bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased computed tomographic lung density during exacerbation of asthma
Authors: Mitsunobu F. , Ashida K. , Hosaki Y. , Tsugeno H. , Okamoto M. , Nishida N. , Nagata T. , Takata S. , Tanizaki Y. 
Published: June 2003

Recently, it was shown that both mean lung density (MLD) and the relative lung area with an attenuation of <-950 HU (RA950) are related to severity of asthma in nonsmoking asthmatics. The aim of the present study was to examine whether reduced computed tomography (CT) lung density during exacerbation could change after treatment.A cross-sectional study was performed to compare CT lung density in 30 stable asthmatics, 30 unstable asthmatics and 25 control subjects. In order to investigate longitudinally the effect of treatment on decreased CT lung density, 17 asthmatics with an exacerbation were followed at the initiation of treatment and 2 months after relief.The MLD was significantly lower and the RA950significantly higher in unstable asthmatics than in controls and stable asthmatics. Both MLD and RA950changed significantly with administration of systemic glucocorticoid therapy. The changes in forced expiratory volume in one second correlated significantly with those in both MLD and RA950. The changes in residual volume also correlated significantly with those in both MLD and RA950.It was concluded that decreased computed tomographic lung density during an asthma exacerbation is at least partially reversible, and changes in mean lung density and the relative lung area with a radiation attenuation of <−950 HU are related to the change in forced expiratory volume in one second and residual volume.
Helium-3 MRI diffusion coefficient: correlation to morphometry in a model of mild emphysema
Authors: Peces-Barba G. , Ruiz-Cabello J. , Cremillieux Y. , Rodríguez I. , Dupuich D. , Callot V. , Ortega M. , Rubio Arbo M.L. , Cortijo M. , Gonzalez-Mangado N. 
Published: June 2003

Hyperpolarised gases have been most recently used in magnetic resonance imaging to demonstrate new image-derived pulmonary function parameters. One of these parameters is the apparent diffusion coefficient, which reflects the sizes of the structures that compartmentalise gas within the lung (i.e.alveolar space). In the present study, noninvasive parameters were compared to microscopic measurements (mean linear intercept and mean alveolar internal area).Nonselective helium‐3 gas density coronalex vivoimages and apparent diffusion maps were acquired in control and elastase-induced panacinar emphysema rats. Total lung capacity was considered the reference for both imaging experiments and lung fixation.A mild degree of emphysema was found based on mean linear intercept (134±25 µm)versuscontrol (85±14 µm). The apparent diffusion coefficients were significantly different between the two groups (0.18±0.02 and 0.15±0.01 cm2·s−1for elastase and control, respectively).A significant correlation between the apparent diffusion coefficient and corresponding morphometric parameters in mild emphysema was demonstrated for the first time. This study opens the possibility of estimating absolute airspace size using noninvasive techniques.
Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia and asthma: how do they influence each other?
Authors: Marchand E. , Etienne-Mastroianni B. , Chanez P. , Lauque D. , Leclerc P. , Cordier J.F. ,   the Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines Pulmonaires (GERM“O”P)
Published: June 2003

Since idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (ICEP) and asthma are frequently associated, their possible reciprocal influence on clinical presentation and evolution were investigated.The clinical and follow-up features of 53 cases of ICEP, of which 41 (77%) had asthma, were reviewed retrospectively. Asthma preceded the diagnosis of ICEP in 26 patients, was contemporaneous in eight patients, and developed 17±12 months after ICEP in seven patients.Presentation of ICEP was similar in asthmatics and nonasthmatics with the exception of a higher level of total immunoglobulin E in the former group. Patients with asthma at the time of diagnosis of ICEP were more likely to remain free of relapse of ICEP (56versus23%) and had a lower number of relapses per year of follow-up (median 0versus0.24). Moreover, they were treated more frequently with long-term inhaled corticosteroids (88versus31%) at last follow-up. Asthma got worse after the diagnosis of ICEP and frequently required long-term oral corticosteroids.To conclude, among patients with idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, asthmatics have a lower frequency of relapse than nonasthmatics, possibly because of a higher use of inhaled corticosteroids. The occurrence of idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia in asthmatics is often associated with the development of severe asthma.
Uncoupling protein‐3 content is decreased in peripheral skeletal muscle of patients with COPD
Authors: Gosker H.R. , Schrauwen P. , Hesselink M.K.C. , Schaart G. , van der Vusse G.J. , Wouters E.F.M. , Schols A.M.W.J. 
Published: June 2003

Mechanical efficiency is reduced in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, altered fibre-type distribution and metabolic profile has been observed in peripheral skeletal muscle of COPD patients. Since skeletal muscular uncoupling protein‐3 (UCP3) has been implicated in the regulation of energy metabolism, the aim of this study was to assess UCP3 in peripheral skeletal muscle of COPD patients and healthy controls.A total of 16 COPD patients and 11 healthy age-matched control subjects were studied. Mechanical efficiency was measured by means of cycle ergometry. Biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis, and UCP3 and cytochromec(as a marker for mitochondrial content) levels were assessed by Western blotting. Muscle fibre types and metabolic profile were examined histochemically. UCP3 levels were markedly decreased in COPD compared to controls. In COPD patients, there was a positive correlation between UCP3 content and the forced expiratory volume in one second. UCP3 content was not related to mechanical efficiency, or other muscular data such as fibre types, markers of oxidative/glycolytic energy metabolism or cytochromec.The authors of this study conclude that uncoupling protein‐3 content is decreased in peripheral skeletal muscle of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is related to disease severity, but not to mechanical efficiency. The low uncoupling protein‐3 content is independent of the loss of oxidative capacity observed in these patients.
Impaired glucose-insulin metabolism in males with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Meslier N. , Gagnadoux F. , Giraud P. , Person C. , Ouksel H. , Urban T. , Racineux J-L. 
Published: June 2003

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the frequency of type‐2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in a large clinic-based male population presenting various degrees of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and to analyse the relationship between OSAS and glucose-insulin metabolism.Male patients (n=595) with suspected OSAS underwent both nocturnal polysomnography and a 2‐h oral glucose-tolerance test with measurements of fasting and postload blood glucose and plasma insulin. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by the ratio of fasting glucose to fasting insulin.OSAS was diagnosed in 494 patients, while 101 patients were nonapnoeic snorers. Type‐2 diabetes was present in 30.1% of OSAS patients and 13.9% of nonapnoeic snorers. IGT was diagnosed in 20.0% of OSAS patients and 13.9% of nonapnoeic snorers. Fasting and postload blood glucose increased with severity of sleep apnoea. Insulin sensitivity decreased with increasing severity of sleep apnoea. In addition to body mass index and age, the apnoea/hypopnoea index independently influenced postload blood glucose and insulin sensitivity.The authors conclude that in a clinic-based sample of patients, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is associated with a high frequency of type‐2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. The relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and impaired glucose-insulin metabolism is independent of obesity and age.
Airway response to deep inspiration: role of nitric oxide
Authors: Brown R.H. , Mitzner W. 
Published: June 2003

Deep inspirations (DI) have been shown to have both bronchoprotective and bronchodilator effects in healthy subjects. The bronchodilator effects of a DI appear to be impaired in asthmatics compared with healthy subjects. This study investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the bronchodilator role of a DI.In five anaesthetised and ventilated dogs, high-resolution computed tomography was used to measure the changes in airway size after a small (25 cmH2O) and large (45 cmH2O) DI before and after administeringNG-nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester to block NO synthesis.The depth of the inspiratory manoeuvre during a deep inspiration determined the subsequent qualitative behaviour of the airway response. Inflation to relatively high pressure resulted in airway dilation, whereas one to lower pressure leads to airway constriction. WhenNG-nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester was administered, both a large and a small deep inspiration resulted in subsequent airway constriction. These results support the idea that nitric oxide may be a potential bronchoprotective agent in the airways.
Airway epithelial inflammatory responses and clinical parameters in COPD
Authors: Patel I.S. , Roberts N.J. , Lloyd-Owen S.J. , Sapsford R.J. , Wedzicha J.A. 
Published: June 2003

This study examined inflammatory responses from primary cultured human bronchial epithelial cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the clinical factors modulating them.Epithelial cells from bronchoscopic biopsies from 14 patients with COPD ((mean±sd) age 74.6±5.7 yrs, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 1.21±0.36 L, FEV1% predicted 51.1±15.8%, 51.5±24.0 pack-yrs of smoking, inhaled steroid dosage 1237.5±671.0 µg·day−1, Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea score 3.18±1.33) and eight current/exsmokers with normal pulmonary function (age 60.4±13.5 yrs, FEV12.66±1.27 L, FEV1% pred 89.6±17.7%, 49±44 pack-yrs of smoking, MRC dyspnoea score 1±0) were grown in primary culture and exposed to 50 ng·mL−1tumour necrosis factor‐α.Stimulated COPD cells produced significantly more interleukin (IL)‐6 at 24 and 48 h, and IL‐8 at 6 and 24 h than unstimulated COPD cells. This response was not seen in cells from current/exsmokers. IL‐6 and IL‐8 production was lower in COPD patients taking inhaled steroids.Following an inflammatory stimulus, bronchial epithelial cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease show a significant cytokine response not seen in smokers with normal pulmonary function and this may be modified by inhaled steroid therapy.
A neutrophil elastase inhibitor reduces cigarette smoke-induced remodelling of lung vessels
Authors: Wright J.L. , Farmer S.G. , Churg A. 
Published: June 2003

Cigarette smoking produces pulmonary hypertension (PHT) through unknown mechanisms. In animal models acute smoke exposure induces cell proliferation in the small arteries adjacent to the alveolar ducts, and chronic exposure results in muscularisation of these vessels, with changes related to the development of PHT. Studies indicate that serine-elastase inhibitors can prevent experimental monocrotaline-induced PHT. This study examined whether they could also prevent cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary vascular disease.Guinea-pigs were exposed to cigarette smoke or air for 6 months. Some animals also received ZD0892, an orally active, synthetic, selective, serine-elastase inhibitor. The percentage of muscularised, small, pulmonary arteries was determined by morphometric analysis of histological sections and vascular cell proliferation by proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining.Vascular cell proliferation was markedly increased in the smoke-exposed animals and the percentage of completely muscularised small vessels was increased four-fold. Cell proliferation indices correlated with muscularisation indices. In the animals treated with ZD0892, the number of completely muscularised vessels was reduced by 50% and cell proliferation was reduced by 61%.These data suggest that smoke-induced cell proliferation leads to pulmonary arterial muscularisation. Serine-elastase inhibitors appear to be able to reduce cell proliferation and vascular remodelling.
Development of the Satisfaction with Inhaled Asthma Treatment Questionnaire
Authors: Campbell J.L. , Kiebert G.M. , Partridge M.R. 
Published: June 2003

For the management of a condition such as asthma, patients should feel confident with their medication, feel that the treatment is adequate in controlling symptoms and that side-effects of the treatment are minimal.As no comprehensive instrument to measure patient satisfaction with inhaled asthma medication existed, the Satisfaction with Asthma Treatment Questionnaire was developed. The procedures that were used are described, and the initial validation and reliability tests are reported. The study involved focus group meetings, development, testing and modification of a preliminary instrument, and testing of the revised instrument using different samples of patients with asthma.Factor analysis of the 26‐item questionnaire identified four domains reflecting four aspects of satisfaction: effectiveness of treatment, ease of use, medication burden, and side-effects and worries. Cronbach's alpha showed evidence of internal consistency reliability. Test/retest reliability ranged from 0.66–0.74. Interscale correlations were moderate-to-high. Significant correlations were found between domain and overall scale scores and patients' overall level of satisfaction.The Satisfaction with Asthma Treatment Questionnaire is potentially a useful instrument for gaining insight into patient satisfaction with inhaled treatment for asthma.
Acute lung injury as a possible adverse drug reaction related to gefitinib
Authors: Ieki R. , Saitoh E. , Shibuya M. 
Published: June 2003

Gefitinib is a potent drug used in the treatment of nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Gefitinib acts by inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase. Clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of gefitinib for NSCLC. Adverse drug reactions, although frequent, are mild, and include acne-like skin rash and diarrhoea.The present study describes the case of a 56-yr-old male with NSCLC who, 4 weeks after treatment with gefitinib, suffered from a severe alveolar haemorrhage diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage.This is the first case report of an acute life-threatening lung injury in a patient with nonsmall-cell lung cancer who had been given gefitinib.
Low lung volume alters contractile properties of airway smooth muscle in sheep
Authors: McClean M.A. , Matheson M.J. , McKay K. , Johnson P.R.A. , Rynell A-C. , Ammit A.J. , Black J.L. , Berend N. 
Published: June 2003

Breathing at volumes lower than functional residual capacity (FRC) can induce changes in nonasthmatic airways consistent with the behaviour of asthmatic airways. This study investigated the chronic effect of breathing at volumes lower than FRC on the contractility of airway smooth muscle and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) content and activity.Sheep of three age groups (neonate, adolescent and adult) had their FRC reduced by ∼25% for 4 weeks using a leather corset. Contractile responses to carbachol were then recorded in isolated tracheal strips and bronchial rings. MLCK content and activity were assessed by immunoblotting.The rate of stress generation increased in the bronchial smooth muscle of both adult and adolescent but not neonatal corseted sheep: adolescent corsetedversuscontrol, 65.0±4.1versus103.4±7.0 s (to reach 50% maximum stress), respectively; and adult corsetedversuscontrol, 57.0±6.4versus93.4±8.2 s, respectively. This was not due to increases in either bronchial or tracheal smooth muscle amount or MLCK content and activity.The present results indicate that chronic breathing at low lung volumes increases the rate of stress generation in airway smooth muscle.
Pet- and pollen-induced upper airway symptoms in farmers and in nonfarmers
Authors: Koskela H.O. , Iivanainen K.K. , Remes S.T. , Pekkanen J. 
Published: June 2003

The effect of farming on the risk of upper airway symptoms is not clear. In this cross-sectional, population-based study, 198 female farmers, 50 nonfarmers living on a farm, and 218 nonfarmers not living on a farm, filled in a symptom questionnaire and underwent skin-prick testing with common and agricultural allergens. In the logistic regression analysis, the latter group served as a control. Several adjustments were made, including childhood farming environment.Current farming was found to decrease the risks of pet- and pollen-induced upper airway symptoms, dose-dependently with the intensity and duration of animal husbandry. Including skin-test positivity to pets in the regression models did not affect the negative association between farming and pet-induced symptoms. In contrast, animal husbandry increased the risk of farm work-induced upper airway symptoms.Animal husbandry often induces work-related upper airway symptoms. However, the present study among female adults suggests that it may also decrease the risk of pet- and pollen-induced upper airway symptoms.
Therapeutic potential of a new phosphodiesterase inhibitor in acute lung injury
Authors: Rocco P.R.M. , Momesso D.P. , Figueira R.C. , Ferreira H.C. , Cadete R.A. , Légora-Machado A. , Koatz V.L.G. , Lima L.M. , Barreiro E.J. , Zin W.A. 
Published: June 2003

The effects of LASSBio596, a phosphodiesterase type‐4 and ‐5 inhibitor, were tested inEscherichia colilipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury.Twenty-four BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups. In the control group, saline (0.05 mL) was injected intratracheally (i.t.). The LPS group received LPS (10 µgi.t., 0.05 mL). In the LASSBio596 groups, LASSBio596 (10 mg·kg−1, 0.2 mL) was injected intraperitoneally 1 h before or 6 h after LPS administration. After 24 h,in vivo(lung resistive and viscoelastic pressures, and static and dynamic elastances) andin vitro(tissue resistance, elastance and hysteresivity) pulmonary mechanics, lung morphometry and collagenous fibre content were computed. Neutrophils and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α levels were evaluated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.LASSBio596 prevented the changes in lung mechanics, and inhibited neutrophilic recruitment, TNF‐α release, bronchoconstriction, alveolar collapse and the increment of collagen fibre content induced by LPS, independently of the moment of injection.In conclusion, LASSBio596 modulated the lung inflammatory process and had the potential to block fibroproliferation. Thus, agents that inhibit phosphodiesterase 4 and 5 simultaneously may be a useful adjunct therapy for acute lung injury.
Airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma in elite ice hockey players
Authors: Lumme A. , Haahtela T. , Öunap J. , Rytilä P. , Obase Y. , Helenius M. , Remes V. , Helenius I. 
Published: June 2003

There is little information of lower respiratory symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in elite ice hockey players.A total of 88 highly trained ice hockey players and 47 control subjects were studied. All the subjects were subjected to skin-prick tests, resting spirometry examinations and histamine-challenge tests. Adequate induced sputum samples were obtained from 68 of the ice hockey players and from 18 symptom-free control subjects on a separate day.Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a histamine-challenge test was found in 21 (24%) of the athletes and in five (11%) of the controls. Current asthma (current asthmatic symptoms and increased bronchial responsiveness) was observed in 13 (15%) of the athletes and in one (2%) of the control subjects. Total asthma (current asthma or previously physician-diagnosed asthma) occurred in 19 (22%) of the athletes and in two (4%) of the controls. Atopy, according to skin-prick tests, was observed in 51 (58%) of the athletes and 17 (36%) of the control subjects. The differential cell counts of eosinophils (2.6versus0.2%) and neutrophils (80.9versus29.9%) in the sputum samples of the ice hockey players were significantly higher than in those of the control subjects.Asthma is common in elite ice hockey players and they show signs of a mixed type of neutrophilic and eosinophilic airway inflammation. Inhalation of cold air associated with exposure to indoor pollutants during intensive training is a possible causative factor.
Mortality during hospitalisation for pneumonia in Alberta, Canada, is associated with physician volume
Authors: Marrie T.J. , Carriere K.C. , Jin Y. , Johnson D.H. 
Published: June 2003

The association of mortality with patient factors (severity of illness, comorbidity), physician factors (specialty training, prehospitalisation visit, in-hospital consultation, volume of patients seen per physician) and healthcare organisation factors (patient-travel distances, regional beds per capita, admitting hospital-bed occupancy, admitting hospital-bed turnover, hospital location, volume of pneumonia cases per hospital) after hospital admission with community-acquired pneumonia was investigated using administrative data from Alberta, Canada from April 1, 1994–March 31, 1999.During the 5‐yr study period there were 43,642 pneumonia hospitalisations, with an 11% in-hospital and 26% 1‐yr mortality. Patient severity of illness and comorbidity were the strongest predictors of increased mortality. Physicians with the highest in-hospital pneumonia patient volume (>27 patients·yr−1) cared for patients with greater severity/comorbidity, but with decreased odds of in-hospital mortality, compared with the lowest volume physicians (less than seven patients per year).The effects of internal medicine specialist or subspecialist care were mixed, with a reduction in deaths for the first 72 h and an increase in in-hospital deaths. Pre-hospitalisation visit by a physician was associated with decreased mortality. Healthcare organisation factors were the least strong predictor of mortality, demonstrating an effect only for 1‐yr mortality in those discharged alive from hospital. Admissions to larger volume or metropolitan hospitals were associated with a decrease in mortality.Severity of illness and comorbidity had the strongest association with mortality. The first association of high-volume physician and pre-hospital care with decreased in-hospital mortality for community-acquired pneumonia is reported.