bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for bronchial hyperresponsiveness in late childhood and early adolescence
Authors: Ernst P. , Ghezzo H. , Becklake M.R. 
Published: September 2002

The prevalence of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) tends to decrease in male children but increase in female children in the transition from childhood to adolescence. Hormonal factors may be involved in the natural history of asthma during this period.In a prospective study of Montreal school children, the authors examined the determinants of BHR according to the child's pubertal status; 156 male children and 168 female children without a prior diagnosis of asthma were followed for an average of 4.6 yrs.Average age at follow-up was 13.4 yrs and 59% had reached puberty. The prevalence of BHR at follow-up was similar among pre- and postpubertal male children (25.0%versus29.2%),while BHR was more common among post- compared with prepubertal female children (33.1%versus14.2%). There were no differences in the determinants (measured in childhood) of BHR at follow-up according to pubertal status. The major determinant of BHR was a positive skin test to dust-mite antigen. BHR was also linked to exposure to gas cooking and the presence of exercise-induced bronchospasm.In conclusion, the results of this study do not support a change in asthma phenotype with the onset of puberty. Pre- and postpuberty, the major determinant of bronchial hyperresponsiveness was skin sensitivity to mite allergen.
Longitudinal changes of body mass index, spirometry and diffusion in a general population
Authors: Bottai M. , Pistelli F. , Di Pede F. , Carrozzi L. , Baldacci S. , Matteelli G. , Scognamiglio A. , Viegi G. 
Published: September 2002

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) changes over an 8-yr follow-up, on longitudinal changes of vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung (DL,CO) indices in a general population sample of North Italy.To avoid including weight changes possibly related to physical growth, only the 1,426 adults (>24 yrs, 46% males) with complete follow-up were selected. Median linear regression models were applied to estimate the medians of change (computed as follow-up minus baseline values) of VC, FVC, FEV1andDL,COindices, as functions of changes of BMI over the follow-up period, separately by sex, after considering several potential confounders and effect modifiers.The extent of lung function loss tended to be higher among those who, at baseline, reported greater BMI values. Males experienced larger losses than females (20 and 16 mL FEV1median reduction for a BMI unit increase in males and females, respectively). Conversely, longitudinal changes of BMI caused a slight and nonsignificant increase inDL,COvalues in both sexes.Over an 8-yr follow-up, the detrimental effect of gaining weight might be reversible for many adults as most of those who reduced their body mass index values also increased their lung function. Overweight patients with ventilatory impairment should be routinely encouraged to lose weight for improving their lung function.
Increased asthma medication use in association with ambient fine and ultrafine particles
Authors: Klot S. von , Wölke G. , Tuch T. , Heinrich J. , Dockery D.W. , Schwartz J. , Kreyling W.G. , Wichmann H.E. , Peters A. 
Published: September 2002

The association between particulate air pollution and asthma medication use and symptoms was assessed in a panel study of 53 adult asthmatics in Erfurt, Germany in winter 1996/1997.Number concentrations of ultrafine particles, 0.01–0.1 µm in diameter (NC0.01–0.1), mean 17,300·cm−3, and mass concentrations of fine particles 0.01–2.5 µm in diameter (MC0.01–2.5), mean 30.3 µg·m−3, were measured concurrently. They were not highly correlated (r=0.45). The associations between ambient particle concentrations and the prevalence of inhaled β2-agonist, corticosteroid use and asthma symptoms, were analysed separately with logistic regression models, adjusting for trend, temperature, weekend, holidays, and first order autocorrelation of the error.Cumulative exposures over 14 days of ultrafine and fine particles were associated with corticosteroid use. β2-agonist use was associated with 5-day mean NC0.01–0.1and MC0.01–2.5. The prevalence of asthma symptoms was associated with ambient particle concentrations. The results suggest that reported asthma medication use and symptoms increase in association with particulate air pollution and gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide.
Effect of montelukast added to inhaled corticosteroids on fractional exhaled nitric oxide in asthmatic children
Authors: Ghiro L. , Zanconato S. , Rampon O. , Piovan V. , Pasquale M.F. , Baraldi E. 
Published: September 2002

The aim of this prospective, self-controlled, single-blind study was to assess the effect of montelukast added to maintenance therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in asthmatic children.Thirty-five children (age 11.2±0.4 yrs (mean±sem)) with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma treated with low to medium doses of ICS and FENO>20 parts per billion (ppb) were included. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: 17 patients continued ICS (group C) and 18 had montelukast added to ICS for 3 weeks (group M). FENOmeasurements were performed in both groups at baseline (T1) and after 3 weeks (T2), and in group M also after 2 weeks of washout. FENOwas measured by a chemiluminescence analyser using an on-line method (50 mL·s−1) with nitric oxide-free air.The overall mean daily dose of ICS was equivalent to 530±58 µg·day−1of beclomethasone in group M and to 564±55 µg·day−1of beclomethasone in group C. There were no significant differences in baseline FENOand forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) between the two groups. After 3 weeks there was a significant reduction of FENOvalues in patients of group M (T152.2±7.8 ppb, T236.1±4.6 ppb) but no significant changes in group C (T143.5±6.0 ppb, T247.8±9.4 ppb). In group M after 2 weeks of montelukast withdrawal, FENOrose to baseline values (55.6±8.7 ppb).In conclusion, after montelukast treatment there is a fractional exhaled nitric oxide reduction in asthmatic children receiving maintenance therapy with inhaled corticosteroids. This suggests an anti-inflammatory effect of montelukast additive to that of inhaled corticosteroids.
BMPR2 germline mutations in pulmonary hypertension associated with fenfluramine derivatives
Authors: Humbert M. , Deng Z. , Simonneau G. , Barst R.J. , Sitbon O. , Wolf M. , Cuervo N. , Moore K.J. , Hodge S.E. , Knowles J.A. , Morse J.H. 
Published: September 2002

This study investigated whether patients developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) after exposure to the appetite suppressants fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine have mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) gene, as reported in primary pulmonary hypertension.BMPR2 was examined for mutations in 33 unrelated patients with sporadic PAH, and in two sisters with PAH, all of whom had taken fenfluramine derivatives, as well as in 130 normal controls. The PAH patients also underwent cardiac catheterisation and body mass determinations.Three BMPR2 mutations predicting changes in the primary structure of the BMPR-II protein were found in three of the 33 unrelated patients (9%), and a fourth mutation was found in the two sisters. No BMPR2 mutations were identified in the 130 normal controls. This difference in frequency was statistically significant. Moreover, the mutation-positive patients had a somewhat shorter duration of fenfluramine exposure before illness than the mutation-negative patients, a difference that was statistically significant when the two sisters were included in the analysis.In conclusion, the present authors have detected bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 mutations that appear to be rare in the general population but may combine with exposure to fenfluramine derivatives to greatly increase the risk of developing severe pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Organic dust-induced interleukin-12 production activates T- and natural killer cells
Authors: Müller-Suur C. , Larsson K. , Grunewald J. 
Published: September 2002

Exposure in swine confinement buildings causes intense airway inflammation and lymphocyte activation, as assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage. To further clarify the T-cell activation, the presentin vitrostudy focused on intracellular cytokine production following exposure to organic dust from swine houses.Whole blood from healthy donors was incubated with swine dust, phytohaemagglutinin (positive control) or Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 medium (negative control), and the production of intracellular interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-12 was analysed by flow cytometry. Cells were double stained for specific cell surface markers on T-cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+), natural killer (NK) cells (CD56+CD16+) and monocytes (defined as CD14+ cells).Following 1 h of incubation of whole blood with swine dust, CD14+ cells produced high levels of TNF-α and IL-12, whereas CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and CD56+CD16+ NK cells required a longer incubation time (22 h) to produce IFN-γ and TNF-α. When antibodies that block the IL-12 receptor were added to whole blood incubated with swine dust, NK cell production of IFN-γ was attenuated and CD69 expression on CD3+ cells decreased.In conclusion, this study indicates that swine dust can, at least in part, stimulate phagocytic cells to activate natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes through the production of interleukin-12.
Physiological responses to the 6-min walk test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Troosters T. , Vilaro J. , Rabinovich R. , Casas A. , Barberà J.A. , Rodriguez-Roisin R. , Roca J. 
Published: September 2002

The 6-min walking test (6MWT) is frequently used to assess functional capacity in chronic cardiopulmonary disorders because of its simplicity. The study examines the physiological responses during encouraged 6MWT in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Pulmonary oxygen (O2) uptake (V′O2) was measured in 20 male patients (age 66±6 yrs, forced expiratory volume in one second 45±14% predicted) during 6MWT and incremental cycling, in random order. O2tension in arterial blood, carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood and arterial lactate concentration ([La]art) were obtained in the last 10 patients. During the 6MWT,V′O2showed a plateau after the 3rd min (1.39±0.28, 1.42±0.31, and 1.40±0.30 L·min−1, 4th, 5th and 6th min, respectively), and minute ventilation (V′E) (42±8 L·min−1) was 91% maximal voluntary ventilation.No differences were shown between 6MWT (6th min) and peak cycling exercise inV′O2(1.40±0.30versus1.41±0.28 L·min−1, respectively), cardiac frequency (126±13versus130±12 beats·min−1), or arterial respiratory blood gases. The two tests were significantly different inV′E(42±8versus47±8 L·min−1, 6MWTversuscycling, respectively), carbon dioxide production (1.30±0.31versus1.45±0.18 L·min−1) and [La]art(2.9±1.99versus5.9±1.51 M).The study demonstrates that an encouraged 6-min walking test generates a high but sustainable oxygen uptake. Since the oxygen uptake plateau reflects the integrated response of the system, it may explain the high prognostic value of the 6-min walking test.
The Italian multicentre study on noninvasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Authors: Clini E. , Sturani C. , Rossi A. , Viaggi S. , Corrado A. , Donner C.F. , Ambrosino N. 
Published: September 2002

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with chronic ventilatory failure (CVF) are more likely to develop exacerbations, which are an important determinant of health-related quality of life (HRQL). Long-term noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) has been proposed in addition to long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) to treat CVF but little information is available on its effects on HRQL and resource consumption. Therefore, the current authors undertook a 2-yr multicentric, prospective, randomised, controlled trial to assess the effect of NPPV+LTOT on: 1) severity of hypercapnia; 2) use of healthcare resources, and 3) HRQL, in comparison with LTOT alone.One hundred and twenty-two stable hypercapnic COPD patients on LTOT for ≥6 months were consecutively enrolled. After inclusion and 1-month run-in, 90 patients were randomly assigned to NPPV+LTOT (n=43) or to LTOT alone (n=47). Arterial blood gases, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, total hospital and ICU length of stay and HRQL were primary outcome measures; survival and drop-out rates, symptoms (dyspnoea and sleep quality) and exercise tolerance were secondary outcome measures. Follow-up was performed at 3-month intervals up to 2 yrs.Lung function, inspiratory muscle function, exercise tolerance and sleep quality score did not change over time in either group. By contrast the carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood on usual oxygen, resting dyspnoea and HRQL, as assessed by the Maugeri Foundation Respiratory Failure Questionnaire, changed differently over time in the two groups in favour of NPPV+LTOT. Hospital admissions were not different between groups during the follow-up. Nevertheless, overall hospital admissions showed a different trend to change in the NPPV+LTOT (decreasing by 45%) as compared with the LTOT group (increasing by 27%) when comparing the follow-up with the follow-back periods. ICU stay decreased over time by 75% and 20% in the NPPV+LTOT and LTOT groups, respectively. Survival was similar.Compared with long-term oxygen therapy alone, the addition of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation to long-term oxygen therapy in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with chronic ventilatory failure: 1) slightly decreased the trend to carbon dioxide retention in patients receiving oxygen at home and 2) improved dyspnoea and health-related quality of life. The results of this study show some significant benefits with the use of nocturnal, home noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in patients with chronic ventilatory failure due to advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Further work is required to evaluate the effect of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation on reducing the frequency and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.
Does negative expiratory pressure influence performances of spirometry in older patients?
Authors: Vanpee D. , Swine Ch. , Delwiche J.P. , Jamart J. , Delaunois L. 
Published: September 2002

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of the negative expiratory pressure (NEP) technique on the performance of maximal expiratory manoeuvre in elderly patients.Firstly, the authors studied how NEP (at 5 and 10 cmH2O, NEP5 and NEP10) influences forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in 60 young healthy volunteers, in order to assess the fluctuations of the method. In the second part of the study, 65 successive elderly inpatients (>70 yrs old) were examined. In this group, 15 elderly patients were unable to perform the manoeuvre, 27 had a normal function, 14 had a lung function with obstructive pattern and nine with restrictive pattern.In young subjects, FVC during NEP5 and NEP10 compared to baseline values was 101±5% and 103±5%, respectively, and FEV1was 100±4% and 101±5%, respectively. In elderly patients with normal function, FVC during NEP5 and NEP10 compared to baseline values was 99±14% and 109±23%, respectively, and FEV1was 97±9% and 104±13%, respectively. There were no relevant effects of the NEP application on FVC or FEV1values in elderly patients with an obstructive or restrictive pattern.In elderly patients, the use of the negative expiratory pressure technique during maximal expiratory manoeuvres provides little complementary information compared to a classical manoeuvre. The negative expiratory pressure technique did not modify the initial diagnosis when compared with the classical manoeuvre.
Allergens and endotoxin on mothers' mattresses and total immunoglobulin E in cord blood of neonates
Authors: Heinrich J. , Bolte G. , Hölscher B. , Douwes J. , Lehmann I. , Fahlbusch B. , Bischof W. , Weiss M. , Borte M. , Wichmann H-E. 
Published: September 2002

The current authors examined whether mite and cat allergen and bacterial endotoxin levels in dust of the mothers' mattresses were associated with cord blood immunoglobulin (Ig)E (CB-IgE) levels in newborns.Data from 1,332 term and normal weight neonates, from an ongoing birth cohort study, Influences of life-style related factors on the immune system and the development of allergies in childhood (LISA), with complete information on exposure to biocontaminants in mattress dust and CB-IgE were analysed.Two thirds of CB-IgE were undetectable (<0.35 kU·L−1). Thus, 0.35 and 0.45 kU·L−1(4th quartile) were chosen as cut-offs. Nonparametric smoothing (generalised additive models) showed statistically significant confounder-adjusted associations between elevated CB-IgE levels (≥0.45 kU·L−1) and log-transformed exposures to cat (linear), mite (inverse u-shaped), and endotoxin (u-shaped).After adjustment for covariables, elevated CB-IgE levels (logistic regression using the 1st–4th quartiles of exposure) were positively associated with high cat-allergen exposure and medium exposure to mite allergen, but were inversely associated with exposure to endotoxin. The associations were similar, but somewhat weaker, when 0.35 kU·L−1was used as cut-off.These results, showing an association between prenatal allergen and endotoxin exposures and immunoglobulin E production, suggest that the development of foetal immune responses may be affected.
Effects of inhaled salbutamol in primary pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Spiekerkoetter E. , Fabel H. , Hoeper M.M. 
Published: September 2002

Although lung function is grossly normal in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), mild-to-moderate peripheral airflow obstruction can be found in the majority of patients with this disease. Therefore, β2-agonists may affect pulmonary function, blood gases and haemodynamics in patients with PPH.Pulmonary function testing, blood gas measurements and right heart catheterisation was performed in 22 patients with PPH and the acute effects of inhaled salbutamol (0.2 mg) were measured.Salbutamol caused an increase in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) from 2446±704 to 2550±776 mL. The mean expiratory flow at 50% of the vital capacity (MEF50) rose from 58±17 to 66±21% pred. The pulmonary artery pressures remained unchanged after inhalation of salbutamol, but the cardiac output increased significantly from 3.9±1.4 to 4.2±1.4 L·min−1accompanied by significant increases in stroke volume and mixed venous oxygen saturation as well as a significant decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance. The arterial oxygen tension rose from 9±2.4 kPa (68±18 mmHg) at baseline to 9.7±2.8 kPa (73±21 mmHg) after inhalation of salbutamol, the alveolo-arterial oxygen gradient values improved from 6±2.5 kPa (45±19 mmHg) to 5.1±2.9 kPa (38±22 mmHg), respectively.Inhaled salbutamol has beneficial acute effects on pulmonary function, blood gases and haemodynamics in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.
Treatment of asthma with lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Emelyanov A. , Fedoseev G. , Krasnoschekova O. , Abulimity A. , Trendeleva T. , Barnes P.J. 
Published: September 2002

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways mediated, at least in part, by leukotrienes and other lipid mediators. Experimental studies have shown that lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel,Perna canaliculus, is effective in inhibiting 5′-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase pathways responsible for production of eicosanoids, including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. The aim of this study was to assess its effect on symptoms, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in expired breath condensate as a marker of airway inflammation in patients with steroid-naïve atopic asthma in a double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Forty six patients with atopic asthma received two capsules of lipid extract (Lyprinol®) or placebob.i.d.for 8 weeks. Each capsule of lipid extract contained 50 mg ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 100 mg olive oil, whereas placebo capsules contained only 150 mg olive oil.There was a significant decrease in daytime wheeze, the concentration of exhaled H2O2and an increase in morning PEF in the lipid extract group compared to the placebo group. There were no significant side-effects.The authors conclude that lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel may have some beneficial effect in patients with atopic asthma.
A computerized task-based test of second language Dutch for vocational training purposes
Authors: van den Branden Kris , Depauw Veerle , Gysen Sara 
Published: September 2002

This article describes the development of a task-based test, Taaltoets Instroom Beroepsopleiding (TIBO), designed to measure whether nonnative adult speakers of Dutch possess the level of Dutch language proficiency that is minimally required to enter vocational training in the industrial sector. The test aims to measure functional language proficiency in a direct way, i.e., by presenting examinees with language tasks that they are likely to encounter in vocational training or on the shop floor. The tasks are presented to examinees via a computer program in which sounds, pictures and images are integrated. The article focuses on the three tensions that had to be taken into account throughout the process of test development: • the tension between the need for a task-based test and the need to efficiently administer the test via a computerized platform; • the tension between an examinee population that has little training and the potential bias in testing complex abilities via computer; • the tension between various intended uses for test outcomes and the types of interpretations that may best be informed by the test.
Some reflections on task-based language performance assessment
Authors: Bachman Lyle F. 
Published: September 2002

The complexities of task-based language performance assessment (TBLPA) are leading language testers to reconsider many of the fundamental issues about what we want to assess, how we go about it and what sorts of evidence we need to provide in order to justify the ways in which we use our assessments. One claim of TBLPA is that such assessments can be used to make predictions about performance on future language use tasks outside the test itself. I argue that there are several problems with supporting such predictions. These problems are related to task selection, generalizability and extrapolation. Because of the complexity and diversity of tasks in most ‘real-life’ domains, the evidence of content relevance and representativeness that is required to support the use of test scores for prediction is extremely difficult to provide. A more general problem is the way in which difficulty is conceptualized, both in the way tasks are described and in current measurement models. The conceptualization of ‘difficulty features’ confounds task characteristics with test-takers’ language ability and introduces a hypothetical ‘difficulty’ factor as a determinant of test performance. In current measurement models, ‘difficulty’ is essentially an artifact of test performance, and not a characteristic of assessment tasks themselves. Because of these problems, current approaches to using task characteristics alone to predict difficulty are unlikely to yield consistent or meaningful results. As a way forward, a number of suggestions are provided for both language testing research and practice.