bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Refractory hypertension and sleep apnoea: effect of CPAP on blood pressure and baroreflex
Authors: Logan A.G. , Tkacova R. , Perlikowski S.M. , Leung R.S. , Tisler A. , Floras J.S. , Bradley T.D. 
Published: April 2003

This study was undertaken to determine whether abolition of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) could reduce blood pressure (BP) in patients with refractory hypertension.In 11 refractory hypertensive patients with OSA, the acute effects of CPAP on nocturnal BP were studied during sleep and its longer term effects on 24-h ambulatory BP after 2 months.During a single night's application, CPAP abolished OSA and reduced systolic BP in stage 2 sleep from 138.3±6.8 to 126.0±6.3 mmHg. There was also a trend towards a reduction in average diastolic BP (from 77.7±4.5 to 72.9±4.5). CPAP usage for 2 months was accompanied by an 11.0±4.4 mmHg reduction in 24-h systolic BP. In addition, both the nocturnal and daytime components of systolic BP fell significantly by 14.4±4.4 and 9.3±3.9 mmHg, respectively. Diastolic BP was reduced significantly at night by 7.8±3.0 mmHg.In patients with refractory hypertension, acute abolition of obstructive sleep apnoea by continuous positive airway pressure reduces nocturnal blood pressure. These data also suggest that continuous positive airway pressure may reduce nocturnal and daytime systolic blood pressure chronically. Randomised trials are needed to confirm the latter results.
In vitroandin vivocontractile properties of the vastus lateralis muscle in males with COPD
Authors: Debigaré R. , Côté C.H. , Hould F-S. , LeBlanc P. , Maltais F. 
Published: April 2003

Peripheral muscle weakness is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but it is still under debate whether weakness is due to atrophy or contractile dysfunction.In vitroandin vivocontractile properties of the vastus lateralis muscle were studied in 16 patients with stable COPD (forced expiratory volume in one second 39±16% of predicted, age 67±4 yrs (mean±sd)) and nine sedentary control subjects. Isometric knee extensor strength was measured while mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area (MTMCSA) was obtained using computed tomography. Muscle strips from the vastus lateralis obtained through open biopsy were rapidly suspended in an oxygenated Krebs-Ringer solution that was maintained at 35°C with a pH of 7.40 to study their contractile properties.The isometric knee extensors strength/MTMCSA ratio was 0.50±0.08versus0.58±0.06 kg·cm−2for COPD and control subjects, respectively. The muscle bundle cross-sectional area (CSA) was 4.6±2.1 and 4.4±3.1 mm−2, the length at which active tension was maximum was 15±4 and 15±3 mm, and maximal isometric peak forces normalised for CSA were 4.3±2.7 and 4.8±2.6 N·cm−2for COPD and control subjects, respectively. The force/frequency relationship tended to be shifted to the right in patients with COPD, meaning that a higher stimulation frequency was necessary to produce the same relative force. Patients with COPD had a lower proportion of type I fibre than controls (26±12%versus39±11%) with reciprocal significant increase in type IIb fibre proportion (20±16%versus8±4%). The proportion of type IIa fibres was similar between the two groups.These results suggest that the contractile properties of the vastus lateralis are preserved in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Therefore, the reduction in the quadriceps strength in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cannot be explained on the basis of an alteration of the contractile apparatus.
A nosocomial outbreak of influenza during a period without influenza epidemic activity
Authors: Horcajada J.P. , Pumarola T. , Martínez J.A. , Tapias G. , Bayas J.M. , de la Prada M. , García F. , Codina C. , Gatell J.M. , Jiménez de Anta M.T. 
Published: April 2003

The objective of this study was to describe a nosocomial outbreak of influenza during a period without influenza epidemic activity in the community.Outbreak investigation was carried out in an infectious diseases ward of a tertiary hospital. Presence of two or more of the following symptoms were used to define influenza: cough, sore throat, myalgia and fever. Epidemiological survey, direct immunofluorescence, viral culture, polymerase chain reaction, haemagglutination-inhibition test in throat swabs and serology for respiratory viruses were performed.Twenty-nine of 57 healthcare workers (HCW) (51%) and eight of 23 hospitalised patients (34%) fulfilled the case definition. Sixteen HCW (55%) and three inpatients (37%) had a definitive diagnosis of influenza A virus infection (subtype H1N1). Among the symptomatic HCW, 93% had not been vaccinated against influenza that season. Affected inpatients were isolated and admissions in the ward were cancelled for 2 weeks. Symptomatic HCW were sent home for 1 week. On the seventeenth day of the outbreak the last case was declared.The incidence of cases in this outbreak of influenza, which occurred during a period without influenza epidemic activity in the community, was notably high. Epidemiological data suggest transmission from healthcare workers to inpatients. Most healthcare workers were not vaccinated against influenza. Vaccination programmes should be reinforced among healthcare workers.
Inhaled corticosteroids and survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: does the dose matter?
Authors: Sin D.D. , Man S.F.P. 
Published: April 2003

Recent data suggest that inhaled corticosteroids reduce the number of clinical exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It remains unknown whether a dose/response relationship exists. The present study was conducted to evaluate the long-term impact of varying doses of inhaled corticosteroids on COPD mortality.Hospital discharge data were used to identify all patients aged ≥65 yrs recently hospitalised due to COPD in Alberta, Canada (n=6,740). The relative risk (RR) for all-cause mortality was compared across different dose categories of inhaled corticosteroids (none and low, medium and high doses) following hospital discharge.Inhaled corticosteroid therapy after discharge was associated with a 25% relative reduction in risk for all-cause mortality (RR 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68–0.82). Patients on medium- or high-dose therapy showed lower risks for mortality than those on low doses (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69–0.86 for low dose; RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.37–0.63 for medium dose; and RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.44–0.69 for high dose).Use of inhaled corticosteroids following hospital discharge for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with a significant reduction in the overall mortality rate. Low- was inferior to medium- or high-dose therapy in protecting against mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The effects ofMycobacterium vaccaeon allergen-induced airway responses in atopic asthma
Authors: Camporota L. , Corkhill A. , Long H. , Lordan J. , Stanciu L. , Tuckwell N. , Cross A. , Stanford J.L. , Rook G.A.W. , Holgate S.T. , Djukanovic R. 
Published: April 2003

T-helper (Th)2 cytokines play a central role in asthma. Therefore, a double-blind randomised study was conducted to investigate whether heat-killedMycobacterium vaccae(SRL172), a potent downregulator of Th2 cytokines, can reduce allergen-induced airway responses in patients with atopic asthma.A total 24 male asthmatics participated in this study. A bronchial allergen challenge was performed along with early (EAR) and late asthmatic responses (LAR) 2 weeks before and 3 weeks after a single intradermal injection of SRL172 or placebo. Before and after treatment, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels andin vitroproduction of interleukin (IL)-5 by peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied.Neither treatment affected the EAR. SRL172 caused a mean 34% reduction of the area under the curve of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) changes during the LAR, which failed to reach conventional statistical significance when compared with placebo. SRL172 also caused a mean 25% decrease in the maximum fall in FEV1during LAR, but this was not significantly different from placebo. SRL172 caused a reduction in serum IgE and IL-5 synthesisin vitro3 weeks post-treatment (p=0.07).This study shows a trend toward significance for the effects of heat-killedMycobacterium vaccae(SRL172) on allergen-induced airway responses. Further clinical trials, involving multiple dosing, are needed.
Genomic DNA extraction from small amounts of serum to be used for α1-antitrypsin genotype analysis
Authors: Andolfatto S. , Namour F. , Garnier A-L. , Chabot F. , Gueant J-L. , Aimone-Gastin I. 
Published: April 2003

If laboratory diagnosis of α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) deficiency is usually based on its phenotype identification by isoelectric focusing, α1-antiprotease inhibitor (Pi)S and PiZ genotypes can also be determined by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based methods. Recently, several methods have been described for preparing genomic DNA from serum. The aim of the current study was to determine the Pi allele from serum extracted DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to compare these results with those obtained with whole blood extracted DNA.Serum α1-AT concentration and phenotypic identification were systematically performed in 43 hospitalised patients. Genomic DNA was simultaneously purified from whole blood and from serum. The mutation detection was found using a PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis method.Concerning phenotypic identification, 29 patients were MM homozygotes, 11 were heterozygotes for S (MS=7) or for Z (MZ=4) and three showed a ZZ phenotype. Genotyping analyses gave identical results with serum and whole blood extracted DNA and all the results were in agreement with the phenotyping results.The authors found that the deoxyribonucleic acid-based test proved to be a reliable tool for α1-antitrypsin deficiency diagnosis and appears to be an alternative for the labour intensive α1-antitrypsin determination by isoelectric focusing. The authors also concluded that this method yields good quality deoxyribonucleic acid from serum, equal to that extracted from whole blood and is helpful in retrospective studies of multiple genetic markers.
Extracts of lung cancer cells reveal antitumour antibodies in sera of patients with lung cancer
Authors: Bazhin A.V. , Savchenko M.S. , Shifrina O.N. , Chikina S.Y. , Goncharskaia M.A. , Jaques G. , Chuchalin A.G. , Philippov P.P. 
Published: April 2003

The objective of the present study was to reveal antitumour antibodies in sera of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).The antibodies in sera of patients with SCLC and other tumours were detected by immunoblotting with whole extracts of SCLC cells as the antigen source. Sera of patients with various pulmonological disorders, irradiated during the liquidation of consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant incident (a high-risk group in lung cancer), were also analysed.The present authors' found that SCLC sera contain a set (pattern) of antitumour antibodies which are rarely detected in sera of patients with cancers different from SCLC and very rarely, if ever, present in sera of healthy individuals. The sensitivity and the specificity of the pattern are equal to 80% and 91%, correspondingly. In the high-risk group in lung cancer, the frequencies of the antibodies are somewhat lower than the corresponding values in SCLC sera, but significantly larger than those in healthy sera.The findings of the present study create a basis for clinical application of the antitumour antibodies described.
Diagnostic value of adenosine deaminase in nontuberculous lymphocytic pleural effusions
Authors: Jiménez Castro D. , Díaz Nuevo G. , Pérez-Rodríguez E. , Light R.W. 
Published: April 2003

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) can aid in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusions, but false-positive findings from lymphocytic effusions have been reported. The purpose of this study is to assess the ADA levels in nontuberculous lymphocytic pleural effusions (lymphocyte count >50%) of different aetiologies.Altogether, 410 nontuberculous lymphocytic pleural fluid samples were consecutively selected. These included malignant effusions (n=221), idiopathic effusions (n=76), parapneumonic effusions (n=35), postcoronary artery bypass graft surgery effusions (n=6), miscellaneous exudative effusions (n=21) and transudative effusions (n=51).The ADA level reached the diagnostic cut-off for tuberculosis (40 U·L−1) in seven of the 410 cases (1.71%). The negative predictive value of ADA for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis was 99% (403 of 407 cases) in the group of lymphocytic pleural effusions. In five of these seven patients ADA1and ADA2were measured, and in all these cases (100%) ADA1/ADApcorrectly classified these lymphocytic effusions as nontuberculous (ratio <0.42).This prospective study provides additional evidence that adenosine deaminase levels in nontuberculous lymphocytic pleural effusions seldom exceed the cut-off set for tuberculous effusions. The pleural fluid adenosine deaminase levels were significantly higher in different types of exudative effusions than in transudates. An adenosine deaminase level <40 IU·L−1virtually excluded a diagnosis of tuberculosis in lymphocytic pleural effusions. Adenosine deaminase1/adenosine deaminasepcorrectly classified all nontuberculous lymphocytic pleural effusions with high adenosine deaminase levels.
Rapid urinary antigen test for diagnosis of pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia in adults
Authors: Marcos M.A. , Jiménez de Anta M.T. , de la Bellacasa J.P. , González J. , Martínez E. , García E. , Mensa J. , de Roux A. , Torres A. 
Published: April 2003

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis suspected to cause an important proportion of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) whose aetiology cannot be detected with conventional tests.In this study, the authors evaluated the diagnostic yield of a new immunochromatographic membrane test (ICT) for the detection of theS. pneumoniaeantigen in the urine of patients admitted with diagnosed CAP. ICT was performed in unconcentrated and concentrated urine from all the patients. ICT was repeated 1 month after discharge in a group initially testing positive. The authors also studied the ICT in clinically stable human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1)-infected patients.S. pneumoniaeantigen was detected in all of the 68 (100%) patients tested with definitive pneumococcal pneumonia. In five of these cases ICT was only positive when it had been performed on the patients. TheS. pneumoniaeantigen was also detected in 36 (69.2%) of 52 patients with probable pneumococcal pneumonia and in 50 of 277 (18%) patients without pneumococcal pneumonia. ICT remained positive in 16 (69.5%) of 23 patients, 1 month after hospital discharge. Nasopharyngeal colonisation withS. pneumoniaewas detected in 8 (12%) of 68 clinically stable HIV1 infected patients, but none tested ICT positive.The Binax NOW® immunochromatographic membrane test is a rapid, sensitive and specific test for detecting pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia in adults. The test may remain positive for several weeks after pneumococcal pneumonia.
The relationship between water vapour saturation of inhaled air and nasal patency
Authors: Lindemann J. , Leiacker R. , Rettinger G. , Keck T. 
Published: April 2003

The nasal cavity volume and the temperature of the nasal mucosa are considered to be the most important predictors of nasal conditioning. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the intranasal degree of water vapour saturation of inhaled air and nasal patency.Intranasal humidity values at different locations within the nasal cavity of 15 healthy subjects were compared to nasal airway resistance detected by active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR). Repeated measurements were carried out during one day to obtain varying nasal cavity volumes due to the nasal cycle. The end-inspiratory humidity data were obtained with a miniaturised capacitive humidity sensor at defined detection sites within the anterior nasal segment without interruption of nasal breathing. Measurements were carried out at four different times during one day.The degree of water vapour saturation did not correlate with the values of the AAR at any intranasal detection site and time of detection during one day.The study supports the view that there is no correlation between the degree of water vapour saturation within the anterior nasal segment and the nasal resistance during the nasal cycle over the day. Although nasal patency varies because of the nasal cycle, the changes of nasal cavity volume due to the nasal cycle do not seem to influence the degree of water vapour saturation of the inspiratory air.
Oxidative stress in lung epithelial cells from patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias
Authors: Kuwano K. , Nakashima N. , Inoshima I. , Hagimoto N. , Fujita M. , Yoshimi M. , Maeyama T. , Hamada N. , Watanabe K. , Hara N. 
Published: April 2003

Lung epithelial cells are a primary target for reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can cause oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid modification, such as 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). A human homologue of the MutT protein (hMTH1) prevents this modification. Mitochondria are the most important cellular source of ROS and may be susceptible to oxidative damage. The purpose of this study is to investigate oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in lung epithelial cells from idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs).The authors analysed 8-OHdG, hMTH1, and mitochondrial proteins on lung specimens from 13 patients with IIPs consisted of eight patients with usual interstitial pneumonia and five patients with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry.Immunoreactivity for 8-OHdG and hMTH1 was significantly increased in the lung epithelial cells from patients with IIPs compared with controls. The expression of hMTH1 was localised in the nuclear and cytoplasmic, but not the mitochondrial, fraction of lung homogenates. Immunoreactivity for mitochondrial protein and cytochrome c oxidase complex subunit IV was increased in the lung epithelial cells from patients with IIPs compared with controls.The current study concludes that oxidative stress may participate in epithelial cell damage in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and that increased mitochondrial mass may associate with increased reactive oxygen species production in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.
Community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly: Spanish multicentre study
Authors: Zalacain R. , Torres A. , Celis R. , Blanquer J. , Aspa J. , Esteban L. , Menéndez R. , Blanquer R. , Borderías L. 
Published: April 2003

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly has increased as a consequence of an overall increase of the elderly population. A controversy about the aetiology and outcome of CAP in this population still exists and more epidemiological studies are needed.A prospective, 12-month, multicentre study was carried out to assess the clinical characteristics, aetiology, evolution and prognostic factors of elderly patients (≥65 yrs) admitted to hospital for CAP. The study included 503 patients (age 76±7 yrs).The clinical picture lasted ≤5 days in 318 (63%) and the main clinical features were cough (n=407, 81%) and fever (n=380, 76%). Aetiological diagnosis was achieved in 199 (40%) cases, with a definite diagnosis obtained in 164 (33%). Of the 223 microorganisms isolated the main agents found wereStreptococcus pneumoniaein 98 (49%) andHaemophilus influenzaein 27 (14%). A total of 53 patients died (11%) and the multivariate analysis showed the following factors of bad prognosis: previous bed confinement, alteration in mental status, absence of chills, plasma creatinine ≥1.4 mg·dL−1, oxygen tension in arterial blood/inspiratory oxygen fraction ratio <200 at the time of admission, and shock and renal failure during the evolution.The results of this study may aid in the management of empiric antibiotic treatment in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia and the patients who have a greater probability of bad evolution may be identified based on the risk factors.
The influence of lung volume reduction surgery on exercise in patients with COPD
Authors: Dolmage T.E. , Waddell T.K. , Maltais F. , Guyatt G.H. , Todd T.R.J. , Keshavjee S. , van Rooy S. , Krip B. , LeBlanc P. , Goldstein R.S. 
Published: April 2003

Although the influence of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) on incremental- and constant-power exercise is important in the evaluation of this procedure for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is rarely reported even in large randomised controlled trials.This report describes 39 patients with severe COPD ((mean±se) forced expiratory volume in one second 32±2% pred, functional residual capacity 195±6% pred) who participated in a randomised controlled trial of LVRS and who completed incremental exercise tests at 6 months as well as endurance tests (constant power of 25±1 W) at 3, 9 and 12 months.Peak oxygen uptake (V′o2,pk) was similar between the treatment (n=19) and control groups (n=20) at baseline. After LVRS, the treatment group had a significantly greaterV′o2,pk(mean difference (95% CI) 1.28 (0.07–2.50) mL·kg·min−1) and power (13 (6–20) W). The treatment group achieved a significantly greater minute ventilation (7.1 (2.9–11.3) L·min−1) with a greater tidal volume (0.16 (0.04–0.28) L). Baseline endurance was similar between groups. After surgery, there were significant between-group differences in endurance time, which were maintained at 12 months (7.3 (3.9–10.8) min).Lung volume reduction surgery is associated with an increase in exercise capacity and endurance, as compared with conventional medical treatment.
Region-related risk factors for respiratory symptoms in European and Californian farmers
Authors: Monsó E. , Schenker M. , Radon K. , Riu E. , Magarolas R. , McCurdy S. , Danuser B. , Iversen M. , Saiki C. , Nowak D. 
Published: April 2003

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalences and regional risk factors for respiratory symptoms in European and Californian farmers.Farmers participating in the 1993–1997 surveys performed in Europe (n=7,188) and California (n=1,839) were included in this cross-sectional study. Respiratory symptoms and farming characteristics were assessed by questionnaire and risk factors associated with symptoms using logistic regression.The prevalences of rhinitis and asthma were lower in European (12.7% and 2.8%) than in Californian farmers (23.9% and 4.7%), but chronic bronchitis and toxic pneumonitis were more prevalent in Europe (10.7% and 12.2%) than in California (4.4% and 2.7%). Respiratory symptoms were associated with poultry and rabbit farming, flower growing and the cultivation of grain and oil plants. Working in Europe was a statistically significant risk factor for chronic bronchitis and toxic pneumonitis. Chronic bronchitis was related to toxic pneumonitis, work inside confinement buildings and greenhouses.Chronic bronchitis and toxic pneumonitis are highly prevalent among European farmers and are mainly attributable to indoor work.