratropium bromide and a placebo on walking distance, lung function, symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.A total of 183 patients (mean age 64 yrs, 86 female) with moderate-to-severe nonreversible COPD participated in this randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study. After a 2-week placebo run-in, patients were randomised to formoterol Turbuhaler® 18 μgb.i.d.(delivered dose), ipratropium bromide 80 μgt.i.d.viaa pressurised metered dose inhaler, or placebo for 12 weeks. Inhaled short-acting β2-agonists were allowed as relief medication and inhaled glucocorticosteroids were allowed at a constant dose. The primary variable was walking distance in the shuttle walking test (SWT). Baseline mean SWT distance was 325 m, mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 40% predicted.Clinically significant improvements in SWT (>30 m) were seen in 41, 38 and 30% of formoterol, ipratropium and placebo patients, respectively (not significant). Mean increases from run-in were 19, 17 and 5 m in the formoterol, ipratropium and placebo groups, respectively. Both active treatments significantly improved FEV1, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow and daytime dyspnoea score compared with placebo. Formoterol reduced relief medication use compared with placebo. Neither active treatment improved QoL.Formoterol and ipratropium improved airway function and symptoms, without significant improvements in the shuttle walking test.
Health status measured with the CRQ does not predict mortality in COPD
Authors: Oga T. , Nishimura K. , Tsukino M. , Sato S. , Hajiro T. , Ikeda A. , Mishima M. 
Published: November 2002

One purpose of measuring health status is to predict future outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of health status derived from the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ) to predict mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).One-hundred and forty-three patients with COPD were recruited. Health status, using the CRQ, and pulmonary function were measured at entry. Mortality after 7 yrs was then assessed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to predict those factors related to mortality.Of all the patients, 13 could not be followed up and 40 had died. The survival rate was 69% at 7 yrs. Univariate regression analyses revealed that the dyspnoea and emotional function domains and the total score of the CRQ were weakly but significantly correlated with mortality from all causes. However, multivariate regression analyses revealed that age and forced expiratory volume in one second were the strongest predictors of mortality, and health status was not a significant factor.Although there was a weak but significant relationship between health status and subsequent mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it was not significant after an adjustment for age and pulmonary function. Mortality cannot be predicted from Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire scores.
Alveolar epithelial fluid transport in acute lung injury: new insights
Authors: Sartori C. , Matthay M.A. 
Published: November 2002

Pulmonary oedema is a life-threatening condition that frequently leads to acute respiratory failure. From a physiological perspective, pulmonary oedema develops either because of an increase in lung vascular hydrostatic pressure or an increase in lung vascular permeability. Resolution of alveolar oedema depends on the active removal of salt and water from the distal air spaces of the lung across the distal lung epithelial barrier.Much has been learned about the molecular and cellular basis for oedema fluid reabsorption, including the role of apical ion transporters for sodium (epithelial sodium channel) and chloride (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), as well as the central importance of the sodium pump. The rate of fluid clearance can be upregulated by both catecholamine-dependent and -independent mechanisms.Injury to the alveolar epithelium can disrupt the integrity of the alveolar barrier or downregulate ion transport pathways, thus, reducing net alveolar fluid reabsorption and enhancing the extent of alveolar oedema. Endogenous catecholamines upregulate alveolar fluid clearance in several experimental models of acute lung injury, but this upregulation may be short term and insufficient to counterbalance alveolar flooding. There is new evidence, however, that pharmacological treatment with β2-adrenergic agonists and/or epithelial growth factors may influence a more sustained stimulation of alveolar fluid reabsorption and in turn facilitate recovery from experimental pulmonary oedema. Similar results have been achieved experimentally by gene transfer to enhance the abundance of sodium transporters in the alveolar epithelium.Clinical studies show that impaired alveolar fluid transport mechanisms contribute to the development, severity and outcome of pulmonary oedema in humans. Very recent data suggest that mechanisms that augment transepithelial sodium transport and enhance the clearance of alveolar oedema may lead to more effective prevention or treatment for some types of pulmonary oedema.
Noninvasive ventilation in children
Authors: Nørregaard O. 
Published: November 2002

The use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV)/ventilatory assistance has in its modern form experienced a resurgence during the last two decades, primarily in the adult population.During the last few years, NIV, predominantly in the form of positive-pressure ventilation/ventilatory assistance, has also become an option in the paediatric population. Although the technique is increasingly being applied, data in this often very heterogeneous group of patients are still very limited, and are usually derived from case series and not randomised controlled studies.Available experience indicates that the technique is useful for children with a wide spectrum of hypercapnic and/or hypoxaemic respiratory disorders, in the acute as well as in the chronic setting. Results have shown improvements in survival and arterial blood gases, and have indicated better quality of life. Adverse effects are generally minor, although the impact on facial bony structures should be monitored closely during long-term ventilation.Considering the paucity of data, the area badly needs research, which preferentially should include: 1) short- and long-term effects and adverse effects in various conditions and age groups; 2) techniques, in particular interfaces and triggering mechanisms; 3) comprehensive plans for training of attendants, discharge and follow-up; and 4) quality of life measurements. As many of the conditions suited for noninvasive ventilation are very rare, much of the research would probably benefit from multicentre studies, or even studies on a European level.
Complications of flexible bronchoscopy in children: prospective study of 1,328 procedures
Authors: de Blic J. , Marchac V. , Scheinmann P. 
Published: November 2002

Complications of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) were prospectively evaluated during 1,328 diagnostic procedures in children, not in intensive care units. A total 92.8% of the procedures were performed in conscious patients under sedation and 7.2% under deep sedation. Supplementary oxygen was provided in ∼80% of casesviaendoscopic face mask (n=783) or nasal prongs (n=290).At least one complication was recorded in 91 cases (6.9%). Minor complications (n=69; 5.2%) included moderate and transient episodes of desaturation (n=15), isolated excessive coughing (n=22), excessive nausea reflex with coughing (n=20), transient laryngospasm (n=6) and epistaxis (n=6). Major complications (n=22; 1.7%) included oxygen desaturation to <90%, either isolated (n=10) or associated with laryngospasm (n=6), coughing (n=4), bronchospasm (n=1), and pneumothorax (n=1).Major complications involving oxygen desaturation were associated with age <2 yrs (13 of 529versus8 of 778) and laryngotracheal abnormalities (7 of 85versus14 of 1,222). The overall frequency of complications was similar in conscious (6.7%) but sedated patients and patients under deep (7.3%) sedation. However, the frequency of transient desaturation was significantly higher in children undergoing FB under deep sedation. Transient fever after bronchoalveolar lavage was observed in 52 of 277 cases (18.8%).Flexible bronchoscopy is a safe procedure with <2% major complications. Careful analysis of indications and clinical status for each patient, and proper anaesthesia and monitoring during the examination ensure that the procedure is successful, with a minimum of complications.
HLA-DP-unrestricted TNF-α release in beryllium-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Amicosante M. , Berretta F. , Franchi A. , Rogliani P. , Dotti C. , Losi M. , Dweik R. , Saltini C. 
Published: November 2002

Berylliosis is a granulomatous disorder of the lung caused by inhalation of beryllium (Be) and dominated by the accumulation of CD4+ T-helper (Th)1 memory T-cells proliferating in response to Be in the lower respiratory tract. Two gene markers have been associated with susceptibility to berylliosis: 1) the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DP gene whose allelic variants, carrying glutamate in position 69 of the β-chain (HLA-DPGlu69), can bind Be directly and present it to interferon (IFN)-γ releasing Th1 T-cell clones from patients with berylliosis; and 2) the cytokine gene tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α which has been shown to increase berylliosis risk independent of HLA-DPGlu69.In order to determine whether TNF-α release was triggered by Th1 T-cell activation by Be stimulation in the context of HLA-DPGlu69 molecules, the proliferation of BeSO4-stimulated blood mononuclear cells and the release of IFN-γ, TNF-α, RANTES (regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12 by BeSO4-stimulated blood mononuclear cells was quantified in 11 individuals with berylliosis using an anti-HLA-DP antibody as a probe for HLA-DP restricted T-cell activation.While proliferation and IFN-γ release were completely abrogated by HLA-DP inhibition (inhibition with anti-HLA-DP monoclonal antibody (mAb): 88±16 and 77±16%, respectively; anti-HLA-DR: 29±38 and 14±10%, respectively), the release of TNF-α was not (inhibition with anti-HLA-DP mAb: 8.9±7.8%). No other cytokine was detected at significant levels. Moreover, Be was able to induce TNF-α production in healthy control subjects not exposed to Be in the absence of T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ production.In conclusion, these data suggest that the tumour necrosis factor-α response of mononuclear cells is independent of the activation of beryllium-specific human leucocyte anitgen-DP restricted T-cells, which is consistent with the finding that the tumour necrosis factorA2 and the human leucocyte anitgen-DPGlu69 genetic markers are independently interacting in increasing berylliosis risk.
Variability and lack of predictive ability of asthma end-points in clinical trials
Authors: Zhang J. , Yu C. , Holgate S.T. , Reiss T.F. 
Published: November 2002

While a consensus definition of the clinical parameters important in asthma control exists, an adequate objective definition of a response to asthma treatment and parameters for prediction of that response remain undefined. Given that asthma is a complex biological disease and that different parameters may measure dissimilar aspects of the disease status, this study assessed the relationship among several end-points of asthma control, and attempted to select a combination of variables measured before (baseline characteristics) or early in asthma therapy which would be predictive of a long-term clinical response.Data from two previously reported clinical studies which included montelukast, inhaled beclomethasone, and placebo in mild-to-moderate asthmatics (n=1,576) were analysed. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), daily symptoms score (DSS), β-agonist use, and morning peak expiratory flow (PEFAM) were recorded during the baseline period and throughout the 12-week treatment period.For the long-term response, as measured during the last 9 weeks of treatment, there was a large within-patient variability and no more than a moderate correlation between the changes in FEV1and PEFAM; DSS and FEV1; and DSS and β-agonist use. The overall predictive values for FEV1and DSS were 70–80%.The results showed that multiple measurements over a length of time are needed to establish a more complete profile of response, and that demographic and early treatment responses had a small but inadequate ability to predict future response. This study demonstrates the complex relationship among asthma end-points and the difficulty of reliably estimating long-term response using common, surrogate clinical markers of asthma control.
Abrasive water jet machining of glass fibre metal laminates
Authors: Paul S , Hoogstrate A M , van Praag R 
Published: November 2002

Glass fibre metal laminates (GFMLs) have been machined successfully with an abrasive water jet. The mechanism of material removal of the aluminium layer is by microcutting and plastic deformation similar to that observed in machining ductile materials. The glass fibres that are transverse to the direction of work travel are machined by microcutting and/or brittle fracture. The glass fibres that are parallel to the direction of work travel are removed in bulk by brittle feature. The fibres undergo substantial secondary erosion. No delamination has been observed except for the laminates with thinner aluminium layers. The quality parameters associated with kerf, the taper quality parameter, the amount of burr formation, the straightness of the edge at the exit side, etc., correlate quite well with the cutting ability parameter. A quantitative relation, irrespective of the structure and build-up of the laminates, has been attempted between the taper quality parameter and the cutting ability parameter.
PRIMEGENS: robust and efficient
design of gene-specific probes for microarray analysis
Authors: Xu Dong , Li Guangshan , Wu Liyou , Zhou Jizhong , Xu Ying 
Published: November 2002

Abstract
Motivation: DNA microarray is a powerful high-throughput tool for studying gene function and regulatory networks. Due to the problem of potential cross hybridization, using full-length genes for microarray construction is not appropriate in some situations. A bioinformatic tool, PRIMEGENS, has recently been developed for the automatic design of PCR primers using DNA fragments that are specific to individual open reading frames (ORFs).
Results: PRIMEGENS first carries out a BLAST search for each target ORF against all other ORFs of the genome to quickly identify possible homologous sequences. Then it performs optimal sequence alignment between the target ORF and each of its homologous ORFs using dynamic programming. PRIMEGENS uses the sequence alignments to select gene- specific fragments, and then feeds the fragments to the Primer3 program to design primer pairs for PCR amplification. PRIMEGENS can be run from the command line on Unix/Linux platforms as a stand-alone package or it can be used from a Web interface. The program runs efficiently, and it takes a few seconds per sequence on a typical workstation. PCR primers specific to individual ORFs from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and Deinococcus radiodurans R1 have been designed. The PCR amplification results indicate that this method is very efficient and reliable for designing specific probes for microarray analysis.
Availability: The software is available at http://compbio.ornl.gov/structure/primegens/
Contact: xud@ornl.gov
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.