Experimental analysis of pressure controlled atomization process (PCAP) coatings for replacement of hard chromium plating

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tierney, J.C.; Glovan, R.J.; Witt, S.J.

1995-12-31

A four-phase experimental design was utilized to evaluate the abrasive wear and corrosion protection characteristics of VERSAlloy 50 coatings applied to AISI 4130 steel sheet. The coatings were applied with the Pressure Controlled Atomization Process (PCAP), a new thermal spray process being developed for the United States Air Force to replace hard chromium plating. Phase 1 of the design consisted of an evaluation of deposit profiles that were sprayed at five different standoff distances. Profile measurements yielded standard deviations ({sigma}) of the plume at each of the spray distances. Phase 2 consisted of a completely randomized series of eight spraymore » tests in which the track gap or distance between consecutive spray passes was varied by amounts of 0.5{sigma}, 1{sigma}, 2{sigma}, and 3{sigma}. The sprayed test coupons were then evaluated for corrosion protection, abrasive wear resistance, microhardness, and porosity. Results from Phase 2 were used to determine the best track gap or overlap for Phase 3 and Phase 4 testing. Phase 3 consisted of 22-run central composite design. The test coupons were evaluated the same as in Phase 2. Statistical analysis of Phase 3 data revealed that the optimal system operating parameters produced coatings that would either provide superior corrosion protection or resistance to abrasive wear. Phase 4 consisted of four spray tests to validate the results obtained in Phase 3. Phase 4 test coupons were again evaluated with the same analysis as in Phases 2 and 3. The validation tests indicated that PCAP system operating parameters could be controlled to produce VERSAlloy 50 coatings with superior corrosion protection or resistance to abrasive wear.« less

Identification of sigma and chi phases in duplex stainless steels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Llorca-Isern, Núria, E-mail: nullorca@ub.edu; López-Luque, Héctor, E-mail: hlopezlu7@alumnes.ub.edu; López-Jiménez, Isabel, E-mail: ilopezji9@alumnes.ub.edu

The aim of this work is to find out the most suitable method for detecting and analyzing accurately the formation conditions of secondary phases, particularly Sigma-phase (σ-phase) and Chi-phase (χ-phase) in duplex stainless steels (UNS S32205 and UNS S32750). The microstructure was characterized after a solution annealing at 1080 °C followed by an isothermal heating at 830 °C for different time ranges, ranging from 1 min to 9 h, in order to enlighten the controversial point concerning the mechanism of χ-phase nucleation in relation with the σ-phase. Etched samples were observed using optical microscopy (MO), and scanning electron microscopy (FESEM)more » with a backscattered electron detector (BSE) was used on unetched samples. Compositional microanalysis (EDS) was carried out for identifying the different phases present in the steels. Sigma phase was easily observed using different etching procedures, whereas χ-phase was only clearly detected with FESEM–BSE on unetched samples. The compositional analyses showed that the molybdenum content in χ-phase almost doubles the content of this element in σ-phase, and as a result the kinetics of nucleation and growth were also found to be remarkably faster when the alloy content in the steel is higher. In addition, chromium nitrides and carbides were also observed to precipitate as a result of the heat treatments and, in the case of the chromium nitrides, they act as a favorable site for the nucleation of σ-phase and χ-phase. - Highlights: • Microscopy was used on heat treated duplex steels for microstructure identification. • FESEM–BSE observation on unetched samples provided the best contrast between phases. • Analyses of carbides, nitrides, chi and sigma phases were possible by EDS and WDS. • Chromium nitrides act as favorable site for the nucleation of chi and sigma phases. • Secondary phases nucleation kinetics are faster in superduplex than in duplex steels.« less

Sigma phases in an 11%Cr ferritic/martensitic steel with the normalized and tempered condition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shen, Yinzhong, E-mail: shenyz@sjtu.edu.cn

At the present time 9–12% Cr ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels with target operating temperatures up to 650 °C and higher are being developed in order to further increase thermal efficiency so as to reduce coal consumption and air pollution. An 11% Cr F/M steel was prepared by reference to the nominal chemical composition of SAVE12 steel with an expected maximum use temperature of 650 °C. The precipitate phases of the 11% Cr F/M steel normalized at 1050 °C for 0.5 h and tempered at 780 °C for 1.5 h were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Except for Cr-/Cr-Fe-Co-rich M{sub 23}C{sub 6},more » Nb-/V-/Ta-Nb-/Nd-rich MX, Fe-rich M{sub 5}C{sub 2}, Co-rich M{sub 3}C and Fe-Co-rich M{sub 6}C phases previously identified in the steel, two types of sigma phases consisting of σ-FeCr and σ-FeCrW were found to be also present in the normalized and tempered steel. Identified σ-FeCr and σ-FeCrW phases have a simple tetragonal crystal structure with estimated lattice parameters a/c = 0.8713/0.4986 and 0.9119/0.5053 nm, respectively. The compositions in atomic pct of the observed sigma phases were determined to be approximately 50Fe-50Cr for the σ-FeCr, and 30Fe-55Cr-10W in addition to a small amount of Ta, Co and Mn for the σ-FeCrW. The sigma phases in the steel exhibit various blocky morphologies, and appear to have a smaller amount compared with the dominant phases Cr-rich M{sub 23}C{sub 6} and Nb-/V-/Ta-Nb-rich MX of the steel. The σ-FeCr phase in the steel was found to precipitate at δ-ferrite/martensite boundaries, suggesting that δ-ferrite may rapidly induce the formation of sigma phase at δ-ferrite/martensite boundaries in high Cr F/M steels containing δ-ferrite. The formation mechanism of sigma phases in the steel is also discussed in terms of the presence of δ-ferrite, M{sub 23}C{sub 6} precipitation, precipitation/dissolution of M{sub 2}X, and steel composition. - Highlights: •Precipitate phases in normalized and tempered 11%Cr F/M steel are presented in detail. • σ-FeCr phase, 50Fe50Cr (in at.%), was identified in normalized and tempered 11%Cr F/M steel. • σ-FeCrW phase, 30Fe55Cr10W (in at.%), was identified in normalized and tempered 11%Cr F/M steel. • Sigma phase in the 11%Cr F/M steel was found to precipitate at δ-ferrite/martensite boundaries. • δ-ferrite may rapidly induce the sigma phase formation at δ-ferrite/martensite boundaries.« less

Effective conductivity of suspensions of hard spheres by Brownian motion simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chan Kim, I.; Torquato, S.

1991-02-15

A generalized Brownian motion simulation technique developed by Kim and Torquato (J. Appl. Phys. {bold 68}, 3892 (1990)) is applied to compute exactly'' the effective conductivity {sigma}{sub {ital e}} of heterogeneous media composed of regular and random distributions of hard spheres of conductivity {sigma}{sub 2} in a matrix of conductivity {sigma}{sub 1} for virtually the entire volume fraction range and for several values of the conductivity ratio {alpha}={sigma}{sub 2}/{sigma}{sub 1}, including superconducting spheres ({alpha}={infinity}) and perfectly insulating spheres ({alpha}=0). A key feature of the procedure is the use of {ital first}-{ital passage}-{ital time} equations in the two homogeneous phases andmore » at the two-phase interface. The method is shown to yield {sigma}{sub {ital e}} accurately with a comparatively fast execution time. The microstructure-sensitive analytical approximation of {sigma}{sub {ital e}} for dispersions derived by Torquato (J. Appl. Phys. {bold 58}, 3790 (1985)) is shown to be in excellent agreement with our data for random suspensions for the wide range of conditions reported here.« less

Digital phased array beamforming using single-bit delta-sigma conversion with non-uniform oversampling.

PubMed

Kozak, M; Karaman, M

2001-07-01

Digital beamforming based on oversampled delta-sigma (delta sigma) analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion can reduce the overall cost, size, and power consumption of phased array front-end processing. The signal resampling involved in dynamic delta sigma beamforming, however, disrupts synchronization between the modulators and demodulator, causing significant degradation in the signal-to-noise ratio. As a solution to this, we have explored a new digital beamforming approach based on non-uniform oversampling delta sigma A/D conversion. Using this approach, the echo signals received by the transducer array are sampled at time instants determined by the beamforming timing and then digitized by single-bit delta sigma A/D conversion prior to the coherent beam summation. The timing information involves a non-uniform sampling scheme employing different clocks at each array channel. The delta sigma coded beamsums obtained by adding the delayed 1-bit coded RF echo signals are then processed through a decimation filter to produce final beamforming outputs. The performance and validity of the proposed beamforming approach are assessed by means of emulations using experimental raw RF data.

Study of Sigma Phase in Duplex SAF 2507

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fellicia, D. M.; Sutarsis; Kurniawan, B. A.; Wulanari, D.; Purniawan, A.; Wibisono, A. T.

2017-05-01

Super duplex stainless steel is one of the stainless steel which has a combination between high strength properties and excellent corrosion resistance. However, the resistance can decrease by precipitation of sigma phase which is formed at high temperature, for example after welding processes. A series of experiments has been performed to study the effect of solution annealing to existence of sigma phase on super duplex SAF 2507. Variations of solution-annealing temperatures were 1000 °C, 1065 °C and 1125 °C with holding time of 15 and 30 minutes for each temperature. Effect of solution annealing process was characterized by using XRD, SEM, and Optical Microscopy. The result showed precipitation of sigma phase completely dissolved at 1065 °C and 1125 °C because it reformed to austenite. After it was heated at 1065 °C, chromium carbide appeared in ferrite site and grain boundary. The amount of chromium carbide increased with the increasing of solution annealing temperature.

Process for stabilizing dimensions of duplex stainless steels for service at elevated temperatures

DOEpatents

Hull, Frederick C.; Tobin, John C.

1981-01-01

Duplex stainless steel materials containing austenite plus delta ferrite, are dimensionally stabilized by heating the material to a reaction temperature between about 1050.degree.-1450.degree. F. (566.degree.-788.degree. C.), holding it at this temperature during transformation of delta ferrite to austenite plus sigma phase, and subsequently heating to a reversion temperature between about 1625.degree.-1750.degree. F. (885.degree.-954.degree. C.), whereby the sigma phase transforms back to ferrite, but the austenite remains dispersed in the ferrite phase. Final controlled cooling permits transformation of ferrite to austenite plus sigma and, later, precipitation of carbides.

Surface energy from order parameter profile: At the QCD phase transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frei, Z.; Patkos, A.

1989-01-01

The order parameter profile between coexisting confined and plasma regions at the quantum chromodynamic (QCD) phase transition is constructed. The dimensionless combination of the surface energy (Sigma) and the correlation length (Zeta) is estimated to be Sigma Zeta 3 approximately equals 0.8.

Increase in electrocardiographic R-waves after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Isobe, Satoshi; Takada, Yasuo; Ando, Akitada; Ohshima, Satoru; Yamada, Kiyoyasu; Nanasato, Mamoru; Unno, Kazumasa; Ogawa, Takuo; Kondo, Takahisa; Izawa, Hideo; Inden, Yasuya; Hirai, Makoto; Murohara, Toyoaki

2006-11-01

The physiological mechanism of the increase in the electrocardiographic (ECG) R-wave voltage after revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) needs to be elucidated. One hundred and thirty-eight MI patients (83: anterior MI, 45: inferior MI, 10: lateral MI) underwent ECG and echocardiography in both the acute and subacute phases after emergency revascularization, as well as a resting thallium-201/iodine-123 15-p-iodophenyl-3-(R,S)-methyl pentadecanoic acid myocardial scintigraphy in the acute phase. The total sum of the R-wave voltage (SigmaR) was calculated over multiple leads on ECG for each infarcted lesion. Scintigraphic defect on each tracer was expressed as the percentage (%) defect of the total left ventricular (LV) myocardium. The % defect-discordance on both images in the acute phase and the % increase in SigmaR and the absolute increase in LV ejection fraction from the acute to the subacute phase (DeltaEF) were also calculated. The SigmaR in the subacute phase was significantly greater than that in the acute phase (p<0.0001). The % increase in SigmaR significantly correlated with the DeltaEF (r=0.57, p<0.0001). The % increase in SigmaR also correlated with the % defect-discordance (r=0.68, p<0.0001). The increase in the ECG R-wave voltage reflects not only the improvement in myocardial perfusion but also the presence of salvaged myocardium after revascularization in acute MI patients.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nakano, Yuki; Matsui, Tetsuo; Ishima, Takumi

We study the three-dimensional bosonic t-J model, that is, the t-J model of 'bosonic electrons' at finite temperatures. This model describes a system of an isotropic antiferromagnet with doped bosonic holes and is closely related to systems of two-component bosons in an optical lattice. The bosonic 'electron' operator B{sub x{sigma}} at the site x with a two-component spin {sigma}(=1,2) is treated as a hard-core boson operator and represented by a composite of two slave particles: a spinon described by a Schwinger boson (CP{sup 1} boson) z{sub x}{sigma} and a holon described by a hard-core-boson field {phi}{sub x} as B{sub x}{sigma}={phi}{submore » x}{sup {dagger}}z{sub x}{sigma}. By means of Monte Carlo simulations of this bosonic t-J model, we study its phase structure and the possible phenomena like appearance of antiferromagnetic long-range order, Bose-Einstein condensation, phase separation, etc. Obtained results show that the bosonic t-J model has a phase diagram that suggests some interesting implications for high-temperature superconducting materials.« less

Topological effects in quantum mechanics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peshkin, M.; Lipkin, H.J.

We completed our analysis of experiments, some completed, some planned, and some only conceptual at present, that purport to demonstrate new kinds of non-local and topological effects in the interaction of a neutron with an external electromagnetic field. In the Aharonov-Casher effect (AC), the neutron interacts with an electric field and in the Scalar Aharonov-Bohm effect (SAB) the neutron interacts with a magnetic field. In both cases, the geometry can be arranged so that there is no force on the neutron but an interference experiment nevertheless finds a phase shift proportional to the applied field and to the neutron`s magneticmore » moment. Previously, we showed that the accepted interpretation of these phenomena as topological effects due to a non-local interaction between the neutron and the electromagnetic field is incorrect. Both AC and SAB follow from local torques on the neutron whose expectation values vanish at every instant but which have non-vanishing effect on the measurable spin-correlation variables S(t) = (1/2) [{sigma}{sub x}{sigma}{sub x}(t) + {sigma}{sub y}(0){sigma}{sub y}(t) + h.c.] and V(t) = [{sigma}{sub x}(0){sigma}{sub y}(t) - {sigma}{sub y}(0){sigma}{sub x}(t) + h.c.]. We have now completed this work by observing that a criterion often used for identifying a topological effect, energy independence of the phase shift between two arms of an interferometer, is only a necessary condition, and by describing a phase shifter which obeys the energy-independence condition but whose interaction with the neutron is neither topological nor even non-local.« less

Production Time Loss Reduction in Sauce Production Line by Lean Six Sigma Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritprasertsri, Thitima; Chutima, Parames

2017-06-01

In all industries, time losses, which are incurred in processing are very important. As a result, losses are incurred in productivity and cost. This research aimed to reduce lost time that occurs in sauce production line by using the lean six sigma approach. The main objective was to reduce the time for heating sauce which causes a lot of time lost in the production line which affects productivity. The methodology was comprised of the five-phase improvement model of Six Sigma. This approach begins with defining phase, measuring phase, analysing phase, improving phase and controlling phase. Cause-and-effect matrix and failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) were adopted to screen the factors which affect production time loss. The results showed that the percentage of lost time from heating sauce reduced by 47.76%. This increased productivity to meet the plan.

A global view of Escherichia coli Rsd protein and its interactions.

PubMed

Piper, Sarah E; Mitchell, Jennie E; Lee, David J; Busby, Stephen J W

2009-12-01

The Escherichia coli Rsd protein forms 1 : 1 complexes with sigma(70) protein, which is the major factor in determining promoter recognition by RNA polymerase. Here we describe measurements of the levels of Rsd, RNA polymerase, sigma(70) and the alternative sigma(38) factor. Rsd levels are sufficient to sequester a significant proportion of sigma(70) and immunoaffinity pull-down experiments show that this occurs in stationary phase but not in exponentially growing cells. Rsd expression is controlled by two promoters, P1 and P2. Experiments with lac fusions show that the P2 promoter is stronger than P1, that P2 is active in all phases of growth, and that this accounts for the high levels of Rsd.

Influence of menstrual cycle phase on pulmonary function in asthmatic athletes.

PubMed

Stanford, Kristin I; Mickleborough, Timothy D; Ray, Shahla; Lindley, Martin R; Koceja, David M; Stager, Joel M

2006-04-01

The main aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between menstrual cycle phase and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in female athletes with mild atopic asthma. Seven eumenorrheic subjects with regular 28-day menstrual cycles were exercised to volitional exhaustion on day 5 [mid-follicular (FOL)] and day 21 [mid-luteal (LUT)] of their menstrual cycle. Pulmonary function tests were conducted pre- and post-exercise. The maximal percentage decline in post-exercise forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and forced expiratory flow from 25 to 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF(25-75%)) was significantly greater (P<0.05) on day 21 (mid-LUT phase) (-17.35+/-2.32 and -26.28+/-6.04%, respectively), when salivary progesterone concentration was highest, compared to day 5 (mid-FOL phase) (-12.81+/-3.35 and -17.23+/-8.20%, respectively), when salivary progesterone concentration was lowest. The deterioration in the severity of EIB during the mid-LUT phase was accompanied by worsening asthma symptoms and increased bronchodilator use. There was a negative correlation between the percent change in pre- to post-exercise FEV(1) and salivary progesterone concentration. However, no such correlation was found between salivary estradiol and the percentage change in pre- to post-exercise FEV(1). This study has shown for the first time that menstrual cycle phase is an important determinant of the severity of EIB in female athletes with mild atopic asthma. Female asthmatic athletes may need to adjust their training and competition schedules to their menstrual cycle and to consider the potential negative effects of the LUT phase of the menstrual cycle on exercise performance.

Deformation and fracture behavior of titanium-aluminum-niobium-(chromium,molybdenum) alloys with a gamma+sigma microstructure at ambient temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesler, Michael Steiner

Titanium aluminides are of interest as a candidate material for aerospace turbine applications due to their high strength to weight ratio. gamma-TiAl + alpha2-Ti3Al alloys have recently been incorporated in the low pressure turbine region but their loss of strength near 750C limits their high temperature use. Additions of Nb have been shown to have several beneficial effects in gamma+alpha2 alloys, including enhancements in strength and ductility of the gamma-phase, along with the stabilization of the cubic BCC beta-phase at forging temperatures allowing for thermomechanical processing. In the ternary Ti-Al-Nb system at high Nb-contents above approximately 10at%, there exists a two-phase gamma-TiAl + sigma-Nb2Al region at and above current service temperature for the target application. Limited research has been conducted on the mechanical properties of alloys with this microstructure, though they have demonstrated excellent high temperature strength, superior to that of gamma+alpha2 alloys. Because the sigma-phase does not deform at room temperature, high volume fractions of this phase result in poor toughness and no tensile elongation. Controlling the microstructural morphology by disconnecting the brittle matrix through heat treatments has improved the toughness at room temperature. In this study, attempts to further improve the mechanical properties of these alloys were undertaken by reducing the volume fraction of the sigma-phase and controlling the scale of the gamma+sigma microstructure through the aging of a meta-stable parent phase, the beta- phase, that was quenched-in to room temperature. Additions of beta-stabilizing elements, Cr and Mo, were needed in order to quench-in the beta-phase. The room temperature mechanical properties were evaluated by compression, Vickers' indentation and single edge notch bend tests at room temperature. The formation of the large gamma-laths at prior beta- phase grain boundaries was found to be detrimental to ductility due to strain localization in this coarsened region of the microstructure. Furthermore, samples aged from beta- phase single crystals proved to have excellent combinations of strength and ductility under compression. In the single crystals, microcracking did not develop until much larger plastic strains were reached. Lowering the volume fraction of the sigma-phase proved to enhance the fracture toughness in these alloys. (Full text of this dissertation may be available via the University of Florida Libraries web site. Please check http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/etd.html)

Neutron and X-ray studies in suppressing orbital order in FeV2 O4 with Cr doping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reig-I-Plessis, Dalmau; Wen, Zhangsu; Thaler, Alexander; Garlea, Vasile O.; Zhou, Haidong; Ruff, Jacob; MacDougall, Gregory

2015-03-01

FeV2O4 is a spinel compound with an orbitally active V3+ cation on a frustrated pyrochlore sublattice and Jahn-Teller active Fe3+ on a diamond sublattice. Previous studies show that this material has three structural and two magnetic transitions, and that orbital order leads to coupling between the spin and lattice degrees-of-freedom. The opposite end of the doping series is the multiferroic, FeCr2O4, which has spin, but no orbital degree of freedom on the Cr3+ and only two structural transitions. Although both materials show a higher temperature collinear ferrimagnetic state and a non-collinear phase at lower temperature, the physics must be different since the canting transition in FeV2O4 is associated with the orbital order at the lowest structural transition. In this talk, I will present the results of synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction studies of the structural and magnetic transitions in the doping series FeV2-xCrxO4. Specifically, I will comment on the doping-temperature phase diagram we extract from these measurements, and the region of co-existence between distinct non-collinear spin orders which exist at finite doping. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Award Number DE-FG02-07ER46453.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction alters airway nitric oxide exchange in a pattern distinct from spirometry.

PubMed

Shin, Hye-Won; Schwindt, Christina D; Aledia, Anna S; Rose-Gottron, Christine M; Larson, Jennifer K; Newcomb, Robert L; Cooper, Dan M; George, Steven C

2006-12-01

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is altered in asthmatic subjects with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). However, the physiological interpretation of exhaled NO is limited because of its dependence on exhalation flow and the inability to distinguish completely proximal (large airway) from peripheral (small airway and alveolar) contributions. We estimated flow-independent NO exchange parameters that partition exhaled NO into proximal and peripheral contributions at baseline, postexercise challenge, and postbronchodilator administration in steroid-naive mild-intermittent asthmatic subjects with EIB (24-43 yr old, n = 9) and healthy controls (20-31 yr old, n = 9). The mean +/- SD maximum airway wall flux and airway diffusing capacity were elevated and forced expiratory flow, midexpiratory phase (FEF(25-75)), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), and FEV(1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) were reduced at baseline in subjects with EIB compared with healthy controls, whereas the steady-state alveolar concentration of NO and FVC were not different. Compared with the response of healthy controls, exercise challenge significantly reduced FEV(1) (-23 +/- 15%), FEF(25-75) (-37 +/- 18%), FVC (-12 +/- 12%), FEV(1)/FVC (-13 +/- 8%), and maximum airway wall flux (-35 +/- 11%) relative to baseline in subjects with EIB, whereas bronchodilator administration only increased FEV(1) (+20 +/- 21%), FEF(25-75) (+56 +/- 41%), and FEV(1)/FVC (+13 +/- 9%). We conclude that mild-intermittent steroid-naive asthmatic subjects with EIB have altered airway NO exchange dynamics at baseline and after exercise challenge but that these changes occur by distinct mechanisms and are not correlated with alterations in spirometry.

Efficacy response in CF patients treated with ivacaftor: post-hoc analysis.

PubMed

Konstan, Michael W; Plant, Barry J; Elborn, J Stuart; Rodriguez, Sally; Munck, Anne; Ahrens, Richard; Johnson, Charles

2015-05-01

Clinical studies in patients with cystic fibrosis and G551D-CFTR showed that the group treated with ivacaftor had improved clinical outcomes. To better understand the effect of ivacaftor therapy across the distribution of individual FEV(1) responses, data from Phase 3 studies (STRIVE/ENVISION) were re-examined. In this post-hoc analysis of patients (n = 209) who received 48 weeks of ivacaftor or placebo, patients were assigned to tertiles according to FEV(1) response. These groups were then used to evaluate response (FEV(1), sweat chloride, weight, CFQ-R, and pulmonary exacerbation). The number needed to treat (NNT) was calculated for specific thresholds for each outcome. Across all tertiles, numerical improvements in FEV(1), sweat chloride, CFQ-R and the frequency of pulmonary exacerbations were observed in ivacaftor-treated patients: the treatment difference versus placebo was statistically significant for all outcomes in the upper tertile and for some outcomes in the lower and middle tertiles. The NNT for a ≥ 5% improvement in %predicted FEV(1) was 1.90, for a ≥ 5% body weight increase was 5.74, and to prevent a pulmonary exacerbation was 3.85. This analysis suggests that the majority of patients with clinical characteristics similar to STRIVE/ENVISION patients have the potential to benefit from ivacaftor therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Growth phase-dependent induction of stationary-phase promoters of Escherichia coli in different gram-negative bacteria.

PubMed Central

Miksch, G; Dobrowolski, P

1995-01-01

RSF1010-derived plasmids carrying a fusion of a promoterless lacZ gene with the sigma s-dependent growth phase-regulated promoters of Escherichia coli, bolAp1 and fic, were constructed. The plasmids were mobilized into the gram-negative bacterial species Acetobacter methanolicus, Xanthomonas campestris, Pseudomonas putida, and Rhizobium meliloti. The beta-galactosidase activities of bacterial cultures were determined during exponential and stationary growth phases. Transcriptional activation of the fic promoter in the different bacteria was growth phase dependent as in E. coli and was initiated generally during the transition to stationary phase. The induction of the bolA promoter was also growth phase dependent in the bacteria tested. While the expression in E. coli and R. meliloti was initiated during the transition from exponential to stationary phase, the induction in A. methanolicus, P. putida, and X. campestris started some hours after stationary growth phase was reached. In all the species tested, DNA fragments hybridizing with the rpoS gene of E. coli were detected. The results show that in different gram-negative bacteria, stationary-phase-specific sigma factors which are structurally and functionally homologous to sigma s and are able to recognize the promoter sequences of both bolA and fic exist. PMID:7665531

Faceting of {sigma}3 and {sigma}9 grain boundaries in Cu-Bi alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Straumal, B.B.; Polyakov, S.A.; Max-Planck-Institut fuer Metallforschung and Institut fuer Metallkunde, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569 Stuttgart

2005-01-10

The faceting of {sigma}3 and {sigma}9 tilt grain boundaries (GBs) has been studied in bicrystals of pure Cu and Cu-Bi alloys containing 2.5 x 10{sup -3}, 10 x 10{sup -3} and 16 x 10{sup -3} at.% Bi. The {sigma}3(1 0 0), {sigma}9(1 0 0), {sigma}9(-1 1 0), and {sigma}9(-1 2 0) facets and non-CSL {sigma}3 82 deg 9R facet were observed, where {sigma} is the inverse density of coincidence sites. The ratio between GB energy, {sigma}{sub GB}, and surface energy, {sigma}{sub sur}, was measured by atomic force microscopy using the GB thermal-groove method. The GB energy and thermal-groove deepening ratemore » increased slightly between 0 and 10 x 10{sup -3} at.% Bi for all facets studied. However, between 10 x 10{sup -3} and 16 x 10{sup -3} at.% Bi the GB energy increased dramatically [from a factor 2 for the {sigma}9(1 1 0) facet to 15 times larger for the {sigma}3(1 0 0) facet]. The thermal-groove deepening rate also increased by a factor of 10 in this concentration range. This change corresponds well with the GB solidus line (i.e., the formation of a stable layer of a liquid-like GB phase called GB prewetting) observed previously. Wulff diagrams were constructed using measured {sigma}{sub GB}/{sigma}{sub sur} values.« less

A Six Sigma Trial For Reduction of Error Rates in Pathology Laboratory.

PubMed

Tosuner, Zeynep; Gücin, Zühal; Kiran, Tuğçe; Büyükpinarbaşili, Nur; Turna, Seval; Taşkiran, Olcay; Arici, Dilek Sema

2016-01-01

A major target of quality assurance is the minimization of error rates in order to enhance patient safety. Six Sigma is a method targeting zero error (3.4 errors per million events) used in industry. The five main principles of Six Sigma are defining, measuring, analysis, improvement and control. Using this methodology, the causes of errors can be examined and process improvement strategies can be identified. The aim of our study was to evaluate the utility of Six Sigma methodology in error reduction in our pathology laboratory. The errors encountered between April 2014 and April 2015 were recorded by the pathology personnel. Error follow-up forms were examined by the quality control supervisor, administrative supervisor and the head of the department. Using Six Sigma methodology, the rate of errors was measured monthly and the distribution of errors at the preanalytic, analytic and postanalytical phases was analysed. Improvement strategies were reclaimed in the monthly intradepartmental meetings and the control of the units with high error rates was provided. Fifty-six (52.4%) of 107 recorded errors in total were at the pre-analytic phase. Forty-five errors (42%) were recorded as analytical and 6 errors (5.6%) as post-analytical. Two of the 45 errors were major irrevocable errors. The error rate was 6.8 per million in the first half of the year and 1.3 per million in the second half, decreasing by 79.77%. The Six Sigma trial in our pathology laboratory provided the reduction of the error rates mainly in the pre-analytic and analytic phases.

Influence of the Heterogeneous Nucleation Sites on the Kinetics of Intermetallic Phase Formation in Aged Duplex Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melo, Elis Almeida; Magnabosco, Rodrigo

2017-11-01

The aim of this work is to study the influence of the heterogeneous nucleation site quantity, observed in different ferrite and austenite grain size samples, on the phase transformations that result in intermetallic phases in a UNS S31803 duplex stainless steel (DSS). Solution treatment was conducted for 1, 24, 96, or 192 hours at 1373 K (1100 °C) to obtain different ferrite and austenite grain sizes. After solution treatment, isothermal aging treatments for 5, 8, 10, 20, 30, or 60 minutes at 1123 K (850 °C) were performed to verify the influence of different amounts of heterogeneous nucleation sites in the kinetics of intermetallic phase formation. The sample solution treated for 1 hour, with the highest surface area between matrix phases, was the one that presented, after 60 minutes at 1123 K (850 °C), the smaller volume fraction of ferrite (indicative of greater intermetallic phase formation), higher volume of sigma (that was present in coral-like and compact morphologies), and chi phase. It was not possible to identify which was the first nucleated phase, sigma or chi. It was also observed that the phase formation kinetics is higher for the sample solution treated for 1 hour. It was evidenced that, from a certain moment on, the chi phase begins to be consumed due to the sigma phase formation, and the austenite/ferrite interface presents higher S V for all solution treatment times. It was also observed that intermetallic phases form preferably in austenite-ferrite interfaces, although the higher occupation rate occurs at triple junction ferrite-ferrite-ferrite. It was verified that there was no saturation of nucleation sites in any interface type nor triple junction, and the equilibrium after 1 hour of aging at 1123 K (850 °C) was not achieved. It was then concluded that sigma phase formation is possibly controlled by diffusional processes, without saturation of nucleation sites.

Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Subjects with Cystic Fibrosis and F508del/F508del-CFTR or F508del/G551D-CFTR.

PubMed

Donaldson, Scott H; Pilewski, Joseph M; Griese, Matthias; Cooke, Jon; Viswanathan, Lakshmi; Tullis, Elizabeth; Davies, Jane C; Lekstrom-Himes, Julie A; Wang, Linda T

2018-01-15

Tezacaftor (formerly VX-661) is an investigational small molecule that improves processing and trafficking of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in vitro, and improves CFTR function alone and in combination with ivacaftor. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of tezacaftor monotherapy and of tezacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy in subjects with cystic fibrosis homozygous for F508del or compound heterozygous for F508del and G551D. This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter, phase 2 study (NCT01531673). Subjects homozygous for F508del received tezacaftor (10 to 150 mg) every day alone or in combination with ivacaftor (150 mg every 12 h) in a dose escalation phase, as well as in a dosage regimen testing phase. Subjects compound heterozygous for F508del and G551D, taking physician-prescribed ivacaftor, received tezacaftor (100 mg every day). Primary endpoints were safety through Day 56 and change in sweat chloride from baseline through Day 28. Secondary endpoints included change in percent predicted FEV 1 (ppFEV 1 ) from baseline through Day 28 and pharmacokinetics. The incidence of adverse events was similar across treatment arms. Tezacaftor (100 mg every day)/ivacaftor (150 mg every 12 h) resulted in a 6.04 mmol/L decrease in sweat chloride and 3.75 percentage point increase in ppFEV 1 in subjects homozygous for F508del, and a 7.02 mmol/L decrease in sweat chloride and 4.60 percentage point increase in ppFEV 1 in subjects compound heterozygous for F508del and G551D from baseline through Day 28 (P < 0.05 for all). These results support continued clinical development of tezacaftor (100 mg every day) in combination with ivacaftor (150 mg every 12 h) in subjects with cystic fibrosis. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01531673).

Regioselectivity of pyridine deprotonation in the gas phase.

PubMed

Schafman, Bonnie S; Wenthold, Paul G

2007-03-02

The regioselective deprotonation of pyridine in the gas phase has been investigated by using chemical reactivity studies. The mixture of regioisomers, trapped as carboxylates, formed in an equilibrium mixture is determined to result from 70-80% deprotonation in the 4-position, and 20-30% deprotonation at the 3-position. The ion formed by deprotonation in the 2-position is not measurably deprotonated at equilibrium because the ion is destabilized by lone-pair repulsion. From the composition of the mixture, the gas-phase acidities (DeltaH degrees acid) at the 4-, 3-, and 2-positions are determined to be 389.9 +/- 2.0, 391.2-391.5, and >391.5 kcal/mol, respectively. The relative acidities of the 4- and 3-positions are explained by using Hammett-Taft parameters, derived by using the measured gas-phase acidities of pyridine carboxylic acids. The values of sigmaF and sigmaR are -0.18 and 0.74, respectively, showing the infused nitrogen in pyridine to have a strong pi electron-withdrawing effect, but with little sigma-inductive effect.

Improving Quality of Seal Leak Test Product using Six Sigma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luthfi Malik, Abdullah; Akbar, Muhammad; Irianto, Dradjad

2016-02-01

Seal leak test part is a polyurethane material-based product. Based on past data, defect level of this product was 8%, higher than the target of 5%. Quality improvement effort was done using six sigma method that included phases of define, measure, analyse, improve, and control. In the design phase, a Delphi method was used to identify factors that were critical to quality. In the measure phase, stability and process capability was measured. Fault tree analysis (FTA) and failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) were used in the next phase to analize the root cause and to determine the priority issues. Improve phase was done by compiling, selecting, and designing alternative repair. Some improvement efforts were identified, i.e. (i) making a checklist for maintenance schedules, (ii) making written reminder form, (iii) modifying the SOP more detail, and (iv) performing a major service to the vacuum machine. To ensure the continuity of improvement efforts, some control activities were executed, i.e. (i) controlling, monitoring, documenting, and setting target frequently, (ii) implementing reward and punishment system, (iii) adding cleaning tool, and (iv) building six sigma organizational structure.

Acute respiratory effects on workers exposed to metalworking fluid aerosols in an automotive transmission plant.

PubMed

Robins, T; Seixas, N; Franzblau, A; Abrams, L; Minick, S; Burge, H; Schork, M A

1997-05-01

Exposure to metalworking fluids has been linked to modest cross-shift reductions in FEV1 and occupational asthma. To identify responsible agents, we measured personal exposures to thoracic particulate (TP), viable plus nonviable thoracic bacteria (BAC), and vapor phase nicotine (VPN) (as a surrogate for tobacco particulate) among 83 machinists exposed to soluble oils and 46 dry assemblers working in an automotive transmission machining plant using biocides infrequently. The participants completed interviews and performed pre- and postshift spirometry on Monday and Thursday of the same week in each of three rounds of data collection (June 1992, January 1993, June 1993). Generalized estimating equations were used to combine information across rounds in multiple regression models of cross-shift and cross-week changes in forced expiratory volume, I second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Mean seniority was 19 years among machinists. Mean personal TP levels were 0.41 mg/m3 in machinists and 0.13 mg/m3 in assemblers. Six of the 83 machinists and none of the 46 assemblers experienced a greater than 19% cross-shift decrement in FEV1 or FVC at least once (p = .07). In regression models using either TP or BAC, among subjects with lower baseline (Monday preshift) FEV1/FVC ratios, increasing exposure was significantly associated with increasing cross-shift decrements in FEV1 and FVC in linear models, and with increased likelihood of a 10% or greater cross-shift decrement in FEV1 or FVC in logistic models. Adjustment of TP for VPN did not affect models significantly. We conclude that clinically important cross-shift decrements in pulmonary function are associated with exposure to metalworking fluid aerosols within a high-seniority population.

The Applicability of Lean and Six Sigma Techniques to Clinical and Translational Research

PubMed Central

Schweikhart, Sharon A.; Dembe, Allard E

2010-01-01

Background Lean and Six Sigma are business management strategies commonly used in production industries to improve process efficiency and quality. During the past decade, these process improvement techniques increasingly have been applied outside of the manufacturing sector, for example, in health care and in software development. This article concerns the potential use of Lean and Six Sigma to improve the processes involved in clinical and translational research. Improving quality, avoiding delays and errors, and speeding up the time to implementation of biomedical discoveries are prime objectives of the NIH Roadmap for Biomedical Research and the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program. Methods This article presents a description of the main principles, practices, and methodologies used in Lean and Six Sigma. Available literature involving applications of Lean and Six Sigma to health care, laboratory science, and clinical and translational research is reviewed. Specific issues concerning the use of these techniques in different phases of translational research are identified. Results Examples are provided of Lean and Six Sigma applications that are being planned at a current CTSA site, which could potentially be replicated elsewhere. We describe how different process improvement approaches are best adapted for particularly translational research phases. Conclusions Lean and Six Sigma process improvement methodologies are well suited to help achieve NIH’s goal of making clinical and translational research more efficient and cost-effective, enhancing the quality of the research, and facilitating the successful adoption of biomedical research findings into practice. PMID:19730130

The applicability of Lean and Six Sigma techniques to clinical and translational research.

PubMed

Schweikhart, Sharon A; Dembe, Allard E

2009-10-01

Lean and Six Sigma are business management strategies commonly used in production industries to improve process efficiency and quality. During the past decade, these process improvement techniques increasingly have been applied outside the manufacturing sector, for example, in health care and in software development. This article concerns the potential use of Lean and Six Sigma in improving the processes involved in clinical and translational research. Improving quality, avoiding delays and errors, and speeding up the time to implementation of biomedical discoveries are prime objectives of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap for Medical Research and the NIH's Clinical and Translational Science Award program. This article presents a description of the main principles, practices, and methods used in Lean and Six Sigma. Available literature involving applications of Lean and Six Sigma to health care, laboratory science, and clinical and translational research is reviewed. Specific issues concerning the use of these techniques in different phases of translational research are identified. Examples of Lean and Six Sigma applications that are being planned at a current Clinical and Translational Science Award site are provided, which could potentially be replicated elsewhere. We describe how different process improvement approaches are best adapted for particular translational research phases. Lean and Six Sigma process improvement methods are well suited to help achieve NIH's goal of making clinical and translational research more efficient and cost-effective, enhancing the quality of the research, and facilitating the successful adoption of biomedical research findings into practice.

Change of Precipitation Behavior and Impact Toughness with Depths in Quenched Thick SAF 2507 Super Duplex Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahiale, Godwin Kwame; Kim, Doo-Hyun; Yang, Won-Jon; Lee, Jong-Hoon; Oh, Yong-Jun

2018-03-01

We investigated the change of precipitation behavior and impact resistance as a function of depth from the surface of thick block of SAF 2507 super duplex stainless steel with the thickness (T) of 200 mm after water quenching from 1050 °C. The amount of detrimental sigma phase increased smoothly until the depth of 0.25T, followed by a rapid increase from 0.25T to the center. However, the impact strength decreased significantly with only 1.3% of area fraction of sigma phase as the depth increased past 0.1T. Based on fractography analysis for the samples at such small depth ranges, the distance between the sigma phase particles affected the relative amount of initiating brittle cracks in front of the notch and was one of the crucial factors that dramatically reduced impact resistance with depth.

Quantum phases of a vortex string.

PubMed

Auzzi, Roberto; Prem Kumar, S

2009-12-04

We argue that the world sheet dynamics of magnetic k strings in the Higgs phase of the mass-deformed N = 4 theory is controlled by a bosonic O(3) sigma model with anisotropy and a topological theta term. The theory interpolates between a massless O(2) symmetric regime, a massive O(3) symmetric phase, and another massive phase with a spontaneously broken Z(2) symmetry. The first two phases are separated by a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. When theta = pi, the O(3) symmetric phase flows to an interacting fixed point; sigma model kinks and their dyonic partners become degenerate, mirroring the behavior of monopoles in the parent gauge theory. This leads to the identification of the kinks with monopoles confined on the string.

The E. coli Anti-Sigma Factor Rsd: Studies on the Specificity and Regulation of Its Expression

PubMed Central

Hofmann, Nina; Wurm, Reinhild; Wagner, Rolf

2011-01-01

Background Among the seven different sigma factors in E. coli σ70 has the highest concentration and affinity for the core RNA polymerase. The E. coli protein Rsd is regarded as an anti-sigma factor, inhibiting σ70-dependent transcription at the onset of stationary growth. Although binding of Rsd to σ70 has been shown and numerous structural studies on Rsd have been performed the detailed mechanism of action is still unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings We have performed studies to unravel the function and regulation of Rsd expression in vitro and in vivo. Cross-linking and affinity binding revealed that Rsd is able to interact with σ70, with the core enzyme of RNA polymerase and is able to form dimers in solution. Unexpectedly, we find that Rsd does also interact with σ38, the stationary phase-specific sigma factor. This interaction was further corroborated by gel retardation and footprinting studies with different promoter fragments and σ38- or σ70-containing RNA polymerase in presence of Rsd. Under competitive in vitro transcription conditions, in presence of both sigma factors, a selective inhibition of σ70-dependent transcription was prevailing, however. Analysis of rsd expression revealed that the nucleoid-associated proteins H-NS and FIS, StpA and LRP bind to the regulatory region of the rsd promoters. Furthermore, the major promoter P2 was shown to be down-regulated in vivo by RpoS, the stationary phase-specific sigma factor and the transcription factor DksA, while induction of the stringent control enhanced rsd promoter activity. Most notably, the dam-dependent methylation of a cluster of GATC sites turned out to be important for efficient rsd transcription. Conclusions/Significance The results contribute to a better understanding of the intricate mechanism of Rsd-mediated sigma factor specificity changes during stationary phase. PMID:21573101

The E. coli anti-sigma factor Rsd: studies on the specificity and regulation of its expression.

PubMed

Hofmann, Nina; Wurm, Reinhild; Wagner, Rolf

2011-05-06

Among the seven different sigma factors in E. coli σ(70) has the highest concentration and affinity for the core RNA polymerase. The E. coli protein Rsd is regarded as an anti-sigma factor, inhibiting σ(70)-dependent transcription at the onset of stationary growth. Although binding of Rsd to σ(70) has been shown and numerous structural studies on Rsd have been performed the detailed mechanism of action is still unknown. We have performed studies to unravel the function and regulation of Rsd expression in vitro and in vivo. Cross-linking and affinity binding revealed that Rsd is able to interact with σ(70), with the core enzyme of RNA polymerase and is able to form dimers in solution. Unexpectedly, we find that Rsd does also interact with σ(38), the stationary phase-specific sigma factor. This interaction was further corroborated by gel retardation and footprinting studies with different promoter fragments and σ(38)- or σ(70)-containing RNA polymerase in presence of Rsd. Under competitive in vitro transcription conditions, in presence of both sigma factors, a selective inhibition of σ(70)-dependent transcription was prevailing, however. Analysis of rsd expression revealed that the nucleoid-associated proteins H-NS and FIS, StpA and LRP bind to the regulatory region of the rsd promoters. Furthermore, the major promoter P2 was shown to be down-regulated in vivo by RpoS, the stationary phase-specific sigma factor and the transcription factor DksA, while induction of the stringent control enhanced rsd promoter activity. Most notably, the dam-dependent methylation of a cluster of GATC sites turned out to be important for efficient rsd transcription. The results contribute to a better understanding of the intricate mechanism of Rsd-mediated sigma factor specificity changes during stationary phase.

Expression of the genes for insecticidal crystal proteins in Bacillus thuringiensis: cryIVA, not cryIVB, is transcribed by RNA polymerase containing sigma H and that containing sigma E.

PubMed

Yoshisue, H; Ihara, K; Nishimoto, T; Sakai, H; Komano, T

1995-03-15

To investigate the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of cryIVA and cryIVB, encoding 130-kDa dipteran-active crystal proteins, in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, we introduced each gene into several sporulation mutants of Bacillus subtilis. A spoIIG mutation, the wild-type gene of which encodes sigma E precursor, completely blocked the cryIVB transcription. In contrast, low but detectable transcription of cryIVA was observed in the spoIIG mutant. In the wild-type B. subtilis, no transcription of cryIVB was detected before T2 (2 h after the onset of stationary phase), while the cryIVA transcription started at the late exponential phase at low levels. Furthermore, in a wild-type strain of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, transcription of cryIVA began earlier than that of genes encoding other crystal components, cryIVB and cytA. A consensus sequence recognized by an RNA polymerase containing sigma H of B. subtilis was found upstream of the transcription start point of cryIVA, which overlapped with that recognized by sigma E.

Use of In Vitro Transcription System for Analysis of Corynebacterium glutamicum Promoters Recognized by Two Sigma Factors.

PubMed

Šilar, Radoslav; Holátko, Jiří; Rucká, Lenka; Rapoport, Andrey; Dostálová, Hana; Kadeřábková, Pavla; Nešvera, Jan; Pátek, Miroslav

2016-09-01

Promoter activities in Corynebacterium glutamicum strains with deletions of genes encoding sigma factors of RNA polymerase suggested that transcription from some promoters is controlled by two sigma factors. To prove that different sigma factors are involved in the recognition of selected Corynebacterium glutamicum promoters, in vitro transcription system was applied. It was found that a typical housekeeping promoter Pper interacts with the alternative sigma factor σ(B) in addition to the primary sigma factor σ(A). On the other way round, the σ(B)-dependent promoter of the pqo gene that is expressed mainly in the stationary growth phase was active also with σ(A). Some promoters of genes involved in stress responses (P1clgR, P2dnaK, and P2dnaJ2) were found to be recognized by two stress-responding sigma factors, σ(H) and σ(E). In vitro transcription system thus proved to be a useful direct technique for demonstrating the overlap of different sigma factors in recognition of individual promoters in C. glutamicum.

Changes in lung function of granite crushers exposed to moderately high silica concentrations: a 12 year follow up.

PubMed Central

Malmberg, P; Hedenström, H; Sundblad, B M

1993-01-01

45 granite crushers and 45 age and smoking matched referents underwent pulmonary function tests in 1976 and 1988. On average, the granite crushers at follow up had worked for 22 years, were 52 (range 36-78) years old, and had inhaled a cumulated amount of 7 mg of silica in the respirable dust fraction. Between 1976 and 1988 the average concentration of respirable quartz in air was 0.16 mg/m3 (threshold limit value (TLV) = 0.10 mg/m3). In 1988 the granite crushers had somewhat lower forced expiratory flows (forced expiratory volume in one second/vital capacity (FEV1/VC) -4.5% and forced midexpiratory flow FEF50 -15%) compared with the referents and a more uneven ventilation distribution (17% higher slope of phase III in the nitrogen single breath curve). Five smoking granite crushers, but none of the referents, had an FEV1 < 80% of the predicted. During the 12 year interval the granite crushers had--compared with the matched referents--a greater decrease in FEV1 (-4.6%), FEV1/VC (-5.4%), maximal expiratory flow, (-8%) and FEF50 (-14%), and a larger increase in phase III and static compliance (p < 0.02 in all variables). The functional changes suggest the presence of airways obstruction and increased compliance of the lungs. Exposure to silica at concentrations of about twice the present TLV was thus associated with airways obstruction and loss of elastic recoil rather than fibrosis and a restrictive function loss as seen in silicosis. The changes were on average small, but in some tobacco smokers more pronounced changes were found. PMID:8398859

FEV1/FEV6 in Primary Care Is a Reliable and Easy Method for the Diagnosis of COPD.

PubMed

Wang, Shengyu; Gong, Wei; Tian, Yao; Zhou, Jing

2016-03-01

FEV6 can be used as a convenient alternative to FVC. The aim of this study was to determine an alternative to the fixed cutoff points of FEV1/FVC <0.70 suitable for FEV1/FEV6 in primary care. Pulmonary function testing was conducted on volunteers recruited from 4 community centers in Xi'an, China, between July and August 2012. Participants underwent 3 FVC maneuvers. The maneuver with the best FEV1 was retained. FVC, FEV1, and FEV6 were measured by portable spirometer. The receiver operating characteristic curves that corresponded to the optimal combination of sensitivity and specificity for FEV1/FEV6 were determined. A kappa test was used to compare the agreement between FEV1/FVC and FEV1/FEV6. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were also calculated. A total of 767 volunteers participated in this study, of whom 297 were male and 470 were female. Considering FEV1/FVC <0.70 as the accepted standard for COPD, the area under the curve was 98% (P < .001), and the FEV1/FEV6 cutoff, corresponding to the greatest sum of sensitivity and specificity, was 0.72. For the total population, the FEV1/FEV6 sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 96.9, 98.8, 95.8, and 99.2%, respectively. The agreement between the 2 cutoff points was excellent, and the kappa value was 0.954. FEV1/FEV6 <0.72 can be used in primary care as a valid alternative to FEV1/FVC <0.70 as a fixed cutoff point for the detection of COPD in adults. This study suggests that FEV1/FEV6 is an effective and well validated option that should be used in primary care to detect COPD, which is a rampant problem. Copyright © 2016 by Daedalus Enterprises.

Minimization of Defective Products in The Department of Press Bridge & Rib Through Six Sigma DMAIC Phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rochman, YA; Agustin, A.

2017-06-01

This study proposes the DMAIC Six Sigma approach of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve/Implement and Control (DMAIC) to minimizing the number of defective products in the bridge & rib department. There are 5 types of defects were the most dominant are broken rib, broken sound board, strained rib, rib sliding and sound board minori. The imperative objective is to improve the quality through the DMAIC phases. In the define phase, the critical to quality (CTQ) parameters was identified minimization of product defects through the pareto chart and FMEA. In this phase, to identify waste based on the current value stream mapping. In the measure phase, the specified control limits product used to maintain the variations of the product, the calculation of the value of DPMO (Defect Per Million Opportunities) and the calculation of the value of sigma level. In analyze phase, determine the type of defect of the most dominant and identify the causes of defective products. In the improve phase, the existing design was modified through various alternative solutions by conducting brainstorming sessions. In this phase, the solution was identified based on the results of FMEA. Improvements were made to the seven priority causes of disability based on the highest RPN value. In the control phase, focusing on improvements to be made. Proposed improvements include making and define standard operating procedures, improving the quality and eliminate waste defective products.

Efficacy and safety of lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for Phe508del CFTR by pulmonary function subgroup: a pooled analysis.

PubMed

Elborn, J Stuart; Ramsey, Bonnie W; Boyle, Michael P; Konstan, Michael W; Huang, Xiaohong; Marigowda, Gautham; Waltz, David; Wainwright, Claire E

2016-08-01

Lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy has shown clinical benefits in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation; however, pretreatment lung function is a confounding factor that potentially affects the efficacy and safety of this therapy. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy in these patients, defined by specific categories of lung function. Both trials (TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT) included in this pooled analysis were multinational, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 studies. Eligible patients from 187 participating centres in North America, Australia, and the European Union (both trials) were aged 12 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation, and with a percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) of 40-90 at the time of screening. Patients were randomly assigned with an interactive web response system (1:1:1) to receive placebo, lumacaftor (600 mg once daily) plus ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h), or lumacaftor (400 mg every 12 h) plus ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h) for 24 weeks. Prespecified subgroup analyses of pooled efficacy and safety data by lung function, as measured by ppFEV1, were done for patients with baseline ppFEV1 (<40 and ≥40) and screening ppFEV1 (<70 and ≥70). The primary endpoint was the absolute change from baseline in ppFEV1 at week 24 analysed in all randomised patients who received at least one dose of study drug. Both trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (TRAFFIC: NCT01807923; TRANSPORT: NCT01807949). Both trials were done between April, 2013, and April, 2014. Of the 1108 patients included in the efficacy analysis, 81 patients had a ppFEV1 that decreased to lower than 40 between screening and baseline and 1016 had a ppFEV1 of 40 or higher at baseline. At screening, 730 had a ppFEV1 of less than 70, and 342 had a ppFEV1 of 70 or higher. Improvements in the absolute change from baseline at week 24 in ppFEV1 were observed with both lumacaftor/ivacaftor doses in the subgroup with baseline ppFEV1 levels lower than 40 (least-squares mean difference vs placebo was 3·7 percentage points [95% CI 0·5-6·9; p=0·024] in the lumacaftor [600 mg/day]-ivacaftor group and 3·3 percentage points [0·2-6·4; p=0·036] in the lumacaftor [400 mg/12 h]-ivacaftor group). Improvements in ppFEV1 compared with placebo were also reported in the subgroup with baseline ppFEV1 levels of 40 or higher (3·3 percentage points [2·3-4·4; p<0·0001] in the lumacaftor [600 mg per day]-ivacaftor group and 2·8 percentage points [1·7-3·8; p<0·0001] in the lumacaftor [400 mg/12 h]-ivacaftor group). Similar absolute improvements in ppFEV1 compared with placebo were observed in subgroups with screening ppFEV1 levels lower than 70 and ppFEV1 levels of 70 or higher. Increases in body-mass index and reduction in number of pulmonary exacerbation events were observed in both lumacaftor/ivacaftor dose groups compared with placebo across all lung function subgroups. Treatment was generally well tolerated, although the incidence of some respiratory adverse events was higher with lumacaftor/ivacaftor than with placebo in all subgroups. In patients with baseline ppFEV1 levels lower than 40, these adverse events included cough, dyspnoea, and abnormal respiration. These analyses confirm that lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy benefits patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for Phe508del CFTR who have varying degrees of lung function impairment. Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A low-noise delta-sigma phase modulator for polar transmitters.

PubMed

Zhou, Bo

2014-01-01

A low-noise phase modulator, using finite-impulse-response (FIR) filtering embedded delta-sigma (ΔΣ) fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL), is fabricated in 0.18 μ m CMOS for GSM/EDGE polar transmitters. A simplified digital compensation filter with inverse-FIR and -PLL features is proposed to trade off the transmitter noise and linearity. Experimental results show that the presented architecture performs RF phase modulation well with 20 mW power dissipation from 1.6 V supply and achieves the root-mean-square (rms) and peak phase errors of 4° and 8.5°, respectively. The measured and simulated phase noises of -104 dBc/Hz and -120 dBc/Hz at 400-kHz offset from 1.8-GHz carrier frequency are observed, respectively.

Application of Sigma Metrics Analysis for the Assessment and Modification of Quality Control Program in the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory of a Tertiary Care Hospital.

PubMed

Iqbal, Sahar; Mustansar, Tazeen

2017-03-01

Sigma is a metric that quantifies the performance of a process as a rate of Defects-Per-Million opportunities. In clinical laboratories, sigma metric analysis is used to assess the performance of laboratory process system. Sigma metric is also used as a quality management strategy for a laboratory process to improve the quality by addressing the errors after identification. The aim of this study is to evaluate the errors in quality control of analytical phase of laboratory system by sigma metric. For this purpose sigma metric analysis was done for analytes using the internal and external quality control as quality indicators. Results of sigma metric analysis were used to identify the gaps and need for modification in the strategy of laboratory quality control procedure. Sigma metric was calculated for quality control program of ten clinical chemistry analytes including glucose, chloride, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, albumin, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, protein and creatinine, at two control levels. To calculate the sigma metric imprecision and bias was calculated with internal and external quality control data, respectively. The minimum acceptable performance was considered as 3 sigma. Westgard sigma rules were applied to customize the quality control procedure. Sigma level was found acceptable (≥3) for glucose (L2), cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, direct bilirubin and creatinine at both levels of control. For rest of the analytes sigma metric was found <3. The lowest value for sigma was found for chloride (1.1) at L2. The highest value of sigma was found for creatinine (10.1) at L3. HDL was found with the highest sigma values at both control levels (8.8 and 8.0 at L2 and L3, respectively). We conclude that analytes with the sigma value <3 are required strict monitoring and modification in quality control procedure. In this study application of sigma rules provided us the practical solution for improved and focused design of QC procedure.

Lung function decline in bronchial asthma.

PubMed

Cibella, Fabio; Cuttitta, Giuseppina; Bellia, Vincenzo; Bucchieri, Salvatore; D'Anna, Silvestre; Guerrera, Daniela; Bonsignore, Giovanni

2002-12-01

We evaluated the longitudinal changes in lung function and the factors associated with FEV(1) changes over time in a sample of asthmatic subjects. FEV(1) measures were recorded every 3 months over a 5-year follow-up period. To compare all subjects independently of body size, FEV(1) values were normalized for the subject's height at the third power. We evaluated the possible effect of age, baseline FEV(1), disease duration, and FEV(1) variability on the rate of change of FEV(1). We studied 142 subjects with asthma diagnosed on the basis of validated clinical and functional criteria. FEV(1) showed a linear decay with aging in each subject. For a subject 1.65 m in height, the median overall FEV(1) decay was 40.9 mL/yr. FEV(1) decay slopes were significantly influenced by age and sex, being steeper in younger male subjects. A significant interaction was found between age and baseline FEV(1): the FEV(1) decay was significantly higher among younger asthmatics with a poorer baseline functional condition. A longer disease duration was associated with a lower FEV(1) slope. FEV(1) variability was strongly associated with an increased rate of FEV(1) decline. FEV(1) decline in patients with bronchial asthma is significantly influenced by baseline FEV(1), disease duration, and FEV(1) variability. Moreover, the rate of FEV(1) decline seems to increase in younger subjects only when the baseline function is poorer.

[Value of forced expiratory volume in 6 seconds (FEV(6)) in the evaluation of pulmonary function in Chinese elderly males].

PubMed

Pan, M M; Zhang, H S; Sun, T Y

2017-05-30

Objective: To evaluate the value of forced expiratory volume in 6 seconds (FEV(6)) in the evaluation of pulmonary function in Chinese elderly males. Methods: Pulmonary function tests of elderly who had received regular physical examination in Beijing Hospital from July 2003 to April 2015 were analyzed on subjects with the following characteristics: aged 60 years or older, completion of bronchial dilation test and able to exhale for at least six seconds. The included subjects were divided into 2 groups: 60-<80 years group and ≥80 years group. The association of FEV(6) with forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV(1)/FEV(6) with FEV(1)/FVC, the diagnostic efficiency and influencing factor of FEV(6) and FEV(1)/FEV(6) were analyzed; the value of FEV(6) in the evaluation of pulmonary function in the study population was evaluated. Results: A total of 475 elderly men aged 60 years or older were enrolled, with a mean age of (77.13±9.53) years. Totally there were 269 subjects in 60-<80 years group, which accounted for 56.6%; 206 subjects were in ≥80 years group, which accounted for 43.4%. There were 292 subjects with irreversible airflow obstruction, accounting for 61.5%. In all the included subjects, FEV(6) was significantly correlated with FVC and post-bronchodilator FEV(1)/FEV(6) was significantly correlated with post-bronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC( r =0.971, 0.978; both P <0.001), which were similar in 60-<80 years group and ≥80 years group ( r =0.967, 0.974 and r =0.955, 0.967; all P <0.001). FEV(1)/FEV(6) showed excellent accuracy in diagnosing airflow obstruction[area under curve (AUC)=0.990(95% CI: 0.983-0.996); P <0.001]. Using FEV(1)/FVC<0.70 as a reference, FEV(1)/FEV(6)<0.73 had the best sensitivity (0.952) and specificity (0.945), and there was excellent agreement between the two diagnostic cutoffs (κ=0.891; P <0.001). When difference between before and after bronchial dilation test was analyzed, no correlation was observed between FEV(6) improvement and the improvement of forced expiratory time ( r =0.089; P =0.053), but FVC improvement was significantly correlated with the improvement of forced expiratory time ( r =0.460; P <0.001). Similar results were also found in subjects with irreversible airflow obstruction. Subjects with FEV(1)/FEV(6)≥0.70 and FEV(1)/FVC<0.70 were categorized as pulmonary function middle group, a total of 73 cases, which included 20 cases ≥80 years old. The proportion of middle group among ≥80 years group was significantly less than that of the 60-<80 years group (χ(2)=8.958; P =0.003). In pulmonary function middle group, FEV(1)/FEV(6) or FEV(1)/FVC had no correlation with inspiratory capacity or residual volume/total lung capacity (all P >0.05). Conclusions: FEV(6) and FEV(1)/FEV(6) are strongly correlated with FVC and FEV(1)/FVC, and there is excellent agreement between FEV(1)/FEV(6) and FEV(1)/FVC. FEV(6) is simple, easy to operate and with less influencing factors, which can be used as a valid alternative for FVC in diagnosing airflow obstruction in elderly males.

Improving Quality of Shoe Soles Product using Six Sigma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jesslyn Wijaya, Athalia; Trusaji, Wildan; Akbar, Muhammad; Ma’ruf, Anas; Irianto, Dradjad

2018-03-01

A manufacture in Bandung produce kind of rubber-based product i.e. trim, rice rollers, shoe soles, etc. After penetrating the shoe soles market, the manufacture has met customer with tight quality control. Based on the past data, defect level of this product was 18.08% that caused the manufacture’s loss of time and money. Quality improvement effort was done using six sigma method that included phases of define, measure, analyse, improve, and control (DMAIC). In the design phase, the object’s problem and definition were defined. Delphi method was also used in this phase to identify critical factors. In the measure phase, the existing process stability and sigma quality level were measured. Fishbone diagram and failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) were used in the next phase to analyse the root cause and determine the priority issues. Improve phase was done by designing alternative improvement strategy using 5W1H method. Some improvement efforts were identified, i.e. (i) modifying design of the hanging rack, (ii) create pantone colour book and check sheet, (iii) provide pedestrian line at compound department, (iv) buying stop watch, and (v) modifying shoe soles dies. Some control strategies for continuous improvement were proposed such as SOP or reward and punishment system.

Microstructural Characterization of Base Metal Alloys with Conductive Native Oxides for Electrical Contact Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senturk, Bilge Seda

Metallic contacts are a ubiquitous method of connecting electrical and electronic components/systems. These contacts are usually fabricated from base metals because they are inexpensive, have high bulk electrical conductivities and exhibit excellent formability. Unfortunately, such base metals oxidize in air under ambient conditions, and the characteristics of the native oxide scales leads to contact resistances orders of magnitude higher than those for mating bare metal surface. This is a critical technological issue since the development of unacceptably high contact resistances over time is now by far the most common cause of failure in electrical/electronic devices and systems. To overcome these problems, several distinct approaches are developed for alloying base metals to promote the formation of self-healing inherently conductive native oxide scales. The objective of this dissertation study is to demonstrate the viability of these approaches through analyzing the data from Cu-9La (at%) and Fe-V binary alloy systems. The Cu-9 La alloy structure consists of eutectic colonies tens of microns in diameter wherein a rod-like Cu phase lies within a Cu6La matrix phase. The thin oxide scale formed on the Cu phase was found to be Cu2O as expected while the thicker oxide scale formed on the Cu6La phase was found to be a polycrystalline La-rich Cu2O. The enhanced electrical conductivity in the native oxide scale of the Cu-9La alloy arises from heavy n-type doping of the Cu2O lattice by La3+. The Fe-V alloy structures consist of a mixture of large elongated and equiaxed grains. A thin polycrystalline Fe3O4 oxide scale formed on all of the Fe-V alloys. The electrical conductivities of the oxide scales formed on the Fe-V alloys are higher than that formed on pure Fe. It is inferred that this enhanced conductivity arises from doping of the magnetite with V+4 which promotes electron-polaron hopping. Thus, it has been demonstrated that even in simple binary alloy systems one can obtain a dramatic reduction in the contact resistances of alloy oxidized surfaces as compared with those of the pure base metals.

Evaluation of Bioequivalence Between the New Procaterol Hydrochloride Hydrate Dry Powder Inhaler and the Approved Dry Powder Inhaler in Patients With Asthma in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Crossover Comparison Study: A Phase 3 Study.

PubMed

Shirai, Ryo; Suzaki, Yuki; Sato, Kyoko; Takeuchi, Yuko; Tokimatsu, Issei; Koga, Nobuyuki; Kadota, Junichi; Ohashi, Kyoichi

2018-05-01

Procaterol hydrochloride hydrate (procaterol) is a β 2 -adrenergic receptor agonist that induces a strong bronchodilatory effect. The procaterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) has been frequently used in patients with bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We evaluated the bioequivalence and safety between the new procaterol DPI (new DPI) and the approved procaterol DPI (approved DPI). This study was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, crossover comparison to evaluate the pharmacodynamic equivalence of the new DPI and the approved DPI in patients with bronchial asthma. Primary efficacy variables were area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 )/h and maximum FEV 1 during the 480-minute measurement period. Patients were divided into 2 groups, New-DPI-First (n = 8) and Approved-DPI-First (n = 8), according to the investigational medical product that was administered first. Patients inhaled 20 μg of procaterol in each period. FEV 1 was measured by a spirometer at predose and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 360, and 480 minutes after each investigational medical product administration. Equivalence was evaluated by confirming that the 2-sided 90%CIs for the difference between the new and the approved DPI in means of AUC (FEV 1 )/h and maximum FEV 1 were within the acceptance criteria of -0.15 to 0.15 L. The difference in means of AUC (FEV 1 )/h and maximum FEV 1 was 0.041 L and 0.033 L, respectively, and the 90%CI was 0.004 to 0.078 L and -0.008 to 0.074 L, respectively. These CIs were both within the acceptance criteria. The new DPI was assessed as being bioequivalent to the approved DPI. © 2017 The Authors. Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

Structured syncope care pathways based on lean six sigma methodology optimises resource use with shorter time to diagnosis and increased diagnostic yield.

PubMed

Martens, Leon; Goode, Grahame; Wold, Johan F H; Beck, Lionel; Martin, Georgina; Perings, Christian; Stolt, Pelle; Baggerman, Lucas

2014-01-01

To conduct a pilot study on the potential to optimise care pathways in syncope/Transient Loss of Consciousness management by using Lean Six Sigma methodology while maintaining compliance with ESC and/or NICE guidelines. Five hospitals in four European countries took part. The Lean Six Sigma methodology consisted of 3 phases: 1) Assessment phase, in which baseline performance was mapped in each centre, processes were evaluated and a new operational model was developed with an improvement plan that included best practices and change management; 2) Improvement phase, in which optimisation pathways and standardised best practice tools and forms were developed and implemented. Staff were trained on new processes and change-management support provided; 3) Sustaining phase, which included support, refinement of tools and metrics. The impact of the implementation of new pathways was evaluated on number of tests performed, diagnostic yield, time to diagnosis and compliance with guidelines. One hospital with focus on geriatric populations was analysed separately from the other four. With the new pathways, there was a 59% reduction in the average time to diagnosis (p = 0.048) and a 75% increase in diagnostic yield (p = 0.007). There was a marked reduction in repetitions of diagnostic tests and improved prioritisation of indicated tests. Applying a structured Lean Six Sigma based methodology to pathways for syncope management has the potential to improve time to diagnosis and diagnostic yield.

Structured Syncope Care Pathways Based on Lean Six Sigma Methodology Optimises Resource Use with Shorter Time to Diagnosis and Increased Diagnostic Yield

PubMed Central

Martens, Leon; Goode, Grahame; Wold, Johan F. H.; Beck, Lionel; Martin, Georgina; Perings, Christian; Stolt, Pelle; Baggerman, Lucas

2014-01-01

Aims To conduct a pilot study on the potential to optimise care pathways in syncope/Transient Loss of Consciousness management by using Lean Six Sigma methodology while maintaining compliance with ESC and/or NICE guidelines. Methods Five hospitals in four European countries took part. The Lean Six Sigma methodology consisted of 3 phases: 1) Assessment phase, in which baseline performance was mapped in each centre, processes were evaluated and a new operational model was developed with an improvement plan that included best practices and change management; 2) Improvement phase, in which optimisation pathways and standardised best practice tools and forms were developed and implemented. Staff were trained on new processes and change-management support provided; 3) Sustaining phase, which included support, refinement of tools and metrics. The impact of the implementation of new pathways was evaluated on number of tests performed, diagnostic yield, time to diagnosis and compliance with guidelines. One hospital with focus on geriatric populations was analysed separately from the other four. Results With the new pathways, there was a 59% reduction in the average time to diagnosis (p = 0.048) and a 75% increase in diagnostic yield (p = 0.007). There was a marked reduction in repetitions of diagnostic tests and improved prioritisation of indicated tests. Conclusions Applying a structured Lean Six Sigma based methodology to pathways for syncope management has the potential to improve time to diagnosis and diagnostic yield. PMID:24927475

A Low-Noise Delta-Sigma Phase Modulator for Polar Transmitters

PubMed Central

Zhou, Bo

2014-01-01

A low-noise phase modulator, using finite-impulse-response (FIR) filtering embedded delta-sigma (ΔΣ) fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL), is fabricated in 0.18 μm CMOS for GSM/EDGE polar transmitters. A simplified digital compensation filter with inverse-FIR and -PLL features is proposed to trade off the transmitter noise and linearity. Experimental results show that the presented architecture performs RF phase modulation well with 20 mW power dissipation from 1.6 V supply and achieves the root-mean-square (rms) and peak phase errors of 4° and 8.5°, respectively. The measured and simulated phase noises of −104 dBc/Hz and −120 dBc/Hz at 400-kHz offset from 1.8-GHz carrier frequency are observed, respectively. PMID:24719578

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zachos, C. K.; High Energy Physics

Following ref [1], a classical upper bound for quantum entropy is identified and illustrated, 0 {le} S{sub q} {le} ln (e{sigma}{sup 2}/2{h_bar}), involving the variance {sigma}{sup 2} in phase space of the classical limit distribution of a given system. A fortiori, this further bounds the corresponding information-theoretical generalizations of the quantum entropy proposed by Renyi.

Predictive Value of Different Expressions of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) for Adverse Outcomes in a Cohort of Adults Aged 80 and Older.

PubMed

Hegendörfer, Eralda; Vaes, Bert; Andreeva, Elena; Matheï, Catharina; Van Pottelbergh, Gijs; Degryse, Jean-Marie

2017-02-01

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) is proposed as a marker of healthy ageing and FEV 1 expressions that are independent of reference values have been reported to be better at predicting mortality in older adults. We assess and compare the predictive value of different FEV 1 expressions for mortality, hospitalization, and physical and mental decline in adults aged 80 and older. Population-based, prospective, cohort study. The BELFRAIL study, Belgium. A total of 501 community-dwelling adults aged 80 and older (mean age 84.7 years). Baseline FEV 1 expressed as percent predicted (FEV 1 PP) and z-score (FEV 1 Z) using the Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 reference values; over lowest sex-specific percentile (FEV 1 Q), and height squared (FEV 1 /Ht 2 ) and cubed (FEV 1 /Ht 3 ). Mortality data until 5.1 ± 0.2 years from baseline; hospitalization data until 3.0 ± 0.25 years. Activities of daily living, battery of physical performance tests, Mini-Mental State Examination, and 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale at baseline and after 1.7 ± 0.2 years. Individuals in the lowest quartile of FEV 1 expressions had higher adjusted risk than the rest of study population for all-cause mortality (highest hazard ratio 2.05 [95% Confidence Interval 1.50-2.80] for FEV 1 Q and 2.01 [1.47-2.76] for FEV 1 /Ht 3 ), first hospitalization (highest hazard ratio 1.63 [1.21-2.16] for FEV 1 /Ht 2 and 1.61[1.20-2.16] for FEV 1 /Ht 3 ), mental decline (highest odds ratio 2.80 [1.61-4.89] for FEV 1 Q) and physical decline (only FEV 1 /Ht 3 with odds ratio 1.93 [1.13-3.30]). Based on risk classification improvement measures, FEV 1 /Ht 3 and FEV 1 Q performed better than FEV 1 PP. In a cohort of adults aged 80 and older, FEV 1 expressions that are independent of reference values (FEV 1 /Ht 3 and FEV 1 Q) were better at predicting adverse health outcomes than traditional expressions that depend on reference values, and should be used in further research on FEV 1 and aging. Copyright © 2016 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reliability of FEV1/FEV6 to Diagnose Airflow Obstruction Compared with FEV1/FVC: The PLATINO Longitudinal Study

PubMed Central

Perez-Padilla, Rogelio; Wehrmeister, Fernando C.; Celli, Bartolome R.; Lopez-Varela, Maria Victorina; Montes de Oca, Maria; Muiño, Adriana; Talamo, Carlos; Jardim, Jose R.; Valdivia, Gonzalo; Lisboa, Carmen; Menezes, Ana Maria B.

2013-01-01

QUESTION A 6-second spirometry test is easier than full exhalations. We compared the reliability of the ratio of the Forced expiratory volume in 1 second/Forced expiratory volume in 6 seconds (FEV1/FEV6) to the ratio of the FEV1/Forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) for the detection of airway obstruction. METHODS The PLATINO population-based survey in individuals aged 40 years and over designed to estimate the prevalence of post-Bronchodilator airway obstruction repeated for the same study participants after 5–9 years in three Latin-American cities. RESULTS Using the FEV1/FVC

[Quantitative analysis of emphysema and air trapping at inspiratory and expiratory phase multi-slice spiral CT scan in smokers: correlation with pulmonary function test].

PubMed

Zhang, D; Guan, Y; Fan, L; Xia, Y; Liu, S Y

2018-05-22

Objective: To quantify emphysema and air trapping at inspiratory and expiratory phase multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT) scanning in smokers without respiratory symptoms, and analyze the correlation between the CT quantifiable parameters and lung function parameters. Methods: A total of 72 smokers, who underwent medical examinations from September 2013 to September 2016 in Changzheng Hospital were enrolled in this research and were divided into two groups: 24 smokers with COPD and 48 smokers without COPD.Besides, thirty-nine non-smokers with normal pulmonary function were enrolled as the controls.All subjects underwent double phase MSCT scanning and pulmonary function tests.CT quantifiable parameters of emphysema included the low attenuation area below a threshold of -950 Hounsfield Units (HU)(LAA%(-950)), the lowest 15th percentile of the histogram of end-inspiratory attenuation values (P(15-IN)), the lowest 15th percentile of the histogram of end-expiratory attenuation values (P(15-EX)), relative volume change(RVC) and the expiratory to inspiratory ratio of mean lung density (E/I(MLD)). Pulmonary function parameters included forced expiratory volume in 1 second expressed as percent predicted (FEV(1)%), forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV(1)/FVC), residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC) and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity corrected for alveolar volume (DLCO/VA). The differences of CT quantifiable parameters and pulmonary function parameters among the three groups were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal - Wallis H test.The correlation between CT quantifiable parameters and pulmonary function parameters was analyzed by using Spearman ' s correlation analysis. Results: The differences of LAA%(-950)(the values for the controls, the group of smokers with out COPD and the group of smokers with COPD were 0.5%±0.7%, 0.7%±1.2% and 2.0%±2.4% respectively), P(15-IN)(the values of the three groups were (-892±33), (-905±15) and (-907±22) HU respectively), FEV(1)%(the values of the three groups were 88.4%±8.8%, 84.2%±7.5% and 82.1%±8.0% respectively), FEV(1)/FVC(the values of the three groups were 78.0%±3.8%, 76.6%±4.3% and 67.3%±5.5% respectively), DLCO/VA (the values of the three groups were (1.36±0.25), (1.30±0.22) and (1.21±0.22) mmol·min(-1)·kPa(-1)·L(-1) respectively) and RV/TLC (the values of the three groups were 49.5%±6.6%, 45.9%±6.0% and 53.0%±6.4% respectively) among the three groups were statistically significant (all P <0.05). In the control group, LAA%(-950) negatively correlated with FEV(1)/FVC and DLCO/VA( r =-0.32, P =0.04; r =-0.69, P =0.00) and neither did P(15-IN) with FEV(1)%( r =-0.14, P =0.02). Inversely, P(15-IN) positively correlated with DLCO/VA ( r =0.55, P =0.00). In the group of smokers without COPD, LAA%(-950) negatively correlated with FEV(1)/FVC and DLCO/VA( r =-0.31, P =0.04; r =-0.42, P =0.00), and P(15-IN) positively correlated with FEV(1)/FVC and DLCO/VA ( r =0.33, P =0.02; r =0.30, P =0.04). In the group of smokers with COPD, LAA%(-950) negatively correlated with DLCO/VA ( r =-0.62, P =0.00), but positively correlated with RV/TLC ( r =0.59, P =0.00). And P(15-IN) positively correlated with DLCO/VA( r =0.53, P =0.01). Conclusions: Smokers emphysema and air trapping can be effectively evaluated by double phase MSCT. Moreover, two of the CT quantifiable parameters, LAA%(-950) and P(15-IN), are highly sensitive to changes in pulmonary function.

Data for polarization in charmless B{yields}{phi}K*: A signal for new physics?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Das, Prasanta Kumar; Yang, K.-C.

2005-05-01

The recent observations of sizable transverse fractions of B{yields}{phi}K* may hint for the existence of new physics. We analyze all possible new-physics four-quark operators and find that two classes of new-physics operators could offer resolutions to the B{yields}{phi}K* polarization anomaly. The operators in the first class have structures (1-{gamma}{sub 5})x(1-{gamma}{sub 5}), {sigma}(1-{gamma}{sub 5})x{sigma}(1-{gamma}{sub 5}), and in the second class (1+{gamma}{sub 5})x(1+{gamma}{sub 5}), {sigma}(1+{gamma}{sub 5})x{sigma}(1+{gamma}{sub 5}). For each class, the new-physics effects can be lumped into a single parameter. Two possible experimental results of polarization phases, arg(A{sub perpendicular})-arg(A{sub parallel}){approx_equal}{pi} or 0, originating from the phase ambiguity in data, could be separatelymore » accounted for by our two new-physics scenarios: the first (second) scenario with the first (second) class new-physics operators. The consistency between the data and our new-physics analysis suggests a small new-physics weak phase, together with a large(r) strong phase. We obtain sizable transverse fractions {lambda}{sub parallel{sub parallel}}+{lambda}{sub perpendicular{sub perpendicular}}{approx_equal}{lambda}{sub 00}, in accordance with the observations. We find {lambda}{sub parallel{sub parallel}}{approx_equal}0.8{lambda}{sub perpendicular{sub perpendicular}} in the first scenario but {lambda}{sub parallel{sub parallel}} > or approx. {lambda}{sub perpendicular{sub perpendicular}} in the second scenario. We discuss the impact of the new-physics weak phase on observations.« less

Curbing variations in packaging process through Six Sigma way in a large-scale food-processing industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desai, Darshak A.; Kotadiya, Parth; Makwana, Nikheel; Patel, Sonalinkumar

2015-03-01

Indian industries need overall operational excellence for sustainable profitability and growth in the present age of global competitiveness. Among different quality and productivity improvement techniques, Six Sigma has emerged as one of the most effective breakthrough improvement strategies. Though Indian industries are exploring this improvement methodology to their advantage and reaping the benefits, not much has been presented and published regarding experience of Six Sigma in the food-processing industries. This paper is an effort to exemplify the application of Six Sigma quality improvement drive to one of the large-scale food-processing sectors in India. The paper discusses the phase wiz implementation of define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) on one of the chronic problems, variations in the weight of milk powder pouch. The paper wraps up with the improvements achieved and projected bottom-line gain to the unit by application of Six Sigma methodology.

Influence of ageing time on hardness, microstructure and wear behaviour of AISI2507 super duplex stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davanageri, Mahesh; Narendranath, S.; Kadoli, Ravikiran

2017-08-01

The effect of ageing time on hardness, microstructure and wear behaviour of super duplex stainless AISI 2507 is examined. The material was solution treated at 1050 °C and water quenched, further the ageing has been carried out at 850 °C for 30 min, 60 min and 90 min. The chromium (Cr) and molybdenum (Mo) enriched intermetallic sigma phase (σ) were found to precipitate at the ferrite/austenite interface and within the ferrite region. The concentration of intermetallic sigma phase (σ), which was quantified by a combination of scanning electron microscopy and image analysis, increases with increasing ageing time, leading to significant increase in the hardness. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) was employed to investigate the element distribution and phase identification. Wear characterstics of the aged super duplex stainless steel were measured by varying normal loads, sliding speeds, sliding distance and compared with solution treated (as-cast) specimens. Scanning electron microscopy was used to assist in analysis of worn out surfaces. The outcomes suggested that the increase in percentage of sigma phase increases hardness and wear resistance in heat-treated specimens compared to solution treated specimens (as-cast).

Inverse regulatory coordination of motility and curli-mediated adhesion in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Pesavento, Christina; Becker, Gisela; Sommerfeldt, Nicole; Possling, Alexandra; Tschowri, Natalia; Mehlis, Anika; Hengge, Regine

2008-09-01

During the transition from post-exponential to stationary phase, Escherichia coli changes from the motile-planktonic to the adhesive-sedentary "lifestyle." We demonstrate this transition to be controlled by mutual inhibition of the FlhDC/motility and sigma(S)/adhesion control cascades at two distinct hierarchical levels. At the top level, motility gene expression and the general stress response are inversely coordinated by sigma(70)/sigma(FliA)/sigma(S) competition for core RNA polymerase and the FlhDC-controlled FliZ protein acting as a sigma(S) inhibitor. At a lower level, the signaling molecule bis-(3'-5')-cyclic-diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) reduces flagellar activity and stimulates transcription of csgD, which encodes an essential activator of adhesive curli fimbriae expression. This c-di-GMP is antagonistically controlled by sigma(S)-regulated GGDEF proteins (mainly YegE) and YhjH, an EAL protein and c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase under FlhDC/FliA control. The switch from motility-based foraging to the general stress response and curli expression requires sigma(S)-modulated down-regulation of expression of the flagellar regulatory cascade as well as proteolysis of the flagellar master regulator FlhDC. Control of YhjH by FlhDC and of YegE by sigma(S) produces a fine-tuned checkpoint system that "unlocks" curli expression only after down-regulation of flagellar gene expression. In summary, these data reveal the logic and sequence of molecular events underlying the motile-to-adhesive "lifestyle" switch in E. coli.

Reference percentiles of FEV1 for the Canadian cystic fibrosis population: comparisons across time and countries.

PubMed

Kim, Sang-Ook; Corey, Mary; Stephenson, Anne L; Strug, Lisa J

2018-05-01

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) indicates lung health in cystic fibrosis (CF). FEV1 is commonly communicated as a per cent predicted of a healthy individual sharing the same age, sex, race and height. CF-specific reference equations are complementary and calibrate a patient's FEV1 to that of their CF peers. (1) To derive Canadian CF-specific FEV1 reference percentiles (FEV1%iles), (2) characterize how they have changed over time and (3) compare the Canadian FEV1%iles to those for USA and European CF populations. CF FEV1%iles are calculated using the Canadian CF Registry and quantile regression. The Canadian FEV1%iles demonstrated better lung function in more recent time periods within Canada, especially below the 50% percentile and in males. When compared to USA and European FEV1%iles for the same time period, Canadian FEV1%iles were higher. CF-specific FEV1%iles can provide useful information about changes in lung health. An online calculator (available at cfpercentile. sickkids.ca) makes these FEV1%iles accessible. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Lung function and long-term safety of tiotropium/olodaterol in East Asian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PubMed

Bai, Chunxue; Ichinose, Masakazu; Lee, Sang Haak; Lee, Kwan Ho; Jöns, Olaf; Bothner, Ulrich; Zhao, Yihua; Buhl, Roland

2017-01-01

While the efficacy and safety of combined tiotropium and olodaterol in patients with COPD was established in a large clinical trial program, it is important to assess whether clinical data can be applied to geographic patient groups, particularly for East Asian patients who may have a different phenotypic profile to the global trial population. This study aimed to compare the lung function and safety profiles of tiotropium/olodaterol and monocomponents in East Asian and global populations from the TONADO ® trials. In the replicate, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled, randomized, 52-week, Phase III TONADO studies, patients received tiotropium/olodaterol, tiotropium, or olodaterol. We assessed the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) area under the curve from 0 to 3 hours (AUC 0-3 ) response and trough FEV 1 response at 24 weeks for the approved doses, tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg, tiotropium 5 μg, and olodaterol 5 μg. Treatment-emergent adverse events were recorded throughout treatment and ≤21 days after study medication. In the East Asian population, 1,152 patients were randomized (5,163 overall). After 24 weeks, FEV 1 AUC 0-3 and trough FEV 1 responses were greater ( P <0.0001) with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg in both populations versus tiotropium or olodaterol. The East Asian population showed slightly greater trough FEV 1 treatment differences between tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg and tiotropium compared to the overall population. Generally, no increase in adverse events was seen with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg compared to tiotropium and olodaterol in either population. The efficacy and safety profile of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg has been demonstrated for both East Asian and global populations.

New insight into the assessment of asthma using xenon ventilation computed tomography.

PubMed

Jung, Jae-Woo; Kwon, Jae-Woo; Kim, Tae-Wan; Lee, So-Hee; Kim, Kyung-Mook; Kang, Hye-Ryun; Park, Heung-Woo; Lee, Chang-Hyun; Goo, Jin-Mo; Min, Kyung-Up; Cho, Sang-Heon

2013-08-01

Image analyses include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and xenon ventilation CT, which is new modality to evaluate pulmonary functional imaging. To examine the usefulness of dual-energy xenon ventilation CT in asthmatic patients. A total of 43 patients 18 years or older who were nonsmokers were included in the study. Xenon CT images in wash-in and wash-out phases were obtained at baseline and after inhalation of methacholine and salbutamol. The degrees of ventilation defects and xenon trappings were evaluated through visual analysis. Ventilation defects and xenon trapping were significantly increased and decreased after methacholine challenge and salbutamol inhalation, respectively (P < .005). The ventilation abnormalities were not significantly related to the percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) or the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity. Xenon trappings after salbutamol inhalation were negatively related to the scores of the asthma control test, wheezing, or night symptoms, with statistical significance (P < .05), whereas, FEV1 showed no significant correlation with symptom scores. Baseline FEV1 was significantly lower and dyspnea and wheezing were more severe in the non-full reversal group than in the full reversal group after salbutamol inhalation in xenon CT (P < .05). The degree of ventilation defects were positively correlated with FEV1 improvement after 3 months of treatment (P = .02). The results of this study suggest that xenon ventilation CT can be used as a new method to assess ventilation abnormalities in asthma, and these ventilation abnormalities can be used as novel parameters that reflect the status of asthma control and symptom severity. Copyright © 2013 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of three doses of co-suspension delivery technology glycopyrronium MDI in Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe COPD.

PubMed

Fukushima, Yasushi; Nakatani, Yuji; Ide, Yumiko; Sekino, Hisakuni; St Rose, Earl; Siddiqui, Shahid; Maes, Andrea; Reisner, Colin

Due to the burden of COPD in Japan, new pharmacologic treatments are needed to meet patient requirements. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of glycopyrronium (GP) delivered via metered dose inhaler (MDI) in Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. This Phase IIb, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, 7-day, crossover study compared GP MDI 28.8, 14.4, and 7.2 μg with placebo MDI (all administered as two inhalations, twice daily). The primary endpoint was change from baseline in morning pre-dose trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) on Day 8. Secondary endpoints included FEV 1 area under the curve from 0 to 2 hours (AUC 0-2 ) and peak change from baseline in FEV 1 on Days 1 and 8 and forced vital capacity AUC 0-2 on Day 8. Safety was also assessed. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03256552; http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Sixty-six patients were randomized and 62 were included in the modified intent-to-treat population (mean age 67.5 years). All three GP MDI doses significantly improved change from baseline in morning pre-dose trough FEV 1 on Day 8 compared with placebo MDI (least squares mean differences 108-131 mL; all p <0.0001). Significant improvements in secondary efficacy endpoints were also observed for all three GP MDI doses compared with placebo MDI (all p <0.0001). Dose-response plateaued at GP MDI 14.4 μg. No significant safety findings were observed with any GP MDI dose or placebo MDI. The results of this study suggest that GP MDI 14.4 μg (7.2 μg per inhalation) is the most appropriate dose for use in Phase III studies in Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe COPD.

Nonlinear sigma models with compact hyperbolic target spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gubser, Steven; Saleem, Zain H.; Schoenholz, Samuel S.; Stoica, Bogdan; Stokes, James

2016-06-01

We explore the phase structure of nonlinear sigma models with target spaces corresponding to compact quotients of hyperbolic space, focusing on the case of a hyperbolic genus-2 Riemann surface. The continuum theory of these models can be approximated by a lattice spin system which we simulate using Monte Carlo methods. The target space possesses interesting geometric and topological properties which are reflected in novel features of the sigma model. In particular, we observe a topological phase transition at a critical temperature, above which vortices proliferate, reminiscent of the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition in the O(2) model [1, 2]. Unlike in the O(2) case, there are many different types of vortices, suggesting a possible analogy to the Hagedorn treatment of statistical mechanics of a proliferating number of hadron species. Below the critical temperature the spins cluster around six special points in the target space known as Weierstrass points. The diversity of compact hyperbolic manifolds suggests that our model is only the simplest example of a broad class of statistical mechanical models whose main features can be understood essentially in geometric terms.

Nonlinear sigma models with compact hyperbolic target spaces

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gubser, Steven; Saleem, Zain H.; Schoenholz, Samuel S.

We explore the phase structure of nonlinear sigma models with target spaces corresponding to compact quotients of hyperbolic space, focusing on the case of a hyperbolic genus-2 Riemann surface. The continuum theory of these models can be approximated by a lattice spin system which we simulate using Monte Carlo methods. The target space possesses interesting geometric and topological properties which are reflected in novel features of the sigma model. In particular, we observe a topological phase transition at a critical temperature, above which vortices proliferate, reminiscent of the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition in the O(2) model [1, 2]. Unlike in themore » O(2) case, there are many different types of vortices, suggesting a possible analogy to the Hagedorn treatment of statistical mechanics of a proliferating number of hadron species. Below the critical temperature the spins cluster around six special points in the target space known as Weierstrass points. In conclusion, the diversity of compact hyperbolic manifolds suggests that our model is only the simplest example of a broad class of statistical mechanical models whose main features can be understood essentially in geometric terms.« less

Nonlinear sigma models with compact hyperbolic target spaces

DOE PAGES

Gubser, Steven; Saleem, Zain H.; Schoenholz, Samuel S.; ...

2016-06-23

We explore the phase structure of nonlinear sigma models with target spaces corresponding to compact quotients of hyperbolic space, focusing on the case of a hyperbolic genus-2 Riemann surface. The continuum theory of these models can be approximated by a lattice spin system which we simulate using Monte Carlo methods. The target space possesses interesting geometric and topological properties which are reflected in novel features of the sigma model. In particular, we observe a topological phase transition at a critical temperature, above which vortices proliferate, reminiscent of the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition in the O(2) model [1, 2]. Unlike in themore » O(2) case, there are many different types of vortices, suggesting a possible analogy to the Hagedorn treatment of statistical mechanics of a proliferating number of hadron species. Below the critical temperature the spins cluster around six special points in the target space known as Weierstrass points. In conclusion, the diversity of compact hyperbolic manifolds suggests that our model is only the simplest example of a broad class of statistical mechanical models whose main features can be understood essentially in geometric terms.« less

Treatment response of airway clearance assessed by single-breath washout in children with cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Abbas, Chiara; Singer, Florian; Yammine, Sophie; Casaulta, Carmen; Latzin, Philipp

2013-12-01

We studied the ability of 4 single-breath gas washout (SBW) tests to measure immediate effects of airway clearance in children with CF. 25 children aged 4-16 years with CF performed pulmonary function tests to assess short-term variability at baseline and response to routine airway clearance. Tidal helium and sulfur hexafluoride (double-tracer gas: DTG) SBW, tidal capnography, tidal and vital capacity nitrogen (N2) SBW and spirometry were applied. We analyzed the gasses' phase III slope (SnIII--normalized for tidal volume) and FEV1 from spirometry. SnIII from tidal DTG-SBW, SnIII from vital capacity N2-SBW, and FEV1 improved significantly after airway clearance. From these tests, individual change of SnIII from tidal DTG-SBW and FEV1 exceeded short-term variability in 10 and 6 children. With the tidal DTG-SBW, an easy and promising test for peripheral gas mixing efficiency, immediate pulmonary function response to airway clearance can be assessed in CF children. Copyright © 2013 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Image-Guided Radiotherapy for Left-Sided Breast Cancer Patients: Geometrical Uncertainty of the Heart

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Topolnjak, Rajko; Borst, Gerben R.; Nijkamp, Jasper

Purpose: To quantify the geometrical uncertainties for the heart during radiotherapy treatment of left-sided breast cancer patients and to determine and validate planning organ at risk volume (PRV) margins. Methods and Materials: Twenty-two patients treated in supine position in 28 fractions with regularly acquired cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans for offline setup correction were included. Retrospectively, the CBCT scans were reconstructed into 10-phase respiration correlated four-dimensional scans. The heart was registered in each breathing phase to the planning CT scan to establish the respiratory heart motion during the CBCT scan ({sigma}{sub resp}). The average of the respiratory motion was calculatedmore » as the heart displacement error for a fraction. Subsequently, the systematic ({Sigma}), random ({sigma}), and total random ({sigma}{sub tot}={radical}({sigma}{sup 2}+{sigma}{sub resp}{sup 2})) errors of the heart position were calculated. Based on the errors a PRV margin for the heart was calculated to ensure that the maximum heart dose (D{sub max}) is not underestimated in at least 90% of the cases (M{sub heart} = 1.3{Sigma}-0.5{sigma}{sub tot}). All analysis were performed in left-right (LR), craniocaudal (CC), and anteroposterior (AP) directions with respect to both online and offline bony anatomy setup corrections. The PRV margin was validated by accumulating the dose to the heart based on the heart registrations and comparing the planned PRV D{sub max} to the accumulated heart D{sub max}. Results: For online setup correction, the cardiac geometrical uncertainties and PRV margins were N-Ary-Summation = 2.2/3.2/2.1 mm, {sigma} = 2.1/2.9/1.4 mm, and M{sub heart} = 1.6/2.3/1.3 mm for LR/CC/AP, respectively. For offline setup correction these were N-Ary-Summation = 2.4/3.7/2.2 mm, {sigma} = 2.9/4.1/2.7 mm, and M{sub heart} = 1.6/2.1/1.4 mm. Cardiac motion induced by breathing was {sigma}{sub resp} = 1.4/2.9/1.4 mm for LR/CC/AP. The PRV D{sub max} underestimated the accumulated heart D{sub max} for 9.1% patients using online and 13.6% patients using offline bony anatomy setup correction, which validated that PRV margin size was adequate. Conclusion: Considerable cardiac position variability relative to the bony anatomy was observed in breast cancer patients. A PRV margin can be used during treatment planning to take these uncertainties into account.« less

Spin order in FeV2O4 determined by single crystal Mössbauer spectroscopy in applied magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Shin; Kobayashi, Yasuhiro; Kitao, Shinji; Seto, Makoto

2018-05-01

In order to clarify the spin order of FeV2O4, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy has been conducted by using a single crystal specimen. A measurement in applied magnetic field has been also conducted. By applying a slight compression in the sample plane, almost single domain state was achieved in the low temperature phases. The spectra consist of Fe2+ spectra ( 85%) and Fe2.5+ spectra ( 15%), corresponding to the A- and B-site Fe ions, respectively. The B-site spectrum well represents the local structure and the magnetic structure of V3+ ion on the B-site. Notable changes in the Mössbauer parameters are recognized at 140, 110, and 65 K, where the successive phase transitions take place. The feature well represents the orbital and spin order. In the orthorhombic phase below 110 K, Fe2+ and V3+ spins form a collinear ferrimagnetic order along the a-axis. Below 65 K in the low temperature tetragonal phase, however, both spins incline from the c-axis to form a canted ferrimagnetic structure. The canting angles are about 17° and 52° at 4.2 K for Fe2+ and V3+ spins, respectively.

Ventilatory parameters and maximal respiratory pressure changes with age in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

PubMed

Gayraud, Jerome; Ramonatxo, Michele; Rivier, François; Humberclaude, Véronique; Petrof, Basil; Matecki, Stefan

2010-06-01

The aim of this longitudinal study was to precise, in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the respective functional interest of ventilatory parameters (Vital capacity, total lung capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV(1)]) in comparison to maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax) during growth. In ten boys the mean age of 9.1 +/- 1 years) to mean age of 16 +/- 1.4 years followed over a period of 7 years, we found that: (1) ventilatory parameters expressed in percentage of predicted value, after a normal ascending phase, start to decrease between 11 and 12 years, (2) Pimax presented only a decreasing phase since the beginning of the study and thus was already at 67% of predicted value at 12 years while ventilatory parameters was still normal, (3) after 12 years the mean slopes of decrease per year of vital capacity and FEV1 were higher (10.7 and 10.4%) than that of Pimax (6.9%), (4) at 15 years mean values of vital capacity and FEV1 (53.3 and 49.5% of predicted values) was simlar to that of Pimax (48.3%). In conclusion, if at early stages of the disease, Pimax is a more reliable index of respiratory impaiment than ventilatory parameters, the follow-up of ventilatory parameters, when they start to decrease, is a better indicator of disease progression and, at advanced stages they provided same information about the functional impact of disease.

Metallographic and fractographic observations of posttest creep-fatigue specimens of weld-deposited Type 308 CRE stainless steel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, M. W.

Type 308 CRE stainless steel weld specimens were subjected to metallographic and fractographic analysis after failure in elevated-temperature (593/sup 0/C) creep-fatigue tests. The failure mode for specimens tested under continuous-cycle fatigue conditions was predominantly transgranular. When the test cycle was modified to include a hold time at the maximum tensile strain, the failure mode became predominantly interphase. Sigma phase was observed within the delta-ferrite regions in the weld. However, the presence of sigma phase did not appear to affect the failure mode.

Sigma-phase packing of icosahedral clusters in 780-atom tetragonal crystals of Cr5Ni3Si2 and V15Ni10Si that by twinning achieve 8-fold rotational point-group symmetry

PubMed Central

Pauling, Linus

1988-01-01

A 780-atom primitive tetragonal unit with edges 27.3, 27.3, and 12.6 Å is assigned to rapidly solidified Cu5Ni3Si2 and V15Ni10Si by analysis of electron diffraction photographs with the assumption that the crystals contain icosahedral clusters. There are thirty 26-atom clusters at the sigma-phase positions. Apparent 8-fold symmetry results from 45° twinning on the basal plane. PMID:16593915

Sigma-phase packing of icosahedral clusters in 780-atom tetragonal crystals of Cr(5)Ni(3)Si(2) and V(15)Ni(10)Si that by twinning achieve 8-fold rotational point-group symmetry.

PubMed

Pauling, L

1988-04-01

A 780-atom primitive tetragonal unit with edges 27.3, 27.3, and 12.6 A is assigned to rapidly solidified Cu(5)Ni(3)Si(2) and V(15)Ni(10)Si by analysis of electron diffraction photographs with the assumption that the crystals contain icosahedral clusters. There are thirty 26-atom clusters at the sigma-phase positions. Apparent 8-fold symmetry results from 45 degrees twinning on the basal plane.

Beta-decay rates of FP shell nuclei with A greater than 60 in massive stars at the presupernova stage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kar, K.; Ray, A.; Sarkar, S.

1994-10-01

Beta decay and electron capture on a number of neutron-rich nuclei with A greater than 60 at the presupernova stage may play an important role in determining the hydrostatic core structure of massive presupernova stars and, through this, affect the subsequent evolution during the gravitational collapse and supernova explosion phases. In particular, some isotopes of cobalt and copper can make a substantial contribution to the overall changes in the lepton fraction and entropy of the stellar core during its very late stage of evolution. In the stellar evolution calculations to date, many of these nuclei could not be appropriately tracked in the reaction network, since reliable rates for these have not been available so far. We describe a model to calculate the beta-decay rates using an average beta strength function and an electron phase-space factor evaluated for typical presupernova matter density (rho = 3 x 107-3 x 109 g/cu cm) and temperature (T = (2-5) x 109 K). For the Gamnow-Teller (GT) strength function we use a sum rule calculated by the spectral distribution theory, and the centroid of the distribution is obtained from experimental data on (p, n) reactions. The width sigma of the GT strength function has two parts (sigma2 = (sigmaN exp 2 + (sigmaC exp 2, with sigmaC = 0.157ZA-1/3). The parameter sigmaN is fixed by a best fit to the observed half-lives for the free decays of a number of A greater than 60 nuclei. In the calculation of rates we include contributions from the excited states of the mother nucleus wherever they are known experimentally. For the excited states one uses the same form of the GT strength function, but shifted in energy using the extended isobaric analog state argument. The method is particularly suited for calculating contributions from the excited states important at high temperatures relevant at the presupernova stellar evolution phase. We also include the contributions to the transition rates from the Gamow-Teller resonance states (e.g., the GTR+ state) in the mother nucleus, which may be thermally populated. The beta-decay rates for nuclei having A greater than 60 reported here can be inputs for presupernova stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis calculations employing detailed nuclear reaction networks relevant in the advanced phases of hydrostatic nuclear burning.

Interaction of sigma factor sigmaN with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase core enzyme.

PubMed

Scott, D J; Ferguson, A L; Gallegos, M T; Pitt, M; Buck, M; Hoggett, J G

2000-12-01

The equilibrium binding and kinetics of assembly of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP) sigma(N)-holoenzyme has been investigated using biosynthetically labelled 7-azatryptophyl- (7AW)sigma(N). The spectroscopic properties of such 7AW proteins allows their absorbance and fluorescence to be monitored selectively, even in the presence of high concentrations of other tryptophan-containing proteins. The 7AWsigma(N) retained its biological activity in stimulating transcription from sigma(N)-specific promoters, and in in vitro gel electrophoresis assays of binding to core RNAP from Escherichia coli. Furthermore, five Trp-->Ala single mutants of sigma(N) were shown to support growth under conditions of nitrogen limitation, and showed comparable efficiency in activating the sigma(N)-dependent nifH promoter in vivo, indicating that none of the tryptophan residues were essential for activity. The equilibrium binding of 7AWsigma(N) to core RNAP was examined by analytical ultracentrifugation. In sedimentation equilibrium experiments, absorbance data at 315 nm (which reports selectively on the distribution of free and bound 7AWsigma(N)) established that a 1:1 complex was formed, with a dissociation constant lower than 2 microM. The kinetics of the interaction between 7AWsigma(N) and core RNAP was investigated using stopped-flow spectrofluorimetry. A biphasic decrease in fluorescence intensity was observed when samples were excited at 280 nm, whereas only the slower of the two phases was observed at 315 nm. The kinetic data were analysed in terms of a mechanism in which a fast bimolecular association of sigma(N) with core RNAP is followed by a relatively slow isomerization step. The consequences of these findings on the competition between sigma(N) and the major sigma factor, sigma(70), in Escherichia coli are discussed.

Interaction of sigma factor sigmaN with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase core enzyme.

PubMed Central

Scott, D J; Ferguson, A L; Gallegos, M T; Pitt, M; Buck, M; Hoggett, J G

2000-01-01

The equilibrium binding and kinetics of assembly of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP) sigma(N)-holoenzyme has been investigated using biosynthetically labelled 7-azatryptophyl- (7AW)sigma(N). The spectroscopic properties of such 7AW proteins allows their absorbance and fluorescence to be monitored selectively, even in the presence of high concentrations of other tryptophan-containing proteins. The 7AWsigma(N) retained its biological activity in stimulating transcription from sigma(N)-specific promoters, and in in vitro gel electrophoresis assays of binding to core RNAP from Escherichia coli. Furthermore, five Trp-->Ala single mutants of sigma(N) were shown to support growth under conditions of nitrogen limitation, and showed comparable efficiency in activating the sigma(N)-dependent nifH promoter in vivo, indicating that none of the tryptophan residues were essential for activity. The equilibrium binding of 7AWsigma(N) to core RNAP was examined by analytical ultracentrifugation. In sedimentation equilibrium experiments, absorbance data at 315 nm (which reports selectively on the distribution of free and bound 7AWsigma(N)) established that a 1:1 complex was formed, with a dissociation constant lower than 2 microM. The kinetics of the interaction between 7AWsigma(N) and core RNAP was investigated using stopped-flow spectrofluorimetry. A biphasic decrease in fluorescence intensity was observed when samples were excited at 280 nm, whereas only the slower of the two phases was observed at 315 nm. The kinetic data were analysed in terms of a mechanism in which a fast bimolecular association of sigma(N) with core RNAP is followed by a relatively slow isomerization step. The consequences of these findings on the competition between sigma(N) and the major sigma factor, sigma(70), in Escherichia coli are discussed. PMID:11085949

Representations of spacetime diffeomorphisms. I. Canonical parametrized field theories

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Isham, C.J.; Kuchar, K.V.

The super-Hamiltonian and supermomentum in canonical geometrodynamics or in a parametried field theory on a given Riemannian background have Poisson brackets which obey the Dirac relations. By smearing the supermomentum with vector fields VepsilonL Diff..sigma.. on the space manifold ..sigma.., the Lie algebra L Diff ..sigma.. of the spatial diffeomorphism group Diff ..sigma.. can be mapped antihomomorphically into the Poisson bracket algebra on the phase space of the system. The explicit dependence of the Poisson brackets between two super-Hamiltonians on canonical coordinates (spatial metrics in geometrodynamics and embedding variables in parametrized theories) is usually regarded as an indication that themore » Dirac relations cannot be connected with a representation of the complete Lie algebra L Diff M of spacetime diffeomorphisms.« less

Effect of thermal treatments on the wear behaviour of duplex stainless steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fargas, G.; Mestra, A.; Anglada, M.; Mateo, A.

2009-09-01

Duplex stainless steel (DSS) is a family of steels characterized by two-phase microstructure with similar percentages of ferrite (α) and austenite (γ).Their attractive combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance has increased its use in last decades in the marine and petrochemical industries. Nevertheless, an inappropriate heat treatment can induce the precipitation of secondary phases which affect directly their mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. There are few works dealing with the influence of heat treatments on wear behaviour of these steels in the literature. For instances, this paper aims to determine wear kinetic and sliding wear volume developed as a function of heat treatment conditions. Therefore, the samples were heat treated from 850 °C to 975 °C before sliding wear tests. These wear tests were carried out using ball on disk technique at constant sliding velocity and different sliding distances. Two methodologies were used to calculate the wear volume: weight loss and area measurement using a simplified contact model. Microstructural observations showed the presence of sigma phase for all studied conditions. The formation kinetics of this phase is faster at 875 °C and decrease at higher temperatures. Results related to wear showed that the hardness introduced due to the presence of sigma phase plays an important role on wear behaviour for this steel. It was observed also that wear rates decreased when increasing the percentage of sigma phase on the microstructure.

ON THE ORBIT OF EXOPLANET WASP-12b

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Campo, Christopher J.; Harrington, Joseph; Hardy, Ryan A.

We observed two secondary eclipses of the exoplanet WASP-12b using the Infrared Array Camera on the Spitzer Space Telescope. The close proximity of WASP-12b to its G-type star results in extreme tidal forces capable of inducing apsidal precession with a period as short as a few decades. This precession would be measurable if the orbit had a significant eccentricity, leading to an estimate of the tidal Love number and an assessment of the degree of central concentration in the planetary interior. An initial ground-based secondary-eclipse phase reported by Lopez-Morales et al. (0.510 {+-} 0.002) implied eccentricity at the 4.5{sigma} level.more » The spectroscopic orbit of Hebb et al. has eccentricity 0.049 {+-} 0.015, a 3{sigma} result, implying an eclipse phase of 0.509 {+-} 0.007. However, there is a well-documented tendency of spectroscopic data to overestimate small eccentricities. Our eclipse phases are 0.5010 {+-} 0.0006 (3.6 and 5.8 {mu}m) and 0.5006 {+-} 0.0007 (4.5 and 8.0 {mu}m). An unlikely orbital precession scenario invoking an alignment of the orbit during the Spitzer observations could have explained this apparent discrepancy, but the final eclipse phase of Lopez-Morales et al. (0.510 {+-}{sup +0.007}{sub -0.006}) is consistent with a circular orbit at better than 2{sigma}. An orbit fit to all the available transit, eclipse, and radial-velocity data indicates precession at <1{sigma}; a non-precessing solution fits better. We also comment on analysis and reporting for Spitzer exoplanet data in light of recent re-analyses.« less

Bronchodilator response cut-off points and FEV 0.75 reference values for spirometry in preschoolers

PubMed Central

Burity, Edjane Figueiredo; Pereira, Carlos Alberto de Castro; Jones, Marcus Herbert; Sayão, Larissa Bouwman; de Andrade, Armèle Dornelas; de Britto, Murilo Carlos Amorim

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the cut-off points for FEV1, FEV0.75, FEV0.5, and FEF25-75% bronchodilator responses in healthy preschool children and to generate reference values for FEV0.75. Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study involving children 3-5 years of age. Healthy preschool children were selected by a standardized questionnaire. Spirometry was performed before and after bronchodilator use. The cut-off point of the response was defined as the 95th percentile of the change in each parameter. Results: We recruited 266 children, 160 (60%) of whom were able to perform acceptable, reproducible expiratory maneuvers before and after bronchodilator use. The mean age and height were 57.78 ± 7.86 months and 106.56 ± 6.43 cm, respectively. The success rate for FEV0.5 was 35%, 68%, and 70% in the 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, respectively. The 95th percentile of the change in the percentage of the predicted value in response to bronchodilator use was 11.6%, 16.0%, 8.5%, and 35.5% for FEV1, FEV0.75, FEV0.5, and FEF25-75%, respectively. Conclusions: Our results provide cut-off points for bronchodilator responsiveness for FEV1, FEV0.75, FEV0.5, and FEF25-75% in healthy preschool children. In addition, we proposed gender-specific reference equations for FEV0.75. Our findings could improve the physiological assessment of respiratory function in preschool children. PMID:27812631

Gapped excitations in the high-pressure antiferromagnetic phase of URu 2 Si 2

DOE PAGES

Williams, Travis J.; Oak Ridge National Lab.; Barath, Harini; ...

2017-05-31

Here, we report a neutron scattering study of the magnetic excitation spectrum in each of the three temperature and pressure driven phases of URu 2Si 2. We also found qualitatively similar excitations throughout the (H0L) scattering plane in the hidden order and large moment phases, with no changes in the hbar-omega-widths of the excitations at the Sigma = (1.407,0,0) and Z = (1,0,0) points, within our experimental resolution. There is, however, an increase in the gap at the Sigma point and an increase in the first moment of both excitations. At 8 meV where the Q-dependence of magnetic scattering inmore » the hidden order phase is extended in Q-space, the excitations in the large moment phase are sharper. Furthermore, the expanded Q-hbar-omega coverage of this study suggest more complete nesting within the antiferromagnetic phase, an important property for future theoretical predictions of a hidden order parameter.« less

Multicenter study of the COPD-6 screening device: feasible for early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care?

PubMed

Kjeldgaard, Peter; Lykkegaard, Jesper; Spillemose, Heidi; Ulrik, Charlotte Suppli

2017-01-01

Early detection of COPD may reduce the future burden of the disease. We aimed to investigate whether prescreening with a COPD-6 screening device (measuring FEV 1 and FEV 6 ) facilitates early detection of COPD in primary care. In primary care, individuals at high risk of COPD (ie, age ≥35 years, relevant exposure, and at least one respiratory symptom) and no previous diagnosis of obstructive lung disease were examined with a COPD-6 screening device. In prioritized order, the criteria for proceeding to confirmatory spirometry were FEV 1 /FEV 6 <0.7, FEV 1 <80%pred, or clinical suspicion of COPD regardless of test result (medical doctor's [MD] decision). Based on spirometry, including bronchodilator (BD) reversibility test, individuals were classified as COPD (post-BD FEV 1 /FVC <0.70), asthma (ΔFEV 1 ≥0.50 L), or no obstructive lung disease. A total of 2,990 subjects (54% men, mean age 59 years, and mean 28 pack-years) were enrolled, of whom 949 (32%) proceeded from COPD-6 screening to confirmative spirometry based on the following criteria: 510 (54%) FEV 1 /FEV 6 <0.70, 382 (40%) FEV 1 <80%pred, and 57 (6%) MD decision. Following confirmative spirometry, the 949 individuals were diagnosed as having COPD (51%), asthma (3%), and no obstructive lung disease (45%). COPD was diagnosed in 487 (16%) of the enrolled subjects in whom confirmative spirometry was performed in 69% based on FEV 1 /FEV 6 <0.7 and in 29% based on FEV 1 ≤80%pred. Prescreening with the COPD-6 device showed acceptable specificity for the selection of subjects for diagnostic spirometry and is likely to be a useful alternative to current practice in primary care.

Poor recovery from a pulmonary exacerbation does not lead to accelerated FEV1 decline.

PubMed

Sanders, Don B; Li, Zhanhai; Zhao, Qianqian; Farrell, Philip M

2017-07-29

Patients with CF treated for pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) may experience faster subsequent declines in FEV 1 . Additionally, incomplete recovery to baseline FEV 1 occurs frequently following PEx treatment. Whether accelerated declines in FEV 1 are preceded by poor PEx recovery has not been studied. Using 2004 to 2011 CF Foundation Patient Registry data, we randomly selected one PEx among patients ≥6years of age with no organ transplantations, ≥12months of data before and after the PEx, and ≥1 FEV 1 recorded within the 6months before and 3months after the PEx. We defined poor PEx recovery as the best FEV 1 in the 3months after the PEx <90% of the best FEV 1 in the 6months before the PEx. We calculated mean (95% CI) hazard ratios (HR) of having >5% predicted/year FEV 1 decline and poor PEx recovery using multi-state Markov models. From 13,954 PEx, FEV 1 declines of >5% predicted/year were more likely to precede poor spirometric recovery, HR 1.17 (1.08, 1.26), in Markov models adjusted for age and sex. Non-Responders were less likely to have a subsequent fast FEV 1 decline, HR 0.41 (0.37, 0.46), than patients who recovered to >90% of baseline FEV 1 following PEx treatment. Accelerated declines in FEV 1 are more likely to precede a PEx with poor recovery than to occur in the following year. Preventing or halting declines in FEV 1 may also have the benefit of preventing PEx episodes. Copyright © 2017 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Consistent parameter fixing in the quark-meson model with vacuum fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carignano, Stefano; Buballa, Michael; Elkamhawy, Wael

2016-08-01

We revisit the renormalization prescription for the quark-meson model in an extended mean-field approximation, where vacuum quark fluctuations are included. At a given cutoff scale the model parameters are fixed by fitting vacuum quantities, typically including the sigma-meson mass mσ and the pion decay constant fπ. In most publications the latter is identified with the expectation value of the sigma field, while for mσ the curvature mass is taken. When quark loops are included, this prescription is however inconsistent, and the correct identification involves the renormalized pion decay constant and the sigma pole mass. In the present article we investigate the influence of the parameter-fixing scheme on the phase structure of the model at finite temperature and chemical potential. Despite large differences between the model parameters in the two schemes, we find that in homogeneous matter the effect on the phase diagram is relatively small. For inhomogeneous phases, on the other hand, the choice of the proper renormalization prescription is crucial. In particular, we show that if renormalization effects on the pion decay constant are not considered, the model does not even present a well-defined renormalized limit when the cutoff is sent to infinity.

Gas tungsten arc welding and friction stir welding of ultrafine grained AISI 304L stainless steel: Microstructural and mechanical behavior characterization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sabooni, S., E-mail: s.sabooni@ma.iut.ac.ir; Karimzadeh, F.; Enayati, M.H.

In the present study, an ultrafine grained (UFG) AISI 304L stainless steel with the average grain size of 650 nm was successfully welded by both gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and friction stir welding (FSW). GTAW was applied without any filler metal. FSW was also performed at a constant rotational speed of 630 rpm and different welding speeds from 20 to 80 mm/min. Microstructural characterization was carried out by High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM) with Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Nanoindentation, microhardness measurements and tensile tests were also performed to study the mechanical properties ofmore » the base metal and weldments. The results showed that the solidification mode in the GTAW welded sample is FA (ferrite–austenite) type with the microstructure consisting of an austenite matrix embedded with lath type and skeletal type ferrite. The nugget zone microstructure in the FSW welded samples consisted of equiaxed dynamically recrystallized austenite grains with some amount of elongated delta ferrite. Sigma phase precipitates were formed in the region ahead the rotating tool during the heating cycle of FSW, which were finally fragmented into nanometric particles and distributed in the weld nugget. Also there is a high possibility that the existing delta ferrite in the microstructure rapidly transforms into sigma phase particles during the short thermal cycle of FSW. These suggest that high strain and deformation during FSW can promote sigma phase formation. The final austenite grain size in the nugget zone was found to decrease with increasing Zener–Hollomon parameter, which was obtained quantitatively by measuring the peak temperature, calculating the strain rate during FSW and exact examination of hot deformation activation energy by considering the actual grain size before the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization. Mechanical properties observations showed that the welding efficiency of the FSW welded sample is around 70%, which is more than 20% higher than the GTAW welded sample. - Highlights: • Microstructure and mechanical properties of UFG 304L stainless steel were studied during GTAW and FSW. • Sigma phase formation mechanism was studied during FSW of 304L stainless steel. • THERMOCALC analysis was performed to obtain possible formation temperatures for sigma phase. • Nano-mechanical twins were found in the TMAZ region.« less

Blood Leukocyte Concentrations, FEV1 Decline, and Airflow Limitation. A 15-Year Longitudinal Study of World Trade Center-exposed Firefighters.

PubMed

Zeig-Owens, Rachel; Singh, Ankura; Aldrich, Thomas K; Hall, Charles B; Schwartz, Theresa; Webber, Mayris P; Cohen, Hillel W; Kelly, Kerry J; Nolan, Anna; Prezant, David J; Weiden, Michael D

2018-02-01

Rescue/recovery work at the World Trade Center disaster site (WTC) caused a proximate decline in lung function in Fire Department of the City of New York firefighters. A subset of this cohort experienced an accelerated rate of lung function decline over 15 years of post-September 11, 2001 (9/11) follow-up. To determine if early postexposure blood leukocyte concentrations are biomarkers for subsequent FEV 1 decline and incident airflow limitation. Individual rates of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) change were calculated for 9,434 firefighters using 88,709 spirometric measurements taken between September 11, 2001, and September 10, 2016. We categorized FEV 1 change rates into three trajectories: accelerated FEV 1 decline (FEV 1 loss >64 ml/yr), expected FEV 1 decline (FEV 1 loss between 0 and 64 ml/yr), and improved FEV 1 (positive rate of change >0 ml/yr). Occurrence of FEV 1 /FVC less than 0.70 after 9/11 defined incident airflow limitation. Using regression models, we assessed associations of post-9/11 blood eosinophil and neutrophil concentrations with subsequent FEV 1 decline and airflow limitation, adjusted for age, race, smoking, height, WTC exposure level, weight change, and baseline lung function. Accelerated FEV 1 decline occurred in 12.7% of participants (1,199 of 9,434), whereas post-9/11 FEV 1 improvement occurred in 8.3% (780 of 9,434). Higher blood eosinophil and neutrophil concentrations were each associated with accelerated FEV 1 decline after adjustment for covariates (odds ratio [OR], 1.10 per 100 eosinophils/μl; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.15; and OR, 1.10 per 1,000 neutrophils/μl; 95% CI, 1.05-1.15, respectively). Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models showed that a higher blood neutrophil concentration was associated with a faster rate of FEV 1 decline (1.14 ml/yr decline per 1,000 neutrophils/μl; 95% CI, 0.69-1.60 ml/yr; P < 0.001). Higher blood eosinophil concentrations were associated with a faster rate of FEV 1 decline in ever-smokers (1.46 ml/yr decline per 100 eosinophils/μl; 95% CI, 0.65-2.26 ml/yr; P < 0.001) but not in never-smokers (P for interaction = 0.004). Higher eosinophil concentrations were also associated with incident airflow limitation (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.10 per 100 eosinophils/μl; 95% CI, 1.04-1.15). Compared with the expected FEV 1 decline group, individuals experiencing accelerated FEV 1 decline were more likely to have incident airflow limitation (adjusted OR, 4.12; 95% CI, 3.30-5.14). Higher post-9/11 blood neutrophil and eosinophil concentrations were associated with subsequent accelerated FEV 1 decline in WTC-exposed firefighters. Both higher blood eosinophil concentrations and accelerated FEV 1 decline were associated with incident airflow limitation in WTC-exposed firefighters.

Driving qubit phase gates with sech shaped pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Junling; Ku, Hsiang-Sheng; Wu, Xian; Lake, Russell; Barnes, Edwin; Economou, Sophia; Pappas, David

As shown in 1932 by Rozen and Zener, the Rabi model has a unique solution whereby, for a given pulse length or amplitude, a sech(t/sigma) shaped pulse can be used to drive complete oscillations around the Bloch sphere that are independent of detuning with only a resultant detuning-dependent phase accumulation. Using this property, single qubit phase gates and two-qubit CZ gates have been proposed. In this work we explore the effect of different drive pulse shapes, i.e. square, Gaussian, and sech, as a function of detuning for Rabi oscillations of a superconducting transmon qubit. An arbitrary, single-qubit phase gate is demonstrated with the sech(t/sigma) pulse, and full tomography is performed to extract the fidelity. This is the first step towards high fidelity, low leakage two qubit CZ gates, and illustrates the efficacy of using analytic solutions of the qubit drive prior to optimal pulse shaping.

Physicochemical properties/descriptors governing the solubility and partitioning of chemicals in water-solvent-gas systems. Part 1. Partitioning between octanol and air.

PubMed

Raevsky, O A; Grigor'ev, V J; Raevskaja, O E; Schaper, K-J

2006-06-01

QSPR analyses of a data set containing experimental partition coefficients in the three systems octanol-water, water-gas, and octanol-gas for 98 chemicals have shown that it is possible to calculate any partition coefficient in the system 'gas phase/octanol/water' by three different approaches: (1) from experimental partition coefficients obtained in the corresponding two other subsystems. However, in many cases these data may not be available. Therefore, a solution may be approached (2), a traditional QSPR analysis based on e.g. HYBOT descriptors (hydrogen bond acceptor and donor factors, SigmaCa and SigmaCd, together with polarisability alpha, a steric bulk effect descriptor) and supplemented with substructural indicator variables. (3) A very promising approach which is a combination of the similarity concept and QSPR based on HYBOT descriptors. In this approach observed partition coefficients of structurally nearest neighbours of a compound-of-interest are used. In addition, contributions arising from differences in alpha, SigmaCa, and SigmaCd values between the compound-of-interest and its nearest neighbour(s), respectively, are considered. In this investigation highly significant relationships were obtained by approaches (1) and (3) for the octanol/gas phase partition coefficient (log Log).

Median regression spline modeling of longitudinal FEV1 measurements in cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

PubMed

Conrad, Douglas J; Bailey, Barbara A; Hardie, Jon A; Bakke, Per S; Eagan, Tomas M L; Aarli, Bernt B

2017-01-01

Clinical phenotyping, therapeutic investigations as well as genomic, airway secretion metabolomic and metagenomic investigations can benefit from robust, nonlinear modeling of FEV1 in individual subjects. We demonstrate the utility of measuring FEV1 dynamics in representative cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) populations. Individual FEV1 data from CF and COPD subjects were modeled by estimating median regression splines and their predicted first and second derivatives. Classes were created from variables that capture the dynamics of these curves in both cohorts. Nine FEV1 dynamic variables were identified from the splines and their predicted derivatives in individuals with CF (n = 177) and COPD (n = 374). Three FEV1 dynamic classes (i.e. stable, intermediate and hypervariable) were generated and described using these variables from both cohorts. In the CF cohort, the FEV1 hypervariable class (HV) was associated with a clinically unstable, female-dominated phenotypes while stable FEV1 class (S) individuals were highly associated with the male-dominated milder clinical phenotype. In the COPD cohort, associations were found between the FEV1 dynamic classes, the COPD GOLD grades, with exacerbation frequency and symptoms. Nonlinear modeling of FEV1 with splines provides new insights and is useful in characterizing CF and COPD clinical phenotypes.

Orbital ordering in FeV2O4: Spinel with two orbitally active sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, Soumyajit; Saha-Dasgupta, T.

2011-12-01

By employing first-principles electronic structure calculations, we investigate orbital ordering in FeV2O4, a spinel with orbital degrees of freedom both at Fe and V sites that exhibits two tetragonal phases, one compressed at high temperature and another elongated at low temperature. Our first-principles study shows the ferro-orbital ordering of dx2-y2 and d3z2-r2 types at Fe sites at the high- and low-temperature phases, respectively. The orbital ordering at V sites is found to consist of orbital chains running along different directions with orbitals rotated alternatively within each chain, similar to that found for MnV2O4 [S. Sarkar , Phys. Rev. Lett.PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.102.216405 102, 216405 (2009)]. Further, we find that the single-ion anisotropy effect with hard and easy c axis favors the compressed and elongated tetrahedral shapes. This gives rise to magnetocrystalline anisotropy-dependent shapes, similar to that reported in the context of rare-earth-based magnetic shape memory alloys.

Clinical relevance of fixed ratio vs lower limit of normal of FEV1/FVC in COPD: patient-reported outcomes from the CanCOLD cohort.

PubMed

van Dijk, Wouter; Tan, Wan; Li, Pei; Guo, Best; Li, Summer; Benedetti, Andrea; Bourbeau, Jean

2015-01-01

The way in which spirometry is interpreted can lead to misdiagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulting in inappropriate treatment. We compared the clinical relevance of 2 criteria for defining a low ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC): the fixed ratio and the lower limit of normal. We analyzed data from the cross-sectional phase of the population-based Canadian Cohort of Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD) study. We determined associations of the spirometric criteria for airflow limitation with patient-reported adverse outcomes, including respiratory symptoms, disability, health status, exacerbations, and cardiovascular disease. Sensitivity analyses were used to explore the impact of age and severity of airflow limitation on these associations. We analyzed data from 4,882 patients aged 40 years and older. The prevalence of airflow limitation was 17% by fixed ratio and 11% by lower limit of normal. Patients classified as having airflow limitation by fixed ratio only had generally small, nonsignificant increases in the odds of adverse outcomes. Patients having airflow limitation based on both fixed ratio and lower limit of normal had larger, significant increases in odds. But strongest associations were seen for patients who had airflow limitation by both fixed ratio and lower limit of normal and also had a low FEV1, defined as one less than 80% of the predicted value. Our results suggest that use of the fixed ratio alone may lead to misdiagnosis of COPD. A diagnosis established by both a low FEV1/FVC (according to fixed ratio and/or lower limit of normal) and a low FEV1 is strongly associated with clinical outcomes. Guidelines should be reconsidered to require both spirometry abnormalities so as to reduce overdiagnosis of COPD. © 2015 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.

Sigma-1 Receptor Antagonist BD1047 Reduces Mechanical Allodynia in a Rat Model of Bone Cancer Pain through the Inhibition of Spinal NR1 Phosphorylation and Microglia Activation

PubMed Central

Zhu, Shanshan; Wang, Chenchen; Han, Yuan; Song, Chao; Hu, Xueming; Liu, Yannan

2015-01-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that sigma-1 receptor plays important roles in the induction phase of rodent neuropathic pain; however, whether it is involved in bone cancer pain (BCP) and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The aim of this study was to examine the potential role of the spinal sigma-1 receptor in the development of bone cancer pain. Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells were implanted into the intramedullary space of the right tibia of Sprague-Dawley rats to induce ongoing bone cancer-related pain behaviors; our findings indicated that, on days 7, 10, 14, and 21 after operation, the expression of sigma-1 receptor in the spinal cord was higher in BCP rats compared to the sham rats. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of 120 nmol of sigma-1 receptor antagonist BD1047 on days 5, 6, and 7 after operation attenuated mechanical allodynia as well as the associated induction of c-Fos and activation of microglial cells, NR1, and the subsequent Ca2+-dependent signals of BCP rats. These results suggest that sigma-1 receptor is involved in the development of bone cancer pain and that targeting sigma-1 receptor may be a new strategy for the treatment of bone cancer pain. PMID:26696751

How to Reduce Head CT Orders in Children with Hydrocephalus Using the Lean Six Sigma Methodology: Experience at a Major Quaternary Care Academic Children's Center.

PubMed

Tekes, A; Jackson, E M; Ogborn, J; Liang, S; Bledsoe, M; Durand, D J; Jallo, G; Huisman, T A G M

2016-06-01

Lean Six Sigma methodology is increasingly used to drive improvement in patient safety, quality of care, and cost-effectiveness throughout the US health care delivery system. To demonstrate our value as specialists, radiologists can combine lean methodologies along with imaging expertise to optimize imaging elements-of-care pathways. In this article, we describe a Lean Six Sigma project with the goal of reducing the relative use of pediatric head CTs in our population of patients with hydrocephalus by 50% within 6 months. We applied a Lean Six Sigma methodology using a multidisciplinary team at a quaternary care academic children's center. The existing baseline imaging practice for hydrocephalus was outlined in a Kaizen session, and potential interventions were discussed. An improved radiation-free workflow with ultrafast MR imaging was created. Baseline data were collected for 3 months by using the departmental radiology information system. Data collection continued postintervention and during the control phase (each for 3 months). The percentage of neuroimaging per technique (head CT, head ultrasound, ultrafast brain MR imaging, and routine brain MR imaging) was recorded during each phase. The improved workflow resulted in a 75% relative reduction in the percentage of hydrocephalus imaging performed by CT between the pre- and postintervention/control phases (Z-test, P = .0001). Our lean interventions in the pediatric hydrocephalus care pathway resulted in a significant reduction in head CT orders and increased use of ultrafast brain MR imaging. © 2016 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second Variability Helps Identify Patients with Cystic Fibrosis at Risk of Greater Loss of Lung Function.

PubMed

Morgan, Wayne J; VanDevanter, Donald R; Pasta, David J; Foreman, Aimee J; Wagener, Jeffrey S; Konstan, Michael W

2016-02-01

To evaluate several alternative measures of forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted (FEV1 %pred) variability as potential predictors of future FEV1 %pred decline in patients with cystic fibrosis. We included 13,827 patients age ≥6 years from the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis 1994-2002 with ≥4 FEV1 %pred measurements spanning ≥366 days in both a 2-year baseline period and a 2-year follow-up period. We predicted change from best baseline FEV1 %pred to best follow-up FEV1 %pred and change from baseline to best in the second follow-up year by using multivariable regression stratified by 4 lung-disease stages. We assessed 5 measures of variability (some as deviations from the best and some as deviations from the trend line) both alone and after controlling for demographic and clinical factors and for the slope and level of FEV1 %pred. All 5 measures of FEV1 %pred variability were predictive, but the strongest predictor was median deviation from the best FEV1 %pred in the baseline period. The contribution to explanatory power (R(2)) was substantial and exceeded the total contribution of all other factors excluding the FEV1 %pred rate of decline. Adding the other variability measures provided minimal additional value. Median deviation from the best FEV1 %pred is a simple metric that markedly improves prediction of FEV1 %pred decline even after the inclusion of demographic and clinical characteristics and the FEV1 %pred rate of decline. The routine calculation of this variability measure could allow clinicians to better identify patients at risk and therefore in need of increased intervention. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Variation in lung function is associated with worse clinical outcomes in cystic fibrosis

PubMed Central

Heinzmann-Filho, João Paulo; Pinto, Leonardo Araujo; Marostica, Paulo José Cauduro; Donadio, Márcio Vinícius Fagundes

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the variation in lung function over one year is associated with worse clinical outcomes, as well as with a decline in lung function in the following years, in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving CF patients (4-19 years of age), evaluated over a three-year period. We evaluated demographic characteristics, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, antibiotic use, hospitalization, six-minute walk distance (6MWD), and lung function. The inclusion criterion was having undergone pulmonary function testing at least three times in the first year and at least once in each of the next two years. RESULTS: We evaluated 35 CF patients. The variation in FEV1 in the first year (ΔFEV1) was greater among those who, in the third year, showed reduced FEV1, had a below-average 6MWD, or were hospitalized than among those with normal FEV1, normal 6MWD, or no hospital admissions, in that same year (p < 0.05), although no such difference was found for antibiotic use in the third year. Subjects showing a ΔFEV1 ≥ 10% also showed a greater decline in FEV1 over the two subsequent years (p = 0.04). The ΔFEV1 also showed an inverse correlation with absolute FEV1 in the third year (r = −0.340, p = 0.04) and with the rate of FEV1 decline (r = −0.52, p = 0.001). Linear regression identified ΔFEV1 as a predictor of FEV1 decline (coefficient of determination, 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation in lung function over one year seems to be associated with a higher subsequent rate of FEV1 decline and worse clinical outcomes in CF patients. Short-term ΔFEV1 might prove useful as a predictor of CF progression in clinical practice. PMID:26785959

Effect of heliox- and air-driven nebulized bronchodilator therapy on lung function in patients with asthma.

PubMed

El-Khatib, Mohamad F; Jamaleddine, Ghassan; Kanj, Nadim; Zeineddine, Salah; Chami, Hassan; Bou-Akl, Imad; Husari, Ahmad; Alawieh, Marwan; Bou-Khalil, Pierre

2014-06-01

This study compares the effect of heliox-driven to that of air-driven bronchodilator therapy on the pulmonary function test (PFT) in patients with different levels of asthma severity. One-hundred thirty-two participants were included in the study. Participants underwent spirometry twice with bronchodilator testing on two consecutive days. Air-driven nebulization was used one day and heliox-driven nebulization the other day in random order crossover design. After a baseline PFT, each participant received 2.5 mg of albuterol sulfate nebulized with the randomized driving gas. Post bronchodilator PFT was repeated after 30 min. The next day, the exact same protocol was repeated, except that the other driving gas was used to nebulize the drug. Participants were subgrouped and analyzed according to their baseline FEV(1) on day 1: Group I, FEV(1) ≥80 %; Group II, 80 % > FEV(1) > 50 %; Group III, FEV(1) ≤50 %. The proportion of participants with greater than 12 % and 200-mL increases from their baseline FEV(1) and the changes from baseline in PFT variables were compared between heliox-driven versus air-driven bronchodilation therapy. The proportion of participants with >12 % and 200-mL increases from their baseline FEV(1) with air- or heliox-driven bronchodilation was not different with respect to the proportion of participants with baseline FEV(1) ≥80 % (20 vs. 18 %, respectively) and 80 % > FEV(1) > 50 % (36 vs. 43 %, respectively), but it was significantly greater with heliox-driven bronchodilation in participants with FEV(1) ≤50 % (43 vs. 73 %, respectively; p = 0.01). Changes from baseline FVC, FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC, FEF(25-75) %, FEF(max), FEF(25) %, FEF(50) %, and FEF(75) % were significantly larger with heliox-driven versus air-driven bronchodilation in participants with baseline FEV(1) ≤50 %. Improvements in PFT variables are more frequent and profound with heliox-driven compared to air-driven bronchodilator therapy only in asthmatic patients with baseline FEV(1) ≤50 %.

Aerosolized recombinant human DNase I for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Shak, S

1995-02-01

Respiratory symptoms, recurrent infectious exacerbations, and progressive lung destruction in cystic fibrosis can be attributed to bacterial persistence and the accumulation of viscous purulent secretions in the airways. Purulent secretions contain high concentrations of extracellular DNA, a viscous material released by leukocytes. To evaluate the potential clinical utility of recombinant human DNase I (rhDNase or Pulmozyme), the human enzyme was cloned, sequenced, and expressed. In in vitro studies, rhDNase has been shown to reduce the viscoelasticity, reduce the adhesiveness, and improve the mucociliary transportability of cystic fibrosis sputum. In short-term phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials, rhDNase has been shown to be safely tolerated and to improve the FEV1, FVC, and symptoms of dyspnea. A long-term placebo-controlled phase 3 study was performed in 968 adults and children (> or = 5 years) with cystic fibrosis to determine the effect of rhDNase on the risk of respiratory exacerbations requiring parenteral antibiotics and on the FEV1. Compared with placebo-treated patients, patients treated with rhDNase once daily or twice daily experienced a reduced risk of respiratory exacerbations by 28% (p = 0.04) and 37% (p = 0.01), respectively, and had a mean improvement in FEV1 of 5.8% (p < 0.01) and 5.6% (p < 0.01), respectively. Compared with placebo-treated patients, patients treated with rhDNase spent 2.7 fewer days receiving parenteral antibiotics (p = 0.04) and spent 1.3 fewer days in the hospital (p = 0.06) over the 6-month treatment period. Inhalation of rhDNase did not cause anaphylaxis but was associated with upper airway symptoms (ie, voice alteration, hoarseness, pharyngitis) that were generally mild and transient. In conclusion, aerosol administration of rhDNase was safely tolerated, reduced the risk of infectious exacerbations requiring parenteral antibiotics, and improved pulmonary function and patient well-being.

Absolute Equilibrium Entropy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shebalin, John V.

1997-01-01

The entropy associated with absolute equilibrium ensemble theories of ideal, homogeneous, fluid and magneto-fluid turbulence is discussed and the three-dimensional fluid case is examined in detail. A sigma-function is defined, whose minimum value with respect to global parameters is the entropy. A comparison is made between the use of global functions sigma and phase functions H (associated with the development of various H-theorems of ideal turbulence). It is shown that the two approaches are complimentary though conceptually different: H-theorems show that an isolated system tends to equilibrium while sigma-functions allow the demonstration that entropy never decreases when two previously isolated systems are combined. This provides a more complete picture of entropy in the statistical mechanics of ideal fluids.

Ciprofloxacin DPI: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase IIb efficacy and safety study on cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Dorkin, Henry L; Staab, Doris; Operschall, Elisabeth; Alder, Jeff; Criollo, Margarita

2015-01-01

Treatment of infective bronchitis involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a cornerstone of care in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This phase IIb, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy and safety of ciprofloxacin dry powder for inhalation (DPI) in this population. Patients with CF, ≥12 years of age (N=286), were randomised to ciprofloxacin DPI (32.5 mg (n=93) or 48.75 mg (n=93)), or corresponding placebo (32.5 mg, n=65; 48.75 mg, n=35) twice daily for 28 days. The primary objective was the change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) from baseline (day 0) to end of treatment (day 29) in the intent-to-treat population for ciprofloxacin DPI compared with the corresponding placebo group. The primary effectiveness objective was not met; there were no significant differences in change in FEV1 between ciprofloxacin DPI and the corresponding placebo group for either dose (p=0.154). However, in pooled analyses, FEV1 decline from baseline to treatment end was significantly lower with ciprofloxacin DPI than with placebo (pooled data; p=0.02). Ciprofloxacin DPI showed positive effects on sputum bacterial load and quality of life, but these effects were not maintained at the 4-week follow-up. Ciprofloxacin DPI was well tolerated and there were no significant differences in type/incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events by treatment group (p=0.115). Further investigations are needed to determine the full scope of the beneficial effects of ciprofloxacin DPI for patients with CF. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00645788; EudraCT 2008-008314-40.

Ciprofloxacin DPI: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase IIb efficacy and safety study on cystic fibrosis

PubMed Central

Dorkin, Henry L; Staab, Doris; Operschall, Elisabeth; Alder, Jeff; Criollo, Margarita

2015-01-01

Background Treatment of infective bronchitis involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a cornerstone of care in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This phase IIb, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy and safety of ciprofloxacin dry powder for inhalation (DPI) in this population. Methods Patients with CF, ≥12 years of age (N=286), were randomised to ciprofloxacin DPI (32.5 mg (n=93) or 48.75 mg (n=93)), or corresponding placebo (32.5 mg, n=65; 48.75 mg, n=35) twice daily for 28 days. The primary objective was the change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) from baseline (day 0) to end of treatment (day 29) in the intent-to-treat population for ciprofloxacin DPI compared with the corresponding placebo group. Results The primary effectiveness objective was not met; there were no significant differences in change in FEV1 between ciprofloxacin DPI and the corresponding placebo group for either dose (p=0.154). However, in pooled analyses, FEV1 decline from baseline to treatment end was significantly lower with ciprofloxacin DPI than with placebo (pooled data; p=0.02). Ciprofloxacin DPI showed positive effects on sputum bacterial load and quality of life, but these effects were not maintained at the 4-week follow-up. Ciprofloxacin DPI was well tolerated and there were no significant differences in type/incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events by treatment group (p=0.115). Conclusions Further investigations are needed to determine the full scope of the beneficial effects of ciprofloxacin DPI for patients with CF. Trial registration number Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00645788; EudraCT 2008-008314-40. PMID:26688732

Atmospheric PCB concentrations at Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica.

PubMed

Gambaro, Andrea; Manodori, Laura; Zangrando, Roberta; Cincinelli, Alessandra; Capodaglio, Gabriele; Cescon, Paolo

2005-12-15

Concentrations of gas-phase polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were studied over an austral summer at a site in Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. Gas-phase concentrations of individual PCB congeners in the atmosphere of Terra Nova Bay ranged from below the detection limit to 0.25 pg m(-3), with a mean concentration of sigmaPCB of 1.06 pg m(-3). The PCB profile was dominated by lower-chlorinated PCB congeners; in fact >78% of the total PCB content was due to congeners with 1-4 chlorine atoms and only about 10% with 5-7 chlorines, whereas higher-chlorinated PCB congeners were below detection limits. The mean sigmaPCB concentration obtained in this study were lower than those reported in previous Antarctic studies. Temporal concentration profiles of sigmaPCB do not correspond to seasonal temperature changes. In consideration of the low PCB concentrations observed, the studies with the wind roses, the regression between In P(PCB) and T(-1), and the distribution of congeners, we can hypothesize that PCB local source contributions are not very important, whereas long-distance transport is the prevalent factor bringing PCBs to Terra Nova Bay.

Factorial-based response-surface modeling with confidence intervals for optimizing thermal-optical transmission analysis of atmospheric black carbon.

PubMed

Conny, J M; Norris, G A; Gould, T R

2009-03-09

Thermal-optical transmission (TOT) analysis measures black carbon (BC) in atmospheric aerosol on a fibrous filter. The method pyrolyzes organic carbon (OC) and employs laser light absorption to distinguish BC from the pyrolyzed OC; however, the instrument does not necessarily separate the two physically. In addition, a comprehensive temperature protocol for the analysis based on the Beer-Lambert Law remains elusive. Here, empirical response-surface modeling was used to show how the temperature protocol in TOT analysis can be modified to distinguish pyrolyzed OC from BC based on the Beer-Lambert Law. We determined the apparent specific absorption cross sections for pyrolyzed OC (sigma(Char)) and BC (sigma(BC)), which accounted for individual absorption enhancement effects within the filter. Response-surface models of these cross sections were derived from a three-factor central-composite factorial experimental design: temperature and duration of the high-temperature step in the helium phase, and the heating increase in the helium-oxygen phase. The response surface for sigma(BC), which varied with instrument conditions, revealed a ridge indicating the correct conditions for OC pyrolysis in helium. The intersection of the sigma(BC) and sigma(Char) surfaces indicated the conditions where the cross sections were equivalent, satisfying an important assumption upon which the method relies. 95% confidence interval surfaces defined a confidence region for a range of pyrolysis conditions. Analyses of wintertime samples from Seattle, WA revealed a temperature between 830 degrees C and 850 degrees C as most suitable for the helium high-temperature step lasting 150s. However, a temperature as low as 750 degrees C could not be rejected statistically.

Forskolin compared with beclomethasone for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blind clinical trial.

PubMed

Huerta, M; Urzúa, Z; Trujillo, X; González-Sánchez, R; Trujillo-Hernández, B

2010-01-01

This single-blind study compared the efficacy of oral forskolin versus inhaled beclomethasone for mild or moderately persistent adult asthma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive forskolin (one 10-mg capsule orally per day; n = 30) or beclomethasone (two 50 microg inhalations every 12 h; n = 30) for 2 months. No statistically significant improvement occurred in any lung function parameter in the forskolin-treated patients. Subjects in the beclomethasone-treated group presented a slight but statistically significant improvement in percentage forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), percentage forced expiratory flow in the middle (25 - 75%) expiratory phase (FEF(25 - 75%)) and percentage forced vital capacity (FVC) after 2 months of treatment, though the improvement in absolute values for FEV(1), FEF(25 - 75%), FVC and FEV(1):FVC did not reach statistical significance. There was no statistically significant difference between the forskolin and beclomethasone treatment groups for any lung function parameter at baseline or after treatment. None of the beclomethasone-treated patients had an asthma attack and one forskolin-treated patient had a mild asthma attack during the 2-month study period. More studies are needed in adult asthma patients to confirm whether forskolin may be a useful preventive treatment for mild or moderately persistent adult asthma.

MACSIGMA0 - MACINTOSH TOOL FOR ANALYZING JPL AIRSAR, ERS-1, JERS-1, AND MAGELLAN MIDR DATA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norikane, L.

1994-01-01

MacSigma0 is an interactive tool for the Macintosh which allows you to display and make computations from radar data collected by the following sensors: the JPL AIRSAR, ERS-1, JERS-1, and Magellan. The JPL AIRSAR system is a multi-polarimetric airborne synthetic aperture radar developed and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It includes the single-frequency L-band sensor mounted on the NASA CV990 aircraft and its replacement, the multi-frequency P-, L-, and C-band sensors mounted on the NASA DC-8. MacSigma0 works with data in the standard JPL AIRSAR output product format, the compressed Stokes matrix format. ERS-1 and JERS-1 are single-frequency, single-polarization spaceborne synthetic aperture radars launched by the European Space Agency and NASDA respectively. To be usable by MacSigma0, The data must have been processed at the Alaska SAR Facility and must be in the "low-resolution" format. Magellan is a spacecraft mission to map the surface of Venus with imaging radar. The project is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The spacecraft carries a single-frequency, single-polarization synthetic aperture radar. MacSigma0 works with framelets of the standard MIDR CD-ROM data products. MacSigma0 provides four basic functions: synthesis of images (if necessary), statistical analysis of selected areas, analysis of corner reflectors as a calibration measure (if appropriate and possible), and informative mouse tracking. For instance, the JPL AIRSAR data can be used to synthesize a variety of images such as a total power image. The total power image displays the sum of the polarized and unpolarized components of the backscatter for each pixel. Other images which can be synthesized are HH, HV, VV, RL, RR, HHVV*, HHHV*, HVVV*, HHVV* phase and correlation coefficient images. For the complex and phase images, phase is displayed using color and magnitude is displayed using intensity. MacSigma0 can also be used to compute statistics from within a selected area. The statistics computed depend on the image type. For JPL AIRSAR data, the HH, HV, VV, HHVV* phase, and correlation coefficient means and standard deviation measures are calculated. The mean, relative standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values are calculated for all other data types. A histogram of the selected area is also calculated and displayed. The selected area can be rectangular, linear, or polygonal in shape. The user is allowed to select multiple rectangular areas, but not multiple linear or polygonal areas. The statistics and histogram are displayed to the user and can either be printed or saved as a text file. MacSigma0 can also be used to analyze corner reflectors as a measure of the calibration for JPL AIRSAR, ERS-1, and JERS-1 data types. It computes a theoretical radar cross section and the actual radar cross section for a selected trihedral corner reflector. The theoretical cross section, measured cross section, their ratio in dBs, and other information are displayed to the user and can be saved into a text file. For ERS-1, JERS-1, and Magellan data, MacSigma0 simultaneously displays pixel location in data coordinates and in latitude, longitude coordinates. It also displays sigma0, the incidence angle (for Magellan data), the original pixel value (for Magellan data), and the noise power value (for ERS-1 and JERS-1 data). Grey scale computed images can be saved in a byte format (a headerless format which saves the image as a string of byte values) or a PICT format (a standard format readable by other image processing programs for the Macintosh). Images can also be printed. MacSigma0 is written in C-language for use on Macintosh series computers. The minimum configuration requirements for MacSigma0 are System 6.0, Finder 6.1, 1Mb of RAM, and at least a 4-bit color or grey-scale graphics display. MacSigma0 is also System 7 compatible. To compile the source code, Apple's Macintosh Programmers Workbench (MPW) 3.2 and the MPW C language compiler version 3.2 are required. The source code will not compile with a later version of the compiler; however, the compiled application which will run under the minimum hardware configuration is provided on the distribution medium. In addition, the distribution media includes an executable which runs significantly faster but requires a 68881 compatible math coprocessor and a 68020 compatible CPU. Since JPL AIRSAR data files can be very large, it is often desirable to reduce the size of a data file before transferring it to the Macintosh for use in MacSigma0. A small FORTRAN program which can be used for this purpose is included on the distribution media. MacSigma0 will print statistics on any output device which supports QuickDraw, and it will print images on any device which supports QuickDraw or PostScript. The standard distribution medium for MacSigma0 is a set of five 1.4Mb Macintosh format diskettes. This program was developed in 1992 and is a copyrighted work with all copyright vested in NASA. Version 4.2 of MacSigma0 was released in 1993.

SAS-2 gamma-ray observations of PSR 1747-46. [radio pulsar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, D. J.; Fichtel, C. E.; Kniffen, D. A.; Ogelman, H. B.; Lamb, R. C.

1976-01-01

Evidence is reported for the observation of gamma-ray emission from the radio pulsar PSR 1747-46 by the gamma-ray telescope aboard SAS 2. The evidence is based on the presence of both an approximately 3-sigma enhancement of gamma rays at the pulsar's location and an approximately 4-sigma peak in the phase plot of 79 gamma-ray events whose phase was calculated from the pulsar's known period. The gamma-ray pulsation is found to appear at a phase lag of about 0.16 from that predicted by the radio observations. The pulsed gamma-ray fluxes above 35 MeV and 100 MeV are estimated, and it is shown that the gamma-ray pulse width is similar to the radio pulse width. It is concluded that PSR 1747-46 is a most likely candidate for pulsed gamma-ray emission.

Slow fatigue testing of titanium grade 29 in air and seawater

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Atteraas, L.; Hersvik, G.; Solbakken, H.

1999-07-01

ASTM Grade 29 titanium has been fatigue tested in air and seawater at 110 C at a low frequency. The possible influence of seawater is completely masked by the fact that all the specimens of welded titanium, and most of the parent metal samples, had internal fracture initiations. Compared to the parent metal, the welded pipe specimens (5G orbital TIG) had a significantly lower fatigue life at the relatively high cyclic stress levels employed ({sigma}{sub max} = 0.85 {sigma}{sub y}). This is attributed to the presence of pores. Fractographic studies of failed weld metal specimens indicate that the fracture initiationmore » takes place in the material immediately surrounding a pore, with an abrupt crack formation, marking the beginning of the crack growth phase. The duration of the crack initiation phase shows large variations, whereas the growth phase duration varies little.« less

Cotton dust and endotoxin exposure-response relationships in cotton textile workers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kennedy, S.M.; Christiani, D.C.; Eisen, E.A.

Endotoxin exposure has been implicated in the etiology of lung disease in cotton workers. We investigated this potential relationship in 443 cotton workers from 2 factories in Shanghai and 439 control subjects from a nearby silk mill. A respiratory questionnaire was administered and pre- and postshift forced expiratory volume (FVC) and flow in one second (FEV1) were determined for each worker. Multiple area air samples were analyzed for total elutriated dust concentration (range: 0.15 to 2.5 mg/m3) and endotoxin (range: 0.002 to 0.55 microgram U.S. Reference Endotoxin/m3). The cotton worker population was stratified by current and cumulative dust or endotoxinmore » exposure. Groups were compared for FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC%, % change in FEV1 over the shift (delta FEV1%), and prevalences of chronic bronchitis and byssinosis, and linear and logistic regression models were constructed. No dose-response relationships were demonstrated comparing dust concentration to any pulmonary function or symptom variable. A dose-response trend was seen with the current endotoxin level and FEV1, delta FEV1%, and the prevalence of byssinosis and chronic bronchitis, except for the highest exposure level group in which a reversal of the trend was seen. The regression coefficients for current endotoxin exposure were significant (p less than 0.05) in the models for FEV1 and chronic bronchitis but not in the models for delta FEV1% (i.e., acute change in FEV1) or byssinosis prevalence. The coefficient for dust level was never significant in the models.« less

Characterization of novel microstructures in Al-Fe-V-Si and Al-Fe-V-Si-Y alloys processed at intermediate cooling rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, Ryan

Samples of an Al-Fe-V-Si alloy with and without small Y additions were prepared by copper wedge-mold casting. Analysis of the microstructures developed at intermediate cooling rates revealed the formation of an atypical morphology of the cubic alpha-Al12(Fe/V)3Si phase (Im 3 space group with a = 1.26 nm) in the form of a microeutectic with alpha-Al that forms in relatively thick sections. This structure was determined to exhibit promising hardness and thermal stability when compared to the commercial rapidly solidified and processed Al-Fe-V-Si (RS8009) alloy. In addition, convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) and selected area electron diffraction (SAD) were used to characterize a competing intermetallic phase, namely, a hexagonal phase identified as h-AlFeSi (P6/mmm space group with a = 2.45 nm c = 1.25 nm) with evidence of a structural relationship to the icosahedral quasicrystalline (QC) phase (it is a QC approximant) and a further relationship to the more desirable alpha-Al12(Fe/V) 3Si phase, which is also a QC approximant. The analysis confirmed the findings of earlier studies in this system, which suggested the same structural relationships using different methods. As will be shown, both phases form across a range of cooling rates and appear to have good thermal stabilities. Additions of Y to the alloy were also studied and found to cause the formation of primary YV2Al20 particles on the order of 1 microm in diameter distributed throughout the microstructure, which otherwise appeared essentially identical to that of the Y-free 8009 alloy. The implications of these results on the possible development of these structures will be discussed in some detail.

Phase behavior of stratum corneum lipids in mixed Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers.

PubMed Central

ten Grotenhuis, E; Demel, R A; Ponec, M; Boer, D R; van Miltenburg, J C; Bouwstra, J A

1996-01-01

The lipids found in the bilayers of the stratum corneum fulfill the vital barrier role of mammalian bodies. The main classes of lipids found in stratum corneum are ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. For an investigation of their phase behavior, mixed Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of these lipids were prepared. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the structure of the monolayers as a function of the monolayer composition. Three different types of ceramide were used: ceramide extracted from pigskin, a commercially available ceramide with several fatty acid chain lengths, and two synthetic ceramides that have only one fatty acid chain length. In pigskin ceramide-cholesterol mixed monolayers phase separation was observed. This phase separation was also found for the commercially available type III Sigma ceramide-cholesterol mixed monolayers with molar ratios ranging from 1:0.1 to 1:1. These monolayers separated into two phases, one composed of the long fatty acid chain fraction of Sigma ceramide III and the other of the short fatty acid chain fraction of Sigma ceramide III mixed with cholesterol. Mixtures with a higher cholesterol content consisted of only one phase. These observations were confirmed by the results obtained with synthetic ceramides, which have only one fatty acid chain length. The synthetic ceramide with a palmitic acid (16:0) chain mixed with cholesterol, and the synthetic ceramide with a lignoceric acid (24:0) chain did not. Free fatty acids showed a preference to mix with one of these phases, depending on their fatty acid chain lengths. The results of this investigation suggest that the model system used in this study is in good agreement with those of other studies concerning the phase behavior of the stratum corneum lipids. By varying the composition of the monolayers one can study the role of each lipid class in detail. Images FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6 PMID:8874014

Quark-hadron phase structure of QCD matter from SU(4) Polyakov linear sigma model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diab, Abdel Magied Abdel Aal; Tawfik, Abdel Nasser

2018-04-01

The SU(4) Polyakov linear sigma model (PLSM) is extended towards characterizing the chiral condensates, σl, σs and σc of light, strange and charm quarks, respectively and the deconfinement order-parameters φ and φ at finite temperatures and densities (chemical potentials). The PLSM is considered to study the QCD equation of state in the presence of the chiral condensate of charm for different finite chemical potentials. The PLSM results are in a good agreement with the recent lattice QCD simulations. We conclude that, the charm condensate is likely not affected by the QCD phase-transition, where the corresponding critical temperature is greater than that of the light and strange quark condensates.

Multi-channel linear descriptors for event-related EEG collected in brain computer interface.

PubMed

Pei, Xiao-mei; Zheng, Chong-xun; Xu, Jin; Bin, Guang-yu; Wang, Hong-wu

2006-03-01

By three multi-channel linear descriptors, i.e. spatial complexity (omega), field power (sigma) and frequency of field changes (phi), event-related EEG data within 8-30 Hz were investigated during imagination of left or right hand movement. Studies on the event-related EEG data indicate that a two-channel version of omega, sigma and phi could reflect the antagonistic ERD/ERS patterns over contralateral and ipsilateral areas and also characterize different phases of the changing brain states in the event-related paradigm. Based on the selective two-channel linear descriptors, the left and right hand motor imagery tasks are classified to obtain satisfactory results, which testify the validity of the three linear descriptors omega, sigma and phi for characterizing event-related EEG. The preliminary results show that omega, sigma together with phi have good separability for left and right hand motor imagery tasks, which could be considered for classification of two classes of EEG patterns in the application of brain computer interfaces.

Rotational spectra of the X 2Sigma(+) states of CaH and CaD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frum, C. I.; Oh, J. J.; Cohen, E. A.; Pickett, H. M.

1993-01-01

The rotational spectra of the 2Sigma(2+) ground states of calcium monohydride and monodeuteride have been recorded in absorption between 250 and 700 GHz. The gas phase free radicals have been produced in a ceramic furnace by the reaction of elemental calcium with molecular hydrogen or deuterium in the presence of an electrical discharge. The molecular constants including the rotational constant, centrifugal distortion constants, spin-rotation constants, and magnetic hyperfine interaction constants have been extracted from the spectra.

Inhaled dry powder mannitol in children with cystic fibrosis: A randomised efficacy and safety trial.

PubMed

De Boeck, K; Haarman, E; Hull, J; Lands, L C; Moeller, A; Munck, A; Riethmüller, J; Tiddens, H; Volpi, S; Leadbetter, J; Charlton, B; Malfroot, A

2017-05-01

Inhaled mannitol has beneficial effects on lung function, mucociliary clearance, quality of life and sputum properties. This trial examined the efficacy of inhaled mannitol in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). The efficacy of inhaled mannitol in children with CF aged 6-17years was assessed in a phase 2, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover study. Subjects were randomly assigned to mannitol 400mg every 12h or matching placebo for 8weeks, followed by an 8week washout and an 8week period with the alternate treatment. The primary endpoint was the absolute change from baseline in ppFEV1 (percent predicted FEV1). A total of 92 subjects were studied, with a mean age of 12years and mean baseline ppFEV1 of 72.2%. During mannitol treatment ppFEV1 was 3.42% (p=0.004) higher compared to placebo or a 4.97% (p=0.005) relative difference; relative change from baseline FEF25-75 was 10.52% (p=0.013). During mannitol treatment, acute post-treatment sputum weight was higher (p=0.012). In pre-specified subgroups (rhDNase use, age, and disease severity), the treatment differences consistently favoured mannitol. The most common AEs were cough and pulmonary exacerbations. Pulmonary exacerbation AEs were approximately 30% lower in the mannitol group. In children with CF, inhaled mannitol was associated with significant improvements in lung function and sputum weight, irrespective of rhDNase use, age or disease severity. Inhaled mannitol was well tolerated and was associated with a reduced incidence of pulmonary exacerbation AEs. (Clinical Trials.Gov: NCT 01883531). Copyright © 2017 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tensionless Strings and Supersymmetric Sigma Models: Aspects of the Target Space Geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bredthauer, Andreas

2007-01-01

In this thesis, two aspects of string theory are discussed, tensionless strings and supersymmetric sigma models. The equivalent to a massless particle in string theory is a tensionless string. Even almost 30 years after it was first mentioned, it is still quite poorly understood. We discuss how tensionless strings give rise to exact solutions to supergravity and solve closed tensionless string theory in the ten dimensional maximally supersymmetric plane wave background, a contraction of AdS(5)xS(5) where tensionless strings are of great interest due to their proposed relation to higher spin gauge theory via the AdS/CFT correspondence. For a sigma model, the amount of supersymmetry on its worldsheet restricts the geometry of the target space. For N=(2,2) supersymmetry, for example, the target space has to be bi-hermitian. Recently, with generalized complex geometry, a new mathematical framework was developed that is especially suited to discuss the target space geometry of sigma models in a Hamiltonian formulation. Bi-hermitian geometry is so-called generalized Kaehler geometry but the relation is involved. We discuss various amounts of supersymmetry in phase space and show that this relation can be established by considering the equivalence between the Hamilton and Lagrange formulation of the sigma model. In the study of generalized supersymmetric sigma models, we find objects that favor a geometrical interpretation beyond generalized complex geometry.

Glucocorticoid Receptor Hetero-Complex Gene STIP1 Is Associated with Improved Lung Function in Asthmatics Treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids

PubMed Central

Hawkins, Gregory A.; Lazarus, Ross; Smith, Richard S.; Tantisira, Kelan G.; Meyers, Deborah A.; Peters, Stephen P.; Weiss, Scott T.; Bleecker, Eugene R.

2015-01-01

Background Corticosteroids exert their anti-inflammatory action by binding and activating the intracellular the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) hetero-complex. Objective Evaluate the genes HSPCB, HSPCA, STIP1, HSPA8, DNAJB1, PTGES3, FKBP5, and FKBP4 on corticosteroid response. Methods Caucasian asthmatics (382) randomized to once daily flunisolide or conventional inhaled corticosteroid therapy were genotyped. Outcome measures were baseline FEV1, % predicted FEV1, and % change in FEV1 after corticosteroid treatment. Multivariable analyses adjusted for age, gender, and height, were performed fitting the most appropriate genetic model based on quantitative mean derived from ANOVA models to determine if there was an independent effect of polymorphisms on change in FEV1 independent of baseline level. Results Positive recessive model correlations for STIP1 SNPs were observed for baseline FEV1 [rs4980524, p=0.009; rs6591838, p=0.0045; rs2236647, p=0.002; and rs2236648; p=0.013], baseline % predicted FEV1 [rs4980524, p=0.002; rs6591838, p=0.017; rs2236647, p=0.003; and rs2236648; p=0.008] ; % change in FEV1 at 4 weeks [rs4980524, p=0.044; rs6591838, p=0.016; rs2236647; p=0.01] and 8 weeks therapy [rs4980524, p=0.044; rs6591838, p=0.016; rs2236647; p=0.01]. Haplotypic associations were observed for baseline FEV1 and % change in FEV1 at 4 weeks therapy [p=0.05 and p=0.01, respectively]. Significant trends towards association were observed for baseline % predicted FEV1 and % change in FEV1 at 8 weeks therapy. Positive correlations between haplotypes and % change in FEV1 were also observed. Conclusions STIP1 genetic variations may play a role in regulating corticosteroid response in asthmatics with reduced lung function. Replication in a second asthma population is required to confirm these observations. Clinical Implications Identifying genes that regulate corticosteroid responses could allow a priori determination of individual responses to corticosteroid therapy, leading to more effective dosing and/or selection of drug therapies for treating asthma. PMID:19254810

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Pulmonary Function and Muscle Strength: The Chinese Twin Study of Aging.

PubMed

Tian, Xiaocao; Xu, Chunsheng; Wu, Yili; Sun, Jianping; Duan, Haiping; Zhang, Dongfeng; Jiang, Baofa; Pang, Zengchang; Li, Shuxia; Tan, Qihua

2017-02-01

Genetic and environmental influences on predictors of decline in daily functioning, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), handgrip, and five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST), have not been addressed in the aging Chinese population. We performed classical twin modeling on FEV1, FVC, handgrip, and FTSST in 379 twin pairs (240 MZ and 139 DZ) with median age of 50 years (40-80 years). Data were analyzed by fitting univariate and bivariate twin models to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on these measures of physical function. Heritability was moderate for FEV1, handgrip, and FTSST (55-60%) but insignificant for FVC. Only FVC showed moderate control, with shared environmental factors accounting for about 50% of the total variance. In contrast, all measures of pulmonary function and muscle strength showed modest influences from the unique environment (40-50%). Bivariate analysis showed highly positive genetic correlations between FEV1 and FVC (r G = 1.00), and moderately negative genetic correlations between FTSST and FEV1 (r G = -0.33) and FVC (r G = -0.42). FEV1 and FVC, as well as FEV1 and handgrip, displayed high common environmental correlations (r C = 1.00), and there were moderate correlations between FVC and handgrip (r C = 0.44). FEV1 and FVC showed high unique environmental correlations (r E = 0.76) and low correlations between handgrip and FEV1 (r E = 0.17), FVC (r E = 0.14), and FTSST (r E = -0.13) with positive or negative direction. We conclude that genetic factors contribute significantly to the individual differences in common indicators of daily functioning (FEV1, handgrip, and FTSST). FEV1 and FVC were genetically and environmentally correlated. Pulmonary function and FTSST may share similar sets of genes but in the negative direction. Pulmonary function and muscle strength may have a shared environmental background.

Agricultural work exposures and pulmonary function among hired farm workers in California (the MICASA study).

PubMed

Rodriquez, Erik J; Stoecklin-Marois, Maria T; Bennett, Deborah H; Tancredi, Daniel J; Schenker, Marc B

2014-01-01

Despite California's dependence on hired farm labor, scarce research has been conducted on the respiratory health of hired farm workers. Agricultural exposures to inorganic and organic dusts can adversely affect an individual's respiratory health and differ by farm type and job task. The purpose of the present analysis was to examine associations between agricultural work exposures and pulmonary function among 450 California farm workers. Data were collected as part of the Mexican Immigration to California: Agricultural Safety and Acculturation (MICASA) study, a prospective cohort study examining occupational risk factors and health of hired farm worker families in Mendota, California. Time-weighted self-reported average (TWSRA) dust scores were calculated from assessments of past-12-month agricultural work history. Other dust exposure indicator variables included months worked in agriculture in the past 12 months and years worked in agriculture. Multiple linear regression modeled FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), FEF(25-75%) (forced midexpiratory flow rate), FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV6, FEV1/FVC, and FEV1/FEV6 separately. Seventy-six percent of participants had worked in agriculture in the past year. In models conducted for crops and tasks separately, high TWSRA dust score was associated with better FEV6. Crop and task models showed associations between greater months worked in agriculture in the past year and better FEV1, FEF(25-75%), and FEV6. Both models also found greater years worked in agriculture to be associated with worse FEV1/FEV6. Results were generally in the opposite direction as expected given past research but not uncommon. Future research should investigate relationships between pulmonary function and agricultural dust exposure over a lifetime and changes in pulmonary function over time.

Prediction of post-operative pulmonary function after lobectomy for primary lung cancer: A comparison among counting method, effective lobar volume, and lobar collapsibility using inspiratory/expiratory CT.

PubMed

Yabuuchi, Hidetake; Kawanami, Satoshi; Kamitani, Takeshi; Yonezawa, Masato; Yamasaki, Yuzo; Yamanouchi, Torahiko; Nagao, Michinobu; Okamoto, Tatsuro; Honda, Hiroshi

2016-11-01

To compare the predictabilities of postoperative pulmonary function after lobectomy for primary lung cancer among counting method, effective lobar volume, and lobar collapsibility. Forty-nine patients who underwent lobectomy for primary lung cancer were enrolled. All patients underwent inspiratory/expiratory CT and pulmonary function tests 2 weeks before surgery and postoperative pulmonary function tests 6-7 months after surgery. Pulmonary function losses (ΔFEV 1.0 and ΔVC) were calculated from the pulmonary function tests. Predictive postoperative pulmonary function losses (ppoΔFEV 1.0 and ppoΔVC) were calculated using counting method, effective volume, and lobar collapsibility. Correlations and agreements between ΔFEV 1.0 and ppoFEV 1.0 and those between ΔVC and ppoΔVC were tested among three methods using Spearman's correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots. ΔFEV 1.0 and ppoΔFEV 1.0insp-exp were strongly correlated (r=0.72), whereas ΔFEV 1.0 and ppoΔFEV 1.0count and ΔFEV 1.0 and Pred. ΔFEV 1.0eff.vol. were moderately correlated (r=0.50, 0.56). ΔVC and ppoΔVC eff.vol. (r=0.71) were strongly correlated, whereas ΔVC and ppoΔVC count , and ΔVC and ppoΔVC insp-exp were moderately correlated (r=0.55, 0.42). Volumetry from inspiratory/expiratory CT data could be useful to predict postoperative pulmonary function after lobectomy for primary lung cancer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Overweight and obesity may lead to under-diagnosis of airflow limitation: findings from the Copenhagen City Heart Study.

PubMed

Çolak, Yunus; Marott, Jacob Louis; Vestbo, Jørgen; Lange, Peter

2015-02-01

The prevalence of obesity has increased during the last decades and varies from 10-20% in most European countries to approximately 32% in the United States. However, data on how obesity affects the presence of airflow limitation (AFL) defined as a reduced ratio between forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) are scarce. Data was derived from the third examination of the Copenhagen City Heart Study from 1991 until 1994 (n = 10,135). We examine the impact of different adiposity markers (weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and abdominal height) on AFL. AFL was defined in four ways: FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.70, FEV1/FVC ratio < lower limit of normal (LLN), FEV1/FVC ratio <0.70 including at least one respiratory symptom, and FEV1/FVC ratio < LLN and FEV1% of predicted < LLN. All adiposity markers were positively and significantly associated with FEV1/FVC independent of age, sex, height, smoking status, and cumulative tobacco consumption. Among all adiposity markers, BMI was the strongest predictor of FEV1/FVC. FEV1/FVC increased with 0.04 in men and 0.03 in women, as BMI increased with 10 units (kg · m-2). Consequently, diagnosis of AFL was significantly less likely in subjects with BMI ≥ 25 kg · m-2 with odds ratios 0.63 or less compared to subjects with BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg · m-2 when AFL was defined as FEV1/FVC < 0.70. High BMI reduces the probability of AFL. Ultimately, this may result in under-diagnosis and under-treatment of COPD among individuals with overweight and obesity.

Sixteen new lung function signals identified through 1000 Genomes Project reference panel imputation

PubMed Central

Artigas, María Soler; Wain, Louise V.; Miller, Suzanne; Kheirallah, Abdul Kader; Huffman, Jennifer E.; Ntalla, Ioanna; Shrine, Nick; Obeidat, Ma'en; Trochet, Holly; McArdle, Wendy L.; Alves, Alexessander Couto; Hui, Jennie; Zhao, Jing Hua; Joshi, Peter K.; Teumer, Alexander; Albrecht, Eva; Imboden, Medea; Rawal, Rajesh; Lopez, Lorna M.; Marten, Jonathan; Enroth, Stefan; Surakka, Ida; Polasek, Ozren; Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka; Granell, Raquel; Hysi, Pirro G.; Flexeder, Claudia; Mahajan, Anubha; Beilby, John; Bossé, Yohan; Brandsma, Corry-Anke; Campbell, Harry; Gieger, Christian; Gläser, Sven; González, Juan R.; Grallert, Harald; Hammond, Chris J.; Harris, Sarah E.; Hartikainen, Anna-Liisa; Heliövaara, Markku; Henderson, John; Hocking, Lynne; Horikoshi, Momoko; Hutri-Kähönen, Nina; Ingelsson, Erik; Johansson, Åsa; Kemp, John P.; Kolcic, Ivana; Kumar, Ashish; Lind, Lars; Melén, Erik; Musk, Arthur W.; Navarro, Pau; Nickle, David C.; Padmanabhan, Sandosh; Raitakari, Olli T.; Ried, Janina S.; Ripatti, Samuli; Schulz, Holger; Scott, Robert A.; Sin, Don D.; Starr, John M.; Deloukas, Panos; Hansell, Anna L.; Hubbard, Richard; Jackson, Victoria E.; Marchini, Jonathan; Pavord, Ian; Thomson, Neil C.; Zeggini, Eleftheria; Viñuela, Ana; Völzke, Henry; Wild, Sarah H.; Wright, Alan F.; Zemunik, Tatijana; Jarvis, Deborah L.; Spector, Tim D.; Evans, David M.; Lehtimäki, Terho; Vitart, Veronique; Kähönen, Mika; Gyllensten, Ulf; Rudan, Igor; Deary, Ian J.; Karrasch, Stefan; Probst-Hensch, Nicole M.; Heinrich, Joachim; Stubbe, Beate; Wilson, James F.; Wareham, Nicholas J.; James, Alan L.; Morris, Andrew P.; Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta; Hayward, Caroline; Sayers, Ian; Strachan, David P.; Hall, Ian P.; Tobin, Martin D.

2015-01-01

Lung function measures are used in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 38,199 European ancestry individuals, we studied genome-wide association of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC with 1000 Genomes Project (phase 1)-imputed genotypes and followed up top associations in 54,550 Europeans. We identify 14 novel loci (P<5 × 10−8) in or near ENSA, RNU5F-1, KCNS3, AK097794, ASTN2, LHX3, CCDC91, TBX3, TRIP11, RIN3, TEKT5, LTBP4, MN1 and AP1S2, and two novel signals at known loci NPNT and GPR126, providing a basis for new understanding of the genetic determinants of these traits and pulmonary diseases in which they are altered. PMID:26635082

FEV1/FVC and FEV1 for the assessment of chronic airflow obstruction in prevalence studies: do prediction equations need revision?

PubMed

Roche, Nicolas; Dalmay, François; Perez, Thierry; Kuntz, Claude; Vergnenègre, Alain; Neukirch, Françoise; Giordanella, Jean-Pierre; Huchon, Gérard

2008-11-01

Little is known on the long-term validity of reference equations used in the calculation of FEV(1) and FEV(1)/FVC predicted values. This survey assessed the prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction in a population-based sample and how it is influenced by: (i) the definition of airflow obstruction; and (ii) equations used to calculate predicted values. Subjects aged 45 or more were recruited in health prevention centers, performed spirometry and fulfilled a standardized ECRHS-derived questionnaire. Previously diagnosed cases and risk factors were identified. Prevalence of airflow obstruction was calculated using: (i) ATS-GOLD definition (FEV(1)/FVC<0.70); and (ii) ERS definition (FEV(1)/FVC

Probability of treatment following acute decline in lung function in children with cystic fibrosis is related to baseline pulmonary function.

PubMed

Morgan, Wayne J; Wagener, Jeffrey S; Yegin, Ashley; Pasta, David J; Millar, Stefanie J; Konstan, Michael W

2013-10-01

To determine whether the association between high forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and increased rate of decline in FEV1 in children with cystic fibrosis could be due to less frequent intervention after acute declines (sudden decline events) in FEV1. Patients with cystic fibrosis aged 6-17 years enrolled in the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis were assessed for a sudden decline event, defined as a 10% relative decline in FEV1% predicted from an average of 3 consecutive stable baseline spirometries. The likelihood of therapeutic intervention within 14 days before and 56 days after this event was then related to their baseline FEV1% predicted age-specific decile using a logistic regression adjusting for age group (6-12 years, 13-17 years) and presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on respiratory culture. A total of 10 888 patients had at least 1 sudden decline event in FEV1. Patients in the highest FEV1 decile were significantly less likely than those in the lowest decile to receive intravenous antibiotics (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.11-0.18; P < .001) or be hospitalized (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.14-0.23; P < .001) following decline. Children and adolescents with high baseline lung function are less likely to receive a therapeutic intervention following an acute decline in FEV1, which may explain their greater rate of FEV1 decline. Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

A Semiempirical Model for Sigma-Phase Precipitation in Duplex and Superduplex Stainless Steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferro, P.; Bonollo, F.

2012-04-01

Sigma phase is known to reduce the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of duplex and superduplex stainless steels. Therefore, heat treatments and welding must be carefully performed so as to avoid the appearance of such a detrimental phase, and clearly, models suitable to faithfully predict σ-phase precipitation are very useful tools. Most fully analytical models are based on thermodynamic calculations whose agreement with experimental results is not always good, so that such models should be used for qualitative purposes only. Alternatively, it is possible to exploit semiempirical models, where time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagrams are empirically determined for a given alloy and the continuous-cooling-transformation (CCT) diagram is calculated from the TTT diagram. In this work, a semiempirical model for σ-phase precipitation in duplex and superduplex stainless steels, under both isothermal and unisothermal conditions, is proposed. Model parameters are calculated from empirical data and CCT diagrams are obtained by means of the additivity rule, whereas experimental measurements for model validation are taken from the literature. This model gives a satisfactory estimation of σ-phase precipitates during both isothermal aging and the continuous cooling process.

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Characterization Methods for Sigma=3 Twin Defects in Cubic Semiconductor (100) Wafers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, Yeonjoon (Inventor); Kim, Hyun Jung (Inventor); Skuza, Jonathan R. (Inventor); Lee, Kunik (Inventor); Choi, Sang Hyouk (Inventor); King, Glen C. (Inventor)

2017-01-01

An X-ray defraction (XRD) characterization method for sigma=3 twin defects in cubic semiconductor (100) wafers includes a concentration measurement method and a wafer mapping method for any cubic tetrahedral semiconductor wafers including GaAs (100) wafers and Si (100) wafers. The methods use the cubic semiconductor's (004) pole figure in order to detect sigma=3/{111} twin defects. The XRD methods are applicable to any (100) wafers of tetrahedral cubic semiconductors in the diamond structure (Si, Ge, C) and cubic zinc-blend structure (InP, InGaAs, CdTe, ZnSe, and so on) with various growth methods such as Liquid Encapsulated Czochralski (LEC) growth, Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), Organometallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE), Czochralski growth and Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) growth.

Functional Analysis of the Alternative Sigma-28 Factor FliA and Its Anti-Sigma Factor FlgM of the Nonflagellated Legionella Species L. oakridgensis.

PubMed

Tlapák, Hana; Rydzewski, Kerstin; Schulz, Tino; Weschka, Dennis; Schunder, Eva; Heuner, Klaus

2017-06-01

Legionella oakridgensis causes Legionnaires' disease but is known to be less virulent than Legionella pneumophila L. oakridgensis is one of the Legionella species that is nonflagellated. The genes of the flagellar regulon are absent, except those encoding the alternative sigma-28 factor (FliA) and its anti-sigma-28 factor (FlgM). Similar to L. oakridgensis , Legionella adelaidensis and Legionella londiniensis , located in the same phylogenetic clade, have no flagellar regulon, although both are positive for fliA and flgM Here, we investigated the role and function of both genes to better understand the role of FliA, the positive regulator of flagellin expression, in nonflagellated strains. We demonstrated that the FliA gene of L. oakridgensis encodes a functional sigma-28 factor that enables the transcription start from the sigma-28-dependent promoter site. The investigations have shown that FliA is necessary for full fitness of L. oakridgensis Interestingly, expression of FliA-dependent genes depends on the growth phase and temperature, as already shown for L. pneumophila strains that are flagellated. In addition, we demonstrated that FlgM is a negative regulator of FliA-dependent gene expression. FlgM seems to be degraded in a growth-phase- and temperature-dependent manner, instead of being exported into the medium as reported for most bacteria. The degradation of FlgM leads to an increase of FliA activity. IMPORTANCE A less virulent Legionella species, L. oakridgensis , causes Legionnaires' disease and is known to not have flagella, even though L. oakridgensis has the regulator of flagellin expression (FliA). This protein has been shown to be involved in the expression of virulence factors. Thus, the strain was chosen for use in this investigation to search for FliA target genes and to identify putative virulence factors of L. oakridgensis One of the five major target genes of FliA identified here encodes the anti-FliA sigma factor FlgM. Interestingly, in contrast to most homologs in other bacteria, FlgM in L. oakridgensis seems not to be transported from the cell so that FliA gets activated. In L. oakridgensis , FlgM seems to be degraded by protease activities. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

YEAR-TO-YEAR CHANGES IN LUNG FUNCTION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS

PubMed Central

Liou, Theodore G.; Elkin, Eric P.; Pasta, David J.; Jacobs, Joan R.; Konstan, Michael W.; Morgan, Wayne J.; Wagener, Jeffrey S.

2014-01-01

Background We examined the year-to-year change in FEV1 for individuals and the overall cystic fibrosis population to better understand how individual trends may differ from population trends. Methods We calculated individual yearly changes using the largest annual FEV1 percent predicted (FEV1%) measurement in 20,644 patients (6–45 years old) included in the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis. We calculated yearly population changes using age-specific medians. Results FEV1% predicted decreased 1–3 points per year for individuals, with maximal decreases in 14–15 year olds. Population changes agreed with individual changes up to age 15; however after age 30, yearly population change approximated zero while individual FEV1% predicted decreases were 1–2 points per year. Conclusions Adolescents have the greatest FEV1% predicted decreases; however. loss of FEV1 is a persistent risk in 6–45 year old CF patients. Recognizing individual year-to-year changes may improve patient-specific care and may suggest new methods for measuring program quality. PMID:20471331

Expression in Bacillus subtilis of the Bacillus thuringiensis cryIIIA toxin gene is not dependent on a sporulation-specific sigma factor and is increased in a spo0A mutant.

PubMed

Agaisse, H; Lereclus, D

1994-08-01

Expression of the Bacillus thuringiensis cryIIIA gene encoding a Coleoptera-specific toxin is weak during vegetative growth and is activated at the onset of the stationary phase. cryIIIA'-'lacZ fusions and primer extension analysis show that the regulation of cryIIIA expression is similar in Bacillus subtilis and in B. thuringiensis. Activation of cryIIIA expression was not altered in B. subtilis mutant strains deficient for the sigma H and sigma E sporulation-specific sigma factors or for minor sigma factors such as sigma B, sigma D, or sigma L. This result and the nucleotide sequence of the -35 and -10 regions of the cryIIIA promoter suggest that cryIIIA expression might be directed by the E sigma A form of RNA polymerase. Expression of the cryIIIA'-'lacZ fusion is shut off after t2 (2 h after time zero) of sporulation in the B. subtilis wild-type strain grown on nutrient broth sporulation medium. However, no decrease in cryIIIA-directed beta-galactosidase activity occurred in sigma H, kinA, or spo0A mutant strains. Moreover, beta-galactosidase activity was higher and remained elevated after t2 in the spo0A mutant strain. beta-Galactosidase activity was weak in abrB and spo0A abrB mutant strains, suggesting that AbrB is responsible for the higher level of cryIIIA expression observed in a spo0A mutant. However, both in spo0A and spo0A abrB mutant strains, beta-galactosidase activity remained elevated after t2, suggesting that even in the absence of AbrB, cryIIIA expression is controlled through modulation of the phosphorylated form of Spo0A. When the cryIIIA gene is expressed in a B. subtilis spo0A mutant strain or in the 168 wild-type strain, large amounts of toxins are produced and accumulate to form a flat rectangular crystal characteristic of the coleopteran-specific B. thuringiensis strains.

A Randomized, Multicenter, Double-blind, Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy on Allergic Rhinitis and Safety of a Combination Therapy of Montelukast and Levocetirizine in Patients With Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis.

PubMed

Kim, Mi-Kyeong; Lee, Sook Young; Park, Hae-Sim; Yoon, Ho Joo; Kim, Sang-Ha; Cho, Young Joo; Yoo, Kwang-Ha; Lee, Soo-Keol; Kim, Hee-Kyoo; Park, Jung-Won; Park, Heung-Woo; Chung, Jin-Hong; Choi, Byoung Whui; Lee, Byung-Jae; Chang, Yoon-Seok; Jo, Eun-Jung; Lee, Sang-Yeub; Cho, You Sook; Jee, Young-Koo; Lee, Jong-Myung; Jung, Jina; Park, Choon-Sik

2018-06-24

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination of montelukast and levocetirizine in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis with mild to moderate asthma compared with the efficacy and safety of montelukast alone. This study was a 4-week, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, Phase III trial. After a 1-week placebo run-in period, the subjects were randomized to receive montelukast (10mg/day, n = 112) or montelukast (10 mg/day)/levocetirizine (5 mg/day) (n = 116) treatment for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was mean daytime nasal symptom score. Other efficacy end points included mean nighttime nasal symptom score, mean composite symptom score, overall assessment of allergic rhinitis by both subjects and physicians, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV 1 /FVC, asthma control test score, and the frequency of rescue medication used during the treatment period. Of 333 patients screened for this study, 228 eligible patients were randomized to treatment. The mean (SD) age of patients was 43.32 (15.02) years, and two thirds of subjects were female (66.67%). The demographic characteristics were similar between the treatment groups. Compared with the montelukast group, the montelukast/levocetirizine group reported significant reductions in mean daytime nasal symptom score (least squares mean [SE] of combination vs montelukast, -0.98 [0.06] vs -0.81 [0.06]; P = 0.045). For all other allergic rhinitis efficacy end points, the montelukast/levocetirizine group showed greater improvement than the montelukast group. Similar results were observed in overall assessment scores and in FEV 1 , FVC, FEV 1 /FVC, and asthma control test score changes from baseline for the 2 treatment groups. Montelukast/levocetirizine was well tolerated, and the safety profile was similar to that observed in the montelukast group. The fixed-dose combination of montelukast and levocetirizine was effective and safe in treating perennial allergic rhinitis in patients with asthma compared with montelukast alone. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02552667. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Near Infrared Emission of Highly Electronically Excited CO: A Sensitive Probe to Study the Interstellar Medium??

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gudipati, Murthy S.

2002-01-01

Among the various spectroscopic features of the second most abundant molecule in the space, CO, "the triplet - triplet transitions involving the lowest triplet state a(sup 3)II and the higher-lying a(sup 1)3 SIGMA (sup +), d(sup 3) (DELTA), e (sup 3) SIGMA (sup -) states spanning near-UV to mid-IR spectral range" have so far not been explored in astrophysical observations. The energies of these transitions are highly sensitive to the surroundings in which CO exists, i.e. gas-phase, polar or non-polar condensed phase. It is proposed here that these triplet-triplet emission/absorption bands can be used as a sensitive probe to investigate the local environments of CO, whether in the planetary atmosphere, stellar atmosphere or interstellar medium.

Reducing patients' falls rate in an Academic Medical Center (AMC) using Six Sigma "DMAIC" approach.

PubMed

Kuwaiti, Ahmed Al; Subbarayalu, Arun Vijay

2017-05-08

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of adopting the Six Sigma define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) approach in reducing patients fall rate in an Academic Medical Center, Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach A prospective study design was adopted and this study was conducted at King Fahd Hospital of the University (KFHU) during the year 2014. Based on the historical data of the patients' falls reported at KFHU during the year 2013, the goal was fixed to reduce the falls rate from 7.18 to<3 (over 60 percent reduction) by the end of December 2014. This study was conducted through the five phases of "DMAIC" approach using various quality tools. Three time periods were identified, namely, pre-intervention phase; intervention phase; and post-intervention phase. Appropriate strategies were identified through the process of brainstorming and were implemented to study the potential causes leading to the occurrence of falls. Findings The pre-intervention falls rate was reported as 6.57 whereas the post-intervention falls rate was measured as 1.91 (demonstrating a 70.93 percent reduction) after the implementation of improvement strategies. The adherence rate toward the practice of carrying falls risk assessment and hourly rounding was observed to be high where 88 percent of nurses are regularly practicing it. A control plan was also executed to sustain the improvements obtained. Originality/value The Six Sigma "DMAIC" approach improves the processes related to the prevention of falls. A greater reduction in patients falls rate (over 70 percent) was observed after the implementation of the improvement strategy.

FEV1 is a better predictor of mortality than FVC: the PLATINO cohort study.

PubMed

Menezes, Ana Maria B; Pérez-Padilla, Rogelio; Wehrmeister, Fernando César; Lopez-Varela, Maria Victorina; Muiño, Adriana; Valdivia, Gonzalo; Lisboa, Carmen; Jardim, José Roberto B; de Oca, Maria Montes; Talamo, Carlos; Bielemann, Renata; Gazzotti, Mariana; Laurenti, Ruy; Celli, Bartolomé; Victora, Cesar G

2014-01-01

To determine whether the presence of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and reduction of lung function parameters were predictors of mortality in a cohort. Population based cohorts were followed in Montevideo, Santiago and Sao Paulo during 5, 6 and 9 years, respectively. Outcomes included all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer mortality; exposures were COPD, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Cox regression was used for analyses. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operator characteristics curves and Youden's index were calculated. Main causes of death were cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer. Baseline COPD was associated with overall mortality (HR = 1.43 for FEV1/FVC

Process for preparing schottky diode contacts with predetermined barrier heights

DOEpatents

Chang, Y. Austin; Jan, Chia-Hong; Chen, Chia-Ping

1996-01-01

A process is provided for producing a Schottky diode having a preselected barrier height .phi..sub.Bn. The substrate is preferably n-GaAs, the metallic contact is derived from a starting alloy of the Formula [.SIGMA.M.sub..delta. ](Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x) wherein: .SIGMA.M is a moiety which consists of at least one M, and when more than one M is present, each M is different, M is a Group VIII metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, indium and platinum, .delta. is a stoichiometric coefficient whose total value in any given .SIGMA.M moiety is 1, and x is a positive number between 0 and 1 (that is, x ranges from greater than 0 to less than 1). Also, the starting alloy is capable of forming with the substrate a two phase equilibrium reciprocal system of the binary alloy mixture [.SIGMA.M.sub..delta. ]Ga-[.SIGMA.M.sub..delta. ]Al-AlAs-GaAs. When members of an alloy subclass within this Formula are each preliminarily correlated with the barrier height .phi..sub.Bn of a contact producable therewith, then Schottky diodes of predetermined barrier heights are producable by sputtering and annealing. Further provided are the product Schottky diodes that are produced according to this process.

Building a complete image of genome regulation in the model organism Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Ishihama, Akira

2018-01-15

The model organism, Escherichia coli, contains a total of more than 4,500 genes, but the total number of RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme or the transcriptase is only about 2,000 molecules per genome. The regulatory targets of RNAP are, however, modulated by changing its promoter selectivity through two-steps of protein-protein interplay with 7 species of the sigma factor in the first step, and then 300 species of the transcription factor (TF) in the second step. Scientists working in the field of prokaryotic transcription in Japan have made considerable contributions to the elucidation of genetic frameworks and regulatory modes of the genome transcription in E. coli K-12. This review summarizes the findings by this group, first focusing on three sigma factors, the stationary-phase sigma RpoS, the heat-shock sigma RpoH, and the flagellar-chemotaxis sigma RpoF, as examples. It also presents an overview of the current state of the systematic research being carried out to identify the regulatory functions of all TFs from a single and the same bacterium E. coli K-12, using the genomic SELEX and PS-TF screening systems. All these studies have been undertaken with the aim of understanding the genome regulation in E. coli K-12 as a whole.

Lean Six Sigma: a new approach to the management of patients undergoing prosthetic hip replacement surgery.

PubMed

Improta, Giovanni; Balato, Giovanni; Romano, Maria; Carpentieri, Francesco; Bifulco, Paolo; Alessandro Russo, Mario; Rosa, Donato; Triassi, Maria; Cesarelli, Mario

2015-08-01

In 2012, health care spending in Italy reached €114.5 billion, accounting for 7.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 14.2% of total public spending. Therefore, reducing waste in health facilities could generate substantial cost savings. The objective of this study is to show that Lean Six Sigma represents an appropriate methodology for the development of a clinical pathway which allows to improve quality and to reduce costs in prosthetic hip replacement surgery. The methodology used for the development of a new clinical pathway was Lean Six Sigma. Problem solving in Lean Six Sigma is the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control) roadmap, characterized by five operational phases which make possible to reach fixed goals through a rigorous process of defining, measuring, analysing, improving and controlling business problems. The following project indicated several variables influencing the inappropriate prolongation of the length of stay for inpatient treatment and corrective actions were performed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the process of care. The average length of stay was reduced from 18.9 to 10.6 days (-44%). This article shows there is no trade-off between quality and costs: Lean Six Sigma improves quality and, at the same time, reduces costs. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Repeated nebulisation of non-viral CFTR gene therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial

PubMed Central

Alton, Eric W F W; Armstrong, David K; Ashby, Deborah; Bayfield, Katie J; Bilton, Diana; Bloomfield, Emily V; Boyd, A Christopher; Brand, June; Buchan, Ruaridh; Calcedo, Roberto; Carvelli, Paula; Chan, Mario; Cheng, Seng H; Collie, D David S; Cunningham, Steve; Davidson, Heather E; Davies, Gwyneth; Davies, Jane C; Davies, Lee A; Dewar, Maria H; Doherty, Ann; Donovan, Jackie; Dwyer, Natalie S; Elgmati, Hala I; Featherstone, Rosanna F; Gavino, Jemyr; Gea-Sorli, Sabrina; Geddes, Duncan M; Gibson, James S R; Gill, Deborah R; Greening, Andrew P; Griesenbach, Uta; Hansell, David M; Harman, Katharine; Higgins, Tracy E; Hodges, Samantha L; Hyde, Stephen C; Hyndman, Laura; Innes, J Alastair; Jacob, Joseph; Jones, Nancy; Keogh, Brian F; Limberis, Maria P; Lloyd-Evans, Paul; Maclean, Alan W; Manvell, Michelle C; McCormick, Dominique; McGovern, Michael; McLachlan, Gerry; Meng, Cuixiang; Montero, M Angeles; Milligan, Hazel; Moyce, Laura J; Murray, Gordon D; Nicholson, Andrew G; Osadolor, Tina; Parra-Leiton, Javier; Porteous, David J; Pringle, Ian A; Punch, Emma K; Pytel, Kamila M; Quittner, Alexandra L; Rivellini, Gina; Saunders, Clare J; Scheule, Ronald K; Sheard, Sarah; Simmonds, Nicholas J; Smith, Keith; Smith, Stephen N; Soussi, Najwa; Soussi, Samia; Spearing, Emma J; Stevenson, Barbara J; Sumner-Jones, Stephanie G; Turkkila, Minna; Ureta, Rosa P; Waller, Michael D; Wasowicz, Marguerite Y; Wilson, James M; Wolstenholme-Hogg, Paul

2015-01-01

Summary Background Lung delivery of plasmid DNA encoding the CFTR gene complexed with a cationic liposome is a potential treatment option for patients with cystic fibrosis. We aimed to assess the efficacy of non-viral CFTR gene therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis. Methods We did this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial in two cystic fibrosis centres with patients recruited from 18 sites in the UK. Patients (aged ≥12 years) with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 50–90% predicted and any combination of CFTR mutations, were randomly assigned, via a computer-based randomisation system, to receive 5 mL of either nebulised pGM169/GL67A gene–liposome complex or 0·9% saline (placebo) every 28 days (plus or minus 5 days) for 1 year. Randomisation was stratified by % predicted FEV1 (<70 vs ≥70%), age (<18 vs ≥18 years), inclusion in the mechanistic substudy, and dosing site (London or Edinburgh). Participants and investigators were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was the relative change in % predicted FEV1. The primary analysis was per protocol. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01621867. Findings Between June 12, 2012, and June 24, 2013, we randomly assigned 140 patients to receive placebo (n=62) or pGM169/GL67A (n=78), of whom 116 (83%) patients comprised the per-protocol population. We noted a significant, albeit modest, treatment effect in the pGM169/GL67A group versus placebo at 12 months' follow-up (3·7%, 95% CI 0·1–7·3; p=0·046). This outcome was associated with a stabilisation of lung function in the pGM169/GL67A group compared with a decline in the placebo group. We recorded no significant difference in treatment-attributable adverse events between groups. Interpretation Monthly application of the pGM169/GL67A gene therapy formulation was associated with a significant, albeit modest, benefit in FEV1 compared with placebo at 1 year, indicating a stabilisation of lung function in the treatment group. Further improvements in efficacy and consistency of response to the current formulation are needed before gene therapy is suitable for clinical care; however, our findings should also encourage the rapid introduction of more potent gene transfer vectors into early phase trials. Funding Medical Research Council/National Institute for Health Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme. PMID:26149841

Repeated nebulisation of non-viral CFTR gene therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial.

PubMed

Alton, Eric W F W; Armstrong, David K; Ashby, Deborah; Bayfield, Katie J; Bilton, Diana; Bloomfield, Emily V; Boyd, A Christopher; Brand, June; Buchan, Ruaridh; Calcedo, Roberto; Carvelli, Paula; Chan, Mario; Cheng, Seng H; Collie, D David S; Cunningham, Steve; Davidson, Heather E; Davies, Gwyneth; Davies, Jane C; Davies, Lee A; Dewar, Maria H; Doherty, Ann; Donovan, Jackie; Dwyer, Natalie S; Elgmati, Hala I; Featherstone, Rosanna F; Gavino, Jemyr; Gea-Sorli, Sabrina; Geddes, Duncan M; Gibson, James S R; Gill, Deborah R; Greening, Andrew P; Griesenbach, Uta; Hansell, David M; Harman, Katharine; Higgins, Tracy E; Hodges, Samantha L; Hyde, Stephen C; Hyndman, Laura; Innes, J Alastair; Jacob, Joseph; Jones, Nancy; Keogh, Brian F; Limberis, Maria P; Lloyd-Evans, Paul; Maclean, Alan W; Manvell, Michelle C; McCormick, Dominique; McGovern, Michael; McLachlan, Gerry; Meng, Cuixiang; Montero, M Angeles; Milligan, Hazel; Moyce, Laura J; Murray, Gordon D; Nicholson, Andrew G; Osadolor, Tina; Parra-Leiton, Javier; Porteous, David J; Pringle, Ian A; Punch, Emma K; Pytel, Kamila M; Quittner, Alexandra L; Rivellini, Gina; Saunders, Clare J; Scheule, Ronald K; Sheard, Sarah; Simmonds, Nicholas J; Smith, Keith; Smith, Stephen N; Soussi, Najwa; Soussi, Samia; Spearing, Emma J; Stevenson, Barbara J; Sumner-Jones, Stephanie G; Turkkila, Minna; Ureta, Rosa P; Waller, Michael D; Wasowicz, Marguerite Y; Wilson, James M; Wolstenholme-Hogg, Paul

2015-09-01

Lung delivery of plasmid DNA encoding the CFTR gene complexed with a cationic liposome is a potential treatment option for patients with cystic fibrosis. We aimed to assess the efficacy of non-viral CFTR gene therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis. We did this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial in two cystic fibrosis centres with patients recruited from 18 sites in the UK. Patients (aged ≥12 years) with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 50-90% predicted and any combination of CFTR mutations, were randomly assigned, via a computer-based randomisation system, to receive 5 mL of either nebulised pGM169/GL67A gene-liposome complex or 0.9% saline (placebo) every 28 days (plus or minus 5 days) for 1 year. Randomisation was stratified by % predicted FEV1 (<70 vs ≥70%), age (<18 vs ≥18 years), inclusion in the mechanistic substudy, and dosing site (London or Edinburgh). Participants and investigators were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was the relative change in % predicted FEV1. The primary analysis was per protocol. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01621867. Between June 12, 2012, and June 24, 2013, we randomly assigned 140 patients to receive placebo (n=62) or pGM169/GL67A (n=78), of whom 116 (83%) patients comprised the per-protocol population. We noted a significant, albeit modest, treatment effect in the pGM169/GL67A group versus placebo at 12 months' follow-up (3.7%, 95% CI 0.1-7.3; p=0.046). This outcome was associated with a stabilisation of lung function in the pGM169/GL67A group compared with a decline in the placebo group. We recorded no significant difference in treatment-attributable adverse events between groups. Monthly application of the pGM169/GL67A gene therapy formulation was associated with a significant, albeit modest, benefit in FEV1 compared with placebo at 1 year, indicating a stabilisation of lung function in the treatment group. Further improvements in efficacy and consistency of response to the current formulation are needed before gene therapy is suitable for clinical care; however, our findings should also encourage the rapid introduction of more potent gene transfer vectors into early phase trials. Medical Research Council/National Institute for Health Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme. Copyright © 2015 Alton et al. Open Access article distributed under the terms of CC BY. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Lung function and airway obstruction: associations with circulating markers of cardiac function and incident heart failure in older men—the British Regional Heart Study

PubMed Central

Wannamethee, S Goya; Shaper, A Gerald; Papacosta, Olia; Lennon, Lucy; Welsh, Paul; Whincup, Peter H

2016-01-01

Aims The association between lung function and cardiac markers and heart failure (HF) has been little studied in the general older population. We have examined the association between lung function and airway obstruction with cardiac markers N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and risk of incident HF in older men. Methods and results Prospective study of 3242 men aged 60–79 years without prevalent HF or myocardial infarction followed up for an average period of 13 years, in whom 211 incident HF cases occurred. Incident HF was examined in relation to % predicted FEV1 and FVC. The Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Diseases spirometry criteria were used to define airway obstruction. Reduced FEV1, but not FVC in the normal range, was significantly associated with increased risk of HF after adjustment for established HF risk factors including inflammation. The adjusted HRs comparing men in the 6–24th percentile with the highest quartile were 1.91 (1.24 to 2.94) and 1.30 (0.86 to 1.96) for FEV1 and FVC, respectively. FEV1 and FVC were inversely associated with NT-proBNP and cTnT, although the association between FEV1 and incident HF remained after adjustment for NT-proBNP and cTnT. Compared with normal subjects (FEV1/FVC ≥0.70 and FVC≥80%), moderate or severe (FEV1/FVC <0.70 and FEV1 <80%) airflow obstruction was independently associated with HF ((adjusted relative risk 1.59 (1.08 to 2.33)). Airflow restriction (FEV1/FVC ≥0.70 and FVC <80%) was not independently associated with HF. Conclusions Reduced FEV1 reflecting airflow obstruction is associated with cardiac dysfunction and increased risk of incident HF in older men. PMID:26811343

Donor predicted post-operative forced expiratory volume in one second predicts recipients' best forced expiratory volume in one second following size-reduced lung transplantation.

PubMed

Inci, Ilhan; Irani, Sarosh; Kestenholz, Peter; Benden, Christian; Boehler, Annette; Weder, Walter

2011-01-01

The limited number of available grafts is one of the major obstacles of lung transplantation. Size-reduced lung transplantation allows the use of oversized grafts for small recipients. Optimal lung size matching is vital to achieve best functional outcome and avoid potential problems when using oversized grafts. We hypothesise that donor-predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1s (ppoFEV1) correlates with the recipient best FEV1 after size-reduced lung transplant, being useful for the estimation of function outcome. All patients undergoing size-reduced or standard bilateral lung transplantation were included (1992-2007). Donor ppoFEV1 was calculated and corrected with respect to size reduction and correlated with recipient measured best FEV1 post-transplant. In addition, pre- and postoperative clinical data including surgical complications and outcome of all size-reduced lung transplant recipients were compared with standard lung transplant recipients. A total of 61 size-reduced lung transplant recipients (lobar transplants, n=20; anatomic or non-anatomic resection, n=41) were included and compared to 145 standard transplants. The mean donor-recipient height difference was statistically significant between the two groups (p=0.0001). The mean donor ppoFEV1 was comparable with recipient best FEV1 (2.7±0.6 vs 2.6±0.7 l). There was a statistically significant correlation between donor ppoFEV1 and recipient best FEV1 (p=0.01, r=0.688). The 30-day mortality rate and 3-month, 1- and 5-year survival rates were comparable between the two groups. In size-reduced lung transplantation, postoperative recipient best FEV1 could be predicted from donor-calculated and corrected FEV1 with respect to its size reduction. Compared to standard lung transplantation, equivalent morbidity, mortality and functional results could be obtained after size-reduced lung transplantation. Copyright © 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oxygen desaturation in healthy subjects undergoing the incremental shuttle walk test*

PubMed Central

Seixas, Daniel Machado; Seixas, Daniela Miti Tsukumo; Pereira, Monica Corso; Moreira, Marcos Mello; Paschoal, Ilma Aparecida

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To determine the probability of oxygen desaturation in healthy individuals undergoing the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). METHODS: We enrolled 83 healthy subjects: 55 males (including 1 smoker) and 28 females. We determined pre-ISWT FEV1, FEV6, HR and SpO2, as well as post-ISWT HR and SpO2. RESULTS: Mean values overall were as follows: age, 35.05 ± 12.53 years; body mass index, 24.30 ± 3.47 kg/m2; resting HR, 75.12 ± 12.48 bpm; resting SpO2, 97.96 ± 1.02%; FEV1, 3.75 ± 0.81 L; FEV6, 4.45 ± 0.87 L; FEV1/FEV6 ratio, 0.83 ± 0.08 (no restriction or obstruction); incremental shuttle walk distance, 958.30 ± 146.32 m; post-ISWT HR, 162.41 ± 18.24 bpm; and post-ISWT SpO2, 96.27 ± 2.21%. In 11 subjects, post-ISWT SpO2 was higher than was pre-ISWT SpO2. In 17 subjects, there was a 4% decrease in SpO2 after the ISWT. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with and without post-ISWT oxygen desaturation in terms of age, gender, FEV1, FEV6, FEV1/FEV6, pre-ISWT SpO2, incremental shuttle walk distance, HR, or percentage of maximal HR. In the individuals with post-ISWT oxygen desaturation, the body mass index was higher (p = 0.01) and post-ISWT SpO2 was lower (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy individuals can present oxygen desaturation after the ISWT. Using the ISWT to predict subtle respiratory abnormalities can be misleading. In healthy subjects, oxygen desaturation is common after the ISWT, as it is during any intense physical activity. PMID:24068265

[Clinical and functional characteristics of patients prior to lung transplantation: report of experience at the Clínica Puerta de Hierro].

PubMed

Laporta, Rosalía; Ussetti, Piedad; Mora, Gema; López, Cristina; Gómez, David; de Pablo, Alicia; Lázaro, M Teresa; Carreño, M Cruz; Ferreiro, M José

2008-08-01

The time at which lung transplantation is indicated is determined by clinical and functional criteria that vary according to the particular disease. The aim of our study was to present the criteria according to which patients were placed on waiting lists for lung transplantation in our hospital. We analyzed retrospectively the clinical characteristics, lung function, heart function, and 6-minute walk test results of patients who had received a lung transplant in our hospital from January 2002 through September 2005. During the study period 100 lung transplants were performed. The mean age of the patients was 45 years (range, 15-67 years) and 57% were men. The diseases that most often led to a lung transplant were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (35%), pulmonary fibrosis (29%), and bronchiectasis (21%). Lung function values differed by disease: mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 20% (11%) and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 37% (15%) in patients with COPD; FEV1 was 41% (15%) and FVC, 40% (17%) in patients with pulmonary fibrosis; and FEV1 was 23% (7%) and FVC, 37% (10%) in patients with bronchiectasis. The patients who received lung transplants in our hospital were in advanced phases of their disease and met the inclusion criteria accepted by the various medical associations when they were placed on the waiting list.

Some aspects of stratospheric chemical response to solar particle precipitations. I - Potential roles of N2/A3Sigma/ and ion-chemistry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, S. S.

1979-01-01

Large amounts of long lived N2(A3Sigma) are created by the energy degradation of precipitating solar particles. Laboratory data suggest that in the stratosphere N2(A3Sigma) are efficiently converted into N2O. Through reactions with O(1D), N2O may gradually release NO and thereby influence the long term aspects of stratospheric chemical response. During the daytime, negative ions may transform an active NO(x) into an inactive HNO3. At night both negative and positive ion chemistry generate HO(x). Omission of ionic chemistry results in considerable underestimation of O3 depletion during the initial phases of solar particle events, and thereby introduces significant error in the estimation of the nature of the prompt response.

Ranging/tracking system for proximity operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nilsen, P.; Udalov, S.

1982-01-01

The hardware development and testing phase of a hand held radar for the ranging and tracking for Shuttle proximity operations are considered. The radar is to measure range to a 3 sigma accuracy of 1 m (3.28 ft) to a maximum range of 1850 m (6000 ft) and velocity to a 3 sigma accuracy of 0.03 m/s (0.1 ft/s). Size and weight are similar to hand held radars, frequently seen in use by motorcycle police officers. Meeting these goals for a target in free space was very difficult to obtain in the testing program; however, at a range of approximately 700 m, the 3 sigma range error was found to be 0.96 m. It is felt that much of this error is due to clutter in the test environment. As an example of the velocity accuracy, at a range of 450 m, a 3 sigma velocity error of 0.02 m/s was measured. The principles of the radar and recommended changes to its design are given. Analyses performed in support of the design process, the actual circuit diagrams, and the software listing are included.

Determination of the conformation of 2-hydroxy- and 2-aminobenzoic acid dimers using 13C NMR and density functional theory/natural bond order analysis: the central importance of the carboxylic acid carbon.

PubMed

Burnette, Ronald R; Weinhold, Frank

2006-07-20

The 13C chemical shift for the carboxylic acid carbon provides a powerful diagnostic probe to determine the preferred isomeric dimer structures of benzoic acid derivatives undergoing intra- and intermolecular H-bonding in the gas, solution and crystalline phases. We have employed hybrid density functional calculations and natural bond orbital analysis to elucidate the electronic origins of the observed 13C shieldings and their relationship to isomeric stability. We find that delocalizing interactions from the carbonyl oxygen lone pairs (nO) into vicinal carbon-oxygen and carbon-carbon antibonds (sigmaCO*,sigmaCC*) make critical contributions to the 13C shieldings, and these nO --> sigmaCO*, nO --> sigmaCC* interactions are in turn sensitive to the intramolecular interactions that dictate dimer structure and stability. The carboxyl carbon atom can thus serve as a useful detector of subtle structural and conformational features in this pharmacologically important class of carboxylic acid interactions.

A prospective cohort study among new Chinese coal miners: the early pattern of lung function change.

PubMed

Wang, M-L; Wu, Z-E; Du, Q-G; Petsonk, E L; Peng, K-L; Li, Y-D; Li, S-K; Han, G-H; Atffield, M D

2005-11-01

To investigate the early pattern of longitudinal change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) among new Chinese coal miners, and the relation between coal mine dust exposure and the decline of lung function. The early pattern of lung function changes in 317 newly hired Chinese underground coal miners was compared to 132 referents. This three year prospective cohort study involved a pre-employment and 15 follow up health surveys, including a questionnaire and spirometry tests. Twice a month, total and respirable dust area sampling was done. The authors used a two stage analysis and a linear mixed effects model approach to analyse the longitudinal spirometry data, and to investigate the changes in FEV1 over time, controlling for age, height, pack years of smoking, mean respirable dust concentration, the room temperature during testing, and the groupxtime interaction terms. FEV1 change over time in new miners is non-linear. New miners experience initial rapid FEV1 declines, primarily during the first year of mining, little change during the second year, and partial recovery during the third year. Both linear and quadratic time trends in FEV1 change are highly significant. Smoking miners lost more FEV1 than non-smokers. Referents, all age less than 20 years, showed continued lung growth, whereas the miners who were under age 20 exhibited a decline in FEV1. Dust and smoking affect lung function in young, newly hired Chinese coal miners. FEV1 change over the first three years of employment is non-linear. The findings have implications for both methods and interpretation of medical screening in coal mining and other dusty work: during the first several years of employment more frequent testing may be desirable, and caution is required in interpreting early FEV1 declines.

Case identification of subjects with airflow limitations using the handheld spirometer "Hi-Checker™" : comparison against an electronic desktop spirometer.

PubMed

Nishimura, Koichi; Nakayasu, Kazuhito; Kobayashi, Atsuko; Mitsuma, Satoshi

2011-12-01

Systematic case identification has been proposed as a strategy to improve diagnosis rates and to enable the early detection of subjects with COPD. We hypothesized that case identification could be possible using the handheld spirometer Hi-Checker™. To determine how to modify the FEV(1)/FEV(6) values obtained using the Hi-Checker™ to screen for cases with airflow limitation. Spirometry was performed with both an electronic desktop spirometer and with the Hi-Checker™ in 312 male subjects. The average FEV(1) (mean ± SD) measured using a conventional spirometer and the Hi-Checker™ was 2.99 ± 0.56L and 3.07 ± 0.57L, respectively. These results were significantly different (P<0.001, paired t-test for both). This difference of -0.08 ± 0.13L (95% confidence interval: -0.094-0.066L) was normally distributed, and thought to be random. Statistically significant correlations were found for all measurements between the spirometer and the Hi-Checker™ ; the Pearson's correlation coefficient (R) between the FEV(1)/FVC and FEV(1)/FEV(6) values was 0.881. If one defines a FEV(1/)FVC smaller than 0.7 measured by the spirometer as airflow limitation, then a FEV(1)/FEV(6) smaller than 0.746 measured by the Hi-Checker™ best matches this definition, and Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.672. Although the Hi-Checker™ estimates resembled those from conventional spirometry, it should be emphasized that the two methods did not produce identical results due to random measurement error. Although one must be careful about overinterpreting these results, since the Hi-Checker™ is small and inexpensive, it could make a significant contribution in facilitating the case selection of patients with airflow limitation.

Clinical Use of Tobramycin Inhalation Solution (TOBI®) Shows Sustained Improvement in FEV1 in Cystic Fibrosis

PubMed Central

Konstan, Michael W.; Wagener, Jeffrey S.; Pasta, David J.; Millar, Stefanie J.; Morgan, Wayne J.

2014-01-01

Objectives Tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS; TOBI®) has improved forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in cystic fibrosis (CF) trials. Using data from the Epidemiologic Study of CF (ESCF), we assessed the change in level and trend of FEV1 % predicted (pred) over a 2-year period associated with initiation of TIS during routine clinical practice. Methods Patients age 8–38 years and in ESCF for ≥2 years before treatment with TIS as a chronic therapy were selected if they remained on therapy for 2 years, defined as being on TIS for at least 3 months per year (C-TIS group). Comparator intervals age 8–38 years used TIS <10% of the time. For each interval, we estimated the level and trend (rate of decline) in FEV1 % pred before and after the index using a piecewise linear mixed-effects model adjusted for potential confounders. Results During the 2-year pre-index period the C-TIS group (n = 2,534) had a more rapid decline in FEV1 (−2.49 vs. −1.39 % pred/yr) and a lower FEV1 at index (62.6 vs. 74.7 % pred) than the comparator group (N = 17,656 intervals). After starting chronic TIS, the FEV1 trend line over the 2-year post-index period was higher, but the comparator group’s FEV1 was essentially unchanged (difference 2.22, P < 0.001). Change in slope was not different between groups (0.06, P = 0.82). Conclusions Initiating chronic TIS therapy in the routine clinical care of patients with CF was associated with improvement in FEV1 % pred but no change in rate of decline, which means that this benefit was sustained over the 2 years studied. PMID:24019211

Between-Visit Variability in FEV1 as a Diagnostic Test for Asthma in Adults.

PubMed

Dean, Benjamin W; Birnie, Erin E; Whitmore, G A; Vandemheen, Katherine L; Boulet, Louis-Philippe; FitzGerald, J Mark; Ainslie, Martha; Gupta, Samir; Lemiere, Catherine; Field, Stephen K; McIvor, R Andrew; Hernandez, Paul; Mayers, Irvin; Aaron, Shawn D

2018-06-07

The reliability of using between-visit variation in FEV1 to diagnose asthma is understudied, and hence uncertain. To determine if FEV1 variability measured over recurrent visits is significantly associated with a diagnosis of current asthma. Randomly-selected adults (N=964) with a history of physician-diagnosed asthma were studied from 2005-2007 and from 2012-2016. A diagnosis of current asthma was confirmed in those participants who exhibited bronchial hyper-responsiveness to methacholine and/or acute worsening of asthma symptoms while being weaned off asthma medications. Regression analyses and receiver operating curves were used to evaluate the ability of between-visit FEV1 variability to diagnose asthma. A current diagnosis of asthma was confirmed in 584 of 964 participants (60%). Between-visit absolute variability in FEV1 was significantly greater in those in whom current asthma was confirmed, compared to those in whom current asthma was ruled out (7.3% vs 4.8%, mean difference between the 2 groups = 2.5%; 95% CI: 1.7-3.3%). However, a 12 percent and 200 mL between-visit variation in FEV1, which is the diagnostic threshold recommended by GINA, exhibited a sensitivity of only 0.17 and a specificity of 0.94 for confirming current asthma. A between-visit absolute variability in FEV1 ≥ 12% and 200 ml increased the pre-test probability of asthma from 60% to a post-test probability of 81%. A 12% and 200 mL between-visit variation in FEV1, if present, has reasonably good specificity for diagnosing asthma, but has poor sensitivity compared to bronchial challenge testing. Between-visit variability in FEV1 is a relatively unhelpful test to establish a diagnosis of asthma.

SigCH, an extracytoplasmic function sigma factor of Porphyromonas gingivalis regulates the expression of cdhR and hmuYR.

PubMed

Ota, Koki; Kikuchi, Yuichiro; Imamura, Kentaro; Kita, Daichi; Yoshikawa, Kouki; Saito, Atsushi; Ishihara, Kazuyuki

2017-02-01

Extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors play an important role in the bacterial response to various environmental stresses. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a prominent etiological agent in human periodontitis, possesses six putative ECF sigma factors. So far, information is limited on the ECF sigma factor, PGN_0319. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PGN_0319 (SigCH) of P. gingivalis, focusing on the regulation of hmuY and hmuR, which encode outer-membrane proteins involved in hemin utilization, and cdhR, a transcriptional regulator of hmuYR. First, we evaluated the gene expression profile of the sigCH mutant by DNA microarray. Among the genes with altered expression levels, those involved in hemin utilization were downregulated in the sigCH mutant. To verify the microarray data, quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis was performed. The RNA samples used were obtained from bacterial cells grown to early-log phase, in which sigCH expression in the wild type was significantly higher than that in mid-log and late-log phases. The expression levels of hmuY, hmuR, and cdhR were significantly decreased in the sigCH mutant compared to wild type. Transcription of these genes was restored in a sigCH complemented strain. Compared to the wild type, the sigCH mutant showed reduced growth in log phase under hemin-limiting conditions. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that recombinant SigCH protein bound to the promoter region of hmuY and cdhR. These results suggest that SigCH plays an important role in the early growth of P. gingivalis, and directly regulates cdhR and hmuYR, thereby playing a potential role in the mechanisms of hemin utilization by P. gingivalis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Heightened Background Cortical Synchrony in Patients With Epilepsy: EEG Phase Synchrony Analysis During Awake and Sleep Stages Using Novel Ensemble Measure.

PubMed

Nayak, Chetan S; Mariyappa, N; Majumdar, Kaushik K; Prasad, Pradeep D; Ravi, G S; Nagappa, M; Kandavel, Thennarasu; Taly, Arun B; Sinha, Sanjib

2018-05-01

Excessive cortical synchrony within neural ensembles has been implicated as an important mechanism driving epileptiform activity. The current study measures and compares background electroencephalographic (EEG) phase synchronization in patients having various types of epilepsies and healthy controls during awake and sleep stages. A total of 120 patients with epilepsy (PWE) subdivided into 3 groups (juvenile myoclonic epilepsy [JME], temporal lobe epilepsy [TLE], and extra-temporal lobe epilepsy [Ex-TLE]; n = 40 in each group) and 40 healthy controls were subjected to overnight polysomnography. EEG phase synchronization (SI) between the 8 EEG channels was assessed for delta, theta, alpha, sigma, and high beta frequency bands using ensemble measure on 10-second representative time windows and compared between patients and controls and also between awake and sleep stages. Mean ± SD of SI was compared using 2-way analysis of variance followed by pairwise comparison ( P ≤ .05). In both delta and theta bands, the SI was significantly higher in patients with JME, TLE, and Ex-TLE compared with controls, whereas in alpha, sigma, and high beta bands, SI was comparable between the groups. On comparison of SI between sleep stages, delta band: progressive increase in SI from wake ⇒ N1 ⇒ N2 ⇒ N3, whereas REM (rapid eye movement) was comparable to wake; theta band: decreased SI during N2 and increase during N3; alpha band: SI was highest in wake and lower in N1, N2, N3, and REM; and sigma and high beta bands: progressive increase in SI from wake ⇒ N1 ⇒ N2 ⇒ N3; however, sigma band showed lower SI during REM. This study found an increased background cortical synchronization in PWE compared with healthy controls in delta and theta bands during wake and sleep. This background hypersynchrony may be an important property of epileptogenic brain circuitry in PWE, which enables them to effortlessly generate a paroxysmal EEG depolarization shift.

A Lean Six Sigma approach to the improvement of the selenium analysis method.

PubMed

Cloete, Bronwyn C; Bester, André

2012-11-02

Reliable results represent the pinnacle assessment of quality of an analytical laboratory, and therefore variability is considered to be a critical quality problem associated with the selenium analysis method executed at Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory (WCPVL). The elimination and control of variability is undoubtedly of significant importance because of the narrow margin of safety between toxic and deficient doses of the trace element for good animal health. A quality methodology known as Lean Six Sigma was believed to present the most feasible solution for overcoming the adverse effect of variation, through steps towards analytical process improvement. Lean Six Sigma represents a form of scientific method type, which is empirical, inductive and deductive, and systematic, which relies on data, and is fact-based. The Lean Six Sigma methodology comprises five macro-phases, namely Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC). Both qualitative and quantitative laboratory data were collected in terms of these phases. Qualitative data were collected by using quality-tools, namely an Ishikawa diagram, a Pareto chart, Kaizen analysis and a Failure Mode Effect analysis tool. Quantitative laboratory data, based on the analytical chemistry test method, were collected through a controlled experiment. The controlled experiment entailed 13 replicated runs of the selenium test method, whereby 11 samples were repetitively analysed, whilst Certified Reference Material (CRM) was also included in 6 of the runs. Laboratory results obtained from the controlled experiment was analysed by using statistical methods, commonly associated with quality validation of chemistry procedures. Analysis of both sets of data yielded an improved selenium analysis method, believed to provide greater reliability of results, in addition to a greatly reduced cycle time and superior control features. Lean Six Sigma may therefore be regarded as a valuable tool in any laboratory, and represents both a management discipline, and a standardised approach to problem solving and process optimisation.

FEV1 Is a Better Predictor of Mortality than FVC: The PLATINO Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Menezes, Ana Maria B.; Pérez-Padilla, Rogelio; Wehrmeister, Fernando César; Lopez-Varela, Maria Victorina; Muiño, Adriana; Valdivia, Gonzalo; Lisboa, Carmen; Jardim, José Roberto B.; de Oca, Maria Montes; Talamo, Carlos; Bielemann, Renata; Gazzotti, Mariana; Laurenti, Ruy; Celli, Bartolomé; Victora, Cesar G.

2014-01-01

Objective To determine whether the presence of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and reduction of lung function parameters were predictors of mortality in a cohort. Materials/Patients and Methods Population based cohorts were followed in Montevideo, Santiago and Sao Paulo during 5, 6 and 9 years, respectively. Outcomes included all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer mortality; exposures were COPD, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Cox regression was used for analyses. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operator characteristics curves and Youden's index were calculated. Results Main causes of death were cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer. Baseline COPD was associated with overall mortality (HR = 1.43 for FEV1/FVC

Phase transformations in cast duplex stainless steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Yoon-Jun

Duplex stainless steels (DSS) constitute both ferrite and austenite as a matrix. Such a microstructure confers a high corrosion resistance with favorable mechanical properties. However, intermetallic phases such as sigma (sigma) and chi (chi) can also form during casting or high-temperature processing and can degrade the properties of the DSS. This research was initiated to develop time-temperature-transformation (TTT) and continuous-cooling-transformation (CCT) diagrams of two types of cast duplex stainless steels, CD3MN (Fe-22Cr-5Ni-Mo-N) and CD3MWCuN (Fe-25Cr-7Ni-Mo-W-Cu-N), in order to understand the time and temperature ranges for intermetallic phase formation. The alloys were heat treated isothermally or under controlled cooling conditions and then characterized using conventional metallographic methods that included tint etching, and also using electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS). The kinetics of intermetallic-phase (sigma + chi) formation were analyzed using the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (JMA) equation in the case of isothermal transformations and a modified form of this equation in the case of continuous cooling transformations. The rate of intermetallic-phase formation was found to be much faster in CD3MWCuN than CD3MN due mainly to differences in the major alloying contents such as Cr, Ni and Mo. To examine in more detail the effects of these elements of the phase stabilities, a series of eight steel castings was designed with the Cr, Ni and Mo contents systematically varied with respect to the nominal composition of CD3MN. The effects of varying the contents of alloying additions on the formation of intermetallic phases were also studied computationally using the commercial thermodynamic software package, Thermo-Calc. In general, a was stabilized with increasing Cr addition and chi by increasing Mo addition. However, a delicate balance among Ni and other minor elements such as N and Si also exists. Phase equilibria in DSS can be affected by local composition fluctuations in the cast alloy. This may cause discrepancy between thermodynamic prediction and experimental observation.

Reduction of Complications of Local Anaesthesia in Dental Healthcare Setups by Application of the Six Sigma Methodology: A Statistical Quality Improvement Technique.

PubMed

Akifuddin, Syed; Khatoon, Farheen

2015-12-01

Health care faces challenges due to complications, inefficiencies and other concerns that threaten the safety of patients. The purpose of his study was to identify causes of complications encountered after administration of local anaesthesia for dental and oral surgical procedures and to reduce the incidence of complications by introduction of six sigma methodology. DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) process of Six Sigma was taken into consideration to reduce the incidence of complications encountered after administration of local anaesthesia injections for dental and oral surgical procedures using failure mode and effect analysis. Pareto analysis was taken into consideration to analyse the most recurring complications. Paired z-sample test using Minitab Statistical Inference and Fisher's exact test was used to statistically analyse the obtained data. The p-value <0.05 was considered as significant value. Total 54 systemic and 62 local complications occurred during three months of analyse and measure phase. Syncope, failure of anaesthesia, trismus, auto mordeduras and pain at injection site was found to be most recurring complications. Cumulative defective percentage was 7.99 in case of pre-improved data and decreased to 4.58 in the control phase. Estimate for difference was 0.0341228 and 95% lower bound for difference was 0.0193966. p-value was found to be highly significant with p= 0.000. The application of six sigma improvement methodology in healthcare tends to deliver consistently better results to the patients as well as hospitals and results in better patient compliance as well as satisfaction.

Improving patient satisfaction with pain management using Six Sigma tools.

PubMed

DuPree, Erin; Martin, Lisa; Anderson, Rebecca; Kathuria, Navneet; Reich, David; Porter, Carol; Chassin, Mark R

2009-07-01

Patient satisfaction as a direct and public measure of quality of care is changing the way hospitals address quality improvement. The feasibility of using the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology to improve patient satisfaction as it relates to pain management was evaluated. This project used the DMAIC methodology to improve patients' overall satisfaction with pain management on two inpatient units in an urban academic medical center. Pre- and postintervention patient surveys were conducted. The DMAIC methodology provided a data-driven structure to determine the optimal improvement strategies, as well as a long-term plan for maintaining any improvements. In addition, the Change Acceleration Process (CAP) was used throughout the project's various DMAIC stages to further the work of the team by creating a shared need to meet the objectives of the project. Overall satisfaction with pain management "excellent" ratings increased from 37% to 54%. Both units surpassed the goal of at least 50% of responses in the "excellent" category. Several key drivers of satisfaction with pain management were uncovered in the Analyze phase of the project, and each saw rating increases from the pre-intervention to postintervention surveys. Ongoing monitoring by the hospital inpatient satisfaction survey showed that the pain satisfaction score improved in subsequent quarters as compared with the pre-intervention period. The Six Sigma DMAIC methodology can be used successfully to improve patient satisfaction. The project led to measurable improvements in patient satisfaction with pain management, which have endured past the duration of the Six Sigma project. The Control phase of DMAIC allows the improvements to be incorporated into daily operations.

Simulation of emittance dilution in electron storage ring from Compton backscattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blumberg, L. N.; Blum, E.

A Monte-Carlo simulation of Compton backscattered kappa(sub L) = 3.2-micron photons from an IR-FEL on 75-MeV electrons in a storage ring yields an RMS electron energy spread of delta(sub E) = 11.9-keV for a sample of 10(exp 7) single scattering events. Electrons are sampled from a beam of natural energy spread sigma(sub E) = 5.6-keV and damped transverse angle spreads sigma(sub x)(prime) = .041-mrad and sigma(sub y)(prime) = .052-mrad (100%) coupling, scaled from the 200-MeV BNL XLS compact storage ring. The Compton-scattered x-rays are generated from an integral of the CM Klein-Nishina cross-section transformed to the lab. A tracking calculation has also been performed in 6-dimensional phase space. Initial electron coordinates are selected randomly from a Gaussian distribution of RMS spreads sigma(sub xo) = .102-mm, sigma(sub x(prime)o) = .041-mrad, sigma(sub yo) = .018-mm, sigma(sub y(prime)o) = .052-mrad, sigma(sub (phi)o) = 22-mrad and sigma(sub Eo) = 6-keV. A sample of 10000 electrons were each following for 40000 turns around the ring through an RF cavity of f(sub RF) = 211.54-MHz and peak voltage V(sub m)=300-keV. Preliminary results indicate that the resulting energy distribution is quite broad with an RMS width of delta(sub E) = 124-keV. The transverse widths are only slightly increased from their original values, i.e. delta(sub x) = .106-mm and delta(sub x)(prime) = .043 mrad. The scaled energy spread of delta(sub E) approximately = 360-keV for approximately 350,000 turns desired in a 10-msec x-ray angiography exposure is well within the RF bucket used here; even V(sub m) less than 50-kV is adequate. Further, the electron energy spread adds a negligible RMS x-ray energy spread of delta(sub Ex) = .32-keV. The electron energy damping time of tau(sub E) = 379-msec at 75-MeV in an XLS-type ring allows for damping this induced spread and top-off of the ring between heart cycles.

Thermal-mechanical fatigue crack growth in Inconel X-750

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marchand, N.; Pelloux, R. M.

1984-01-01

Thermal-mechanical fatigue crack growth (TMFCG) was studied in a gamma-gamma' nickel base superalloy Inconel X-750 under controlled load amplitude in the temperature range from 300 to 650 C. In-phase (T sub max at sigma sub max), out-of-phase (T sub min at sigma sub max), and isothermal tests at 650 C were performed on single-edge notch bars under fully reversed cyclic conditions. A dc electrical potential method was used to measure crack length. The electrical potential response obtained for each cycle of a given wave form and R value yields information on crack closure and crack extension per cycle. The macroscopic crack growth rates are reported as a function of delta k and the relative magnitude of the TMFCG are discussed in the light of the potential drop information and of the fractographic observations.

[The role of expired air moisture condensate in assessment of pulmonary inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

PubMed

Dotsenko, E K; Goncharova, V A; Kuzubova, N A; Kamenova, M Iu; Egorova, N V

2008-01-01

To study biochemical composition of expired air condensate (EAC) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in relation to a phase and severity of the disease and its treatment. EAC was investigated in 18 COPD patients and 9 healthy subjects. Basic broncholytic therapy with ipratropium bromide was combined with beclomethasone and fenspiride in 11 and 7 patients, respectively. The condensate was lyophilised, the residue was solved and analysed on the biochemical analyzer Casis (Beringer Manheim, Rosch). EAC was examined for albumin, C-reactive protein, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total calcium, magnesium. Compared to healthy subjects, COPD patients' EAC contains significantly higher levels of albumin, C-reactive protein, calcium, bilirubin and more active AP. Quantitative composition of EAC depends on COPD phase and severity. A negative correlation exists between FEV+AEA-1 and albumin concentration, FEV+AEA-1 and CRP concentration. The anti-inflammatory therapy decreases EAC content of both protein and lipid metabolism products, enzyme activity reflecting attenuation of oxidant and inflammatory processes, stabilization of cell membranes in the respiratory zone. EAC composition reflects metabolic processes in the lungs and can be used for assessment of airway affection, activity of the inflammatory process and COPD treatment efficacy.

Permeability of acetic acid across gel and liquid-crystalline lipid bilayers conforms to free-surface-area theory.

PubMed Central

Xiang, T X; Anderson, B D

1997-01-01

Solubility-diffusion theory, which treats the lipid bilayer membrane as a bulk lipid solvent into which permeants must partition and diffuse across, fails to account for the effects of lipid bilayer chain order on the permeability coefficient of any given permeant. This study addresses the scaling factor that must be applied to predictions from solubility-diffusion theory to correct for chain ordering. The effects of bilayer chemical composition, temperature, and phase structure on the permeability coefficient (Pm) of acetic acid were investigated in large unilamellar vesicles by a combined method of NMR line broadening and dynamic light scattering. Permeability values were obtained in distearoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, and dilauroylphosphatidylcholine bilayers, and their mixtures with cholesterol, at various temperatures both above and below the gel-->liquid-crystalline phase transition temperatures (Tm). A new scaling factor, the permeability decrement f, is introduced to account for the decrease in permeability coefficient from that predicted by solubility-diffusion theory owing to chain ordering in lipid bilayers. Values of f were obtained by division of the observed Pm by the permeability coefficient predicted from a bulk solubility-diffusion model. In liquid-crystalline phases, a strong correlation (r = 0.94) between f and the normalized surface density sigma was obtained: in f = 5.3 - 10.6 sigma. Activation energies (Ea) for the permeability of acetic acid decreased with decreasing phospholipid chain length and correlated with the sensitivity of chain ordering to temperature, [symbol: see text] sigma/[symbol: see text](1/T), as chain length was varied. Pm values decreased abruptly at temperatures below the main phase transition temperatures in pure dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers (30-60-fold) and below the pretransition in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers (8-fold), and the linear relationship between in f and sigma established for liquid-crystalline bilayers was no longer followed. However, in both gel and liquid-crystalline phases in f was found to exhibit an inverse correlation with free surface area (in f = -0.31 - 29.1/af, where af is the average free area (in square angstroms) per lipid molecule). Thus, the lipid bilayer permeability of acetic acid can be predicted from the relevant chain-packing properties in the bilayer (free surface area), regardless of whether chain ordering is varied by changes in temperature, lipid chain length, cholesterol concentration, or bilayer phase structure, provided that temperature effects on permeant dehydration and diffusion and the chain-length effects on bilayer barrier thickness are properly taken into account. PMID:8994607

Preparation of High-Quality FeV55N Using Ammonia as a Reductant and Nitrogen Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yue-Dong; Zhang, Guo-Hua; Chou, Kuo-Chih

2018-05-01

High-quality FeV55N has been prepared by using ammonia as a reductant and nitrogen source. The raw materials comprised ammonium vanadate and Fe2O3, which were first reduced and nitrided by ammonia to prepare FeV55N composite powders of VN and Fe2N. Subsequently, the composite powders were sintered at high temperature to obtain a bulk FeV55N alloy. The final products obtained by this method do not contain elemental Al, Si, or C impurities. Furthermore, the residual oxygen content of the final products can be reduced to 0.56 wt.%. After sintering, it is possible to obtain a FeV55N alloy with a density of up to 5.4 g/cm3.

Relationship between FEV1 and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in General Population without Airflow Limitation.

PubMed

Lee, Jeong Hyeon; Kang, Yun-Seong; Jeong, Yun-Jeong; Yoon, Young-Soon; Kwack, Won Gun; Oh, Jin Young

2016-01-01

Purpose. We aimed to determine the value of lung function measurement for predicting cardiovascular (CV) disease by evaluating the association between FEV1 (%) and CV risk factors in general population. Materials and Methods. This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study of subjects above 18 years of age who underwent health examinations. The relationship between FEV1 (%) and presence of carotid plaque and thickened carotid IMT (≥0.8 mm) was analyzed by multiple logistic regression, and the relationship between FEV1 (%) and PWV (%), and serum uric acid was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Various factors were adjusted by using Model 1 and Model 2. Results. 1,003 subjects were enrolled in this study and 96.7% ( n = 970) of the subjects were men. In both models, the odds ratio of the presence of carotid plaque and thickened carotid IMT had no consistent trend and statistical significance. In the analysis of the PWV (%) and uric acid, there was no significant relationship with FEV1 (%) in both models. Conclusion. FEV1 had no significant relationship with CV risk factors. The result suggests that FEV1 may have no association with CV risk factors or may be insensitive to detecting the association in general population without airflow limitation.

Severity of Airflow Obstruction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Proposal for a New Classification.

PubMed

Coton, Sonia; Vollmer, William M; Bateman, Eric; Marks, Guy B; Tan, Wan; Mejza, Filip; Juvekar, Sanjay; Janson, Christer; Mortimer, Kevin; P A, Mahesh; Buist, A Sonia; Burney, Peter G J

2017-10-01

Current classifications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) severity are complex and do not grade levels of obstruction. Obstruction is a simpler construct and independent of ethnicity. We constructed an index of obstruction severity based on the FEV 1 /FVC ratio, with cut-points dividing the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study population into four similarly sized strata to those created by the GOLD criteria that uses FEV 1 . We measured the agreement between classifications and the validity of the FEV 1 -based classification in identifying the level of obstruction as defined by the new groupings. We compared the strengths of association of each classification with quality of life (QoL), MRC dyspnoea score and the self-reported exacerbation rate. Agreement between classifications was only fair. FEV 1 -based criteria for moderate COPD identified only 79% of those with moderate obstruction and misclassified half of the participants with mild obstruction as having more severe COPD. Both scales were equally strongly associated with QoL, exertional dyspnoea and respiratory exacerbations. Severity assessed using the FEV 1 /FVC ratio is only in moderate agreement with the severity assessed using FEV 1 but is equally strongly associated with other outcomes. Severity assessed using the FEV 1 /FVC ratio is likely to be independent of ethnicity.

Use of FEV1 in Cystic Fibrosis Epidemiologic Studies and Clinical Trials: A Statistical Perspective for the Clinical Researcher

PubMed Central

Szczesniak, Rhonda; Heltshe, Sonya L.; Stanojevic, Sanja; Mayer-Hamblett, Nicole

2017-01-01

Background Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is an established marker of cystic fibrosis (CF) disease progression that is used to capture clinical course and evaluate therapeutic efficacy. The research community has established FEV1 surveillance data through a variety of observational data sources such as patient registries, and there is a growing pipeline of new CF therapies demonstrated to be efficacious in clinical trials by establishing improvements in FEV1. Results In this review, we summarize from a statistical perspective the clinical relevance of FEV1 based on its association with morbidity and mortality in CF, its role in epidemiologic studies of disease progression and comparative effectiveness, and its utility in clinical trials. In addition, we identify opportunities to advance epidemiologic research and the clinical development pipeline through further statistical considerations. Conclusions Our understanding of CF disease course, therapeutics, and clinical care has evolved immensely in the past decades, in large part due to the thoughtful application of rigorous research methods and meaningful clinical endpoints such as FEV1. A continued commitment to conduct research that minimizes the potential for bias, maximizes the limited patient population, and harmonizes approaches to FEV1 analysis while maintaining clinical relevance, will facilitate further opportunities to advance CF care. PMID:28117136

The SigF Regulon in Mycobacterium smegmatis Reveals Roles in Adaptation to Stationary Phase, Heat, and Oxidative Stress▿ ‡

PubMed Central

Hümpel, Anja; Gebhard, Susanne; Cook, Gregory M.; Berney, Michael

2010-01-01

SigF is an alternative sigma factor that is highly conserved among species of the genus Mycobacterium. In this study we identified the SigF regulon in Mycobacterium smegmatis using whole-genome microarray and promoter consensus analyses. In total, 64 genes in exponential phase and 124 genes in stationary phase are SigF dependent (P < 0.01, >2-fold expression change). Our experimental data reveal the SigF-dependent promoter consensus GTTT-N(15-17)-GGGTA for M. smegmatis, and we propose 130 potential genes under direct control of SigF, of which more than 50% exhibited reduced expression in a ΔsigF strain. We previously reported an increased susceptibility of the ΔsigF strain to heat and oxidative stress, and our expression data indicate a molecular basis for these phenotypes. We observed SigF-dependent expression of several genes purportedly involved in oxidative stress defense, namely, a heme-containing catalase, a manganese-containing catalase, a superoxide dismutase, the starvation-induced DNA-protecting protein MsDps1, and the biosynthesis genes for the carotenoid isorenieratene. Our data suggest that SigF regulates the biosynthesis of the thermoprotectant trehalose, as well as an uptake system for osmoregulatory compounds, and this may explain the increased heat susceptibility of the ΔsigF strain. We identified the regulatory proteins SigH3, PhoP, WhiB1, and WhiB4 as possible genes under direct control of SigF and propose four novel anti-sigma factor antagonists that could be involved in the posttranslational regulation of SigF in M. smegmatis. This study emphasizes the importance of this sigma factor for stationary-phase adaptation and stress response in mycobacteria. PMID:20233930

Lobar analysis of collapsibility indices to assess functional lung volumes in COPD patients.

PubMed

Kitano, Mariko; Iwano, Shingo; Hashimoto, Naozumi; Matsuo, Keiji; Hasegawa, Yoshinori; Naganawa, Shinji

2014-01-01

We investigated correlations between lung volume collapsibility indices and pulmonary function test (PFT) results and assessed lobar differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, using paired inspiratory and expiratory three dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images. We retrospectively assessed 28 COPD patients who underwent paired inspiratory and expiratory CT and PFT exams on the same day. A computer-aided diagnostic system calculated total lobar volume and emphysematous lobar volume (ELV). Normal lobar volume (NLV) was determined by subtracting ELV from total lobar volume, both for inspiratory phase (NLVI) and for expiratory phase (NLVE). We also determined lobar collapsibility indices: NLV collapsibility ratio (NLVCR) (%)=(1-NLVE/NLVI)×100%. Associations between lobar volumes and PFT results, and collapsibility indices and PFT results were determined by Pearson correlation analysis. NLVCR values were significantly correlated with PFT results. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, measured as percent of predicted results (FEV1%P) was significantly correlated with NLVCR values for the lower lobes (P<0.01), whereas this correlation was not significant for the upper lobes (P=0.05). FEV1%P results were also moderately correlated with inspiratory, expiratory ELV (ELVI,E) for the lower lobes (P<0.05). In contrast, the ratio of the diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide to alveolar gas volume, measured as percent of predicted (DLCO/VA%P) results were strongly correlated with ELVI for the upper lobes (P<0.001), whereas this correlation with NLVCR values was weaker for upper lobes (P<0.01) and was not significant for the lower lobes (P=0.26). FEV1%P results were correlated with NLV collapsibility indices for lower lobes, whereas DLCO/VA%P results were correlated with NLV collapsibility indices and ELV for upper lobes. Thus, evaluating lobar NLV collapsibility might be useful for estimating pulmonary function in COPD patients.

Optimizing the dual elemental thermal reactive deposition time in carbide layer formation on SUJ2 tool steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mochtar, Myrna Ariati; Putra, Wahyuaji Narottama; Mahardika, Bayu

2018-05-01

This paper presents developments contributing to the improvement of thermo-reactive deposition (TRD) process in producing hard carbide layers, on automotive components application. The problem in using FeV powder as a coating material that has been applied in the industries is it is high cost. In this study, FeCr powder coating material was mixed into FeV powder with a ratio of 35:65 weight percent. The SUJ2 steel pins components are processed at 980° C, with varying TRD time was 4,6,8 and 10 hours. Scanning Electron microscope (SEM), Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were applied to analyze the coating layers. The thickness of the carbide layer formed will increase with the longer processing time, which thickness at 4-10 hours is increase from 22.7 to 29.7 micron. The gained thickness tends to be homogeneous. Increasing the TRD process holding time results in a higher hardness of the carbide layerwith hardness at 4, 6, 8 and 10 hours is 2049, 2184, 2175 and 2343 HV. The wear rate at TRD holding time of 4-10 hours with the Ogoshi method was reduced from 5.1 × 10-4 mm3/m to 2.5 × 10-4 mm3/m. Optical microscope observations shows that substrate phases consisting of pearlite and cementite and grains that tend to enlarge with the addition of time. Carbide compounds that are formed are vanadium carbide (V8C7, V6C5, V2C) and chromium carbide (Cr3C2, Cr23C7, Cr3C7). While EDS-Linescan results show complex phase (Fe, V, Cr) xC formed. The research shows that addition of FeCr into FeV powder in TRD process in 980°C with optimum time of 10 hours processing meet the mechanical properties requirement of automotive components.

Annual FEV1 changes and numbers of circulating endothelial microparticles in patients with COPD: a prospective study

PubMed Central

Takahashi, Toru; Kobayashi, Seiichi; Fujino, Naoya; Suzuki, Takaya; Ota, Chiharu; Tando, Yukiko; Yamada, Mitsuhiro; Yanai, Masaru; Yamaya, Mutsuo; Kurosawa, Shin; Yamauchi, Masanori; Kubo, Hiroshi

2014-01-01

Objective Growing evidence suggests that endothelial injury is involved in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) increase in patients with COPD because of the presence of endothelial injury. We examined the relationship between EMP number and changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in patients with COPD. Design Prospective study. Setting One hospital in Japan. Participants A total 48 outpatients with stable COPD coming to the hospital from September 2010 to September 2011. Primary and secondary outcomes measured Blood samples were collected and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin EMPs (CD144+ EMPs), E-selectin EMPs (CD62E+ EMPs) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule EMPs (CD31+/CD41− EMPs) were measured using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Annual FEV1 changes were evaluated using FEV1 data acquired a year before and a year after sample collection. Results The number of E-selectin and VE-cadherin EMPs showed significant negative correlations with annual FEV1 changes (rs=−0.65, p<0.001, rs=−0.43, p=0.003, respectively). Leucocyte counts tended to be correlated with annual FEV1 changes, but this correlation was not significant (rs=−0.28, p=0.057). There were significant differences in annual FEV1 changes between with and without history of frequent exacerbation (p=0.006), and among Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages (p=0.009). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed E-selectin EMP to be the only significant parameter associated with annual FEV1 changes, independent of VE-cadherin EMP, GOLD stages, leucocyte counts, and history of frequent exacerbation. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed the optimum E-selectin EMP cut-off level for prediction of rapid FEV1 decline (>66 mL/year) to be 153.0/µL (areas under curve 0.78 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.89); sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 81%). Conclusions The high E-selectin EMP levels in stable patients with COPD are predictive of rapid FEV1 decline. Trial registration number UMIN000005168. PMID:24604485

Bronchodilator Response in FVC Is Larger and More Relevant Than in FEV1 in Severe Airflow Obstruction.

PubMed

Quanjer, Philip H; Ruppel, Gregg L; Langhammer, Arnulf; Krishna, Abhishek; Mertens, Frans; Johannessen, Ane; Menezes, Ana M B; Wehrmeister, Fernando C; Perez-Padilla, Rogelio; Swanney, Maureen P; Tan, Wan C; Bourbeau, Jean

2017-05-01

Recommendations on interpreting tests of bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) are conflicting. We investigated the dependence of BDR criteria on sex, age, height, ethnicity, and severity of respiratory impairment. BDR test data were available from clinical patients in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States (n = 15,278; female subjects, 51.7%) and from surveys in Canada, Norway, and five Latin-American countries (n = 16,250; female subjects, 54.7%). BDR calculated according to FEV 1 , FVC, and FEV 1 /FVC was expressed as absolute change, a percentage of the baseline level (% baseline), a percentage of the predicted value (% predicted), and z score. Change (Δ) in FEV 1 and FVC, in milliliters, was unrelated to the baseline value but was biased toward age, height, sex, and level of airways obstruction; ΔFEV 1 was significantly lower in African Americans. In 1,106 subjects with low FEV 1 (200-1,621 mL) the FEV 1 increased by 12% to 44.7% relative to baseline but < 200 mL. Expressing BDR as a percentage of the predicted value or as a z score attenuated the bias and made the 200-mL criterion redundant, but reduced positive responses by half. ΔFEV 1 % baseline increased with the level of airflow obstruction but decreased with severe obstruction when expressed as z scores or % predicted; ΔFVC, however expressed, increased with the level of airflow obstruction. Expressing FEV 1 responsiveness as % baseline spuriously suggests that responsiveness increases with the severity of respiratory impairment. Expressing change in FEV 1 or FVC as % predicted or as z scores eliminates this artifact and renders the required 200-mL minimum increase redundant. In severe airways obstruction ΔFVC should be critically evaluated as an index of clinically important relief of hyperinflation, with implications for bronchodilator drug trials. Copyright © 2016 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Yang Baxter and anisotropic sigma and lambda models, cyclic RG and exact S-matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Appadu, Calan; Hollowood, Timothy J.; Price, Dafydd; Thompson, Daniel C.

2017-09-01

Integrable deformation of SU(2) sigma and lambda models are considered at the classical and quantum levels. These are the Yang-Baxter and XXZ-type anisotropic deformations. The XXZ type deformations are UV safe in one regime, while in another regime, like the Yang-Baxter deformations, they exhibit cyclic RG behaviour. The associ-ated affine quantum group symmetry, realized classically at the Poisson bracket level, has q a complex phase in the UV safe regime and q real in the cyclic RG regime, where q is an RG invariant. Based on the symmetries and RG flow we propose exact factorizable S-matrices to describe the scattering of states in the lambda models, from which the sigma models follow by taking a limit and non-abelian T-duality. In the cyclic RG regimes, the S-matrices are periodic functions of rapidity, at large rapidity, and in the Yang-Baxter case violate parity.

Operating and environmental characteristics of Sigma Tau hydrogen masers used in the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, T. K.

1989-01-01

Presented here are the results obtained from performance evaluation of a pair of Sigma Tau Standards Corporation Model VLBA-112 active hydrogen maser frequency standards. These masers were manufactured for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) for use on the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) project and were furnished to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for the purpose of these tests. Tests on the two masers were performed in the JPL Frequency Standards Laboratory (FSL) and included the characterization of output frequency stability versus environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, magnetic field, and barometric pressure. The performance tests also included the determination of phase noise and Allan variance using both FSL and Sigma Tau masers as references. All tests were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, with only the desired environmental and operational parameters varied to determine sensitivity to external environment.

Genetic Variants in the Hedgehog Interacting Protein Gene Are Associated with the FEV1/FVC Ratio in Southern Han Chinese Subjects with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zili; Wang, Jian; Zheng, Zeguang; Chen, Xindong; Zeng, Xiansheng; Zhang, Yi; Li, Defu; Shu, Jiaze; Yang, Kai; Lai, Ning; Dong, Lian

2017-01-01

Background Convincing evidences have demonstrated the associations between HHIP and FAM13a polymorphisms and COPD in non-Asian populations. Here genetic variants in HHIP and FAM13a were investigated in Southern Han Chinese COPD. Methods A case-control study was conducted, including 989 cases and 999 controls. The associations between SNPs genotypes and COPD were performed by a logistic regression model; for SNPs and COPD-related phenotypes such as lung function, COPD severity, pack-year of smoking, and smoking status, a linear regression model was employed. Effects of risk alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes of the 3 significant SNPs in the HHIP gene on FEV1/FVC were also assessed in a linear regression model in COPD. Results The mean FEV1/FVC% value was 46.8 in combined COPD population. None of the 8 selected SNPs apparently related to COPD susceptibility. However, three SNPs (rs12509311, rs13118928, and rs182859) in HHIP were associated significantly with the FEV1/FVC% (Pmax = 4.1 × 10−4) in COPD adjusting for gender, age, and smoking pack-years. Moreover, statistical significance between risk alleles and the FEV1/FVC% (P = 2.3 × 10−4), risk genotypes, and the FEV1/FVC% (P = 3.5 × 10−4) was also observed in COPD. Conclusions Genetic variants in HHIP were related with FEV1/FVC in COPD. Significant relationships between risk alleles and risk genotypes and FEV1/FVC in COPD were also identified. PMID:28929109

Pulmonary function test in healthy school children of 8 to 14 years age in south Gujarat region, India

PubMed Central

Doctor, Tahera H.; Trivedi, Sangeeta S.; Chudasama, Rajesh K.

2010-01-01

Objective: To obtain reference values for FEV1, FVC, FEV1% and PEFR among children aged 8-14 years in south Gujarat region of India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 655 normal healthy school children (408 boys and 247 girls) of Surat city aged 8 to 14 years studying in V to VII standard during November 2007 to April 2008. Height, weight, body surface area were measured. All included children were tested in a sitting position with the head straight after taking written consent from parents. Spirometry was done using the spirometer “Spirolab II” MIR 010. Spirometer used in the study facilitates the total valuation of lung function including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume ratio in one second (FEV1%) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Results: FVC, FEV1 and PEFR were found to be statistically significant in the study groups. For FVC and FEV1, highest correlation was found with age in girls and height in boys. For FEV1%, significant negative correlation was found with age and height in both sexes, but positive correlation was found with surface area. Similarly, PEFR showed highest correlation with surface area in boys and girls. Conclusion: Variables such as FVC, FEV1 and PEFR show good positive correlation with height, age and body surface area in both sexes. There is a need to have regional values for the prediction of normal spirometric parameters in a country like India with considerable diversity. PMID:20931033

"Squishy capacitor" model for electrical double layers and the stability of charged interfaces.

PubMed

Partenskii, Michael B; Jordan, Peter C

2009-07-01

Negative capacitance (NC), predicted by various electrical double layer (EDL) theories, is critically reviewed. Physically possible for individual components of the EDL, the compact or diffuse layer, it is strictly prohibited for the whole EDL or for an electrochemical cell with two electrodes. However, NC is allowed for the artificial conditions of sigma control, where an EDL is described by the equilibrium electric response of electrolyte to a field of fixed, and typically uniform, surface charge-density distributions, sigma. The contradiction is only apparent; in fact local sigma cannot be set independently, but is established by the equilibrium response to physically controllable variables, i.e., applied voltage phi (phi control) or total surface charge q (q control). NC predictions in studies based on sigma control signify potential instabilities and phase transitions for physically realizable conditions. Building on our previous study of phi control [M. B. Partenskii and P. C. Jordan, Phys. Rev. E 77, 061117 (2008)], here we analyze critical behavior under q control, clarifying the basic picture using an exactly solvable "squishy capacitor" toy model. We find that phi can change discontinuously in the presence of a lateral transition, specify stability conditions for an electrochemical cell, analyze the origin of the EDL's critical point in terms of compact and diffuse serial contributions, and discuss perspectives and challenges for theoretical studies not limited by sigma control.

Spatial Quantum Beats in Vibrational Resonant Inelastic Soft X-Ray Scattering at Dissociating States in Oxygen

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pietzsch, A.; Kennedy, B.; Sun, Y.-P.

2011-04-15

Resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectra excited at the 1{sigma}{sub g}{yields}3{sigma}{sub u} resonance in gas-phase O{sub 2} show excitations due to the nuclear degrees of freedom with up to 35 well-resolved discrete vibronic states and a continuum due to the kinetic energy distribution of the separated atoms. The RIXS profile demonstrates spatial quantum beats caused by two interfering wave packets with different momenta as the atoms separate. Thomson scattering strongly affects both the spectral profile and the scattering anisotropy.

Ranging and tracking system for proximity operations, phase 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Udalov, S.; Nilsen, P. W.

1979-01-01

A study task is reported which is directed towards developing a conceptual design of a small, lightweight range and range rate radar sensor system to meet NASA's requirements for accurate short-range and velocity measurements in an orbital environment. Within the context of the requirements, the short range implies system operation at 0 m to 1850 m (6000 ft) and accurate implies a range measurement to within 1 sigma accuracy of 0.20 m (0.67 ft) and a range rate (velocity) measurement to within 1 sigma accuracy of 0.01 m/sec (0.033 ft/sec).

Symposium on allergic lung disease. I. The clinical picture of asthma.

PubMed

Rebuck, A S

1974-02-16

Life-threatening asthma may be judged to be present in patients who, in the presence of a low FEV(1) are too dyspneic to speak, have altered consciousness or unequivocal cyanosis. Other physical signs which indicate airway obstruction of grave severity are pulsus paradoxus, gross thoracic overinflation and electrocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension. A rise in the arterial CO(2) tension, the presence of pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum, and an FEV(1) less than 1 litre and vital capacity less than 0.5 litre, failing to increase immediately after inhalation of a bronchodilator, are also features which demand urgent and intensive therapy.Corticosteroids in large doses should be administered whenever a life-threatening situation is recognized. Systemic steroids should be stopped only when the danger phase, as indicated by the criteria given above, has been reversed. At all stages of therapy regular inhalations of a sympathomimetic bronchodilator should be maintained. Oral steroid therapy should be continued until maximum ventilatory function has been attained; only then should dose reduction be attempted.

Cooperative triple-proton/hydrogen atom relay in 7-azaindole(CH3OH)2 in the gas phase: remarkable change in the reaction mechanism from vibrational-mode specific to statistical fashion with increasing internal energy.

PubMed

Sakota, Kenji; Inoue, Naomi; Komoto, Yusuke; Sekiya, Hiroshi

2007-05-31

The 7-azaindole-methanol 1:2 cluster [7AI(CH(3)OH)2] undergoes excited-state triple-proton/hydrogen atom transfer (ESTPT/HT) along the hydrogen-bonded network in the gas phase. The measurements of the resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra of 7AI(CH(3)OH)2-d(n) (n = 0-3), where subscript n indicates the number of deuterium, and the fluorescence excitation spectrum of 7AI(CH(3)OH)2-d(0) allowed us to investigate the ESTPT/HT dynamics. By comparing the intensity ratios of the vibronic bands between 7AI(CH(3)OH)2-d(0) and 7AI(CH(3)OH)2-d(3) in REMPI spectra, we obtained the lower limit of an acceleration factor (f(a)(low)) of 7AI(CH(3)OH)2-d(0), which is the ratio of the reaction rate for the excitation of a vibronic state to that of the zero-point state in S(1). The f(a)(low) values are 2.7 +/- 0.83 and 4.0 +/- 1.2 for an in-phase intermolecular stretching vibration (sigma(1)) and its overtone (2sigma(1)) observed at 181 cm(-1) and 359 cm(-1) in the excitation spectrum, respectively, while that of the vibration (nu(2)/sigma(1) or nu(3)/sigma(1)) at 228 cm(-1) is 1.1 +/- 0.83. Thus, vibrational-mode-specific ESTPT/HT occurs in the low-energy region (600 cm(-1)). The excitation of an intramolecular ring mode (nu(intra)) of 7AI at 744 cm(-1) substantially enhances the reaction rate (f(a)(low) = 4.4 +/- 0.98), but the increase of f(a)(low) is not prominent for the excitation of v(intra) + sigma(1) at 926 cm(-1) (f(a)(low) = 5.0 +/- 1.6), although the sigma(1) mode is excited. These results suggest that the ESTPT/HT reaction in 7AI(CH(3)OH)2-d(0) directly proceeds from the photoexcited states with the internal energy less than approximately 600 cm(-1), but it occurs from the isoenergetically vibrational-energy redistributed states when the internal energy is large. This shows a remarkable feature of ESTPT/HT in 7AI(CH(3)OH)2; the nature of the reaction mechanism changes from vibrational-mode specific to statistical fashion with increasing the internal energy. The hydrogen-bonded network in 7AI(CH(3)OH)2-d(0) is represented by a directed graph. This shows that ESTPT/HT is one of the simplest examples of cooperative phenomena.

[Use of COPD-6 Vitalograph in Primary Care as tool for smoking cessation].

PubMed

Antón-García, F; Pruteanu, D F; Correcher-Salvador, E

2016-03-01

To assess the evolution of smoking cessation process after using a COPD-6 Vitalograph in smokers that came to a primary care practice (PCP) during a three year period (March 2011- February 2013). To assess if there are any new COPD diagnoses and to compare the smoking cessation outcomes to those of a specific smoking cessation practice (SSCP) from another healthcare centre. Two devices were used: Vitalograph (electronic device measuring the lung function) and the CO-oximeter, in 176 patients (active search of smokers). tobacco pack-years, tobacco dependence (shortened Fagerström test), CO in exhaled breath (in parts per million-ppm), personal history of COPD or cardiovascular disease (CVD). The patients performed three forced exhalations and the Vitalograph registered the lung function (FEV1, FEV6, FEV1/FEV6) and the estimated lung age (ELA). Patient attitude was assessed (phases: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation) before and after the test, informing them of the outcomes. Patient progress in the smoking cessation process was also recorded. A total of 176 smokers were studied in PCP and 33 in SSCP. PCP/SSCP: age: 45.9/51.6 years old (p=042); pack-years 25.5/39.3 (p=0001); patients who quit smoking and used medicines for it 2/9. In PCP: age-ELA 45.9/57.4 (p=0.000). In SSCP: age-ELA 51.6/74.3 (p=000). Smoking habit evolution PCP/SSCP: cessation 24.5%/48.5% (p=004). Difference 24%. CI difference (6.4-42.8%). In PCP new COPD diagnosis in 6 smokers. COPD-6 Vitalograph is a fast and easy to use tool in day-to-day practice. The percentage of smoking cessation is better in SSCP, although a high smoking cessation rate was obtained in PCP (active search). Copyright © 2014 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Prediction of Spirometric Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) Data Using Support Vector Regression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavitha, A.; Sujatha, C. M.; Ramakrishnan, S.

2010-01-01

In this work, prediction of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in pulmonary function test is carried out using the spirometer and support vector regression analysis. Pulmonary function data are measured with flow volume spirometer from volunteers (N=175) using a standard data acquisition protocol. The acquired data are then used to predict FEV1. Support vector machines with polynomial kernel function with four different orders were employed to predict the values of FEV1. The performance is evaluated by computing the average prediction accuracy for normal and abnormal cases. Results show that support vector machines are capable of predicting FEV1 in both normal and abnormal cases and the average prediction accuracy for normal subjects was higher than that of abnormal subjects. Accuracy in prediction was found to be high for a regularization constant of C=10. Since FEV1 is the most significant parameter in the analysis of spirometric data, it appears that this method of assessment is useful in diagnosing the pulmonary abnormalities with incomplete data and data with poor recording.

Application of SP test to Evaluate Embrittlement of Dual Phase Stainless Steel Caused by Sigma Phase and Neutron Irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, J.S.; Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011; Kim, I.S.

2004-07-01

The degradation of mechanical properties in dual phase 309L stainless steel RPV clad caused by the presence of s-phase as well as neutron irradiation was investigated using a small punch (SP) test. Two kinds of overlay-weld clad were fabricated on SA508 cl.3 pressure vessel steel plates with ER309L welding consumable strip by differing in heat input rates. The microstructure of the clad was composed of a main part of fcc austenite, a few percent of bcc d- ferrite and brittle bct s-phase. Area fraction of s-phase was ranging approximately 2 {approx} 8 percent depending on welding conditions. The JMTR wasmore » utilized for neutron irradiation and SP specimens were irradiated up to 1.02 x 10{sup 19} n/cm{sup 2} (E>1 MeV) at 563 K. After irradiation the SP ductile-to-brittle transition behavior moved to higher temperatures, however, it was more strongly affected by the amount of brittle s-phase rather than the irradiation at current doses. The cracking appearances in the SP specimens gradually changed from circumferential to radial cracking as the test temperature became low, content of {sigma}-phase increased and the specimens were irradiated. Those results were accounted for in terms of the inconsistency of fracture stress between the phases as well as the effects of stress-strain portioning combined with the changes of governing stress components for crack initiation. (authors)« less

Lysophosphatidic Acid and Apolipoprotein A1 Predict Increased Risk of Developing World Trade Center Lung Injury: A Nested Case-Control Study

PubMed Central

Tsukiji, Jun; Cho, Soo Jung; Echevarria, Ghislaine C.; Kwon, Sophia; Joseph, Phillip; Schenck, Edward J.; Naveed, Bushra; Prezant, David J.; Rom, William N.; Schmidt, Ann Marie; Weiden, Michael D.; Nolan, Anna

2014-01-01

Rationale Metabolic syndrome, inflammatory and vascular injury markers measured in serum after WTC exposures predict abnormal FEV1. We hypothesized that elevated LPA levels predict FEV1

On existence of the {sigma}(600) Its physical implications and related problems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ishida, Shin

1998-05-29

We make a re-analysis of 1=0 {pi}{pi} scattering phase shift {delta}{sub 0}{sup 0} through a new method of S-matrix parametrization (IA; interfering amplitude method), and show a result suggesting strongly for the existence of {sigma}-particle-long-sought Chiral partner of {pi}-meson. Furthermore, through the phenomenological analyses of typical production processes of the 2{pi}-system, the pp-central collision and the J/{psi}{yields}{omega}{pi}{pi} decay, by applying an intuitive formula as sum of Breit-Wigner amplitudes, (VMW; variant mass and width method), the other evidences for the {sigma}-existence are given. The validity of the methods used in the above analyses is investigated, using a simple field theoretical model,more » from the general viewpoint of unitarity and the applicability of final state interaction (FSI-) theorem, especially in relation to the ''universality'' argument. It is shown that the IA and VMW are obtained as the physical state representations of scattering and production amplitudes, respectively. The VMW is shown to be an effective method to obtain the resonance properties from production processes, which generally have the unknown strong-phases. The conventional analyses based on the 'universality' seem to be powerless for this purpose.« less

Delta ferrite-containing austenitic stainless steel resistant to the formation of undesirable phases upon aging

DOEpatents

Leitnaker, James M.

1981-01-01

Austenitic stainless steel alloys containing delta ferrite, such as are used as weld deposits, are protected against the transformation of delta ferrite to sigma phase during aging by the presence of carbon plus nitrogen in a weight percent 0.015-0.030 times the volume percent ferrite present in the alloy. The formation of chi phase upon aging is controlled by controlling the Mo content.

Delta ferrite-containing austenitic stainless steel resistant to the formation of undesirable phases upon aging

DOEpatents

Leitnaker, J.M.

Austenitic stainless steel alloys containing delta ferrite, such as are used as weld deposits, are protected against the transformation of delta ferrite to sigma phase during aging by the presence of carbon plus nitrogen in a weight percent 0.015 to 0.030 times the volume percent ferrite present in the alloy. The formation of chi phase upon aging is controlled by controlling the Mo content.

Longitudinal Pulmonary Function in Newly Hired, Non-World Trade Center-Exposed Fire Department City of New York Firefighters

PubMed Central

Ye, Fen; Hall, Charles B.; Webber, Mayris P.; Cohen, Hillel W.; Dinkels, Michael; Cosenza, Kaitlyn; Weiden, Michael D.; Nolan, Anna; Christodoulou, Vasilios; Kelly, Kerry J.; Prezant, David J.

2013-01-01

Background: Few longitudinal studies characterize firefighters’ pulmonary function. We sought to determine whether firefighters have excessive FEV1 decline rates compared with control subjects. Methods: We examined serial measurements of FEV1 from about 6 months prehire to about 5 years posthire in newly hired male, never smoking, non-Hispanic black and white firefighters, hired between 2003 and 2006, without prior respiratory disease or World Trade Center exposure. Similarly defined Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers served as control subjects. Results: Through June 30, 2011, 940 firefighters (82%) and 97 EMS workers (72%) who met study criteria had four or more acceptable posthire spirometries. Prehire FEV1% averaged higher for firefighters than EMS workers (99% vs 95%), reflecting more stringent job entry criteria. FEV1 (adjusted for baseline age and height) declined by an average of 45 mL/y both for firefighters and EMS workers, with Fire − EMS decline rate differences averaging 0.2 mL/y (CI, −9.2 to 9.6). Four percent of each group had FEV1 less than the lower limit of normal before hire, increasing to 7% for firefighters and 17.5% for EMS workers, but similar percentages of both groups had adjusted FEV1 decline rates ≥ 10%. Mixed effects modeling showed a significant influence of weight gain but not baseline weight: FEV1 declined by about 8 mL/kg gained for both groups. Adjusting for weight change, FEV1 decline averaged 38 mL/y for firefighters and 34 mL/y for EMS workers. Conclusions: During the first 5 years of duty, firefighters do not show greater longitudinal FEV1 decline than EMS control subjects, and fewer of them develop abnormal lung function. Weight gain is associated with a small loss of lung function, of questionable clinical relevance in this fit and active population. PMID:23188136

Post-9/11/2001 lung function trajectories by sex and race in World Trade Center-exposed New York City emergency medical service workers.

PubMed

Vossbrinck, Madeline; Zeig-Owens, Rachel; Hall, Charles B; Schwartz, Theresa; Moir, William; Webber, Mayris P; Cohen, Hillel W; Nolan, Anna; Weiden, Michael D; Christodoulou, Vasilios; Kelly, Kerry J; Aldrich, Thomas K; Prezant, David J

2017-03-01

To determine whether lung function trajectories after 9/11/2001 (9/11) differed by sex or race/ethnicity in World Trade Center-exposed Fire Department of the City of New York emergency medical service (EMS) workers. Serial cross-sectional study of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) taken between 9/11 and 9/10/2015. We used data from routine PFTs (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) and FEV 1 % predicted), conducted at 12-18 month intervals. FEV 1 and FEV 1 % predicted were assessed over time, stratified by sex, and race/ethnicity. We also assessed FEV 1 and FEV 1 % predicted in current, former and never-smokers. Among 1817 EMS workers, 334 (18.4%) were women, 979 (53.9%) self-identified as white and 939 (51.6%) were never-smokers. The median follow-up was 13.1 years (IQR 10.5-13.6), and the median number of PFTs per person was 11 (IQR 7-13). After large declines associated with 9/11, there was no discernible recovery in lung function. In analyses limited to never-smokers, the trajectory of decline in adjusted FEV 1 and FEV 1 % predicted was relatively parallel for men and women in the 3 racial/ethnic groups. Similarly, small differences in FEV 1 annual decline between groups were not clinically meaningful. Analyses including ever-smokers were essentially the same. 14 years after 9/11, most EMS workers continued to demonstrate a lack of lung function recovery. The trajectories of lung function decline, however, were parallel by sex and by race/ethnicity. These findings support the use of routine, serial measures of lung function over time in first responders and demonstrate no sex or racial sensitivity to exposure-related lung function decline. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

SU-E-T-459: Dosimetric Consequences of Rotated Elliptical Proton Spots in Modeling In-Air Proton Fluence for Calculating Doses in Water of Proton Pencil Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matysiak, W; Yeung, D; Hsi, W

2014-06-01

Purpose: We present a study of dosimetric consequences on doses in water in modeling in-air proton fluence independently along principle axes for rotated elliptical spots. Methods: Phase-space parameters for modeling in-air fluence are the position sigma for the spatial distribution, the angle sigma for the angular distribution, and the correlation between position and angle distributions. Proton spots of the McLaren proton therapy system were measured at five locations near the isocenter for the energies of 180 MeV and 250 MeV. An elongated elliptical spot rotated with respect to the principle axes was observed for the 180 MeV, while a circular-likemore » spot was observed for the 250 MeV. In the first approach, the phase-space parameters were derived in the principle axes without rotation. In the second approach, the phase space parameters were derived in the reference frame with axes rotated to coincide with the major axes of the elliptical spot. Monte-Carlo simulations with derived phase-space parameters using both approaches to tally doses in water were performed and analyzed. Results: For the rotated elliptical 180 MeV spots, the position sigmas were 3.6 mm and 3.2 mm in principle axes, but were 4.3 mm and 2.0 mm when the reference frame was rotated. Measured spots fitted poorly the uncorrelated 2D Gaussian, but the quality of fit was significantly improved after the reference frame was rotated. As a Result, phase space parameters in the rotated frame were more appropriate for modeling in-air proton fluence of 180 MeV protons. Considerable differences were observed in Monte Carlo simulated dose distributions in water with phase-space parameters obtained with the two approaches. Conclusion: For rotated elliptical proton spots, phase-space parameters obtained in the rotated reference frame are better for modeling in-air proton fluence, and can be introduced into treatment planning systems.« less

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Herbicide Exposure in Vietnam-Era U.S. Army Chemical Corps Veterans.

PubMed

Cypel, Yasmin; Hines, Stella E; Davey, Victoria J; Eber, Stephanie M; Schneiderman, Aaron I

2018-04-01

Past research demonstrates a possible association between herbicide exposure and respiratory health. Biologic plausibility and inhalation as a mode of exposure further support the contention that herbicides may act as adverse contributors to respiratory status, especially in military personnel who were responsible for chemical maintenance and distribution during the Vietnam War. This study examines the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and herbicide exposure among Vietnam-era U.S. Army Chemical Corps veterans. A 2013 three-phase health study was conducted that included a survey (mail or telephone), in-home physical examinations, and medical record reviews/abstractions. Living, eligible veterans (n = 4,027) were identified using an existing cohort of men (n = 5,609) who either served in Vietnam (n = 2,872) or never served in Southeast Asia (n = 2,737). The health survey collected self-reported data on physician-diagnosed pulmonary conditions (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis), service-related herbicide spraying history, cigarette smoking status, alcohol use, and demographics. Data from service personnel files confirmed chemical operations involvement and service status, whereas serum samples analyzed for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin supported self-reported herbicide exposure. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health quality-assured spirometry was performed during the physical examinations on a subset of survey respondents (n = 468 of 733 selected for participation and who provided consent) to determine mainly spirometric obstructive respiratory disease (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV 1 ]/forced vital capacity [FVC] < lower limit of normal [LLN], FVC ≥ LLN, and FEV 1  < LLN; and FEV 1 /FVC < LLN and FEV 1  ≥ LLN). Associations between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and veteran characteristics were examined (n = 403) using multivariable models. Reporting here specifically on spirometrically diagnosed disease, prevalence of obstructive disease was 8.4%. No significant differences in mean values of FEV 1 /FVC or mean percentage of predicted for FEV 1 and FVC between herbicide sprayers and nonsprayers were found. The odds of spirometric obstructive disease among sprayers were 0.65 times the odds among nonsprayers (adjusted odds ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-1.47), although elevated odds for spirometric restrictive disease were observed for sprayers versus nonsprayers (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-3.06). Race/ethnicity, anthropometric measures, and cigarette smoking status accounted for differences among veterans' respiratory patterns. No significant association between herbicide exposure and spirometry-determined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was found. Greater focus is required on confirming diagnoses of respiratory disease through spirometry in epidemiological research.

Evaluation of normalization reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis of spo0A and four sporulation sigma factor genes in Clostridium botulinum Group I strain ATCC 3502.

PubMed

Kirk, David G; Palonen, Eveliina; Korkeala, Hannu; Lindström, Miia

2014-04-01

Heat-resistant spores of Clostridium botulinum can withstand the pasteurization processes in modern food processing. This poses a risk to food safety as spores may germinate into botulinum neurotoxin-producing vegetative cells. Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis, the model organism for sporulation, is regulated by the transcription factor Spo0A and four alternative sigma factors, SigF, SigE, SigG, and SigK. While the corresponding regulators are found in available genomes of C. botulinum, little is known about their expression. To accurately measure the expression of these genes using quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) during the exponential and stationary growth phases, a suitable normalization reference gene is required. 16S rrn, adK, alaS, era, gluD, gyrA, rpoC, and rpsJ were selected as the candidate reference genes. The most stable candidate reference gene was 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rrn), based on its low coefficient of variation (1.81%) measured during the 18-h study time. Using 16S rrn as the normalization reference gene, the relative expression levels of spo0A, sigF, sigE, sigG, and sigK were measured over 18h. The pattern of expression showed spo0A expression during the logarithmic growth phase, followed by a drop in expression upon entry to the stationary phase. Expression levels of sigF, sigE, and sigG peaked simultaneously at the end of the exponential growth phase. Peak expression of sigK occurred at 18h, however low levels of expression were detected during the exponential phase. These findings suggest these sigma factors play a role in C. botulinum sporulation that is similar, but not equal, to their role in the B. subtilis model. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of post weld heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ITER-grade 316LN austenitic stainless steel weldments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Jijun; Fang, Chao; Song, Yuntao; Wei, Jing; Xu, Shen; Wu, Jiefeng

2017-04-01

The effect of postweld heat treatment (PWHT) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ITER-grade 316LN austenitic stainless steel joints with ER316LMn filler material was investigated. PWHT aging was performed for 1 h at four different temperatures of 600 °C, 760 °C, 870 °C and 920 °C, respectively. The microstructure revealed the sigma phase precipitation occurred in the weld metals heat-treated at the temperature of 870 °C and 920 °C. The PWHT temperatures have the less effect on the tensile strength, and the maximum tensile strength of the joints is about 630 MPa, reaching the 95% of the base metal, whereas the elongation is enhanced with the rise of PWHT temperatures. Meanwhile, the sigma phase precipitation in the weld metals reduces the impact toughness.

Efficacy and Safety of Roflumilast in Korean Patients with COPD

PubMed Central

Lee, Jae Seung; Hong, Yoon Ki; Park, Tae Sun; Lee, Sei Won; Oh, Yeon-Mok

2016-01-01

Purpose Roflumilast is the only oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients [post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <50% predicted] with chronic bronchitis and a history of frequent exacerbations. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of roflumilast in Korean patients with COPD and compared the efficacy based on the severity of airflow limitation. Materials and Methods A post-hoc subgroup analysis was performed in Korean COPD patients participating in JADE, a 12-week, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase III trial in Asia. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean [least-squares mean adjusted for covariates (LSMean)] change in post-bronchodilator FEV1 from baseline to each post-randomization visit. Safety endpoints included adverse events (AEs) and changes in laboratory values, vital signs, and electrocardiograms. Results A total of 260 Korean COPD patients were recruited, of which 207 were randomized to roflumilast (n=102) or placebo (n=105) treatment. After 12 weeks, LSMean post-bronchodilator FEV1 increased by 43 mL for patients receiving roflumilast and decreased by 60 mL for those taking placebo. Adverse events were more common in the roflumilast group than in the placebo group; however, the types and frequency of AEs were comparable to those reported in previous studies. Conclusion Roflumilast significantly improved lung function with a tolerable safety profile in Korean COPD patients irrespective of the severity of airflow limitation. PMID:27189287

Effects of side lying on lung function in older individuals.

PubMed

Manning, F; Dean, E; Ross, J; Abboud, R T

1999-05-01

Body positioning exerts a strong effect on pulmonary function, but its effect on other components of the oxygen transport pathway are less well understood, especially the effects of side-lying positions. This study investigated the interrelationships between side-lying positions and indexes of lung function such as spirometry, alveolar diffusing capacity, and inhomogeneity of ventilation in older individuals. Nineteen nonsmoking subjects (mean age=62.8 years, SD=6.8, range=50-74) with no history of cardiac or pulmonary disease were tested over 2 sessions. The test positions were sitting and left side lying in one session and sitting and right side lying in the other session. In each of the positions, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), single-breath pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO/VA), and the slope of phase III (DN2%/L) of the single-breath nitrogen washout test to determine inhomogeneity of ventilation were measured. Compared with measurements obtained in the sitting position, FVC and FEV1 were decreased equally in the side-lying positions, but no change was observed in DLCO/VA or DN2%/L. Side-lying positions resulted in decreases in FVC and FEV1, which is consistent with the well-documented effects of the supine position. These findings further support the need for prescriptive rather than routine body positioning of patients with risks of cardiopulmonary compromise and the need to use upright positions in which lung volumes and capacities are maximized.

''Reading'' the photoelectron {beta}-parameter spectrum in a resonance region

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dolmatov, V. K.; Guler, E.; Manson, S. T.

2007-09-15

The behavior of the dipole photoelectron angular distribution parameter {beta}{sub nl}({omega}) in the vicinity of autoionizing resonances is discussed. It is shown that from this behavior, surprisingly, many photoionization parameters that cannot be measured experimentally can be extracted. These are the energy positions and ordering of autoionizing resonance minima in the partial photoionization cross sections {sigma}{sub l+1} and {sigma}{sub l-1}, the energies at which these two cross sections intersect, and signs and magnitudes of the cos({delta}{sub l+1}-{delta}{sub l-1}) ({delta}{sub l{+-}}{sub 1} being the phase shifts of the dipole photoionization amplitudes D{sub l{+-}}{sub 1}, respectively) through the autoionizing resonance energy region.more » Based on this, a deeper interpretation of such effects as the width-narrowing, width-fluctuating, and q-reversal in the {beta}{sub nl} parameter spectrum in the autoionizing resonance energy region is given. As an example, calculated data for partial photoionization cross sections {sigma}{sub 3d{r_reversible}}{sub f} and {sigma}{sub 3d{r_reversible}}{sub p}, and {beta}{sub 3d} parameters for 3d photoelectrons from Cr{sup +} are presented.« less

Long story short: an introduction to the short-term and long-term Six Sigma quality and its importance in the laboratory medicine for the management of extra-analytical processes.

PubMed

Ialongo, Cristiano; Bernardini, Sergio

2018-06-18

There is a compelling need for quality tools that enable effective control of the extra-analytical phase. In this regard, Six Sigma seems to offer a valid methodological and conceptual opportunity, and in recent times, the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine has adopted it for indicating the performance requirements for non-analytical laboratory processes. However, the Six Sigma implies a distinction between short-term and long-term quality that is based on the dynamics of the processes. These concepts are still not widespread and applied in the field of laboratory medicine although they are of fundamental importance to exploit the full potential of this methodology. This paper reviews the Six Sigma quality concepts and shows how they originated from Shewhart's control charts, in respect of which they are not an alternative but a completion. It also discusses the dynamic nature of process and how it arises, concerning particularly the long-term dynamic mean variation, and explains why this leads to the fundamental distinction of quality we previously mentioned.

Prevalence and determinants of airflow limitation in urban and rural children exposed to cooking fuels in South-East Nigeria.

PubMed

Oguonu, Tagbo; Obumneme-Anyim, Ijeoma N; Eze, Joy N; Ayuk, Adaeze C; Okoli, Chinyere V; Ndu, Ikenna K

2018-05-01

Background Biofuels and other cooking fuels are used in households in low- and middle-income countries. Aim To investigate the impact of cooking fuels on lung function in children in urban and rural households in South-East Nigeria. Methods The multi-stage sampling method was used to enroll children exposed to cooking fuel in the communities. Lung function values FEV1, FVC and the FEV1/FVC ratio, were measured with ndd EasyOne R spirometer. Airflow limitation was determined with FEV1/FVC Z-score values at -1.64 as the lower limit of normal (LLN5). The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 software was used to calculate the lung function indices. Results The median age (range) of the 912 children enrolled was 10.6 years (6-18). Altogether, 468 (51.6%) children lived in rural areas. Seven hundred and thirty-seven (80.7%) were directly exposed to cooking fuels (418/737, 56.5% in rural areas). Wood and kerosene were the dominant fuels in rural and urban households. The respective mean Z-scores of the exposed children in rural and urban were zFEV1 -0.62, FVC -0.21, FEV1/FVC -0.83 and zFEV1 -0.57, zFVC -0.14, FEV1/FVC -0.75. Few (5.2%, 38/737) of the children had airflow limitation. Most of them (60.5%, 25/38) lived in the rural community; the lowest FEV1/FVC Z-scores were those of exposed to a combination of fuels. Conclusion Exposure to cooking fuels affects lung function in children with airway limitation in a small proportion, Control measures are advocated to reduce the morbidity related to cooking fuels exposure.

Relationship Between FEV1 and Patient-Reported Outcomes Changes: Results of a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials in Stable COPD.

PubMed

de la Loge, Christine; Tugaut, Béatrice; Fofana, Fatoumata; Lambert, Jérémy; Hennig, Michael; Tschiesner, Uta; Vahdati-Bolouri, Mitra; Segun Ismaila, Afisi; Suresh Punekar, Yogesh

2016-03-15

Background: This meta-analysis assessed the relationship between change from baseline (CFB) in spirometric measurements (trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV 1 ] and FEV 1 area under the curve [AUC]) and patient-reported outcomes (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire total score [SGRQ] CFB, Transition Dyspnea Index [TDI] and exacerbation rates) after 6-12 months' follow-up, using study treatment-group level data. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for randomized controlled trials of ≥24 weeks duration in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies reporting ≥1 spirometric measurement and ≥1 patient-reported outcome (PRO) at baseline and at study endpoint were selected. The relationships between PROs and spirometric endpoints were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient and meta-regression. Results: Fifty-two studies (62,385 patients) were included. Primary weighted analysis conducted at the last assessment showed a large significant negative correlation (r, -0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI); -0.77, -0.57]) between trough FEV 1 and SGRQ. Improvement of 100 mL in trough FEV 1 corresponded to a 5.9 point reduction in SGRQ. Similarly, a reduction of 4 points on SGRQ corresponded to 40 mL improvement in trough FEV 1 ( p <0.001). The weighted correlation coefficients of trough FEV 1 with TDI, exacerbation rate (all) and exacerbation rate (moderate/severe) at last assessment point were 0.57, -0.69 and -0.57, respectively (all p <0.05). For the analyses excluding placebo groups, the correlations of FEV 1 with SGRQ and TDI were lower but significant. Conclusions: A strong association exists between changes in spirometric measurements and changes in PROs.

Adrenergic responsiveness: FEV1 and symptom differences in Whites and African Americans with mild asthma.

PubMed

Hardie, Grace E; Brown, James K; Gold, Warren M

2007-10-01

Decision-making about inhaler use is, in part, determined by the ability of asthmatic patients to compare their symptoms over time and to recall the previous response to the bronchodilator during an episode of asthma. The perception of airway symptoms across varied ethnic and cultural groups are poorly understood. Study purpose was (1) to determine if African Americans and Whites with mild asthma could accurately perceive bronchodilation and (2) to identify the word descriptors they used to describe their breathing. Sixteen African American and 16 White patients (34.5 +/- 9.7 years old, mean+/-SD) with mild atopic asthma (FEV1 > or =70% predicted normal) were given increasing doses of an inhaled bronchodilator (Albuterol) after a methacholine challenge. Albuterol (180 microg) was given, by spacer, at 15 min intervals until the FEV1 increased < 5%. Borg, VAS, and Word Descriptors were collected at baseline and after each dose of Albuterol. Baseline FEV1 after Methacholine provocation was 1.94 +/- .39 L for African Americans and 2.13 +/- .70 L for Whites. After 180 microg and again after 360 microg Albuterol, FEV1 increased to 2.88 +/- 0.48 L for African Americans and 3.37 +/- 0.91 L for Whites. But after 540 microg Albuterol, FEV1 decreased significantly (16%) to 2.42 +/- 1.19 L for African Americans while increasing only slightly to 3.47 +/- 0.95 L for Whites. After this dose, 10/16 African Americans felt "tight at the base of throat" (p < 0.01); 7/16 felt "speech-voice-tight" (p < 0.03) suggesting persistent airway discomfort despite marked improvement in FEV1, Borg and VAS scores compared with baseline values. Word descriptors by African Americans' are a more reliable measure of airway symptoms compared to FEV1, Borg or VAS.

Prevalence and prediction of exercise-induced oxygen desaturation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PubMed

van Gestel, A J R; Clarenbach, C F; Stöwhas, A C; Teschler, S; Russi, E W; Teschler, H; Kohler, M

2012-01-01

Previous studies with small sample sizes reported contradicting findings as to whether pulmonary function tests can predict exercise-induced oxygen desaturation (EID). To evaluate whether forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), resting oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) are predictors of EID in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We measured FEV(1), DLCO, SpO(2) at rest and during a 6-min walking test as well as physical activity by an accelerometer. A drop in SpO(2) of >4 to <90% was defined as EID. To evaluate associations between measures of lung function and EID univariate and multivariate analyses were used and positive/negative predictive values were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the most useful threshold in order to predict/exclude EID. We included 154 patients with COPD (87 females). The mean FEV(1) was 43.0% (19.2) predicted and the prevalence of EID was 61.7%. The only independent predictor of EID was FEV(1) and the optimal cutoff value of FEV(1) was at 50% predicted (area under ROC curve, 0.85; p < 0.001). The positive predictive value of a threshold of FEV(1) <50% was 0.83 with a likelihood ratio of 3.03 and the negative predicting value of a threshold of FEV(1) ≥80% was 1.0. The severity of EID was correlated with daily physical activity (r = -0.31, p = 0.008). EID is highly prevalent among patients with COPD and can be predicted by FEV(1). EID seems to be associated with impaired daily physical activity which supports its clinical importance. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Clinical Use of Dornase Alfa Is Associated with a Slower Rate of FEV1 Decline in Cystic Fibrosis

PubMed Central

Konstan, Michael W.; Wagener, Jeffrey S.; Pasta, David J.; Millar, Stefanie J.; Jacobs, Joan R.; Yegin, Ashley; Morgan, Wayne J.

2014-01-01

SUMMARY Objectives Randomized controlled trials of dornase alfa have shown forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to improve in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) but have not assessed change in the rate of lung function decline. We assessed the relationship of dornase alfa use and FEV1 decline using the Epidemiologic Study of CF (ESCF). Methodology Patients aged 8–38 years who had been enrolled in ESCF for 2 years when initially treated with dornase alfa were selected if they remained on treatment during the following 2 years. A comparator group included patients aged 8–38 who were not yet reported to have received dornase alfa. For each patient we estimated the annual rate of decline in FEV1 % predicted before and after the index using a mixed-effects model adjusted for age, gender, pulmonary exacerbations, respiratory therapies, and nutritional supplements. Results The dornase alfa group (n = 2,230) had a lower FEV1 % predicted at index and a more rapid decline during the pre-index period. The mean rate of FEV1 decline improved for the dornase alfa group; the improvement was similar in adults and children 8–17 years old but was not statistically significant in adults. The comparator group (n = 5,970) showed no change among adults and an increased rate of decline among children 8–17 years old. Conclusions The use of dornase alfa for a 2-year period is associated with a reduction in the rate of FEV1 decline. These results also demonstrate the value of using an observational study to assess the association of instituting new therapies in the clinical setting with changes in the rate of FEV1 decline in patients with CF. PMID:21438174

Relationship Between FEV1 and Patient-Reported Outcomes Changes: Results of a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials in Stable COPD

PubMed Central

de la Loge, Christine; Tugaut, Béatrice; Fofana, Fatoumata; Lambert, Jérémy; Hennig, Michael; Tschiesner, Uta; Vahdati-Bolouri, Mitra; Segun Ismaila, Afisi; Suresh Punekar, Yogesh

2016-01-01

Background: This meta-analysis assessed the relationship between change from baseline (CFB) in spirometric measurements (trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] and FEV1 area under the curve [AUC]) and patient-reported outcomes (St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire total score [SGRQ] CFB, Transition Dyspnea Index [TDI] and exacerbation rates) after 6-12 months’ follow-up, using study treatment-group level data. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for randomized controlled trials of ≥24 weeks duration in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies reporting ≥1 spirometric measurement and ≥1 patient-reported outcome (PRO) at baseline and at study endpoint were selected. The relationships between PROs and spirometric endpoints were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient and meta-regression. Results: Fifty-two studies (62,385 patients) were included. Primary weighted analysis conducted at the last assessment showed a large significant negative correlation (r, −0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI); −0.77, −0.57]) between trough FEV1 and SGRQ. Improvement of 100 mL in trough FEV1 corresponded to a 5.9 point reduction in SGRQ. Similarly, a reduction of 4 points on SGRQ corresponded to 40 mL improvement in trough FEV1 (p<0.001). The weighted correlation coefficients of trough FEV1 with TDI, exacerbation rate (all) and exacerbation rate (moderate/severe) at last assessment point were 0.57, -0.69 and -0.57, respectively (all p<0.05). For the analyses excluding placebo groups, the correlations of FEV1 with SGRQ and TDI were lower but significant. Conclusions: A strong association exists between changes in spirometric measurements and changes in PROs. PMID:28848877

Reductions in pulmonary function detected in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis: An analysis of the Japanese National Research Project on Intractable Diseases database.

PubMed

Hayashida, Mie; Yasuo, Masanori; Hanaoka, Masayuki; Seyama, Kuniaki; Inoue, Yoshikazu; Tatsumi, Koichiro; Mishima, Michiaki

2016-05-01

In lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), predicting lung disease progression is essential for treatment planning. However, no previous Japanese studies have attempted to predict the reductions in pulmonary function that occur in LAM patients. The data for 89 LAM patients who had undergone ≥3 spirometry tests and whose data had been registered in the Japanese National Research Project on Intractable Diseases database between October 2009 and March 2014 were analyzed after excluding patients who had undergone (1) a lung transplant; (2) mTOR inhibitor treatment; or (3) thoracic drainage, pleurodesis, surgery, or thoracic duct ligation during the study period. The rates of change (slope) in pulmonary parameters were calculated, and their associations with clinical background factors were investigated. Among the whole study population, the median (quartiles) slope of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was -46.7 (-95.2; -15.0)mL per year. Episodes of conservatively treated pneumothorax during the study period were found to be associated with rapid reductions in FEV1 (% predicted). Pregnancy during the study period was associated with a reduction in FEV1 (% predicted). When the patients were divided into those who exhibited initial FEV1 (% predicted) values of >70% (Group A) and ≤70% (Group B), Group B displayed significantly faster reductions in FEV1 (% predicted) than Group A. LAM patients whose initial FEV1 (% predicted) values are ≤70% subsequently exhibit rapid reductions in their FEV1 values, and hence, require treatment. However, the FEV1 reduction rate varies markedly among individuals and should be monitored in all cases. Copyright © 2015 The Japanese Respiratory Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

3D ECG- and respiratory-gated non-contrast-enhanced (CE) perfusion MRI for postoperative lung function prediction in non-small-cell lung cancer patients: A comparison with thin-section quantitative computed tomography, dynamic CE-perfusion MRI, and perfusion scan.

PubMed

Ohno, Yoshiharu; Seki, Shinichiro; Koyama, Hisanobu; Yoshikawa, Takeshi; Matsumoto, Sumiaki; Takenaka, Daisuke; Kassai, Yoshimori; Yui, Masao; Sugimura, Kazuro

2015-08-01

To compare predictive capabilities of non-contrast-enhanced (CE)- and dynamic CE-perfusion MRIs, thin-section multidetector computed tomography (CT) (MDCT), and perfusion scan for postoperative lung function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Sixty consecutive pathologically diagnosed NSCLC patients were included and prospectively underwent thin-section MDCT, non-CE-, and dynamic CE-perfusion MRIs and perfusion scan, and had their pre- and postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 ) measured. Postoperative percent FEV1 (po%FEV1 ) was then predicted from the fractional lung volume determined on semiquantitatively assessed non-CE- and dynamic CE-perfusion MRIs, from the functional lung volumes determined on quantitative CT, from the number of segments observed on qualitative CT, and from uptakes detected on perfusion scans within total and resected lungs. Predicted po%FEV1 s were then correlated with actual po%FEV1 s, which were %FEV1 s measured postoperatively. The limits of agreement were also determined. All predicted po%FEV1 s showed significant correlation (0.73 ≤ r ≤ 0.93, P < 0.0001) and limits of agreement with actual po%FEV1 (non-CE-perfusion MRI: 0.3 ± 10.0%, dynamic CE-perfusion MRI: 1.0 ± 10.8%, perfusion scan: 2.2 ± 14.1%, quantitative CT: 1.2 ± 9.0%, qualitative CT: 1.5 ± 10.2%). Non-CE-perfusion MRI may be able to predict postoperative lung function more accurately than qualitatively assessed MDCT and perfusion scan. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Lung dysfunction in patients with severe chronic obstructive bronchitis].

PubMed

Nefedov, V B; Popova, L A; Shergina, E A

2005-01-01

VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/VC%, PEF, MEF25, MEF50, MEF75, TCL, TGV, RV, Raw, Rin, Rex, DLCO-SS, PaO2, and PaCO2 were determined in 36 patients with severe chronic obstructive lung disease (FEV1 < 50% of the normal value). All the patients were found to have impaired bronchial patency and changes in lung volumes and capacities; 83.3% of the patients had pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction. Impaired bronchial patency mainly appeared as decreased FEV1, FEV1/VC%, PEF, MEF25, MEF50, MEF75, Raw, Rin, Rex; altered lung volumes and capacities manifested by increased RV, TGV, and TLC, and by decreased VC and FVC; pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction showed up as lowered PaO2 and DLCO-SS, as decreased or increased PaCO2. The observed bronchial patency disorders varied from significant to severe; functional changes in lung volumes and capacities were mild to severe.

A Two-Phase Intergrowth in Genthelvite from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Antao, Sytle M.; Hassan, Ishmael; West Indies)

Synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray-diffraction (HRPXRD) data and Rietveld structure refinement were used to examine a two-phase intergrowth of genthelvite, ideally Zn{sub 8}[Be{sub 6}Si{sub 6}O{sub 24}]S{sub 2}, from the alkaline intrusive complex at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, where genthelvite occurs in nepheline syenite pegmatites. The structural parameters obtained for the two phases are slightly different from each other. The unit-cell parameters are 8.119190(7) {angstrom} (51% phase 1) and 8.128914(9) {angstrom} (49% phase 2). The refinement gives the chemical formulae and interstitial M cation in terms of Zn and Mn (the Fe content is practically zero) for the Mn-poor genthelvite phase 1 asmore » (Zn{sub 7.8}Mn{sub 0.2}){Sigma}{sub 8}[Be{sub 6}Si{sub 6}O{sub 24}]S{sub 2}, and the Mn-rich genthelvite phase 2 as (Zn{sub 7.0}Mn{sub 1.0}){Sigma}{sub 8}[Be{sub 6}Si{sub 6}O{sub 24}]S{sub 2}. These formulae are comparable to the Mn-poor and Mn-rich phases obtained by electron-microprobe analysis. The intergrowth indicates that diffusion is absent among the interstitial M cations of similar size (Zn{sup 2+}, Fe{sup 2+} and Mn{sup 2+}). Such intergrowths may form under distinct f(O{sub 2}) conditions and probably low temperature of crystallization that inhibits diffusion of M cations.« less

Reduction of Complications of Local Anaesthesia in Dental Healthcare Setups by Application of the Six Sigma Methodology: A Statistical Quality Improvement Technique

PubMed Central

Khatoon, Farheen

2015-01-01

Background Health care faces challenges due to complications, inefficiencies and other concerns that threaten the safety of patients. Aim The purpose of his study was to identify causes of complications encountered after administration of local anaesthesia for dental and oral surgical procedures and to reduce the incidence of complications by introduction of six sigma methodology. Materials and Methods DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) process of Six Sigma was taken into consideration to reduce the incidence of complications encountered after administration of local anaesthesia injections for dental and oral surgical procedures using failure mode and effect analysis. Pareto analysis was taken into consideration to analyse the most recurring complications. Paired z-sample test using Minitab Statistical Inference and Fisher’s exact test was used to statistically analyse the obtained data. The p-value <0.05 was considered as significant value. Results Total 54 systemic and 62 local complications occurred during three months of analyse and measure phase. Syncope, failure of anaesthesia, trismus, auto mordeduras and pain at injection site was found to be most recurring complications. Cumulative defective percentage was 7.99 in case of pre-improved data and decreased to 4.58 in the control phase. Estimate for difference was 0.0341228 and 95% lower bound for difference was 0.0193966. p-value was found to be highly significant with p= 0.000. Conclusion The application of six sigma improvement methodology in healthcare tends to deliver consistently better results to the patients as well as hospitals and results in better patient compliance as well as satisfaction. PMID:26816989

Strong-coupling analysis of two-dimensional O({ital N}) {sigma} models with {ital N}{le}2 on square, triangular, and honeycomb lattices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Campostrini, M.; Pelissetto, A.; Rossi, P.

1996-09-01

The critical behavior of two-dimensional (2D) O({ital N}) {sigma} models with {ital N}{le}2 on square, triangular, and honeycomb lattices is investigated by an analysis of the strong-coupling expansion of the two-point fundamental Green{close_quote}s function {ital G}({ital x}), calculated up to 21st order on the square lattice, 15th order on the triangular lattice, and 30th order on the honeycomb lattice. For {ital N}{lt}2 the critical behavior is of power-law type, and the exponents {gamma} and {nu} extracted from our strong-coupling analysis confirm exact results derived assuming universality with solvable solid-on-solid models. At {ital N}=2, i.e., for the 2D {ital XY} model,more » the results from all lattices considered are consistent with the Kosterlitz-Thouless exponential approach to criticality, characterized by an exponent {sigma}=1/2, and with universality. The value {sigma}=1/2 is confirmed within an uncertainty of few percent. The prediction {eta}=1/4 is also roughly verified. For various values of {ital N}{le}2, we determine some ratios of amplitudes concerning the two-point function {ital G}({ital x}) in the critical limit of the symmetric phase. This analysis shows that the low-momentum behavior of {ital G}({ital x}) in the critical region is essentially Gaussian at all values of {ital N}{le}2. Exact results for the long-distance behavior of {ital G}({ital x}) when {ital N}=1 (Ising model in the strong-coupling phase) confirm this statement. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}« less

Sigma-2 ligands and PARP inhibitors synergistically trigger cell death in breast cancer cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McDonald, Elizabeth S.; Mankoff, Julia; Makvandi, Mehran

The sigma-2 receptor is overexpressed in proliferating cells compared to quiescent cells and has been used as a target for imaging solid tumors by positron emission tomography. Recent work has suggested that the sigma-2 receptor may also be an effective therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a family of enzymes involved in DNA damage response. In this study, we looked for potential synergy of cytotoxicity between PARP inhibitors and sigma-2 receptor ligands in breast cancer cell lines. We showed that the PARP inhibitor, YUN3-6, sensitized mouse breast cancer cell line, EMT6, to sigma-2 receptor ligand (SV119,more » WC-26, and RHM-138) induced cell death determined by cell viability assay and colony forming assay. The PARP inhibitor, olaparib, sensitized tumor cells to a different sigma-2 receptor ligand SW43-induced apoptosis and cell death in human triple negative cell line, MDA-MB-231. Olaparib inhibited PARP activity and cell proliferation, and arrested cells in G2/M phase of the cell cycle in MDA-MB-231 cells. Subsequently cells became sensitized to SW43 induced cell death. In conclusion, the combination of sigma-2 receptor ligands and PARP inhibitors appears to hold promise for synergistically triggering cell death in certain types of breast cancer cells and merits further investigation. - Highlights: • PARPi, YUN3-6 and olaparib, and σ2 ligands, SV119 and SW43, were evaluated. • Mouse and human breast cancer cells, EMT6 and MDA-MB-231 respectively, were used. • YUN3-6 and SV119 synergistically triggered cell death in EMT6 cells. • Olaparib and SW43 additively triggered cell death in MDA-MB-231 cells. • Olaparib arrested cells in G2/M in MDA-MB-231 cells.« less

Regulation of Global Transcription in Escherichia coli by Rsd and 6S RNA

PubMed Central

Lal, Avantika; Krishna, Sandeep; Seshasayee, Aswin Sai Narain

2018-01-01

In Escherichia coli, the sigma factor σ70 directs RNA polymerase to transcribe growth-related genes, while σ38 directs transcription of stress response genes during stationary phase. Two molecules hypothesized to regulate RNA polymerase are the protein Rsd, which binds to σ70, and the non-coding 6S RNA which binds to the RNA polymerase-σ70 holoenzyme. Despite multiple studies, the functions of Rsd and 6S RNA remain controversial. Here we use RNA-Seq in five phases of growth to elucidate their function on a genome-wide scale. We show that Rsd and 6S RNA facilitate σ38 activity throughout bacterial growth, while 6S RNA also regulates widely different genes depending upon growth phase. We discover novel interactions between 6S RNA and Rsd and show widespread expression changes in a strain lacking both regulators. Finally, we present a mathematical model of transcription which highlights the crosstalk between Rsd and 6S RNA as a crucial factor in controlling sigma factor competition and global gene expression. PMID:29686109

Regulation of Global Transcription in Escherichia coli by Rsd and 6S RNA.

PubMed

Lal, Avantika; Krishna, Sandeep; Seshasayee, Aswin Sai Narain

2018-05-31

In Escherichia coli , the sigma factor σ 70 directs RNA polymerase to transcribe growth-related genes, while σ 38 directs transcription of stress response genes during stationary phase. Two molecules hypothesized to regulate RNA polymerase are the protein Rsd, which binds to σ 70 , and the non-coding 6S RNA which binds to the RNA polymerase-σ 70 holoenzyme. Despite multiple studies, the functions of Rsd and 6S RNA remain controversial. Here we use RNA-Seq in five phases of growth to elucidate their function on a genome-wide scale. We show that Rsd and 6S RNA facilitate σ 38 activity throughout bacterial growth, while 6S RNA also regulates widely different genes depending upon growth phase. We discover novel interactions between 6S RNA and Rsd and show widespread expression changes in a strain lacking both regulators. Finally, we present a mathematical model of transcription which highlights the crosstalk between Rsd and 6S RNA as a crucial factor in controlling sigma factor competition and global gene expression. Copyright © 2018 Lal et al.

A genome-wide association study identifies risk loci for spirometric measures among smokers of European and African ancestry.

PubMed

Lutz, Sharon M; Cho, Michael H; Young, Kendra; Hersh, Craig P; Castaldi, Peter J; McDonald, Merry-Lynn; Regan, Elizabeth; Mattheisen, Manuel; DeMeo, Dawn L; Parker, Margaret; Foreman, Marilyn; Make, Barry J; Jensen, Robert L; Casaburi, Richard; Lomas, David A; Bhatt, Surya P; Bakke, Per; Gulsvik, Amund; Crapo, James D; Beaty, Terri H; Laird, Nan M; Lange, Christoph; Hokanson, John E; Silverman, Edwin K

2015-12-03

Pulmonary function decline is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among smokers. Post bronchodilator FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio are considered the standard assessment of airflow obstruction. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 9919 current and former smokers in the COPDGene study (6659 non-Hispanic Whites [NHW] and 3260 African Americans [AA]) to identify associations with spirometric measures (post-bronchodilator FEV1 and FEV1/FVC). We also conducted meta-analysis of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC GWAS in the COPDGene, ECLIPSE, and GenKOLS cohorts (total n = 13,532). Among NHW in the COPDGene cohort, both measures of pulmonary function were significantly associated with SNPs at the 15q25 locus [containing CHRNA3/5, AGPHD1, IREB2, CHRNB4] (lowest p-value = 2.17 × 10(-11)), and FEV1/FVC was associated with a genomic region on chromosome 4 [upstream of HHIP] (lowest p-value = 5.94 × 10(-10)); both regions have been previously associated with COPD. For the meta-analysis, in addition to confirming associations to the regions near CHRNA3/5 and HHIP, genome-wide significant associations were identified for FEV1 on chromosome 1 [TGFB2] (p-value = 8.99 × 10(-9)), 9 [DBH] (p-value = 9.69 × 10(-9)) and 19 [CYP2A6/7] (p-value = 3.49 × 10(-8)) and for FEV1/FVC on chromosome 1 [TGFB2] (p-value = 8.99 × 10(-9)), 4 [FAM13A] (p-value = 3.88 × 10(-12)), 11 [MMP3/12] (p-value = 3.29 × 10(-10)) and 14 [RIN3] (p-value = 5.64 × 10(-9)). In a large genome-wide association study of lung function in smokers, we found genome-wide significant associations at several previously described loci with lung function or COPD. We additionally identified a novel genome-wide significant locus with FEV1 on chromosome 9 [DBH] in a meta-analysis of three study populations.

Mapping the Extent and Magnitude of Severe Flooding Induced by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria with Sentinel-1 SAR and InSAR Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, B.; Koirala, R.; Oliver-Cabrera, T.; Wdowinski, S.; Osmanoglu, B.

2017-12-01

Hurricanes can cause winds, rainfall and storm surge, all of which could result in flooding. Between August and September 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria made landfall over Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico causing destruction and damages. Flood mapping is important for water management and to estimate risks and property damage. Though water gauges are able to monitor water levels, they are normally distributed sparsely. To map flooding products of these extreme events, we use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations acquired by the European satellite constellation Sentinel-1. We obtained two acquisitions from before each flooding event, a single acquisition during the hurricane, and two after each event, a total of five acquisitions. We use both amplitude and phase observations to map extent and magnitude of flooding respectively. To map flooding extents, we use amplitude images from before, after and if possible during the hurricane pass. A calibration is used to convert the image raw data to backscatter coefficient, termed sigma nought. We generate a composite of the two image layers using red and green bands to show the change of sigma nought between acquisitions, which directly reflects the extent of flooding. Because inundation can result with either an increase or decrease of sigma nought values depending on the surface scattering characteristics, we map flooded areas in location where sigma nought changes were above a detection threshold. To study magnitude of flooding we study Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) phase changes. Changes in the water level can be detected by the radar when the signal is reflected away from water surface and bounces again by another object (e.g. trees and/or buildings) known as double bounce phase. To generate meaningful interferograms, we compare phase information with the nearest water gauge records to verify our results. Preliminary results show that the three hurricanes caused flooding condition over wide area including both rural and urban areas. The flooding in Everglades National Park in Florida following hurricane Irma covered area 1087.35 km2. Flooding in Puerto Rico main island was limited to low flat areas covering 287.84 km2. Preliminary results of the InSAR analysis shows that flooding magnitude reached in some location level of 1 m.

Simulation of emittance dilution in electron storage ring from Compton backscattering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blumberg, L.N.; Blum, E.

1993-07-01

A Monte-Carlo simulation of Compton backscattered {kappa}{sub L}=3.2-{mu}m photons from an IR-FEL on 75-MeV electrons in a storage ring yields an RMS electron energy spread of {Delta}{sub E}=11.9-keV for a sample of 10{sup 7} single scattering events. Electrons are sampled from a beam of natural energy spread {sigma}{sub E} = 5.6-keV and damped transverse angle spreads {sigma}{sub x}{prime}, = .041-mrad and {sigma}{sub y}{prime} = .052-mrad (100%) coupling, scaled from the 200-MeV BNL XLS compact storage ring. The Compton-scattered X-Rays are generated from an integral of the CM Klein-Nishina cross-section transformed to the lab. A tracking calculation has also been performedmore » in 6-dimensional phase space. Initial electron coordinates are selected randomly from a Gaussian distribution of RMS spreads {sigma}{sub xo}=.102-mm, {sigma}{sub x{prime}o}=.041-mrad, {sigma}{sub yo}=.018-mm, {sigma}{sub y{prime}o}=.052-mrad, {sigma}{sub {phi}o}=22-mrad and {sigma}{sub Eo}=6-keV. A sample of 10000 electrons were each following for 40000 turns around the ring through an RF cavity of f{sub rf}=211.54-MHz and peak voltage V{sub m}=300-keV. Preliminary results indicate that the resulting energy distribution is quite broad with an RMS width of {Delta}{sub E} = 124-keV. The transverse widths are only slightly increased from their original values, i.e. {Delta}{sub x} = .106-mm and {Delta}{sub x}{prime}=.043 mrad. The scaled energy spread of {Delta}{sub E} {approximately} 360-keV for {approximately} 350,000 turns desired in a 10-msec X-Ray angiography exposure is well within the RF bucket used here; even V{sub m} < 50-kV is adequate. Further, the electron energy spread adds a negligible RMS X-Ray energy spread of {Delta}{sub Ex}=.32-keV. The electron energy damping time of {tau}{sub E}=379-msec at 75-MeV in an XLS-type ring allows for damping this induced spread and top-off of the ring between heart cycles.« less

FEV1 decline in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with biomass exposure.

PubMed

Ramírez-Venegas, Alejandra; Sansores, Raul H; Quintana-Carrillo, Roger H; Velázquez-Uncal, Monica; Hernandez-Zenteno, Rafael J; Sánchez-Romero, Candelaria; Velazquez-Montero, Alejandra; Flores-Trujillo, Fernando

2014-11-01

Biomass exposure is an important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the time-course behavior of FEV1 in subjects exposed to biomass is unknown. We undertook this study to determine the FEV1 rate decline in subjects exposed to biomass. Pulmonary function was assessed every year in a Mexican cohort of patients with COPD associated with biomass or tobacco during a 15-year follow-up period. The mean rate of decline was significantly lower for the biomass exposure COPD group (BE-COPD) than for the tobacco smoke COPD group (TS-COPD) (23 vs. 42 ml, respectively; P < 0.01). Of the TS-COPD group, 11% were rapid decliners, whereas only one rapid decliner was found in the BE-COPD group; 69 and 21% of smokers versus 17 and 83% of the BE-COPD group were slow decliners and sustainers, respectively. A higher FEV1 both as % predicted and milliliters was a predictive factor for decline for BE-COPD and TS-COPD, whereas reversibility to bronchodilator was a predictive factor for both groups when adjusted by FEV1% predicted and only for the TS-COPD group when adjusted by milliliters. In the biomass exposure COPD group the rate of FEV1 decline is slower and shows a more homogeneous rate of decline over time in comparison with smokers. The rapid rate of FEV1 decline is a rare feature of biomass-induced airflow limitation.

Reduced COPD Exacerbation Risk Correlates With Improved FEV1: A Meta-Regression Analysis.

PubMed

Zider, Alexander D; Wang, Xiaoyan; Buhr, Russell G; Sirichana, Worawan; Barjaktarevic, Igor Z; Cooper, Christopher B

2017-09-01

The mechanism by which various classes of medication reduce COPD exacerbation risk remains unknown. We hypothesized a correlation between reduced exacerbation risk and improvement in airway patency as measured according to FEV 1 . By systematic review, COPD trials were identified that reported therapeutic changes in predose FEV 1 (dFEV 1 ) and occurrence of moderate to severe exacerbations. Using meta-regression analysis, a model was generated with dFEV 1 as the moderator variable and the absolute difference in exacerbation rate (RD), ratio of exacerbation rates (RRs), or hazard ratio (HR) as dependent variables. The analysis of RD and RR included 119,227 patients, and the HR analysis included 73,475 patients. For every 100-mL change in predose FEV 1 , the HR decreased by 21% (95% CI, 17-26; P < .001; R 2  = 0.85) and the absolute exacerbation rate decreased by 0.06 per patient per year (95% CI, 0.02-0.11; P = .009; R 2  = 0.05), which corresponded to an RR of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.81-0.91; P < .001; R 2  = 0.20). The relationship with exacerbation risk remained statistically significant across multiple subgroup analyses. A significant correlation between increased FEV 1 and lower COPD exacerbation risk suggests that airway patency is an important mechanism responsible for this effect. Copyright © 2017 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Relation between respiratory function and arterial stiffness assessed using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in healthy workers.

PubMed

Inomoto, Atsushi; Fukuda, Rika; Deguchi, Junko; Toyonaga, Toshihiro

2017-09-01

[Purpose] Current studies report that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may also have arteriosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between respiratory function and arterial stiffness in healthy workers using the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). [Subjects and Methods] This study included 104 male Japanese workers without COPD. We collected participant information and measured hemodynamics, body composition, and respiratory function. [Results] In the correlation analysis, baPWV showed a significant positive correlation with age, smoking index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate, and a significant negative correlation with height, fat free mass, lower limb muscle mass, forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). In multiple regression analysis using factors other than baPWV and respiratory function as adjustment variables, both FVC and FEV1 showed a significant negative relationship with baPWV (p=0.009 and p=0.027, respectively). FEV1/FVC was not significantly related to baPWV (p=0.704). [Conclusion] The results of this study indicated that FEV1/FVC and the proportion of FEV1 predicted, which are indicators of airflow limitation, are not predictors of baPWV in workers without airflow limitation. However, since baPWV showed a significant negative relationship with FVC and FEV 1, the reduction in respiratory function that does not cause airflow limitation, such as FVC or FEV1 decline, may be related to an increase in the risk of arterial stiffness.

Calculation of Ceramic Phase Diagrams

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-11-30

Recent examples of the use of data bases and computer techniques in solw~ng problems associated with: in-situ formation of columbium, nickel and...examples of the use of data bases and computer techniques in solving problems associated with: in-situ formation of columbium, nickel and cobalt based...covers processing of in-situ eutectic composite formation in columbium, nickel and cobalt base superalloys, sigma phase formation in high temperature

Pulsed Laser Deposition of High Temperature Protonic Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dynys, Fred W.; Berger, M. H.; Sayir, Ali

2006-01-01

Pulsed laser deposition has been used to fabricate nanostructured BaCe(0.85)Y(0.15)O3- sigma) films. Protonic conduction of fabricated BaCe(0.85)Y(0.15)O(3-sigma) films was compared to sintered BaCe(0.85)Y(0.15)O(3-sigma). Sintered samples and laser targets were prepared by sintering BaCe(0.85)Y(0.15)O(3-sigma) powders derived by solid state synthesis. Films 1 to 8 micron thick were deposited by KrF excimer laser on porous Al2O3 substrates. Thin films were fabricated at deposition temperatures of 700 to 950 C at O2 pressures up to 200 mTorr using laser pulse energies of 0.45 - 0.95 J. Fabricated films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and electrical impedance spectroscopy. Single phase BaCe(0.85)Y(0.15)O(3-sigma) films with a columnar growth morphology are observed with preferred crystal growth along the [100] or [001] direction. Results indicate [100] growth dependence upon laser pulse energy. Electrical conductivity of bulk samples produced by solid state sintering and thin film samples were measured over a temperature range of 100 C to 900 C. Electrical conduction behavior was dependent upon film deposition temperature. Maximum conductivity occurs at deposition temperature of 900 oC; the electrical conductivity exceeds the sintered specimen. All other deposited films exhibit a lower electrical conductivity than the sintered specimen. Activation energy for electrical conduction showed dependence upon deposition temperature, it varied

28 CFR Appendix A to Part 79 - FVC and FEV-1 Lower Limits of Normal Values

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false FVC and FEV-1 Lower Limits of Normal... RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT Pt. 79, App. A Appendix A to Part 79—FVC and FEV-1 Lower Limits of Normal Values Table 1—Caucasian Males FVC Lower Limit of Normal Values, Hankinson, et al. (1999...

Regional distribution of ventilation assessed by Kr-81m scintigraphy employing temporal Fourier transform

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Slosman, D.; Susskind, H.; Cinotti, L.

1986-01-01

Temporal Fourier analysis was applied to Kr-81m ventilation scintigraphy to determine the amplitude (AMP1) and phase (PHA1) of the first harmonic of a single composite respiratory cycle and to compare regional patterns in subjects with obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and nonobstructed subjects. Six nonobstructed subjects, three subjects with small airway disease, six subjects with COPD, and one subject with restrictive disease were investigated. The mean value of the functional PHA1 image (PHA1m) correlated negatively with 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) (r = -0.801, P less than .001), with %FEV1/FVC (r = -0.636, P less than .01) and maximum midexpiratory flowmore » rate (FEF25-75%) (r = -0.723, P less than .002), and correlated positively with residual volume (r = 0.640, P less than .01). PHA1m values for the six subjects with COPD were significantly higher (t = 2.359, P less than .05) than for the ten nonobstructed subjects. Display of phase and amplitude functional images permits a visual evaluation of the regional distribution of ventilation to be made. Regional abnormalities of air flow were detected in obstructed subjects, and the presence of airway obstruction could be predicted. Dynamic ventilation imaging, therefore, appears to be a potentially useful noninvasive technique to assess lung impairment on a localized level.« less

Correlations between FEV1 and patient-reported outcomes: A pooled analysis of 23 clinical trials in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PubMed

Donohue, James F; Jones, Paul W; Bartels, Christian; Marvel, Jessica; D'Andrea, Peter; Banerji, Donald; Morris, David G; Patalano, Francesco; Fogel, Robert

2018-04-01

In clinical trials of inhaled bronchodilators, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines recommend that patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are assessed alongside lung function. How these endpoints are related is unclear. Pooled longitudinal data from 23 randomised controlled COPD studies were analyzed (N = 23,213). Treatments included long-acting β 2 agonists, long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LABAs or LAMAs) and the LABA/LAMA combination QVA149. Outcome measures were Transition Dyspnoea Index (TDI) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, COPD exacerbation frequency and rescue medication use. Relationships between changes in trough forced expiratory volume in one second (ΔFEV 1 ) and outcomes following treatment were assessed using correlations of data summaries and model-based analysis: generalized linear mixed-effect regression modelling to determine if ΔFEV 1 could predict patient outcomes with different treatments. Mean age was 64 years, 73% were male, and most had moderate (45%) or severe (52%) disease. Statistically significant correlations were observed between ΔFEV 1 and each outcome measure (exacerbations Rs = 0.05; rescue medication, SGRQ, TDI, r = 0.11-0.16; all p < .001). Patients with greater improvements in trough FEV 1 had on average better SGRQ and TDI scores, fewer exacerbations, and used less rescue medication. For SGRQ and TDI scores, minimal clinically important differences were observed over the range of pooled ΔFEV 1 values. Model-based predictions confirmed the treatment effect was partly explained by changes in FEV 1 from baseline with improvements in PROs observed across all treatments when trough FEV 1 improved. Across all endpoints active treatments were better than placebo (p < .0001), and LABA/LAMA treatment resulted in numerically better treatment outcomes than either monocomponent. These data suggest that FEV 1 improvements post-bronchodilation correlate with PRO improvements. Further improvements in patient outcomes may be expected by maximizing lung function improvements. Registration details for the 23 randomised controlled studies used in this pooled analysis are supplied in Additional File 4. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relations of exhaled nitric oxide and FEV1 to personal endotoxin exposure in schoolchildren with asthma.

PubMed

Delfino, Ralph J; Staimer, Norbert; Tjoa, Thomas; Gillen, Daniel L

2015-12-01

Asthma prevalence and acute exacerbations have been associated with endotoxin exposure. However, there are limited data on relations between acute asthma outcomes in children and personal exposure to endotoxin or whether this relation is modified by personal air pollution exposures. We made repeated measurements of the fractional concentration of exhaled NO (FeNO), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and personal endotoxin exposures in patients with persistent asthma aged 9-18 years, each of whom was followed for 10 consecutive days in Riverside and Whittier, California. Endotoxin was measured in PM2.5, and simultaneously we measured personal exposure to air pollutants: NO2 and PM2.5 mass, elemental carbon and organic carbon. Endotoxin exposure-response relations and interactions between endotoxin and air pollutants were analysed with mixed models controlling for personal temperature, humidity and the 10-day period. Neither percent-predicted FEV1 nor FeNO was associated with personal endotoxin overall; however, endotoxin was associated with FEV1 among patients with average percent-predicted FEV1<80%. When NO2 was above its median, FeNO increased by 2.2% (95% CI -0.8% to 5.2%) for an interquartile increase in personal endotoxin, whereas FeNO was lower by -1.8% (95% CI -4% to 0.5%) when NO2 was≤its median. However, this is out of 12 interaction tests between personal endotoxin and a binary air pollutant for each outcome (FEV1 and FeNO), and there were no interactions with any continuous-scaled pollutant. Personal endotoxin exposure was not associated with acute daily changes in FeNO or FEV1 in a cohort panel of schoolchildren with asthma, except for decreased FEV1 among patients with more severe asthma (percent-predicted FEV1<80%). There was limited evidence of effect modification of endotoxin by personal exposure to air pollution. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Vital capacity and COPD: the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS).

PubMed

Torén, Kjell; Olin, Anna-Carin; Lindberg, Anne; Vikgren, Jenny; Schiöler, Linus; Brandberg, John; Johnsson, Åse; Engström, Gunnar; Persson, H Lennart; Sköld, Magnus; Hedner, Jan; Lindberg, Eva; Malinovschi, Andrei; Piitulainen, Eeva; Wollmer, Per; Rosengren, Annika; Janson, Christer; Blomberg, Anders; Bergström, Göran

2016-01-01

Spirometric diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is based on the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/vital capacity (VC), either as a fixed value <0.7 or below the lower limit of normal (LLN). Forced vital capacity (FVC) is a proxy for VC. The first aim was to compare the use of FVC and VC, assessed as the highest value of FVC or slow vital capacity (SVC), when assessing the FEV1/VC ratio in a general population setting. The second aim was to evaluate the characteristics of subjects with COPD who obtained a higher SVC than FVC. Subjects (n=1,050) aged 50-64 years were investigated with FEV1, FVC, and SVC after bronchodilation. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) COPDFVC was defined as FEV1/FVC <0.7, GOLDCOPDVC as FEV1/VC <0.7 using the maximum value of FVC or SVC, LLNCOPDFVC as FEV1/FVC below the LLN, and LLNCOPDVC as FEV1/VC below the LLN using the maximum value of FVC or SVC. Prevalence of GOLDCOPDFVC was 10.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.2-12.0) and the prevalence of LLNCOPDFVC was 9.5% (95% CI 7.8-11.4). When estimates were based on VC, the prevalence became higher; 16.4% (95% CI 14.3-18.9) and 15.6% (95% CI 13.5-17.9) for GOLDCOPDVC and LLNCOPDVC, respectively. The group of additional subjects classified as having COPD based on VC, had lower FEV1, more wheeze and higher residual volume compared to subjects without any COPD. The prevalence of COPD was significantly higher when the ratio FEV1/VC was calculated using the highest value of SVC or FVC compared with using FVC only. Subjects classified as having COPD when using the VC concept were more obstructive and with indications of air trapping. Hence, the use of only FVC when assessing airflow limitation may result in a considerable under diagnosis of subjects with mild COPD.

Bronchodilator efficacy of tiotropium in patients with mild to moderate COPD.

PubMed

Johansson, Gunnar; Lindberg, Anne; Romberg, Kerstin; Nordström, Lars; Gerken, Fronke; Roquet, Annika

2008-09-01

Evaluation of tiotropium efficacy in patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) defined by the 2003 Swedish Society of Respiratory Medicine guidelines (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <70%; FEV1 >60% predicted). In this 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of tiotropium 18 mcg once daily versus placebo, respiratory function was assessed on Days 1, 15 and 85 (baseline: pre-dose Day 1). Mean+/-SD baseline FEV1 (% predicted) was 73.4+/-12.5 (tiotropium, n=107; placebo, n=117). Tiotropium significantly improved change from baseline in area under the curve from pre-dose to 2 hours post-dose (AUC0-2 h) FEV1 versus placebo, by 166+/-26 mL (mean+/-SE) at study end (p<0.0001). With tiotropium, there were significant increases in the change in AUC0-2 h FVC versus baseline, and trough FEV1 and FVC, versus placebo, on all test days (p<0.01). Adverse event rates were similar. Compared with placebo, tiotropium improved lung function in patients with mild COPD.

[Impaired lung function in patients with moderate chronic obstructive bronchitis].

PubMed

Nefedov, V B; Popova, L A; Shergina, E A

2004-01-01

VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/VC%, PEF, MEF25, MEF50, MEF75, TLC, TGV, RV, Raw, Rin, Rex, DLCO-SS, paO2 and paCO2 were determined in 22 patients with moderate chronic obstructive bronchitis (FEV1, 79-50% of the normal value). All the patients were found to have impaired bronchial patency, 90.9% of the patients had lung volume and capacity changes; pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction was present in 72.7%. Bronchial patency impairments were manifested by a decrease in FEV1, FEV1/VC%, PEF, MEF25, MEF50, MEF75, and an increase in Raw, Rin, Rex. Changes in the lung volumes and capacities appeared as higher RV, TGV, TLC, lower VC and FVC. Pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction showed up as a reduction in pO2 and DLCO-SS a reduction and an increase in paCO2. The magnitude of the functional changes observed in most patients was low. Significant and pronounced disorders were seen in one third of the patients.

[Lung dysfunction in patients with mild chronic obstructive bronchitis].

PubMed

Nefedov, V B; Popova, L A; Shergina, E A

2004-01-01

VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/VC%, PEF, MEF25, MEF50, MEF75, TCL, TGV, RV, Ravt, Riin, Rex, DLCO-SS, PaO2, and PaO2 were determined in 33 patients with mild chronic obstructive lung disease (FEV1 > 70% of the normal value). All the patients were found to have impaired bronchial patency; most (63.6%) patients had lung volume and capacity changes, almost half (45.5%) the patients had pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction. Impaired bronchial patency mainly appeared as decreased MEF50, MEF15, and FEV1/VC%; altered lung volumes and capacities manifested chiefly by increased RV and decreased VC; pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction showed up primarily as lowered PaO2. The magnitude of the observed functional changes was generally slight. MEF50, MEF75, FEV1/VC%, and VC dropped to 59-20 and 79-70% of the normal value, respectively. RV increased up to 142-196% of the normal value; PaO2 reduced up to 79-60% mm Hg.

The Flagellar Regulon of Legionella—A Review

PubMed Central

Appelt, Sandra; Heuner, Klaus

2017-01-01

The Legionella genus comprises more than 60 species. In particular, Legionella pneumophila is known to cause severe illnesses in humans. Legionellaceae are ubiquitous inhabitants of aquatic environments. Some Legionellaceae are motile and their motility is important to move around in habitats. Motility can be considered as a potential virulence factor as already shown for various human pathogens. The genes of the flagellar system, regulator and structural genes, are structured in hierarchical levels described as the flagellar regulon. Their expression is modulated by various environmental factors. For L. pneumophila it was shown that the expression of genes of the flagellar regulon is modulated by the actual growth phase and temperature. Especially, flagellated Legionella are known to express genes during the transmissive phase of growth that are involved in the expression of virulence traits. It has been demonstrated that the alternative sigma-28 factor is part of the link between virulence expression and motility. In the following review, the structure of the flagellar regulon of L. pneumophila is discussed and compared to other flagellar systems of different Legionella species. Recently, it has been described that Legionella micdadei and Legionella fallonii contain a second putative partial flagellar system. Hence, the report will focus on flagellated and non-flagellated Legionella strains, phylogenetic relationships, the role and function of the alternative sigma factor (FliA) and its anti-sigma-28 factor (FlgM). PMID:29104863

Hibernation-associated changes in persistent organic pollutant (POP) levels and patterns in British Columbia grizzly bears (ursus arctos horribilis).

PubMed

Christensen, Jennie R; MacDuffee, Misty; Yunker, Mark B; Ross, Peter S

2007-03-15

We hypothesized that depleted fat reserves in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) following annual hibernation would reveal increases in persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations compared to those present in the fall. We obtained fat and hair from British Columbia grizzly bears in early spring 2004 to compare with those collected in fall 2003, with the two tissue types providing contaminant and dietary information, respectively. By correcting for the individual feeding habits of grizzlies using a stable isotope-based approach, we found that polychlorinated biphenyls (sigmaPCBs) increased by 2.21x, polybrominated diphenylethers (sigmaPBDEs) increased by 1.58x, and chlordanes (sigmaCHL) by 1.49x in fat following hibernation. Interestingly, individual POPs elicited a wide range of hibernation-associated concentration effects (e.g., CB-153, 2.25x vs CB-169, 0.00x), resulting in POP pattern convergence in a PCA model of two distinct fall feeding groups (salmon-eating vs non-salmon-eating) into a single spring (post-hibernation) group. Our results suggest that diet dictates contaminant patterns during a feeding phase, while metabolism drives patterns during a fasting phase. This work suggests a duality of POP-associated health risks to hibernating grizzly bears: (1) increased concentrations of some POPs during hibernation; and (2) a potentially prolonged accumulation of water-soluble, highly reactive POP metabolites, since grizzly bears do not excrete during hibernation.

The Flagellar Regulon of Legionella-A Review.

PubMed

Appelt, Sandra; Heuner, Klaus

2017-01-01

The Legionella genus comprises more than 60 species. In particular, Legionella pneumophila is known to cause severe illnesses in humans. Legionellaceae are ubiquitous inhabitants of aquatic environments. Some Legionellaceae are motile and their motility is important to move around in habitats. Motility can be considered as a potential virulence factor as already shown for various human pathogens. The genes of the flagellar system, regulator and structural genes, are structured in hierarchical levels described as the flagellar regulon. Their expression is modulated by various environmental factors. For L. pneumophila it was shown that the expression of genes of the flagellar regulon is modulated by the actual growth phase and temperature. Especially, flagellated Legionella are known to express genes during the transmissive phase of growth that are involved in the expression of virulence traits. It has been demonstrated that the alternative sigma-28 factor is part of the link between virulence expression and motility. In the following review, the structure of the flagellar regulon of L. pneumophila is discussed and compared to other flagellar systems of different Legionella species. Recently, it has been described that Legionella micdadei and Legionella fallonii contain a second putative partial flagellar system. Hence, the report will focus on flagellated and non-flagellated Legionella strains, phylogenetic relationships, the role and function of the alternative sigma factor (FliA) and its anti-sigma-28 factor (FlgM).

Tobacco Use and Its Health Effects among Professional Athletes in Qatar

PubMed Central

Chaabane, Zaina; Mahfoud, Ziyad

2016-01-01

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of tobacco use on selected markers of health and lung function in professional athletes. A total of 108 male professional athletes participated in the study from ten ball game teams in the same sport league in Qatar (age = 26.4 ± 5.1 yrs, height = 190.6 ± 11.9 cm, and weight = 91.5 ± 16.4 kg). The athletes have been playing professionally for about 6.3 years on average. In addition to demographic and tobacco use status, the following clinical variables were measured: resting blood pressure, heart rate, FVC, FEV1 sec, and PEF. The prevalence of tobacco use among the athletes was 27.7%. The FVC, FVC%, and FEV1% were significantly lower among the smokers compared to the nonsmokers (p = 0.003, 0.044, and 0.001, resp.). There were no significant differences between cigarettes smokers and nonsmokers in BP, HR, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and PEF%. Similarly, those who smoked shisha had lower FEV1% values as compared to those who did not smoke shisha (p = 0.001). The decrease of FEV1 and FVC among smokers compared to nonsmokers is similar to what has been reported in the literature about other populations. PMID:28025593

Six Sigma Approach to Improve Stripping Quality of Automotive Electronics Component – a case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razali, Noraini Mohd; Murni Mohamad Kadri, Siti; Con Ee, Toh

2018-03-01

Lacking of problem solving skill techniques and cooperation between support groups are the two obstacles that always been faced in actual production line. Inadequate detail analysis and inappropriate technique in solving the problem may cause the repeating issues which may give impact to the organization performance. This study utilizes a well-structured six sigma DMAIC with combination of other problem solving tools to solve product quality problem in manufacturing of automotive electronics component. The study is concentrated at the stripping process, a critical process steps with highest rejection rate that contribute to the scrap and rework performance. The detail analysis is conducted in the analysis phase to identify the actual root cause of the problem. Then several improvement activities are implemented and the results show that the rejection rate due to stripping defect decrease tremendously and the process capability index improved from 0.75 to 1.67. This results prove that the six sigma approach used to tackle the quality problem is substantially effective.

Association between neutrophilic airway inflammation and airflow limitation in adults with asthma.

PubMed

Shaw, Dominick E; Berry, Michael A; Hargadon, Bev; McKenna, Susan; Shelley, Maria J; Green, Ruth H; Brightling, Christopher E; Wardlaw, Andrew J; Pavord, Ian D

2007-12-01

There is debate about the mechanisms of persistent airflow limitation in patients with asthma. Chronic inflammation is assumed to be important, although there is limited and contradictory information about the relationship between airway inflammation and postbronchodilator FEV1. We have assessed the cross-sectional relationship between prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator FEV1 and measures of airway inflammation after allowing for the effects of potential confounding factors. Multivariate analysis was performed on data collected from 1,197 consecutive patients with asthma seen at the respiratory outpatient clinic at Glenfield Hospital between 1997 and 2004. Relationships between induced sputum total neutrophil and differential eosinophil cell counts, and prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator lung function were examined. Sputum total neutrophil but not differential eosinophil count was associated with lower postbronchodilator FEV1. Both differential eosinophil and total neutrophil count were associated with lower prebronchodilator FEV1. These effects were independent after adjustment for age, smoking, ethnicity, asthma duration, and inhaled corticosteroid use. A 10-fold increase in neutrophil count was associated with a 92 mL reduction (95% confidence interval, 29 to 158; p = 0.007) in postbronchodilator FEV1. In this large heterogeneous population of adults with asthma, we have shown that prebronchodilator FEV1 is associated with neutrophilic and eosinophilic airway inflammation, whereas sputum total neutrophil counts alone are associated with postbronchodilator FEV1. This supports the hypothesis that neutrophilic airway inflammation has a role in the progression of persistent airflow limitation in asthma and raises the possibility that this progression and the development of COPD share a common mechanism.

The training type influence on male elite athletes' ventilatory function.

PubMed

Durmic, Tijana; Lazovic Popovic, Biljana; Zlatkovic Svenda, Mirjana; Djelic, Marina; Zugic, Vladimir; Gavrilovic, Tamara; Mihailovic, Zoran; Zdravkovic, Marija; Leischik, Roman

2017-01-01

To assess and compare measured ventilatory volumes (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ), peak expirium flow (PEF) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV)), ventilatory function capacities (forced vital capacity (FVC) and vital capacity (VC)) and FEV 1 /VC ratio in a sample of power and endurance elite athletes and their age-matched and sex-matched sedentary control group. A cross-sectional study was applied on male elite athletes (n=470) who were classified according to the type of the predominantly performed exercise in the following way: group 1: endurance group (EG=270), group 2: power athletes group (SG=200) and group 3: sedentary control group (CG=100). The lung VC, FVC, FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC ratio, PEF and MVV were measured in all of the observed subjects, who were also classified with regard to body mass index (BMI) and the percentage of the body fat (BF%). The CG had the highest BF% value, while the endurance group had the lowest BMI and BF% value, which is significantly different from the other two groups (p<0.05). The observed values of VC, FVC and FEV 1 in the EG were significantly higher than those from the other two groups (p<0.05). There were no differences concerning the observed FEV 1 /FVC ratio. A continued endurance physical activity leads to adaptive changes in spirometric parameters (VC, FVC and FEV 1 ), highlighting the fact that there is a need for specific consideration of different respiratory 'pattern' development in different types of sport, which also has to be further evaluated.

Clinical and Radiographic Predictors of GOLD–Unclassified Smokers in the COPDGene Study

PubMed Central

Hokanson, John E.; Murphy, James R.; Regan, Elizabeth A.; Make, Barry J.; Lynch, David A.; Crapo, James D.; Silverman, Edwin K.

2011-01-01

Rationale: A significant proportion of smokers have lung function impairment characterized by a reduced FEV1 with a preserved FEV1/FVC ratio. These smokers are a poorly characterized group due to their systematic exclusion from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) studies. Objectives: To characterize the clinical, functional, and radiographic features of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)-Unclassified (FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.7 and FEV1 < 80% predicted) and lower limits of normal (LLN)-unclassified (FEV1/FVC ≥ LLN and FEV1 < LLN) subjects compared to smokers with normal lung function and subjects with COPD. Methods: Data from the first 2,500 subjects enrolled in the COPDGene study were analyzed. All subjects had 10 or more pack-years of smoking and were between the ages of 45 and 80 years. Multivariate regression models were constructed to determine the clinical and radiological variables associated with GOLD-Unclassified (GOLD-U) and LLN-Unclassified status. Separate multivariate regressions were performed in the subgroups of subjects with complete radiologic measurement variables available. Measurements and Main Results: GOLD-U smokers account for 9% of smokers in COPDGene and have increased body mass index (BMI), a disproportionately reduced total lung capacity, and a higher proportion of nonwhite subjects and subjects with diabetes. GOLD-U subjects exhibit increased airway wall thickness compared to smoking control subjects and decreased gas trapping and bronchodilator responsiveness compared to subjects with COPD. When LLN criteria were used to define the “unclassified” group, African American subjects were no longer overrepresented. Both GOLD-U and LLN-Unclassified subjects demonstrated a wide range of lung function impairment, BMI, and percentage of total lung emphysema. Conclusions: Subjects with reduced FEV1 and a preserved FEV1/FVC ratio are a heterogeneous group with significant symptoms and functional limitation who likely have a variety of underlying etiologies beyond increased BMI. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT000608764). PMID:21493737

Genome‐wide linkage analysis of pulmonary function in families of children with asthma in Costa Rica

PubMed Central

Hersh, Craig P; Soto‐Quirós, Manuel E; Avila, Lydiana; Lake, Stephen L; Liang, Catherine; Fournier, Eduardo; Spesny, Mitzi; Sylvia, Jody S; Lazarus, Ross; Hudson, Thomas; Verner, Andrei; Klanderman, Barbara J; Freimer, Nelson B; Silverman, Edwin K; Celedón, Juan C

2007-01-01

Background Although asthma is highly prevalent among certain Hispanic subgroups, genetic determinants of asthma and asthma‐related traits have not been conclusively identified in Hispanic populations. A study was undertaken to identify genomic regions containing susceptibility loci for pulmonary function and bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) in Costa Ricans. Methods Eight extended pedigrees were ascertained through schoolchildren with asthma in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Short tandem repeat (STR) markers were genotyped throughout the genome at an average spacing of 8.2 cM. Multipoint variance component linkage analyses of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/ forced vital capacity (FVC; both pre‐bronchodilator and post‐bronchodilator) and BDR were performed in these eight families (pre‐bronchodilator spirometry, n = 640; post‐bronchodilator spirometry and BDR, n = 624). Nine additional STR markers were genotyped on chromosome 7. Secondary analyses were repeated after stratification by cigarette smoking. Results Among all subjects, the highest logarithm of the odds of linkage (LOD) score for FEV1 (post‐bronchodilator) was found on chromosome 7q34–35 (LOD = 2.45, including the additional markers). The highest LOD scores for FEV1/FVC (pre‐bronchodilator) and BDR were found on chromosomes 2q (LOD = 1.53) and 9p (LOD = 1.53), respectively. Among former and current smokers there was near‐significant evidence of linkage to FEV1/FVC (post‐bronchodilator) on chromosome 5p (LOD = 3.27) and suggestive evidence of linkage to FEV1 on chromosomes 3q (pre‐bronchodilator, LOD = 2.74) and 4q (post‐bronchodilator, LOD = 2.66). Conclusions In eight families of children with asthma in Costa Rica, there is suggestive evidence of linkage to FEV1 on chromosome 7q34–35. In these families, FEV1/FVC may be influenced by an interaction between cigarette smoking and a locus (loci) on chromosome 5p. PMID:17099076

Drillers and mill operators in an open-pit gold mine are at risk for impaired lung function.

PubMed

Vinnikov, Denis

2016-01-01

Occupational studies of associations of exposures with impaired lung function in mining settings are built on exposure assessment and far less often on workplace approach, so the aim of this study was to identify vulnerable occupational groups for early lung function reduction in a cohort of healthy young miners. Data from annual screening lung function tests in gold mining company in Kyrgyzstan were linked to occupations. We compared per cent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC between occupational groups and tested selected occupations in multivariate regression adjusted for smoking and work duration for the following outcomes: FEV1 < 80 %, FEV1/FVC < 70 % and both. 1550 tests of permanent workers of 41 occupations (mean age 40.5 ± 9.2 years, 29.8 % never smokers) were included in the analysis. The mean overall VC was 103.0 ± 12.9 %; FVC 109.1 ± 13.0 % and FEV1 100.2 ± 25.9 %. Drillers and smoking food handlers had the lowest FEV1%. In non-smokers, the lowest FEV1 was in drillers (94.9 ± 11.3 % compared to 115.2 ± 17.7 % in engineers). Drillers (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.53 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.11-2.09)) and mill operators (OR 2.01 (1.13-3.57)) were at greater risk of obstructive ventilation pattern (FEV1/FVC < 70 %). Drilling and mill operations are the highest risk jobs in an open-pit mine for reduced lung function. Occupational medical clinic at site should follow-up workers in these occupations with depth and strongly recommend smoking cessation.

State-of-the-art radiological techniques improve the assessment of postoperative lung function in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Ohno, Yoshiharu; Koyama, Hisanobu; Nogami, Munenobu; Takenaka, Daisuke; Onishi, Yumiko; Matsumoto, Keiko; Matsumoto, Sumiaki; Maniwa, Yoshimasa; Yoshimura, Masahiro; Nishimura, Yoshihiro; Sugimura, Kazuro

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare predictive capabilities for postoperative lung function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients of the state-of-the-art radiological methods including perfusion MRI, quantitative CT and SPECT/CT with that of anatomical method (i.e. qualitative CT) and traditional nuclear medicine methods such as planar imaging and SPECT. Perfusion MRI, CT, nuclear medicine study and measurements of %FEV(1) before and after lung resection were performed for 229 NSCLC patients (125 men and 104 women). For perfusion MRI, postoperative %FEV(1) (po%FEV(1)) was predicted from semi-quantitatively assessed blood volumes within total and resected lungs, for quantitative CT, it was predicted from the functional lung volumes within total and resected lungs, for qualitative CT, from the number of segments of total and resected lungs, and for nuclear medicine studies, from uptakes within total and resected lungs. All SPECTs were automatically co-registered with CTs for preparation of SPECT/CTs. Predicted po%FEV(1)s were then correlated with actual po%FEV(1)s, which were measured %FEV(1)s after operation. The limits of agreement were also evaluated. All predicted po%FEV(1)s showed good correlation with actual po%FEV(1)s (0.83≤r≤0.88, p<0.0001). Perfusion MRI, quantitative CT and SPECT/CT demonstrated better correlation than other methods. The limits of agreement of perfusion MRI (4.4±14.2%), quantitative CT (4.7±14.2%) and SPECT/CT (5.1±14.7%) were less than those of qualitative CT (6.0±17.4%), planar imaging (5.8±18.2%), and SPECT (5.5±16.8%). State-of-the-art radiological methods can predict postoperative lung function in NSCLC patients more accurately than traditional methods. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biomarkers of collagen turnover are related to annual change in FEV1 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within the ECLIPSE study.

PubMed

Leeming, Diana J; Byrjalsen, Inger; Sand, Jannie M B; Bihlet, Asger R; Lange, Peter; Thal-Singer, Ruth; Miller, Bruce E; Karsdal, Morten A; Vestbo, Jørgen

2017-12-04

Change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ) is important for defining severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Serological neoepitope markers of collagen turnover may predict rate of change in FEV 1 . One thousand COPD subjects from the observational, multicentre, three-year ECLIPSE (Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints) study (NCT00292552, trial registration in February 2006) were included. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-generated fragments of collagen type I, and type VI (C1M and C6M) were assessed in month six serum samples. A random-coefficient model with both a random intercept and a random slope was used to test the ability of the markers to predict post-dose bronchodilator FEV 1 (PD-FEV 1 ) change over two years adjusting for sex, age, BMI, smoking, bronchodilator reversibility, prior exacerbations, emphysema and chronic bronchitis status at baseline. Annual change of PD-FEV 1 was estimated from a linear model for the two-year study period. Serum C1M and C6M were independent predictors of lung function change (p = 0.007/0.005). Smoking, bronchodilator reversibility, plasma hsCRP and emphysema were also significant predictors. The effect estimate between annual change in PD-FEV 1 per one standard deviation (1SD) increase of C1M and C6M was +10.4 mL/yr. and +8.6 mL/yr. C1M, and C6M, had a significant association with baseline FEV 1 . We demonstrated that markers of tissue turnover were significantly associated with lung function change. These markers may function as prognostic biomarkers and possibly as efficacy biomarkers in clinical trials focusing on lung function change in COPD. NCT00292552 , Retrospectively registered, trial registration in February 2006.

Useful marker of oscillatory lung function in methacholine challenge test-comparison of reactance and resistance with dose-response slope.

PubMed

Yoon, Jung Won; Shin, Youn Ho; Jee, Hye Mi; Chang, Sun Jung; Baek, Ji Hyeon; Choi, Sun Hee; Kim, Hyeong Yun; Han, Man Yong

2014-06-01

There are few studies focusing on the comparison of resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) in impulse oscillometry system (IOS) in the bronchial challenge test using dose-response slope (DRS), a quantitative index of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We conducted a case-control study of 144 asthmatic and 218 non-asthmatic children to compare the diagnostic accuracy of two-point linear DRS for FEV1 , Rrs5 , and Xrs5 (DRS_FEV1 , DRS_Rrs5 , and DRS_Xrs5 ) and assessed various diagnostic cut-off points of provocation concentrations (PC) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. DRS_FEV1 had a stronger correlation with DRS_Xrs5 (r = 0.739, P < 0.001) than with DRS_Rrs5 (r = 0.652, P < 0.001) and the area under the ROC curves of DRS_Xrs5 (0.737) was similar to that of DRS_FEV1 (0.732) and higher than that of DRS_Rrs5 (0.668). The area under the ROC curves in order of greater value was as follows: absolute change of Xrs5 (Abs_Xrs5 ) (0.759) > percent change of FEV1 (Pch_FEV1 ) (0.735) > Pch_Xrs5 (0.727) > Abs_Rrs5 (0.690) > Pch_Rrs5 (0.630). PC78 _Xrs5 and PC0.17 _Xrs5 of IOS showed considerably good sensitivity and specificity comparable to those of PC20 _FEV1 by spirometry. Additional 18 (13%) children who showed normal spirometric measures were identified as asthmatics with the use of IOS. The utility of the DRS_Xrs5 to differentiate asthmatics from controls was comparable to that of the DRS_FEV1 and better than that of the DRS_Rrs5 . In addition, IOS could detect additional asthmatic patients who did not show positive responses in spirometry. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Six sigma: process of understanding the control and capability of ranitidine hydrochloride tablet.

PubMed

Chabukswar, Ar; Jagdale, Sc; Kuchekar, Bs; Joshi, Vd; Deshmukh, Gr; Kothawade, Hs; Kuckekar, Ab; Lokhande, Pd

2011-01-01

The process of understanding the control and capability (PUCC) is an iterative closed loop process for continuous improvement. It covers the DMAIC toolkit in its three phases. PUCC is an iterative approach that rotates between the three pillars of the process of understanding, process control, and process capability, with each iteration resulting in a more capable and robust process. It is rightly said that being at the top is a marathon and not a sprint. The objective of the six sigma study of Ranitidine hydrochloride tablets is to achieve perfection in tablet manufacturing by reviewing the present robust manufacturing process, to find out ways to improve and modify the process, which will yield tablets that are defect-free and will give more customer satisfaction. The application of six sigma led to an improved process capability, due to the improved sigma level of the process from 1.5 to 4, a higher yield, due to reduced variation and reduction of thick tablets, reduction in packing line stoppages, reduction in re-work by 50%, a more standardized process, with smooth flow and change in coating suspension reconstitution level (8%w/w), a huge cost reduction of approximately Rs.90 to 95 lakhs per annum, an improved overall efficiency by 30% approximately, and improved overall quality of the product.

Reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections through Lean Six Sigma: The case of the medicine areas at the Federico II University Hospital in Naples (Italy).

PubMed

Improta, Giovanni; Cesarelli, Mario; Montuori, Paolo; Santillo, Liberatina Carmela; Triassi, Maria

2018-04-01

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been recognized as an effective management tool for improving healthcare performance. Here, LSS was adopted to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), a critical quality parameter in the healthcare sector. Lean Six Sigma was applied to the areas of clinical medicine (including general medicine, pulmonology, oncology, nephrology, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and diabetology), and data regarding HAIs were collected for 28,000 patients hospitalized between January 2011 and December 2016. Following the LSS define, measure, analyse, improve, and control cycle, the factors influencing the risk of HAI were identified by using typical LSS tools (statistical analyses, brainstorming sessions, and cause-effect diagrams). Finally, corrective measures to prevent HAIs were implemented and monitored for 1 year after implementation. Lean Six Sigma proved to be a useful tool for identifying variables affecting the risk of HAIs and implementing corrective actions to improve the performance of the care process. A reduction in the number of patients colonized by sentinel bacteria was achieved after the improvement phase. The implementation of an LSS approach could significantly decrease the percentage of patients with HAIs. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Six Sigma: Process of Understanding the Control and Capability of Ranitidine Hydrochloride Tablet

PubMed Central

Chabukswar, AR; Jagdale, SC; Kuchekar, BS; Joshi, VD; Deshmukh, GR; Kothawade, HS; Kuckekar, AB; Lokhande, PD

2011-01-01

The process of understanding the control and capability (PUCC) is an iterative closed loop process for continuous improvement. It covers the DMAIC toolkit in its three phases. PUCC is an iterative approach that rotates between the three pillars of the process of understanding, process control, and process capability, with each iteration resulting in a more capable and robust process. It is rightly said that being at the top is a marathon and not a sprint. The objective of the six sigma study of Ranitidine hydrochloride tablets is to achieve perfection in tablet manufacturing by reviewing the present robust manufacturing process, to find out ways to improve and modify the process, which will yield tablets that are defect-free and will give more customer satisfaction. The application of six sigma led to an improved process capability, due to the improved sigma level of the process from 1.5 to 4, a higher yield, due to reduced variation and reduction of thick tablets, reduction in packing line stoppages, reduction in re-work by 50%, a more standardized process, with smooth flow and change in coating suspension reconstitution level (8%w/w), a huge cost reduction of approximately Rs.90 to 95 lakhs per annum, an improved overall efficiency by 30% approximately, and improved overall quality of the product. PMID:21607050

Reducing the risk of healthcare‐associated infections through Lean Six Sigma: The case of the medicine areas at the Federico II University Hospital in Naples (Italy)

PubMed Central

Cesarelli, Mario; Montuori, Paolo; Santillo, Liberatina Carmela; Triassi, Maria

2017-01-01

Abstract Rationale, aims, and objectives Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been recognized as an effective management tool for improving healthcare performance. Here, LSS was adopted to reduce the risk of healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs), a critical quality parameter in the healthcare sector. Methods Lean Six Sigma was applied to the areas of clinical medicine (including general medicine, pulmonology, oncology, nephrology, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and diabetology), and data regarding HAIs were collected for 28,000 patients hospitalized between January 2011 and December 2016. Following the LSS define, measure, analyse, improve, and control cycle, the factors influencing the risk of HAI were identified by using typical LSS tools (statistical analyses, brainstorming sessions, and cause‐effect diagrams). Finally, corrective measures to prevent HAIs were implemented and monitored for 1 year after implementation. Results Lean Six Sigma proved to be a useful tool for identifying variables affecting the risk of HAIs and implementing corrective actions to improve the performance of the care process. A reduction in the number of patients colonized by sentinel bacteria was achieved after the improvement phase. Conclusions The implementation of an LSS approach could significantly decrease the percentage of patients with HAIs. PMID:29098756

σK of Clostridium acetobutylicum Is the First Known Sporulation-Specific Sigma Factor with Two Developmentally Separated Roles, One Early and One Late in Sporulation

PubMed Central

Al-Hinai, Mohab A.; Jones, Shawn W.

2014-01-01

Sporulation in the model endospore-forming organism Bacillus subtilis proceeds via the sequential and stage-specific activation of the sporulation-specific sigma factors, σH (early), σF, σE, σG, and σK (late). Here we show that the Clostridium acetobutylicum σK acts both early, prior to Spo0A expression, and late, past σG activation, thus departing from the B. subtilis model. The C. acetobutylicum sigK deletion (ΔsigK) mutant was unable to sporulate, and solventogenesis, the characteristic stationary-phase phenomenon for this organism, was severely diminished. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the ΔsigK mutant does not develop an asymmetric septum and produces no granulose. Complementation of sigK restored sporulation and solventogenesis to wild-type levels. Spo0A and σG proteins were not detectable by Western analysis, while σF protein levels were significantly reduced in the ΔsigK mutant. spo0A, sigF, sigE, sigG, spoIIE, and adhE1 transcript levels were all downregulated in the ΔsigK mutant, while those of the sigH transcript were unaffected during the exponential and transitional phases of culture. These data show that σK is necessary for sporulation prior to spo0A expression. Plasmid-based expression of spo0A in the ΔsigK mutant from a nonnative promoter restored solventogenesis and the production of Spo0A, σF, σE, and σG, but not sporulation, which was blocked past the σG stage of development, thus demonstrating that σK is also necessary in late sporulation. sigK is expressed very early at low levels in exponential phase but is strongly upregulated during the middle to late stationary phase. This is the first sporulation-specific sigma factor shown to have two developmentally separated roles. PMID:24187083

σK of Clostridium acetobutylicum is the first known sporulation-specific sigma factor with two developmentally separated roles, one early and one late in sporulation.

PubMed

Al-Hinai, Mohab A; Jones, Shawn W; Papoutsakis, Eleftherios T

2014-01-01

Sporulation in the model endospore-forming organism Bacillus subtilis proceeds via the sequential and stage-specific activation of the sporulation-specific sigma factors, σ(H) (early), σ(F), σ(E), σ(G), and σ(K) (late). Here we show that the Clostridium acetobutylicum σ(K) acts both early, prior to Spo0A expression, and late, past σ(G) activation, thus departing from the B. subtilis model. The C. acetobutylicum sigK deletion (ΔsigK) mutant was unable to sporulate, and solventogenesis, the characteristic stationary-phase phenomenon for this organism, was severely diminished. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that the ΔsigK mutant does not develop an asymmetric septum and produces no granulose. Complementation of sigK restored sporulation and solventogenesis to wild-type levels. Spo0A and σ(G) proteins were not detectable by Western analysis, while σ(F) protein levels were significantly reduced in the ΔsigK mutant. spo0A, sigF, sigE, sigG, spoIIE, and adhE1 transcript levels were all downregulated in the ΔsigK mutant, while those of the sigH transcript were unaffected during the exponential and transitional phases of culture. These data show that σ(K) is necessary for sporulation prior to spo0A expression. Plasmid-based expression of spo0A in the ΔsigK mutant from a nonnative promoter restored solventogenesis and the production of Spo0A, σ(F), σ(E), and σ(G), but not sporulation, which was blocked past the σ(G) stage of development, thus demonstrating that σ(K) is also necessary in late sporulation. sigK is expressed very early at low levels in exponential phase but is strongly upregulated during the middle to late stationary phase. This is the first sporulation-specific sigma factor shown to have two developmentally separated roles.

Multinucleon pion absorption in the sup 4 He(. pi. sup + , ppp ) n reaction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weber, P.; McAlister, J.; Olszewski, R.

1991-04-01

Three-proton emission cross sections for the {sup 4}He({pi}{sup +},{ital ppp}){ital n} reaction were measured at an incident pion kinetic energy of {ital T}{sub {pi}}{sup +}=165 MeV over a wide angular range in a kinematically complete experiment. Angular correlations, missing momentum distributions, and energy spectra are compared with three- and four-body phase-space Monte Carlo calculations. The results provide strong evidence that most of the three-proton coincidences result from three-nucleon absorption. From phase-space integration the total three-nucleon absorption cross section is estimated to be {sigma}{sup 3{ital N}}=4.8{plus minus}1.0 mb. The cross section involving four nucleons is small and is estimated to bemore » {sigma}{sup 4{ital N}}{lt}2 mb. On the scale of the total absorption cross section in {sup 4}He, multinucleon pion absorption seems to represent only a small fraction.« less

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the atmosphere of sub-alpine northern Italy.

PubMed

Castro-Jiménez, J; Dueri, S; Eisenreich, S J; Mariani, G; Skejo, H; Umlauf, G; Zaldívar, J M

2009-03-01

The main objective of this work was to assess the atmospheric concentrations and seasonal variations of selected POPs in a sub-alpine location where few data are available. A monitoring and research station was set up at the JRC Ispra EMEP site (Italy). We present and discuss a one-year data set (2005-2006) on PCB air concentrations. Sigma 7PCBs monthly averaged concentration varied from 31 to 76 pgm(-3). Concentrations in the gas phase (21-72 pgm(-3)) were higher than those in the particulate phase (3-10 pgm(-3)). Advection of air masses and re-volatilization from local sources seem to play a dominant role as drivers of PCB atmospheric concentrations in the area. Indications of seasonal variation affecting PCB congener patterns and the gas/particulate partitioning were found. Modeling calculations suggest a predominant importance of the wet deposition in this region (1 microgm(-2)yr(-1) Sigma 7PCBs yearly total wet deposition flux; 650-2400 pgL(-1) rainwater concentrations).

Cost-effective bidirectional digitized radio-over-fiber systems employing sigma delta modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Kyung Woon; Jung, HyunDo; Park, Jung Ho

2016-11-01

We propose a cost effective digitized radio-over-fiber (D-RoF) system employing a sigma delta modulation (SDM) and a bidirectional transmission technique using phase modulated downlink and intensity modulated uplink. SDM is transparent to different radio access technologies and modulation formats, and more suitable for a downlink of wireless system because a digital to analog converter (DAC) can be avoided at the base station (BS). Also, Central station and BS share the same light source by using a phase modulation for the downlink and an intensity modulation for the uplink transmission. Avoiding DACs and light sources have advantages in terms of cost reduction, power consumption, and compatibility with conventional wireless network structure. We have designed a cost effective bidirectional D-RoF system using a low pass SDM and measured the downlink and uplink transmission performance in terms of error vector magnitude, signal spectra, and constellations, which are based on the 10MHz LTE 64-QAM standard.

STUDYING THE WHIM CONTENT OF LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURES ALONG THE LINE OF SIGHT TO H 2356-309

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zappacosta, L.; Nicastro, F.; Maiolino, R.

2010-07-01

We make use of a 500 ks Chandra HRC-S/LETG spectrum of the blazar H 2356-309, combined with a lower signal-to-noise ratio (S/N; 100 ks) pilot LETG spectrum of the same target, to search for the presence of warm-hot absorbing gas associated with two large-scale structures (LSSs) crossed by this sight line and to constrain its physical state and geometry. Strong (log N{sub O{sub VII}} {>=} 10{sup 16} cm{sup -2}) O VII K{alpha} absorption associated with a third LSS crossed by this line of sight (the Sculptor Wall (SW)), at z = 0.03, has already been detected in a previous work.more » Here, we focus on two additional prominent filamentary LSSs along the same line of sight, one at z = 0.062 (the Pisces-Cetus Supercluster (PCS)) and another at z = 0.128 (the 'Farther Sculptor Wall' (FSW)). The combined LETG spectrum has an S/N of {approx}11.6-12.6 per resolution element in the 20-25 A and an average 3{sigma} sensitivity to intervening O VII K{alpha} absorption line equivalent widths (EWs) of EW{sub O{sub VII}} {approx_gt} 14 mA in the available redshift range (z < 0.165). No statistically significant (i.e., {>=}3{sigma}) individual absorption is detected from any of the strong He- or H-like transitions of C, O, and Ne (the most abundant metals in gas with solar-like composition) at the redshifts of the PCS and FSW structures and down to the EW thresholds mentioned above. However, we are still able to constrain the physical and geometrical parameters of the putative absorbing gas associated with these structures, by performing a joint spectral fit of various marginal detections and upper limits of the strongest expected lines with our self-consistent hybrid-ionization WHIM spectral model. At the redshift of the PCS, we identify a warm phase with log T = 5.35{sup +0.07}{sub -0.13} K and log N{sub H} = (19.1 {+-} 0.2) cm{sup -2} possibly co-existing with a much hotter and statistically less significant phase with log T = 6.9{sup +0.1}{sub -0.8} K and log N{sub H} = 20.1{sup +0.3}{sub -1.7} cm{sup -2} (1{sigma} errors). These two separate physical phases are identified through, and mainly constrained by, C V K{alpha} (warm phase) and O VIII K{alpha} (hot phase) absorption, with single line significances of 1.5{sigma} each. For the second LSS, at z {approx_equal} 0.128, only one hot component is hinted in the data, through O VIII K{alpha} (1.6{sigma}) and Ne IX K{alpha} (1.2{sigma}). For this system, we estimate log T = 6.6{sup +0.1}{sub -0.2} K and log N{sub H} = 19.8{sup +0.4}{sub -0.8} cm{sup -2}. Our column density and temperature constraints on the warm-hot gaseous content of these two LSSs, combined with the measurements obtained for the hot gas permeating the SW, allow us to estimate the cumulative number density per unit redshifts of O VII WHIM absorbers at three different EW thresholds of 0.4 mA, 7 mA, and 25.8 mA. This is consistent with expectations only at the very low end of EW thresholds, but exceeds predictions at 7 mA and 25.8 mA (by more than 2{sigma}). We also estimate the cosmological mass density of the WHIM based on the four absorbers we tentatively detect along this line of sight, obtaining {Omega}{sup WHIM}{sub b} = (0.021{sup +0.031}{sub -0.018})(Z/Z{sub sun}){sup -1}, consistent with the cosmological mass density of the intergalactic 'missing baryons' only if we assume high metallicities (Z {approx} Z{sub sun}).« less

Association of blood eosinophils and plasma periostin with FEV1 response after 3-month inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-agonist treatment in stable COPD patients

PubMed Central

Park, Hye Yun; Lee, Hyun; Koh, Won-Jung; Kim, Seonwoo; Jeong, Ina; Koo, Hyeon-Kyoung; Kim, Tae-Hyung; Kim, Jin Woo; Kim, Woo Jin; Oh, Yeon-Mok; Sin, Don D; Lim, Seong Yong; Lee, Sang-Do

2016-01-01

Background COPD patients with increased airway eosinophilic inflammation show a favorable response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in combination with a long-acting bronchodilator. Recent studies have demonstrated a significant correlation of sputum eosinophilia with blood eosinophils and periostin. We investigated whether high blood eosinophils and plasma periostin were associated with an improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) after 3-month treatment with ICS/long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) in stable COPD patients. Patients and methods Blood eosinophils and plasma periostin levels were measured in 130 stable COPD subjects selected from the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. Subjects began a 3-month ICS/LABA treatment after washout period. Results High blood eosinophils (>260/µL, adjusted odds ratio =3.52, P=0.009) and high plasma periostin (>23 ng/mL, adjusted odds ratio =3.52, P=0.013) were significantly associated with FEV1 responders (>12% and 200 mL increase in FEV1 from baseline after treatment). Moreover, the addition of high blood eosinophils to age, baseline positive bronchodilator response, and FEV1 <50% of the predicted value significantly increased the area under the curve for prediction of FEV1 responders (from 0.700 to 0.771; P=0.045). Conclusion High blood eosinophils and high plasma periostin were associated with improved lung function after 3-month ICS/LABA treatment. In particular, high blood eosinophils, in combination with age and baseline lung function parameters, might be a possible biomarker for identification of COPD patients with favorable FEV1 improvement in response to ICS/LABA treatment. PMID:26730185

Pulmonary Function Test Abnormalities in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Is It Common?

PubMed

El Amrousy, Doaa Mohamed; Hassan, Samir; El-Ashry, Heba; Yousef, Mohamed; Sharshar, Ragia

2018-04-03

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and type of pulmonary dysfunction in newly diagnosed children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the correlation between pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and IBD activity. It is an observational case-control study. One hundred newly diagnosed children with IBD were enrolled as the patient group, which was subdivided into 52 with Crohn disease (CD) and 48 with ulcerative colitis (UC). Fifty healthy children matched for age, sex, height, and body mass index (BMI) served as the control group. PFTs in the form of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, residual volume (RV), total lung capacity (TLC), mid-forced expiratory flow of 25% to 75% (FEF 25%-75%) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were evaluated in all studied children. PFTs were measured at diagnosis, every 6 months for a period of 3 years, during remission and at least once during activity in patient group. There was significant progressive deterioration in all PFTs in IBD patients compared with their PFTs at the start of the study (P < 0.05) except for FEV1/FVC, RV, and TLC (P > 0.05). There was significant deterioration during disease activity compared with remission state regarding FEV1, FVC, FEV 25% to 75%, and DLCO (P < 0.05). Significant negative correlation was found between disease activity in both UC and CD groups and FEV1, FVC, FEV 25% to 75%, and DLCO. Subclinical PFT abnormalities are common in pediatric IBD even during remission period. So, periodic PFT evaluation should be considered in the routine follow-up of IBD children.

Risk factors for lung function decline in a large cohort of young cystic fibrosis patients.

PubMed

Cogen, Jonathan; Emerson, Julia; Sanders, Don B; Ren, Clement; Schechter, Michael S; Gibson, Ronald L; Morgan, Wayne; Rosenfeld, Margaret

2015-08-01

To identify novel risk factors and corroborate previously identified risk factors for mean annual decline in FEV1% predicted in a large, contemporary, United States cohort of young cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Retrospective observational study of participants in the EPIC Observational Study, who were Pseudomonas-negative and ≤12 years of age at enrollment in 2004-2006. The associations between potential demographic, clinical, and environmental risk factors evaluated during the baseline year and subsequent mean annual decline in FEV1 percent predicted were evaluated using generalized estimating equations. The 946 participants in the current analysis were followed for a mean of 6.2 (SD 1.3) years. Mean annual decline in FEV1% predicted was 1.01% (95%CI 0.85-1.17%). Children with one or no F508del mutations had a significantly smaller annual decline in FEV1 compared to F508del homozygotes. In a multivariable model, risk factors during the baseline year associated with a larger subsequent mean annual lung function decline included female gender, frequent or productive cough, low BMI (<66th percentile, median in the cohort), ≥1 pulmonary exacerbation, high FEV1 (≥115% predicted, in the top quartile), and respiratory culture positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, or Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. We have identified a range of risk factors for FEV1 decline in a large cohort of young, CF patients who were Pa negative at enrollment, including novel as well as previously identified characteristics. These results could inform the design of a clinical trial in which rate of FEV1 decline is the primary endpoint and identify high-risk groups that may benefit from closer monitoring. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of blood eosinophils and plasma periostin with FEV1 response after 3-month inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-agonist treatment in stable COPD patients.

PubMed

Park, Hye Yun; Lee, Hyun; Koh, Won-Jung; Kim, Seonwoo; Jeong, Ina; Koo, Hyeon-Kyoung; Kim, Tae-Hyung; Kim, Jin Woo; Kim, Woo Jin; Oh, Yeon-Mok; Sin, Don D; Lim, Seong Yong; Lee, Sang-Do

2016-01-01

COPD patients with increased airway eosinophilic inflammation show a favorable response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in combination with a long-acting bronchodilator. Recent studies have demonstrated a significant correlation of sputum eosinophilia with blood eosinophils and periostin. We investigated whether high blood eosinophils and plasma periostin were associated with an improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) after 3-month treatment with ICS/long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) in stable COPD patients. Blood eosinophils and plasma periostin levels were measured in 130 stable COPD subjects selected from the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. Subjects began a 3-month ICS/LABA treatment after washout period. High blood eosinophils (>260/µL, adjusted odds ratio =3.52, P=0.009) and high plasma periostin (>23 ng/mL, adjusted odds ratio =3.52, P=0.013) were significantly associated with FEV1 responders (>12% and 200 mL increase in FEV1 from baseline after treatment). Moreover, the addition of high blood eosinophils to age, baseline positive bronchodilator response, and FEV1 <50% of the predicted value significantly increased the area under the curve for prediction of FEV1 responders (from 0.700 to 0.771; P=0.045). High blood eosinophils and high plasma periostin were associated with improved lung function after 3-month ICS/LABA treatment. In particular, high blood eosinophils, in combination with age and baseline lung function parameters, might be a possible biomarker for identification of COPD patients with favorable FEV1 improvement in response to ICS/LABA treatment.

[The importance of lung volumes in the investigation of heavy smokers].

PubMed

Ben Saad, H; Ben Amor, L; Ben Mdalla, S; Ghannouchi, I; Ben Essghair, M; Sfaxi, R; Garrouche, A; Rouatbi, N; Rouatbi, S

2014-01-01

Lung hyperinflation (LH) has become a major concern in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To evaluate the role of lung volumes in the positive diagnosis of COPD and in the assessment of airway obstruction reversibility. Three hundred and sixty-six male smokers over the age of 35 with more than 40 pack-years exposure were included in the study. Plethysmographic data were determined before/after taking a bronchodilator (BBD, ABD). Applied definitions: airflow obstruction: BBD FEV1/FVC<0.70. LH: BBD residual volume (RV)>upper limit of normal. Expressions of reversibility: Δvariable=(ABD-BBD) values; Δinit%=Δvariable/BBD value and Δref%=Δvariable/reference value. A 12%init and a 0.2L increase in either FEV1 or FVC or a 10%ref or - 300 mL decrease in RV were considered as clinically significant. Over the 85 smokers without airflow obstruction, 68% had LH. In the hyperinflated group (n=314), and compared to changes in FEV1 and FVC, these RV changes detected more respondents (54% for FEV1 and FVC vs. 65% for RV, P=0.002). This was not the case for the group free from LH (n=52) (23% for FEV1 and FVC vs. 35% for RV, P=0.09). In the 58 hyperinflated groups free from airflow obstruction, and compared to changes in FEV1 and FVC, changes in RV detected more respondents (24% for FEV1 and FVC vs. 71% for RV, P=0.0001). In heavy smokers, it seems essential to include LH as a criterion for a positive diagnosis of COPD and of reversibility evaluation. Copyright © 2013 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Endotoxin and gender modify lung function recovery after occupational organic dust exposure: a 30-year study.

PubMed

Lai, Peggy S; Hang, Jing-Qing; Valeri, Linda; Zhang, Feng-Ying; Zheng, Bu-Yong; Mehta, Amar J; Shi, Jing; Su, Li; Brown, Dan; Eisen, Ellen A; Christiani, David C

2015-08-01

The purpose of this study is to determine the trajectory of lung function change after exposure cessation to occupational organic dust exposure, and to identify factors that modify improvement. The Shanghai Textile Worker Study is a longitudinal study of 447 cotton workers exposed to endotoxin-containing dust and 472 silk workers exposed to non-endotoxin-containing dust. Spirometry was performed at 5-year intervals. Air sampling was performed to estimate individual cumulative exposures. The effect of work cessation on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was modelled using generalised additive mixed effects models to identify the trajectory of FEV1 recovery. Linear mixed effects models incorporating interaction terms were used to identify modifiers of FEV1 recovery. Loss to follow-up was accounted for with inverse probability of censoring weights. 74.2% of the original cohort still alive participated in 2011. Generalised additive mixed models identified a non-linear improvement in FEV1 for all workers after exposure cessation, with no plateau noted 25 years after retirement. Linear mixed effects models incorporating interaction terms identified prior endotoxin exposure (p=0.01) and male gender (p=0.002) as risk factors for impaired FEV1 improvement after exposure cessation. After adjusting for gender, smoking delayed the onset of FEV1 gain but did not affect the overall magnitude of change. Lung function improvement after cessation of exposure to organic dust is sustained. Endotoxin exposure and male gender are risk factors for less FEV1 improvement. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Budesonide/Formoterol for bronchiolitis obliterans after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

PubMed

Bergeron, Anne; Chevret, Sylvie; Chagnon, Karine; Godet, Cendrine; Bergot, Emmanuel; Peffault de Latour, Régis; Dominique, Stéphane; de Revel, Thierry; Juvin, Karine; Maillard, Natacha; Reman, Oumedaly; Contentin, Nathalie; Robin, Marie; Buzyn, Agnès; Socié, Gérard; Tazi, Abdellatif

2015-06-01

Systemic steroids are the standard treatment for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) despite their poor efficacy and disabling side effects. To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of budesonide/formoterol as an alternative treatment for BOS after HSCT. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we randomly assigned 32 HSCT recipients with mild/severe BOS to receive budesonide/formoterol or placebo for 6 months. The primary outcome was the change in the FEV1 after 1 month of treatment (M1) compared with the baseline value. Patients were unblinded at M1 if there was no improvement in the FEV1. Those who had initially received placebo were switched to budesonide/formoterol. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed to assess the primary outcome. Additional analyses took scheduled treatment contamination into account. At M1, the median FEV1 increased by 260 ml in the budesonide/formoterol arm compared with 5 ml in the placebo arm (P = 0.012). The median increases in the FEV1 at M1 relative to the baseline value for the treated and placebo groups were 13 and 0%, respectively (P = 0.019). Twenty-five patients received budesonide/formoterol during the study. The median difference in the FEV1 between the baseline and after 1 month of treatment for these patients was +240 ml (P = 0.0001). The effect of budesonide/formoterol on the FEV1 was maintained in the 13 patients who completed 6 months of treatment. Budesonide/formoterol administration led to a significant improvement in the FEV1 in patients with mild/severe BOS after allogeneic HSCT. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00624754).

Lung Function before and after a Large Chlorine Gas Release in Graniteville, South Carolina

PubMed Central

Karmaus, Wilfried J. J.; Mohr, Lawrence C.; Cai, Bo; Balte, Pallavi; Gibson, James J.; Ownby, Dennis; Lawson, Andrew B.; Vena, John E.; Svendsen, Erik R.

2016-01-01

Rationale: On January 6, 2005 a train derailment led to an estimated 54,915-kg release of chlorine at a local textile mill in Graniteville, South Carolina. Objectives: We used the employee health spirometry records of the textile to identify enduring effects of chlorine gas exposure resulting from the incident on the lung function of workers employed at the textile mill. Methods: Spirometry records from 1,807 mill workers (7,332 observations) were used from 4 years before and 18 months after the disaster. Longitudinal analysis using marginal regression models produced annual population mean estimates for FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio. Covariate adjustment was made for sex, age, smoking, height, season tested, technician, obesity, season × year interactions, and smoker × year interactions. The increased prevalence of mill workers having accelerated FEV1 decline was also evaluated after the chlorine spill. Measurements and Main Results: In the year of the accident, we observed a significant reduction in mean FEV1 (–4.2% predicted; P = 0.019) when compared with the year before the incident. In the second year, partial recovery in the mean FVC % predicted level was seen, but the cohort’s average FEV1/FVC ratio continued to decrease over time. Severe annual FEV1 decline was most prevalent in the year of the accident, and independent of mill worker smoking status. Conclusions: The Graniteville mill worker cohort revealed significant reductions in lung function immediately after the chlorine incident. Improvement was seen in the second year; but the proportion of mill workers experiencing accelerated FEV1 annual decline significantly increased in the 18 months after the chlorine incident. PMID:26695511

High-Resolution Time-Frequency Spectrum-Based Lung Function Test from a Smartphone Microphone

PubMed Central

Thap, Tharoeun; Chung, Heewon; Jeong, Changwon; Hwang, Ki-Eun; Kim, Hak-Ryul; Yoon, Kwon-Ha; Lee, Jinseok

2016-01-01

In this paper, a smartphone-based lung function test, developed to estimate lung function parameters using a high-resolution time-frequency spectrum from a smartphone built-in microphone is presented. A method of estimation of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s divided by forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) based on the variable frequency complex demodulation method (VFCDM) is first proposed. We evaluated our proposed method on 26 subjects, including 13 healthy subjects and 13 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, by comparing with the parameters clinically obtained from pulmonary function tests (PFTs). For the healthy subjects, we found that an absolute error (AE) and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of the FEV1/FVC ratio were 4.49% ± 3.38% and 5.54%, respectively. For the COPD patients, we found that AE and RMSE from COPD patients were 10.30% ± 10.59% and 14.48%, respectively. For both groups, we compared the results using the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and found that VFCDM was superior to CWT and STFT. Further, to estimate other parameters, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF), regression analysis was conducted to establish a linear transformation. However, the parameters FVC, FEV1, and PEF had correlation factor r values of 0.323, 0.275, and −0.257, respectively, while FEV1/FVC had an r value of 0.814. The results obtained suggest that only the FEV1/FVC ratio can be accurately estimated from a smartphone built-in microphone. The other parameters, including FVC, FEV1, and PEF, were subjective and dependent on the subject’s familiarization with the test and performance of forced exhalation toward the microphone. PMID:27548164

Efficacy and safety of sirolimus in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

PubMed

McCormack, Francis X; Inoue, Yoshikazu; Moss, Joel; Singer, Lianne G; Strange, Charlie; Nakata, Koh; Barker, Alan F; Chapman, Jeffrey T; Brantly, Mark L; Stocks, James M; Brown, Kevin K; Lynch, Joseph P; Goldberg, Hilary J; Young, Lisa R; Kinder, Brent W; Downey, Gregory P; Sullivan, Eugene J; Colby, Thomas V; McKay, Roy T; Cohen, Marsha M; Korbee, Leslie; Taveira-DaSilva, Angelo M; Lee, Hye-Seung; Krischer, Jeffrey P; Trapnell, Bruce C

2011-04-28

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a progressive, cystic lung disease in women; it is associated with inappropriate activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, which regulates cellular growth and lymphangiogenesis. Sirolimus (also called rapamycin) inhibits mTOR and has shown promise in phase 1-2 trials involving patients with LAM. We conducted a two-stage trial of sirolimus involving 89 patients with LAM who had moderate lung impairment--a 12-month randomized, double-blind comparison of sirolimus with placebo, followed by a 12-month observation period. The primary end point was the difference between the groups in the rate of change (slope) in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)). During the treatment period, the FEV(1) slope was -12±2 ml per month in the placebo group (43 patients) and 1±2 ml per month in the sirolimus group (46 patients) (P<0.001). The absolute between-group difference in the mean change in FEV(1) during the treatment period was 153 ml, or approximately 11% of the mean FEV(1) at enrollment. As compared with the placebo group, the sirolimus group had improvement from baseline to 12 months in measures of forced vital capacity, functional residual capacity, serum vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D), and quality of life and functional performance. There was no significant between-group difference in this interval in the change in 6-minute walk distance or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. After discontinuation of sirolimus, the decline in lung function resumed in the sirolimus group and paralleled that in the placebo group. Adverse events were more common with sirolimus, but the frequency of serious adverse events did not differ significantly between the groups. In patients with LAM, sirolimus stabilized lung function, reduced serum VEGF-D levels, and was associated with a reduction in symptoms and improvement in quality of life. Therapy with sirolimus may be useful in selected patients with LAM. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and others; MILES ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00414648.).

Efficacy and Safety of Sirolimus in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

PubMed Central

McCormack, Francis X.; Inoue, Yoshikazu; Moss, Joel; Singer, Lianne G.; Strange, Charlie; Nakata, Koh; Barker, Alan F.; Chapman, Jeffrey T.; Brantly, Mark L.; Stocks, James M.; Brown, Kevin K.; Lynch, Joseph P.; Goldberg, Hilary J.; Young, Lisa R.; Kinder, Brent W.; Downey, Gregory P.; Sullivan, Eugene J.; Colby, Thomas V.; McKay, Roy T.; Cohen, Marsha M.; Korbee, Leslie; Taveira-DaSilva, Angelo M.; Lee, Hye-Seung; Krischer, Jeffrey P.; Trapnell, Bruce C.

2011-01-01

BACKGROUND Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a progressive, cystic lung disease in women; it is associated with inappropriate activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, which regulates cellular growth and lymphangiogenesis. Sirolimus (also called rapamycin) inhibits mTOR and has shown promise in phase 1–2 trials involving patients with LAM. METHODS We conducted a two-stage trial of sirolimus involving 89 patients with LAM who had moderate lung impairment — a 12-month randomized, double-blind comparison of sirolimus with placebo, followed by a 12-month observation period. The primary end point was the difference between the groups in the rate of change (slope) in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). RESULTS During the treatment period, the FEV1 slope was −12±2 ml per month in the placebo group (43 patients) and 1±2 ml per month in the sirolimus group (46 patients) (P<0.001). The absolute between-group difference in the mean change in FEV1 during the treatment period was 153 ml, or approximately 11% of the mean FEV1 at enrollment. As compared with the placebo group, the sirolimus group had improvement from baseline to 12 months in measures of forced vital capacity, functional residual capacity, serum vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D), and quality of life and functional performance. There was no significant between-group difference in this interval in the change in 6-minute walk distance or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. After discontinuation of sirolimus, the decline in lung function resumed in the sirolimus group and paralleled that in the placebo group. Adverse events were more common with sirolimus, but the frequency of serious adverse events did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS In patients with LAM, sirolimus stabilized lung function, reduced serum VEGF-D levels, and was associated with a reduction in symptoms and improvement in quality of life. Therapy with sirolimus may be useful in selected patients with LAM. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and others; MILES ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00414648.) PMID:21410393

Spirometry: predicting risk and outcome.

PubMed

Brunelli, Alessandro; Rocco, Gaetano

2008-02-01

Predicted postoperative FEV1 is certainly the most widely used parameter in preoperative risk stratification [54] and the measure recommend by BTS and ACCP functional guidelines as a first step in the screening of patients for lung resection surgery. Nevertheless, recent evidences have demonstrated that ppoFEV1 is not a reliable predictor of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in patients with preoperative impaired pulmonary function. This may be because of the fact that the resection of a portion of lung in patients with obstructive disease determines only a minimal loss, or even an improvement, in overall respiratory function and exercise tolerance. This lung volume reduction effect takes place very early, since the first postoperative days, balancing what ever negative physiologic effects a thoracotomy and lung resection may entail. In addition to its poor predictive role in COPD patients, ppoFEV1 largely underestimate the actual loss in the very first days after operation, when most of the complications develop. The rationale to use a parameter which is poorly correlated with the pulmonary function at the moment the complications occur seems unwarranted. At the very best, ppoFEV1 appears a weak surrogate of the immediate postoperative FEV1. The FEV1 measured on the first postoperative day may be 30% less than predicted. Corrective equations have been published to correct this discrepancy with the aim to improve risk stratification.

Modelling of individual subject ozone exposure response kinetics.

PubMed

Schelegle, Edward S; Adams, William C; Walby, William F; Marion, M Susan

2012-06-01

A better understanding of individual subject ozone (O(3)) exposure response kinetics will provide insight into how to improve models used in the risk assessment of ambient ozone exposure. To develop a simple two compartment exposure-response model that describes individual subject decrements in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) induced by the acute inhalation of O(3) lasting up to 8 h. FEV(1) measurements of 220 subjects who participated in 14 previously completed studies were fit to the model using both particle swarm and nonlinear least squares optimization techniques to identify three subject-specific coefficients producing minimum "global" and local errors, respectively. Observed and predicted decrements in FEV(1) of the 220 subjects were used for validation of the model. Further validation was provided by comparing the observed O(3)-induced FEV(1) decrements in an additional eight studies with predicted values obtained using model coefficients estimated from the 220 subjects used in cross validation. Overall the individual subject measured and modeled FEV(1) decrements were highly correlated (mean R(2) of 0.69 ± 0.24). In addition, it was shown that a matrix of individual subject model coefficients can be used to predict the mean and variance of group decrements in FEV(1). This modeling approach provides insight into individual subject O(3) exposure response kinetics and provides a potential starting point for improving the risk assessment of environmental O(3) exposure.

Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction with Endobronchial Valves in Low-FEV1 Patients.

PubMed

Darwiche, Kaid; Karpf-Wissel, Rüdiger; Eisenmann, Stephan; Aigner, Clemens; Welter, Stefan; Zarogoulidis, Paul; Hohenforst-Schmidt, Wolfgang; Freitag, Lutz; Oezkan, Filiz

2016-01-01

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) with valves has been shown to improve lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients with emphysema, but only few patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) ≤20% predicted have been included in former studies. Although the procedure can be performed safely, pneumothorax is a frequent complication, which can be critical for these very severely diseased patients. The aim of the study was to assess the safety of BLVR in patients with a very advanced stage of emphysema, as indicated by FEV1 ≤20% predicted. Patients in whom BLVR was performed between January 2013 and August 2015 were included in this analysis if their baseline predicted FEV1 was ≤20%. BLVR, performed only if collateral ventilation was absent, achieved complete occlusion of the target lobe. All patients were closely monitored and were not discharged before the fourth day after BLVR. Twenty patients with FEV1 ≤20% predicted were included in the analysis. Lung volume reduction was achieved in 65% of the cases. Pneumothorax occurred in 4 cases (20%). No patient died. Lung function and exercise tolerance improved after 1 and 3 months, respectively. BLVR with valves can be safely performed in patients with FEV1 ≤20% predicted when close postprocedural monitoring is provided. Improvement in lung function and exercise capacity can be achieved. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

An experimental study of the intersystem crossing and reactions of C2(X1Sigmag+) and C2(a3Pi(u)) with O2 and NO at very low temperature (24-300 K).

PubMed

Páramo, Alejandra; Canosa, André; Le Picard, Sébastien D; Sims, Ian R

2006-03-09

A low-temperature gas-phase kinetics study of the reactions and collisional relaxation processes involving C2(X1Sigma(g)+) and C2(a3Pi(u)) in collision with O2 and NO partners at temperatures from 300 to 24 K is reported. The experiments employed a CRESU (Cinétique de Réaction en Ecoulement Supersonique Uniforme) apparatus to attain low temperatures. The C2 species were created using pulsed laser photolysis at 193 nm of mixtures containing C2Cl4 diluted in N2, Ar, or He carrier gas. C2(X1Sigma(g)+) molecules were detected via pulsed laser-induced fluorescence in the (D1Sigma(u)+ <-- X1Sigma(g)+) system, and C2(a3Pi(u)) molecules were detected via pulsed laser-induced fluorescence in the (d 3Pi(g) <-- a 3Pi(u)) system. Relaxation of 3C2 by intersystem crossing induced by oxygen was measured at temperatures below 200 K, and it was found that this process remains very efficient in the temperature range 50-200 K. Reactivity of C2(X1Sigma(g)+) with oxygen became very inefficient below room temperature. Using these two observations, it was found to be possible to obtain the C2(X1Sigma(g)+) state alone at low temperatures by addition of a suitable concentration of O2 and then study its reactivity with NO without any interference coming from the possible relaxation of C2(a3Pi(u)) to C2(X1Sigma(g)+) induced by this reagent. The rate coefficient for reaction of C2(X1Sigma(g)+) with NO was found to be essentially constant over the temperature range 36-300 K with an average value of (1.6 +/- 0.1) x 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). Reactivity of C2(a3Pi(u)) with NO was found to possess a slight negative temperature dependence over the temperature range 50-300 K, which is in very good agreement with data obtained at higher temperatures.

[Influence of tap water treatment on perfluorinated compounds residue in the dissolved phase].

PubMed

Zhang, Hong; Chen, Qing-wu; Wang, Xin-xuan; Chai, Zhi-fang; Shen, Jin-can; Yang, Bo; Liu, Guo-qing

2013-09-01

To study the perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) residues through water treatments including flocculation, sedimentation, sand filtration, ozonation with activated carbon and chlorination, as well as the seasonal variation of PFCs in the raw water of waterworks, 13 PFCs species in the dissolved phase of raw water, finished water, as well as the water samples after flocculation, sedimentation, sand filtration, and ozonation with activated carbon filtration were measured by the high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry combined with solid phase extraction. Results indicated that sigma PFCs residue in water was higher in spring and summer than that in fall and winter. The vast majority of PFCs in samples were of short and medium chains (C < or = 10), and perfluorooctane sulfonate was the most typical residue species. Among the five water treatment stages, sedimentation, sand filtration and ozonation with activated carbon filtration can remove PFCs, while flocculation and chlorination significantly raise the levels of short- (C < or = 6) and medium-chain (10 > or = C > or = 7) PFCs, respectively, causing sigma PFCs increase in finished water by 10%-44% compared to raw water. However, the PFCs residues in finished water are still far below their limit values, posing no threat against human health.

Phase-shift/transmittance measurements in a micro pattern using MPM193EX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nozawa, Hiroto; Ishida, Takayuki; Kato, Satoru; Sato, Osamu; Miyazaki, Koji; Takehisa, Kiwamu; Awamura, Naoki; Takizawa, Hideo; Kusunose, Hal

2009-04-01

A new direct Phase-shift/Transmittance measurement tool "MPM193EX" has been developed to respond to the growing demand for higher precision measurements of finer patterns in ArF Lithography. Specifications of MPM193EX are listed below along with corresponding specifications of the conventional tool MPM193. 1) Phase-shift [3 Sigma]: 0.5 deg. (MPM193) => 0.2 deg. (MPM193EX) 2) Transmittance [3 Sigma]: 0.20 % (MPM193) => 0.04 % (MPM193EX) 3) Minimum measurement pattern width: 7.5 μm (MPM193) => 1.0 μm (MPM193EX) Furthermore, new design optics using an ArF Laser and an objective lens with long working distance allows measurements of masks with pellicles. The new method for improving the measurement repeatability is based on elimination of influence from instantaneous fluctuation in interferometer fringes by scanning two adjacent areas simultaneously. Also, MPM193EX is equipped with high-resolution and stable optics. The newly employed auto-focus system in MPM193EX accurately adjusts, by a new image processing method using high-resolution optics, the focus height that is one of the most important factors for measurements in a micro pattern.

Two-dimensional Anderson-Hubbard model in the DMFT + {Sigma} approximation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kuchinskii, E. Z., E-mail: kuchinsk@iep.uran.ru; Kuleeva, N. A.; Nekrasov, I. A.

The density of states, the dynamic (optical) conductivity, and the phase diagram of the paramagnetic two-dimensional Anderson-Hubbard model with strong correlations and disorder are analyzed within the generalized dynamical mean field theory (DMFT + {Sigma} approximation). Strong correlations are accounted by the DMFT, while disorder is taken into account via the appropriate generalization of the self-consistent theory of localization. We consider the two-dimensional system with the rectangular 'bare' density of states (DOS). The DMFT effective single-impurity problem is solved by numerical renormalization group (NRG). The 'correlated metal,' Mott insulator, and correlated Anderson insulator phases are identified from the evolution ofmore » the density of states, optical conductivity, and localization length, demonstrating both Mott-Hubbard and Anderson metal-insulator transitions in two-dimensional systems of finite size, allowing us to construct the complete zero-temperature phase diagram of the paramagnetic Anderson-Hubbard model. The localization length in our approximation is practically independent of the strength of Hubbard correlations. But the divergence of the localization length in a finite-size two-dimensional system at small disorder signifies the existence of an effective Anderson transition.« less

Rapid decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and the development of bronchitic symptoms among new Chinese coal miners

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, M.L.; Wu, Z.E.; Du, Q.G.

2007-10-15

The objective was to investigate the relationship between the development of bronchitic symptoms and the early rapid decline of forced expiratory volume in I second (FEV1). A two-stage and a mixed model approach were used to analyze data from 260 newly hired Chinese coal miners who completed approximately 5 to 16 health surveys during 3 years. The proportion of miners with onset of bronchitic symptoms was significantly elevated after 11 months of underground mining. Miners with incident symptoms had greater declines in FEV1 compared with those who did not (- 65 vs - 23 mL/yr, P < 0. 05). Atmore » 24 months follow-up, FEV1 had declined an average 235 mL among the 26 miners who developed bronchitic symptoms and smoked, compared with a decline of 96 mL among the 132 nonsmoking miners without symptoms. Conclusions: Among new coal miners, a sharp early decline in FEV1 is associated with the development of bronchitic symptoms.« less

Using lean principles to improve outpatient adult infusion clinic chemotherapy preparation turnaround times.

PubMed

Lamm, Matthew H; Eckel, Stephen; Daniels, Rowell; Amerine, Lindsey B

2015-07-01

The workflow and chemotherapy preparation turnaround times at an adult infusion clinic were evaluated to identify opportunities to optimize workflow and efficiency. A three-phase study using Lean Six Sigma methodology was conducted. In phase 1, chemotherapy turnaround times in the adult infusion clinic were examined one year after the interim goal of a 45-minute turnaround time was established. Phase 2 implemented various experiments including a five-day Kaizen event, using lean principles in an effort to decrease chemotherapy preparation turnaround times in a controlled setting. Phase 3 included the implementation of process-improvement strategies identified during the Kaizen event, coupled with a final refinement of operational processes. In phase 1, the mean turnaround time for all chemotherapy preparations decreased from 60 to 44 minutes, and a mean of 52 orders for adult outpatient chemotherapy infusions was received each day. After installing new processes, the mean turnaround time had improved to 37 minutes for each chemotherapy preparation in phase 2. In phase 3, the mean turnaround time decreased from 37 to 26 minutes. The overall mean turnaround time was reduced by 26 minutes, representing a 57% decrease in turnaround times in 19 months through the elimination of waste and the implementation of lean principles. This reduction was accomplished through increased efficiencies in the workplace, with no addition of human resources. Implementation of Lean Six Sigma principles improved workflow and efficiency at an adult infusion clinic and reduced the overall chemotherapy turnaround times from 60 to 26 minutes. Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of Body Mass Index on Lung Function Index of Chinese Population

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Qiao; Ye, Jun; Yang, Jian; Zhu, Changan; Sheng, Lei; Zhang, Yongliang

2018-01-01

To study the effect of body mass index (BMI) on lung function indexes in Chinese population. A cross-sectional study was performed on 10, 592 participants. The linear relationship between lung function and BMI was evaluated by multivariate linear regression analysis, and the correlation between BMI and lung function was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. Correlation analysis showed that BMI was positively related with the decreasing of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC (P <0.05), the increasing of FVC% predicted value (FVC%pre) and FEV1% predicted value (FEV1%pre). These suggested that Chinese people can restrain the decline of lung function to prevent the occurrence and development of COPD by the control of BMI.

Effect of once daily and twice daily sustained release theophylline formulations on daytime variation of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients

PubMed Central

Ferrari, M.; Olivieri, M.; Lampronti, G.; Bonazza, L.; Biasin, C.; Nacci, P.; Talamini, G.; Lo, C

1997-01-01

BACKGROUND: Previous studies evaluating spirometric values and symptoms have shown that once daily theophylline administered in the evening produces greater stabilisation of the airway function in asthmatic patients than the prototype theophylline given twice a day. The aim of this study was to compare the effects on bronchial responsiveness to methacholine of an ultrasustained release theophylline formulation (Diffumal-24, Malesci, Florence, Italy) administered once a day, a sustained release theophylline formulation (Theo-Dur, Recordati, Milan, Italy) administered twice a day, and placebo. METHODS: The study was performed in 12 adult patients with asthma using a randomised, double blind, three phase, cross-over design. Each phase lasted seven days and was followed or preceded by at least three days of theophylline washout. Diffumal-24 was administered once a day at 20.00 hours whereas Theo-Dur was given twice a day at 08.00 hours and 20.00 hours. In each patient the total daily dose of theophylline was the same during both phases. The dose of the two active preparations was titrated to individual needs before the beginning of the study and then given in divided or once daily doses. At 08.00, 14.00, and 20.00 hours on day 7 of each phase serum theophylline concentrations were measured and spirometric tests (FEV1) and bronchial challenge with methacholine were also performed. RESULTS: When the administration of Diffumal-24 was compared with that of Theo-Dur, a higher serum theophylline concentration of the former was seen in the morning whereas at 20.00 hours the reverse was true. Compared with placebo, at 08.00 hours Diffumal-24 improved FEV1 whereas Theo-Dur did not (difference between treatments 0.29 1, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.45). At 08.00 hours Diffumal-24 decreased bronchial sensitivity to methacholine, expressed as a natural logarithm of PD20, to a greater extent than Theo-Dur (difference between treatments 0.54 log units, 95% CI 0.016 to 1.08). The morning advantage observed with Diffumal-24 administration was not associated with a deterioration in the state of the airway during the daytime, the protective activity against methacholine during the 12 hours of the monitoring period being constant. Furthermore there was no difference in the mean FEV1 between the two treatments at 14.00 and 20.00 hours. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with stable bronchial asthma treatment with a single dose of Diffumal-24 administered in the evening improved airflow obstruction and reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness. 




 PMID:9487345

Anti-sigma factor YlaD regulates transcriptional activity of sigma factor YlaC and sporulation via manganese-dependent redox-sensing molecular switch in Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Kwak, Min-Kyu; Ryu, Han-Bong; Song, Sung-Hyun; Lee, Jin-Won; Kang, Sa-Ouk

2018-05-14

YlaD, a membrane-anchored anti-sigma factor of Bacillus subtilis , contains a HX 3 CXXC motif that functions as a redox-sensing domain and belongs to one of the zinc-coordinated anti-sigma factor families. Despite previously showing that the YlaC transcription is controlled by YlaD, experimental evidence of how the YlaC-YlaD interaction is affected by active cysteines and/or metal ions is lacking. Here, we showed that the P yla promoter is autoregulated solely by YlaC. Moreover, reduced YlaD contained zinc and iron, while oxidized YlaD did not. Cysteine substitution in YlaD led to changes in its secondary structure; Cys3 had important structural functions in YlaD, and its mutation caused dissociation from YlaC, indicating the essential requirement of a HX 3 CXXC motif for regulating interactions of YlaC with YlaD. Analyses of the far-UV CD spectrum and metal content revealed that the addition of Mn ions to Zn-YlaD changed its secondary structure and that iron was substituted for manganese. The ylaC gene expression using βGlu activity from P yla : gusA was observed at the late-exponential and early-stationary phase and the ylaC -overexpressing mutant constitutively expressed gene transcripts of clpP and sigH , an important alternative sigma factor regulated by ClpXP. Collectively, our data demonstrated that YlaD senses redox changes and elicits increase in manganese ion concentrations and that, in turn, YlaD-mediated transcriptional activity of YlaC regulates sporulation initiation under oxidative stress and manganese-substituted conditions by regulating clpP gene transcripts. This is the first report of the involvement of oxidative stress-responsive B. subtilis extracytoplasmic function sigma factors during sporulation via a manganese-dependent redox-sensing molecular switch. ©2018 The Author(s).

Implementation and Analysis of a Lean Six Sigma Program in Microsurgery to Improve Operative Throughput in Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction.

PubMed

Hultman, Charles Scott; Kim, Sendia; Lee, Clara N; Wu, Cindy; Dodge, Becky; Hultman, Chloe Elizabeth; Roach, S Tanner; Halvorson, Eric G

2016-06-01

Perforator flaps have become a preferred method of breast reconstruction but can consume considerable resources. We examined the impact of a Six Sigma program on microsurgical breast reconstruction at an academic medical center. Using methods developed by Motorola and General Electric, we applied critical pathway planning, workflow analysis, lean manufacturing, continuous quality improvement, and defect reduction to microsurgical breast reconstruction. Primary goals were to decrease preoperative-to-cut time and total operative time, through reduced variability and improved efficiency. Secondary goals were to reduce length of stay, complications, and reoperation. The project was divided into 3 phases: (1) Pre-Six Sigma (24 months), (2) Six Sigma (10 months), (3) and Post-Six Sigma (24 months). These periods (baseline, intervention, control) were compared by Student t test and χ analysis. Over a 5-year period, 112 patients underwent 168 perforator flaps for breast reconstructions, by experienced microsurgeons. Total operative time decreased from 714 to 607 minutes (P < 0.01), across the study period, with the greatest drop occurring in unilateral cases, from 672 to 498 minutes (P < 0.01). Length of stay decreased from 6.3 to 5.2 days (P = 0.01). Overall complication rates (35.9% vs 30%, not significant) and take-back rates (20.5% vs 23.9%, not significant) remained similar over the 5-year period. Physician revenue/minute increased from US $6.28 to US $7.59, whereas hospital revenue/minute increased from US $21.84 to US $25.11. A Six Sigma program in microsurgical breast reconstruction was associated with better operational and financial outcomes. These incremental gains were maintained over the course of the study, suggesting that these benefits were due, in part, to process improvements. However, continued reductions in total operative time and length of stay, well after the intervention period, support the possibility that "learning curve" phenomenon may have contributed to the improvement in these outcomes.

Pulse Oximeter Plethysmograph Estimate of Pulsus Paradoxus as a Measure of Acute Asthma Exacerbation Severity and Response to Treatment.

PubMed

Arnold, Donald H; Wang, Li; Hartert, Tina V

2016-03-01

Pulsus paradoxus is one of the few objective bedside measures of acute asthma exacerbation severity but is difficult to measure in tachypneic and tachycardic patients and in noisy clinical environments. Our primary objective was to examine whether pulse oximeter plethysmograph estimate of pulsus paradoxus (PEP) is associated with physiologic and symptom measures of acute exacerbation severity (airway resistance by impulse oscillometry [%IOS] and the Acute Asthma Intensity Research Score [AAIRS]). Secondary objectives were to validate the previous association of PEP with percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (%FEV1 ) and to examine associations of change of PEP with change of these outcomes after 2 hours of treatment. This was a secondary analysis of data from a prospective observational study of patients aged 5-17 years with acute asthma exacerbations. The predictor variable, PEP, was measured using a dedicated pulse oximeter and waveform analysis program. Outcome measures included the AAIRS, %IOS, and %FEV1 at baseline and after 2 hours of treatment. We examined associations of PEP with %IOS and the AAIRS at baseline using multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, and race. As secondary analyses we similarly examined the association of PEP with %FEV1 at baseline and change of PEP with change of %IOS, the AAIRS, and %FEV1 after 2 hours of treatment using multiple linear regression models adjusted for the baseline value of the outcome measure and the AAIRS. Among 684 participants (61% males; 61% African American) there were associations of baseline PEP with %IOS, the AAIRS, and %FEV1 (p < 0.001). Change of PEP after 2 hours of treatment was associated with change of %FEV1 (p < 0.001) and change of the AAIRS (p = 0.01) but not with change of %IOS (p = 0.60). PEP demonstrates criterion validity in predicting baseline %IOS, the AAIRS, and %FEV1 , and responsiveness to change of the AAIRS and %FEV1 . Data contained in the oximeter plethysmograph waveform might be utilized as a continuous, objective measure of acute asthma exacerbation severity and real-time response to treatment. © 2016 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

A new approach to assess COPD by identifying lung function break-points

PubMed Central

Eriksson, Göran; Jarenbäck, Linnea; Peterson, Stefan; Ankerst, Jaro; Bjermer, Leif; Tufvesson, Ellen

2015-01-01

Purpose COPD is a progressive disease, which can take different routes, leading to great heterogeneity. The aim of the post-hoc analysis reported here was to perform continuous analyses of advanced lung function measurements, using linear and nonlinear regressions. Patients and methods Fifty-one COPD patients with mild to very severe disease (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] Stages I–IV) and 41 healthy smokers were investigated post-bronchodilation by flow-volume spirometry, body plethysmography, diffusion capacity testing, and impulse oscillometry. The relationship between COPD severity, based on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and different lung function parameters was analyzed by flexible nonparametric method, linear regression, and segmented linear regression with break-points. Results Most lung function parameters were nonlinear in relation to spirometric severity. Parameters related to volume (residual volume, functional residual capacity, total lung capacity, diffusion capacity [diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide], diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide/alveolar volume) and reactance (reactance area and reactance at 5Hz) were segmented with break-points at 60%–70% of FEV1. FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) and resonance frequency had break-points around 80% of FEV1, while many resistance parameters had break-points below 40%. The slopes in percent predicted differed; resistance at 5 Hz minus resistance at 20 Hz had a linear slope change of −5.3 per unit FEV1, while residual volume had no slope change above and −3.3 change per unit FEV1 below its break-point of 61%. Conclusion Continuous analyses of different lung function parameters over the spirometric COPD severity range gave valuable information additional to categorical analyses. Parameters related to volume, diffusion capacity, and reactance showed break-points around 65% of FEV1, indicating that air trapping starts to dominate in moderate COPD (FEV1 =50%–80%). This may have an impact on the patient’s management plan and selection of patients and/or outcomes in clinical research. PMID:26508849

The Relationship between Hypomagnesemia and Pulmonary Function Tests in Patients with Chronic Asthma.

PubMed

Kılıc, Hatice; Kanbay, Asiye; Karalezlı, Ayşegul; Babaoglu, Elif; Hasanoglu, H Canan; Erel, Ozcan; Ates, Can

2018-01-01

To investigate the relationship between serum values of magnesium and the parameters of the pulmonary function tests (PFT) in patients with chronic asthma. This study recruited 50 patients with chronic stable asthma and 40 healthy individuals as a control group. Data on age, sex, severity of asthma, PFT, and details of drug therapy were obtained from each group. Serum magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium levels were also measured. To evaluate differences between groups, the Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test was performed for continuous variables, and the χ2 test for categorical variables. In the asthma group, 10% (n = 9) of the patients had hypomagnesemia and 5.5% (n = 5) had hypophosphatemia. Patients with asthma were divided into two groups: the hypomagnesemic group (n = 9) and the normomagnesemic group (n = 41). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1%, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and PEF% were lower in the hypomagnesemic group than in the normomagnesemic group (p = 0.02). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between hypomagnesemia and PFT in the hypomagnesemic asthmatic group. The correlations of age with FEV1, FEV1%, PEF, and PEF% were as follows: p = 0.00, r = 0.29; p = 0.00, r = 0.43; p = 0.03, r = 0.22; p = 0.00, r = 0.38; and p = 0.03, r = 0.22, respectively. The correlation of serum magnesium levels with PFT (FEV1, FEV1%, PEF, PEF%) were as follows: p = 0.001, r = 0.29; p = 0.001, r = 0.43; p = 0.03, r = 0.22; and p = 0.001, r = 0.38, respectively. The other electrolytes were within the normal range in both groups. In this study, hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia were found to be the most common electrolyte abnormalities in patients with chronic stable asthma. FEV1, FEV1%, PEF, and PEF% were significantly lower in asthmatic patients with hypomagnesemia compared to asthmatic patients with normomagnesemia. ©2018 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Stratification of eosinophilic asthma patients treated with reslizumab and GINA Step 4 or 5 therapy.

PubMed

Brusselle, Guy; Canvin, Janice; Weiss, Sivan; Sun, Shawn X; Buhl, Roland

2017-07-01

Reslizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody, significantly reduces exacerbation frequency and improves lung function, asthma control and quality of life in adults with severe eosinophilic asthma, as demonstrated in Phase III studies. This secondary analysis assessed reslizumab's efficacy in patients receiving baseline treatment per Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Step 4 and Step 5 guidelines. Pooled data from duplicate, Phase III, reslizumab versus placebo studies in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (blood eosinophils ≥400 cells·µL -1 ) were stratified by baseline therapy. Efficacy assessments were exacerbation rates and changes from baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) and patient-reported outcomes. Of 953 patients, 69% (n=657) and 11% (n=106) were receiving Step 4 and Step 5 therapy, respectively. Compared with placebo, reslizumab reduced exacerbation rates by 53% (95% CI 0.36-0.62) and 72% (95% CI 0.15-0.52), in Step 4 and Step 5 groups respectively. By study end, reslizumab increased FEV 1 in Step 4 and Step 5 groups by 103 mL (95% CI 52-154 mL) and 237 mL (95% CI 68-407 mL), respectively. Reslizumab also improved patient-reported outcomes compared with placebo in both groups. Reslizumab reduces exacerbation rates and improves lung function and patient-reported outcomes in patients with eosinophilic asthma receiving therapy per Steps 4 and 5 of the GINA guidelines.

Measurement of health-related quality of life in the national emphysema treatment trial.

PubMed

Kaplan, Robert M; Ries, Andrew L; Reilly, John; Mohsenifar, Zab

2004-09-01

To evaluate two generic and two disease-specific measures of health-related quality of life (QOL) using prerandomization data from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT). The analyses used data collected from the 1,218 subjects who were randomized in the NETT. Patients completed evaluations before and after completion of the prerandomization phase of the NETT pulmonary rehabilitation program. Using data obtained prior to participation in the rehabilitation program, QOL measures were evaluated against physiologic and functional criteria using correlational analysis. The physiologic criteria included estimates of emphysema severity based on FEV(1) and measures of Pao(2) obtained with the subject at rest and breathing room air. Functional measures included the 6-min walk distance (6MWD), maximum work, and hospitalizations in the prior 3 months. Correlation coefficients between QOL measures ranged from -0.31 to 0.70. In comparison to normative samples, scores on general QOL measures were low, suggesting that the NETT participants were quite ill. All QOL measures were modestly but significantly correlated with FEV(1), maximum work, and 6MWD. Patients who had stayed overnight in a hospital in the prior 3 months reported lower QOL on average than those who had not been hospitalized. There were significant improvements for all QOL measures following the rehabilitation program, and improvements in QOL were correlated with improvements in 6MWD. The disease-specific and general QOL measures used in the NETT were correlated. Analyses suggested that these measures improved significantly following the rehabilitation phase of the NETT.

Stratification of eosinophilic asthma patients treated with reslizumab and GINA Step 4 or 5 therapy

PubMed Central

Weiss, Sivan; Sun, Shawn X.; Buhl, Roland

2017-01-01

Reslizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody, significantly reduces exacerbation frequency and improves lung function, asthma control and quality of life in adults with severe eosinophilic asthma, as demonstrated in Phase III studies. This secondary analysis assessed reslizumab's efficacy in patients receiving baseline treatment per Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) Step 4 and Step 5 guidelines. Pooled data from duplicate, Phase III, reslizumab versus placebo studies in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (blood eosinophils ≥400 cells·µL−1) were stratified by baseline therapy. Efficacy assessments were exacerbation rates and changes from baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and patient-reported outcomes. Of 953 patients, 69% (n=657) and 11% (n=106) were receiving Step 4 and Step 5 therapy, respectively. Compared with placebo, reslizumab reduced exacerbation rates by 53% (95% CI 0.36–0.62) and 72% (95% CI 0.15–0.52), in Step 4 and Step 5 groups respectively. By study end, reslizumab increased FEV1 in Step 4 and Step 5 groups by 103 mL (95% CI 52–154 mL) and 237 mL (95% CI 68–407 mL), respectively. Reslizumab also improved patient-reported outcomes compared with placebo in both groups. Reslizumab reduces exacerbation rates and improves lung function and patient-reported outcomes in patients with eosinophilic asthma receiving therapy per Steps 4 and 5 of the GINA guidelines. PMID:28845430

Application of Scanning-Imaging X-Ray Microscopy to Fluid Inclusion Candidates in Carbonates of Carbonaceous Chondrites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsuchiyama, Akira; Nakano, Tsukasa; Miyake, Akira; Akihisa, Takeuchi; Uesugi, Kentaro; Suzuki, Yoshio; Kitayama, Akira; Matsuno, Junya; Zolensky, Michael E.

2016-01-01

In order to search for such fluid inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites, a nondestructive technique using x-ray micro-absorption tomography combined with FIB sampling was developed and applied to a carbonaceous chondrite. They found fluid inclusion candidates in calcite grains, which were formed by aqueous alteration. However, they could not determine whether they are really aqueous fluids or merely voids. Phase and absorption contrast images can be simultaneously obtained in 3D by using scanning-imaging x-ray microscopy (SIXM). In refractive index, n=1-sigma+i(beta), in the real part, 1-sigma is the refractive index with decrement, sigma, which is nearly proportional to the density, and the imaginary part, beta, is the extinction coefficient, which is related to the liner attenuation coefficient, mu. Many phases, including water and organic materials as well as minerals, can be identified by SIXM, and this technique has potential availability for Hayabusa-2 sample analysis too. In this study, we examined quantitative performance of d and m values and the spatial resolution in SIXM by using standard materials, and applied this technique to carbonaceous chondrite samples. We used POM ([CH2O]n), silicon, quartz, forsterite, corundum, magnetite and nickel as standard materials for examining the sigma and mu values. A fluid inclusion in terrestrial quartz and bi-valve shell (Atrina vexillum), which are composed of calcite and organic layers with different thickness, were also used for examining the spatial resolution. The Ivuna (CI) and Sutter's Mill (CM) meteorites were used as carbonaceous chondrite samples. Rod- or cube-shaped samples 20-30 micron in size were extracted by using FIB from cross-sectional surfaces of the standard materials or polished thin sections of the chondrites, which was previously observed with SEM. Then, the sample was attached to a thin W-needle and imaged by SIXM system at beamline BL47XU, SPring-8, Japan. The slice thickness was 109.3 nm and the pixel size was mostly 100 nm.

Molar heat capacity at constant volume of 1,1-difluoroethane (R152a) and 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (R143a) from the triple-point temperature to 345 k at pressure to 35 MPa

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Magee, J.W.

1998-09-01

Molar heat capacities at constant volume (C{sub v}) of 1,1-difluoroethane (R152a) and 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (R143a) have been measured with an adiabatic calorimeter. Temperatures ranged from their triple points to 345 K, and pressures up to 35 MPa. Measurements were conducted on the liquid in equilibrium with its vapor and on compressed liquid samples. The samples were of high purity, verified by chemical analysis of each fluid. For the samples, calorimetric results were obtained for two-phase (C{sub v}{sup (2)}), saturated-liquid (C{sub {sigma}} or C{sub x}{prime}), and single-phase (C{sub v}) molar heat capacities. The C{sub {sigma}} data were used to estimate vapor pressuresmore » for values less than 105 kPa by applying a thermodynamic relationship between the saturated liquid heat capacity and the temperature derivatives of the vapor pressure. The triple-point temperature and the enthalpy of fusion were also measured for each substance. The principal sources of uncertainty are the temperature rise measurement and the change-of-volume work adjustment. The expanded relative uncertainty (with a coverage factor k = 2 and thus a two-standard deviation estimate) for C{sub v} is estimated to be 0.7%, for C{sub v}{sup (2)} it is 0.5%, and for C{sub {sigma}} it is 0.7%.« less

Serum Bilirubin and Disease Progression in Mild COPD

PubMed Central

Apperley, Scott; Park, Hye Yun; Holmes, Daniel T.; Wise, Robert A.; Connett, John E.

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: COPD is a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with oxidative stress. Serum bilirubin has potent antioxidant actions, and higher concentrations have been shown to protect against oxidative stress. The relation between serum bilirubin and COPD progression is unknown. METHODS: Serum bilirubin was measured in 4,680 smokers aged 35 to 60 years old with mild to moderate airflow limitation. The relationship of serum bilirubin to postbronchodilator FEV1 and rate of FEV1 decline over 3 to 9 years was determined using regression modeling. Total and disease-specific mortality were also ascertained. RESULTS: Serum bilirubin was positively related to FEV1 (P < .001). Serum bilirubin was also negatively related to the annual decline in FEV1 when adjusted for baseline demographics, pack-years smoked, and baseline measures of lung function (P = .01). Additionally, serum bilirubin was negatively associated with risk of death from coronary heart disease (P = .03); however, the relationships between bilirubin and other mortality end points were not statistically significant (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Bilirubin is inversely related to COPD disease severity and progression. Higher serum bilirubin concentration was associated with a higher FEV1 and less annual decline in FEV1. Bilirubin was also associated with less coronary heart disease mortality. These data support the hypothesis that bilirubin has a protective effect on COPD disease progression, possibly through its antioxidant actions. Bilirubin may prove useful as an easily accessible and readily available blood-based COPD biomarker. PMID:25539285

Longitudinal decline in lung function measurements among Saskatchewan grain workers.

PubMed

Pahwa, Punam; Senthilselvan, Ambikaipakan; McDuffie, Helen H; Dosman, James A

2003-04-01

To evaluate the relationship between the long term effects of grain dust and decline in lung function among grain elevator workers in Saskatchewan, studied over a 15-year period. The Grain Dust Medical Surveillance Program was started by Labour Canada in 1978 and longitudinally studied the respiratory health of Canadian grain elevator workers over a 15-year period (1978 to 1993). Data on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC]) were collected once every three years; each three-year interval was called a 'cycle'. Data from Saskatchewan were analyzed for this report. A transitional model using the generalized estimating equations approach was fitted using a SAS macro to predict the annual decline in FEV1 and FVC. Previous lung function, as one of the covariates in the transitional model, played an important role. Significant predictors of FEV1 were previous FEV1, base height, weight, years in the grain industry, current smoking status, cycle II, cycle III and cycle V. Significant predictors of FVC were previous FVC, base height, weight, years in the grain industry, cycle II, cycle III and cycle IV. The estimated annual decline in FEV1 and FVC increased according to length of time in the grain industry among nonsmoking, ex-smoking and smoking grain elevator workers. Lung function values improved after dust control, and yearly declines in FEV1 and FVC after dust control were smaller compared with yearly losses before dust control.

Gender Differences in the Association of Individual and Contextual Exposures with Lung Function in a Rural Canadian Population.

PubMed

Janzen, Bonnie; Karunanayake, Chandima; Rennie, Donna; Pickett, William; Lawson, Joshua; Kirychuk, Shelley; Hagel, Louise; Senthilselvan, Ambikaipakan; Koehncke, Niels; Dosman, James; Pahwa, Punam

2017-02-01

To investigate the association of individual and contextual exposures with lung function by gender in rural-dwelling Canadians. A cross-sectional mail survey obtained completed questionnaires on exposures from 8263 individuals; a sub-sample of 1609 individuals (762 men, 847 women) additionally participated in clinical lung function testing. The three dependent variables were forced expired volume in one second (FEV 1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV 1 /FVC ratio. Independent variables included smoking, waist circumference, body mass index, indoor household exposures (secondhand smoke, dampness, mold, musty odor), occupational exposures (grain dust, pesticides, livestock, farm residence), and socioeconomic status. The primary analysis was multiple linear regression, conducted separately for each outcome. The potential modifying influence of gender was tested in multivariable models using product terms between gender and each independent variable. High-risk waist circumference was related to reduced FVC and FEV 1 for both genders, but the effect was more pronounced in men. Greater pack-years smoking was associated with lower lung function values. Exposure to household smoke was related to reduced FEV 1 , and exposure to livestock, with increased FEV 1 . Lower income adequacy was associated with reduced FVC and FEV 1 . High-risk waist circumference was more strongly associated with reduced lung function in men than women. Longitudinal research combined with rigorous exposure assessment is needed to clarify how sex and gender interact to impact lung function in rural populations.

Effects of Exercise Rehab on Male Asthmatic Patients: Aerobic Verses Rebound Training

PubMed Central

Zolaktaf, Vahid; Ghasemi, Gholam A; Sadeghi, Morteza

2013-01-01

Background: There are some auspicious records on applying aerobic exercise for asthmatic patients. Recently, it is suggested that rebound exercise might even increase the gains. This study was designed to compare the effects of rebound therapy to aerobic training in male asthmatic patients. Methods: Sample included 37 male asthmatic patients (20-40 years) from the same respiratory clinic. After signing the informed consent, subjects volunteered to take part in control, rebound, or aerobic groups. There was no change in the routine medical treatment of patients. Supervised exercise programs continued for 8 weeks, consisting of two sessions of 45 to 60 minutes per week. Criteria measures were assessed pre- and post exercise program. Peak exercise capacity (VO2peak) was estimated by modified Bruce protocol, Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1% were measured by spirometer. Data were analyzed by repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Significant interactions were observed for all 4 criteria measures (P < 0.01), meaning that both the exercise programs were effective in improving FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, and VO2peak. Rebound exercise produced more improvement in FEV1, FEV1%, and VO2peak. Conclusions: Regular exercise strengthens the respiratory muscles and improves the cellular respiration. At the same time, it improves the muscular, respiratory, and cardio-vascular systems. Effects of rebound exercise seem to be promising. Findings suggest that rebound exercise is a useful complementary means for asthmatic male patients. PMID:23717762

Intracellular concentrations of 65 species of transcription factors with known regulatory functions in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Ishihama, Akira; Kori, Ayako; Koshio, Etsuko; Yamada, Kayoko; Maeda, Hiroto; Shimada, Tomohiro; Makinoshima, Hideki; Iwata, Akira; Fujita, Nobuyuki

2014-08-01

The expression pattern of the Escherichia coli genome is controlled in part by regulating the utilization of a limited number of RNA polymerases among a total of its approximately 4,600 genes. The distribution pattern of RNA polymerase changes from modulation of two types of protein-protein interactions: the interaction of core RNA polymerase with seven species of the sigma subunit for differential promoter recognition and the interaction of RNA polymerase holoenzyme with about 300 different species of transcription factors (TFs) with regulatory functions. We have been involved in the systematic search for the target promoters recognized by each sigma factor and each TF using the newly developed Genomic SELEX system. In parallel, we developed the promoter-specific (PS)-TF screening system for identification of the whole set of TFs involved in regulation of each promoter. Understanding the regulation of genome transcription also requires knowing the intracellular concentrations of the sigma subunits and TFs under various growth conditions. This report describes the intracellular levels of 65 species of TF with known function in E. coli K-12 W3110 at various phases of cell growth and at various temperatures. The list of intracellular concentrations of the sigma factors and TFs provides a community resource for understanding the transcription regulation of E. coli under various stressful conditions in nature. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Structural basis for the sequestration of the anti-σ(70) factor Rsd from σ(70) by the histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein HPr.

PubMed

Park, Young Ha; Um, Si Hyeon; Song, Saemee; Seok, Yeong Jae; Ha, Nam Chul

2015-10-01

Histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein (HPr) is a general component of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) involved in the phosphorylation-coupled transport of numerous sugars called PTS sugars. HPr mainly exists in a dephosphorylated form in the presence of PTS sugars in the medium, while its phosphorylation increases in the absence of PTS sugars. A recent study revealed that the dephosphorylated form of HPr binds and antagonizes the function of the antisigma factor Rsd. This anti-sigma factor sequesters the housekeeping sigma factor σ(70) to facilitate switching of the sigma subunit on RNA polymerase from σ(70) to the stress-responsive sigma factor σ(S) in stationary-phase cells. In this study, the structure of the complex of Rsd and HPr was determined at 2.1 Å resolution and revealed that the binding site for HPr on the surface of Rsd partly overlaps with that for σ(70). The localization of the phosphorylation site on HPr at the binding interface for Rsd explains why phosphorylation of HPr abolishes its binding to Rsd. The mutation of crucial residues involved in the HPr-Rsd interaction significantly influenced the competition between HPr and σ(70) for binding to Rsd both in vitro and in vivo. The results provide a structural basis for the linkage of global gene regulation to nutrient availability in the external environment.

Soliton matter in the two-dimensional linear sigma model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dodd, L.R.; Lohe, M.A.; Rossi, M.

1987-10-01

We consider a one-dimensional model of nuclear matter where the quark clusters are described by solutions of the sigma model on a linear lattice in the self-consistent mean field approximation. Exact expressions are given for the baglike solutions confined to a finite interval, corresponding in the infinite interval limit to the free solitons previously found by Campbell and Liao. Periodic, self-consistent solutions which satisfy Bloch's theorem are constructed. Their energies and associated quark sigma field distributions are calculated numerically as functions of the baryon spacing, and compared with those of the uniform quark plasma. The predicted configuration of the groundmore » state depends critically on the assumed manner of filling the lowest band of quark single-particle levels, and on the density. In the absence of additional repulsive forces in the model, we find that the high density massless quark plasma is energetically favored and that there is a smooth transition from the baglike state to a uniform plasma with nonvanishing sigma field at comparatively large lattice constants 2dapprox. =10m/sub q//sup -1/ (m/sub q/ is the quark mass). If dilute filling of the entire band is employed, the clustered state is stable and a first order phase transition can occur for a range of much smaller lattice spacings 2dapprox. =4m/sub q//sup -1/. .AE« less

Observations of Global and Regional Ionospheric Irregularities and Scintillation Using GNSS Tracking Networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pi, Xiaoqing; Mannucci, Anthony J.; Valant-Spaight, Bonnie; Bar-Sever, Yoaz; Romans, Larry J.; Skone, Susan; Sparks, Lawrence; Hall, G. Martin

2013-01-01

The rate of TEC index (ROTI) is a measurement that characterizes ionospheric irregularities. It can be obtained from standard GNSS dual-frequency phase data collected using a geodetic type of GNSS receiver. By processing GPS data from ground-based networks of International GNSS Service and Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS), ROTI maps have been produced to observe global and regional scintillation activities. A major mid-latitude scintillation event in the contiguous United States is reported here that was captured in ROTI maps produced using CORS GPS data collected during a space weather storm. The analyses conducted in this work and previously by another group indicate that ROTI is a good occurrence indicator of both amplitude and phase scintillations of GPS L-band signals, even though the magnitudes of ROTI, S4, and sigma(sub phi) can be different. For example, our analysis indicates that prominent ROTI and the L1 phase scintillation (sigma(sub phi)) are well correlated temporally in the polar region while L1 amplitude scintillation rarely occurs. The differences are partially attributed to physics processes in different latitude regions, such as high-speed plasma convection in the polar region that can suppress the amplitude scintillation. An analysis of the impact of ionospheric scintillation on precise positioning, which requires use of dual-frequency phase data, is also conducted. The results indicate that significant (more than an order of magnitude) positioning errors can occur under phase scintillation conditions.

Fenoterol hydrobromide delivered via HFA-MDI or CFC-MDI in patients with asthma: a safety and efficacy comparison.

PubMed

Goldberg, J; Böhning, W; Schmidt, P; Freund, E

2000-10-01

The main objective of the study was to compare the long-term safety and tolerability of fenoterol hydrobromide delivered using a metered-dose inhaler formulated with the alternative propellant, hydrofluoroalkane 134a (HFA-MDI), with delivery using the currently available chlorofluorocarbon MDI (CFC-MDI; Berotec 100). A further objective was to compare the efficacy of fenoterol HFA-MDI with fenoterol CFC-MDI, using the pulmonary function parameters of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Following a 2-week run-in phase, a 12-week, double-blind parallel group comparison was undertaken in 290 patients randomized on a 2:1 basis to two puffs of 100 microg fenoterol four times a day (HFA-MDI=197 patients; CFC-MDI=93 patients). A total of 236 patients in this multi-centre study completed the trial as planned. The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was similar in both groups (29.9% of HFA-MDI patients and 28% of CFC-MDI patients). Reports of respiratory disorder AEs were also comparable (21.8% HFA-MDI; 22.6% CFCMDI). End of study laboratory tests, ECG, pulse, blood pressure and physical examination showed no significant differences from pre-study baselines in either group and both treatments appeared to be well tolerated. Pre-dose FEV1 measurements taken at the three clinic visits were constant and increase in FEV1 at 5 and 30 min post-dose demonstrated equivalent efficacy for the two formulations. No difference between the two groups was observed in PEF or in the use of rescue medication. We conclude from these findings that the long-term safety and efficacy profile of fenoterol HFA-MDI is comparable to that of the fenoterol CFC-MDI.

Interstellar absorption lines in the spectrum of sigma Sco using Copernicus observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, M. M.; Snow, T. P.

1986-01-01

Since the launch of Copernicus in 1972, studies have been made of the depletion of gas-phase elements onto dust grains. A few stars have been studied in detail, resulting in a standard depletion pattern which has since been used for comparison. Recent developments, however, have suggested that this standard pattern may need to be re-examined. Some weak, semi-forbidden lines were detected recently which may be able to resolve some of the ambiguities. Studies of single elements have shown that depletion of carbon and oxgyen are much smaller than previously determined. The high resolution ultraviolet spectral scans of sigma Sco were originally made in 1973, but have only recently been analyzed. All these stars are bright and moderately reddened. All four stars will be analyzed in detail, but sigma Sco is the first one completed. The data has broad coverage of ions, making these stars excellent candidates for determination of accurate depletions. A profile-fitting analysis was used rather than curves-of-growth in order to determine separate abundances and depletions in components separated by several km/sec.

Applying Lean Six Sigma methodology to reduce cesarean section rate.

PubMed

Chai, Ze-Ying; Hu, Hua-Min; Ren, Xiu-Ling; Zeng, Bao-Jin; Zheng, Ling-Zhi; Qi, Feng

2017-06-01

This study aims to reduce cesarean section rate and increase rate of vaginal delivery. By using Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology, the cesarean section rate was investigated and analyzed through a 5-phase roadmap consisting of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. The principal causes of cesarean section were identified, improvement measures were implemented, and the rate of cesarean section before and after intervention was compared. After patients with a valid medical reason for cesarean were excluded, the main causes of cesarean section were maternal request, labor pain, parturient women assessment, and labor observation. A series of measures was implemented, including an improved parturient women assessment system, strengthened pregnancy nutrition guidance, implementation of painless labor techniques, enhanced midwifery team building, and promotion of childbirth-assist skills. Ten months after introduction of the improvement measures, the cesarean section rate decreased from 41.83% to 32.00%, and the Six Sigma score (ie, Z value) increased from 1.706 to 1.967 (P < .001). LSS is an effective way to reduce the rate of cesarean section. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Simulation of transformations of thin metal films heated by nanosecond laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balandin, V. Yu.; Niedrig, R.; Bostanjoglo, O.

1995-01-01

The ablation of free-standing thin aluminum films by a nanosecond laser pulse was investigated by time-resolved transmission electron microscopy and numerical simulation. It was established that thin film geometry is particularly suited to furnish information on the mechanism of evaporation and the surface tension of the melt. In the case of aluminum the surface tension sigma as function of temperature can be approximated by two linear sections with a coefficient -0.3 x 10(exp -3) N/K m from the melting point 933 K up to 3000 K and -0.02 x 10(exp -3) N/K m above 3000 K, respectively, with sigma(993 K) = 0.9 N/m and sigma(8500 K) = 0. At lower pulse energies the films disintegrated predominantly by thermocapillary flow. Higher pulse energies produced volume evaporation, and a nonmonotonous flow, explained by recoil from evaporating atoms and thermocapillarity. The familiar equations of energy and motion, which presuppose separate and coherent vapor and liquid phases, were not adequate to describe the ablation of the hottest zone. Surface evaporation seemed to be marginal at all laser pulse energies used.

The whole set of the constitutive promoters recognized by four minor sigma subunits of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase

PubMed Central

Shimada, Tomohiro; Tanaka, Kan

2017-01-01

The promoter selectivity of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP) is determined by the sigma subunit. The model prokaryote Escherichia coli K-12 contains seven species of the sigma subunit, each recognizing a specific set of promoters. For identification of the “constitutive promoters” that are recognized by each RNAP holoenzyme alone in the absence of other supporting factors, we have performed the genomic SELEX screening in vitro for their binding sites along the E. coli K-12 W3110 genome using each of the reconstituted RNAP holoenzymes and a collection of genome DNA segments of E. coli K-12. The whole set of constitutive promoters for each RNAP holoenzyme was then estimated based on the location of RNAP-binding sites. The first successful screening of the constitutive promoters was achieved for RpoD (σ70), the principal sigma for transcription of growth-related genes. As an extension, we performed in this study the screening of constitutive promoters for four minor sigma subunits, stationary-phase specific RpoS (σ38), heat-shock specific RpoH (σ32), flagellar-chemotaxis specific RpoF (σ28) and extra-cytoplasmic stress-response RpoE (σ24). The total number of constitutive promoters were: 129~179 for RpoS; 101~142 for RpoH; 34~41 for RpoF; and 77~106 for RpoE. The list of constitutive promoters were compared with that of known promoters identified in vivo under various conditions and using varieties of E. coli strains, altogether allowing the estimation of “inducible promoters” in the presence of additional supporting factors. PMID:28666008

Fluoro-Phenyl-Styrene-Sulfonamide, a Novel Inhibitor of σB Activity, Prevents the Activation of σB by Environmental and Energy Stresses in Bacillus subtilis

PubMed Central

Ringus, Daina L.; Gaballa, Ahmed; Helmann, John D.; Wiedmann, Martin

2013-01-01

Sigma B (σB) is an alternative sigma factor that regulates the general stress response in Bacillus subtilis and in many other Gram-positive organisms. σB activity in B. subtilis is tightly regulated via at least three distinct pathways within a complex signal transduction cascade in response to a variety of stresses, including environmental stress, energy stress, and growth at high or low temperatures. We probed the ability of fluoro-phenyl-styrene-sulfonamide (FPSS), a small-molecule inhibitor of σB activity in Listeria monocytogenes, to inhibit σB activity in B. subtilis through perturbation of signal transduction cascades under various stress conditions. FPSS inhibited the activation of σB in response to multiple categories of stress known to induce σB activity in B. subtilis. Specifically, FPSS prevented the induction of σB activity in response to energy stress, including entry into stationary phase, phosphate limitation, and azide stress. FPSS also inhibited chill induction of σB activity in a ΔrsbV strain, suggesting that FPSS does not exclusively target the RsbU and RsbP phosphatases or the anti–anti-sigma factor RsbV, all of which contribute to posttranslational regulation of σB activity. Genetic and biochemical experiments, including artificial induction of σB, analysis of the phosphorylation state of the anti–anti-sigma factor RsbV, and in vitro transcription assays, indicate that while FPSS does not bind directly to σB to inhibit activity, it appears to prevent the release of B. subtilis σB from its anti-sigma factor RsbW. PMID:23524614

Infrared identification of the {sigma}-complex of Cl-C{sub 6}H{sub 6} in the reaction of chlorine atom and benzene in solid para-hydrogen

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bahou, Mohammed; Witek, Henryk; Lee, Yuan-Pern

2013-02-21

The reaction of a chlorine atom with benzene (C{sub 6}H{sub 6}) is important in organic chemistry, especially in site-selective chlorination reactions, but its product has been a subject of debate for five decades. Previous experimental and theoretical studies provide no concrete conclusion on whether the product is a {pi}- or {sigma}-form of the Cl-C{sub 6}H{sub 6} complex. We took advantage of the diminished cage effect of para-hydrogen (p-H{sub 2}) to produce Cl in situ to react with C{sub 6}H{sub 6} (or C{sub 6}D{sub 6}) upon photolysis of a Cl{sub 2}/C{sub 6}H{sub 6} (or C{sub 6}D{sub 6})/p-H{sub 2} matrix at 3.2more » K. The infrared spectrum, showing intense lines at 1430.5, 833.6, 719.8, 617.0, and 577.4 cm{sup -1}, and several weaker ones for Cl-C{sub 6}H{sub 6}, and the deuterium shifts of observed new lines unambiguously indicate that the product is a 6-chlorocyclohexadienyl radical, i.e., the {sigma}-complex of Cl-C{sub 6}H{sub 6}. Observation of the {sigma}-complex rather than the {pi}-complex indicates that the {sigma}-complex is more stable in solid p-H{sub 2} at 3.2 K. The spectral information is crucial for further investigations of the Cl + C{sub 6}H{sub 6} reaction either in the gaseous or solution phase.« less

SU-E-T-760: Tolerance Design for Site-Specific Range in Proton Patient QA Process Using the Six Sigma Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lah, J; Shin, D; Kim, G

Purpose: To show how tolerance design and tolerancing approaches can be used to predict and improve the site-specific range in patient QA process in implementing the Six Sigma. Methods: In this study, patient QA plans were selected according to 6 site-treatment groups: head &neck (94 cases), spine (76 cases), lung (89 cases), liver (53 cases), pancreas (55 cases), and prostate (121 cases), treated between 2007 and 2013. We evaluated a model of the Six Sigma that determines allowable deviations in design parameters and process variables in patient-specific QA, where possible, tolerance may be loosened, then customized if it necessary tomore » meet the functional requirements. A Six Sigma problem-solving methodology is known as DMAIC phases, which are used stand for: Define a problem or improvement opportunity, Measure process performance, Analyze the process to determine the root causes of poor performance, Improve the process by fixing root causes, Control the improved process to hold the gains. Results: The process capability for patient-specific range QA is 0.65 with only ±1 mm of tolerance criteria. Our results suggested the tolerance level of ±2–3 mm for prostate and liver cases and ±5 mm for lung cases. We found that customized tolerance between calculated and measured range reduce that patient QA plan failure and almost all sites had failure rates less than 1%. The average QA time also improved from 2 hr to less than 1 hr for all including planning and converting process, depth-dose measurement and evaluation. Conclusion: The objective of tolerance design is to achieve optimization beyond that obtained through QA process improvement and statistical analysis function detailing to implement a Six Sigma capable design.« less

How the early sporulation sigma factor sigmaF delays the switch to late development in Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Karmazyn-Campelli, Céline; Rhayat, Lamya; Carballido-López, Rut; Duperrier, Sandra; Frandsen, Niels; Stragier, Patrick

2008-03-01

Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis is a primitive differentiation process involving two cell types, the forespore and the mother cell. Each cell implements two successive transcription programmes controlled by specific sigma factors. We report that activity of sigma(G), the late forespore sigma factor, is kept in check by Gin, the product of csfB, a gene controlled by sigma(F), the early forespore sigma factor. Gin abolishes sigma(G) transcriptional activity when sigma(G) is artificially synthesized during growth, but has no effect on sigma(F). Gin interacts strongly with sigma(G) but not with sigma(F) in a yeast two-hybrid experiment. The absence of Gin allows sigma(G) to be active during sporulation independently of the mother-cell development to which it is normally coupled. Premature sigma(G) activity leads to the formation of slow-germinating spores, and complete deregulation of sigma(G) synthesis is lethal when combined with gin inactivation. Gin allows sigma(F) to delay the switch to the late forespore transcription programme by preventing sigma(G) to take over before the cell has reached a critical stage of development. A similar strategy, following a completely unrelated route, is used by the mother cell.

Effect of patient setup errors on simultaneously integrated boost head and neck IMRT treatment plans

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Siebers, Jeffrey V.; Keall, Paul J.; Wu Qiuwen

2005-10-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine dose delivery errors that could result from random and systematic setup errors for head-and-neck patients treated using the simultaneous integrated boost (SIB)-intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique. Methods and Materials: Twenty-four patients who participated in an intramural Phase I/II parotid-sparing IMRT dose-escalation protocol using the SIB treatment technique had their dose distributions reevaluated to assess the impact of random and systematic setup errors. The dosimetric effect of random setup error was simulated by convolving the two-dimensional fluence distribution of each beam with the random setup error probability density distribution. Random setup errorsmore » of {sigma} = 1, 3, and 5 mm were simulated. Systematic setup errors were simulated by randomly shifting the patient isocenter along each of the three Cartesian axes, with each shift selected from a normal distribution. Systematic setup error distributions with {sigma} = 1.5 and 3.0 mm along each axis were simulated. Combined systematic and random setup errors were simulated for {sigma} = {sigma} = 1.5 and 3.0 mm along each axis. For each dose calculation, the gross tumor volume (GTV) received by 98% of the volume (D{sub 98}), clinical target volume (CTV) D{sub 90}, nodes D{sub 90}, cord D{sub 2}, and parotid D{sub 50} and parotid mean dose were evaluated with respect to the plan used for treatment for the structure dose and for an effective planning target volume (PTV) with a 3-mm margin. Results: Simultaneous integrated boost-IMRT head-and-neck treatment plans were found to be less sensitive to random setup errors than to systematic setup errors. For random-only errors, errors exceeded 3% only when the random setup error {sigma} exceeded 3 mm. Simulated systematic setup errors with {sigma} = 1.5 mm resulted in approximately 10% of plan having more than a 3% dose error, whereas a {sigma} = 3.0 mm resulted in half of the plans having more than a 3% dose error and 28% with a 5% dose error. Combined random and systematic dose errors with {sigma} = {sigma} = 3.0 mm resulted in more than 50% of plans having at least a 3% dose error and 38% of the plans having at least a 5% dose error. Evaluation with respect to a 3-mm expanded PTV reduced the observed dose deviations greater than 5% for the {sigma} = {sigma} = 3.0 mm simulations to 5.4% of the plans simulated. Conclusions: Head-and-neck SIB-IMRT dosimetric accuracy would benefit from methods to reduce patient systematic setup errors. When GTV, CTV, or nodal volumes are used for dose evaluation, plans simulated including the effects of random and systematic errors deviate substantially from the nominal plan. The use of PTVs for dose evaluation in the nominal plan improves agreement with evaluated GTV, CTV, and nodal dose values under simulated setup errors. PTV concepts should be used for SIB-IMRT head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, although the size of the margins may be less than those used with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy.« less

Analysis of a Panel of 48 Cytokines in BAL Fluids Specifically Identifies IL-8 Levels as the Only Cytokine that Distinguishes Controlled Asthma from Uncontrolled Asthma, and Correlates Inversely with FEV1

PubMed Central

Qi, Huibin; Kurosky, Alexander; Jennings, Kristofer; Sun, Qian; Boldogh, Istvan; Sur, Sanjiv

2015-01-01

We sought to identify cells and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids that distinguish asthma from healthy control subjects and those that distinguish controlled asthma from uncontrolled asthma. Following informed consent, 36 human subjects were recruited for this study. These included 11 healthy control subjects, 15 subjects with controlled asthma with FEV1≥80% predicted and 10 subjects with uncontrolled asthma with FEV1 <80% predicted. BAL fluid was obtained from all subjects. The numbers of different cell types and the levels of 48 cytokines were measured in these fluids. Compared to healthy control subjects, patients with asthma had significantly more percentages of eosinophils and neutrophils, IL-1RA, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2Rα, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, G-CSF, GROα (CXCL1), MIP-1β (CCL4), MIG (CXCL9), RANTES (CCL5) and TRAIL in their BAL fluids. The only inflammatory markers that distinguished controlled asthma from uncontrolled asthma were neutrophil percentage and IL-8 levels, and both were inversely correlated with FEV1. We examined whether grouping asthma subjects on the basis of BAL eosinophil % or neutrophil % could identify specific cytokine profiles. The only differences between neutrophil-normal asthma (neutrophil≤2.4%) and neutrophil-high asthma (neutrophils%>2.4%) were a higher BAL fluid IL-8 levels, and a lower FEV1 in the latter group. By contrast, compared to eosinophil-normal asthma (eosinophils≤0.3%), eosinophil-high asthma (eosinophils>0.3%) had higher levels of IL-5, IL-13, IL-16, and PDGF-bb, but same neutrophil percentage, IL-8, and FEV1. Our results identify neutrophils and IL-8 are the only inflammatory components in BAL fluids that distinguish controlled asthma from uncontrolled asthma, and both correlate inversely with FEV1. PMID:26011707

Overweight, Obesity, and Lung Function in Children and Adults-A Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Forno, Erick; Han, Yueh-Ying; Mullen, James; Celedón, Juan C

There is conflicting evidence on the effect of obesity on lung function in adults and children with and without asthma. We aimed to evaluate the relation between overweight or obesity and lung function, and whether such relationship varies by age, sex, or asthma status. We searched PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and EMBASE for all studies (in English) reporting on obesity status (by body mass index) and lung function, from 2005 to 2017. Main outcomes were forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV 1 /FVC, forced expiratory flow between 25th and 75th percentile of the forced vital capacity (FEF 25-75 ), total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), and functional residual capacity (FRC). Random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled risk estimates; each study was weighed by the inverse effect size variance. For each outcome, we compared overweight or obese ("obese") subjects with those of normal weight. All measures of lung function were decreased among obese subjects. Obese adults showed a pattern (lower FEV 1 , FVC, TLC, and RV) different from obese children (more pronounced FEV 1 /FVC deficit with unchanged FEV 1 or FVC). There were also seemingly different patterns by asthma status, in that subjects without asthma had more marked decreases in FEV 1 , TLC, RV, and FRC than subjects with asthma. Subjects who were obese (as compared with overweight) had even further decreased FEV 1 , FVC, TLC, RV, and FRC. Obesity is detrimental to lung function, but specific patterns differ between children and adults. Physicians should be aware of adverse effects of obesity on lung function, and weight control should be considered in the management of airway disease among the obese. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Validation of the portable Air-Smart Spirometer

PubMed Central

Núñez Fernández, Marta; Pallares Sanmartín, Abel; Mouronte Roibas, Cecilia; Cerdeira Domínguez, Luz; Botana Rial, Maria Isabel; Blanco Cid, Nagore; Fernández Villar, Alberto

2018-01-01

Background The Air-Smart Spirometer is the first portable device accepted by the European Community (EC) that performs spirometric measurements by a turbine mechanism and displays the results on a smartphone or a tablet. Methods In this multicenter, descriptive and cross-sectional prospective study carried out in 2 hospital centers, we compare FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio measured with the Air Smart-Spirometer device and a conventional spirometer, and analyze the ability of this new portable device to detect obstructions. Patients were included for 2 consecutive months. We calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) and likelihood ratio (LR +, LR-) as well as the Kappa Index to evaluate the concordance between the two devices for the detection of obstruction. The agreement and relation between the values of FEV1 and FVC in absolute value and the FEV1/FVC ratio measured by both devices were analyzed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) respectively. Results 200 patients (100 from each center) were included with a mean age of 57 (± 14) years, 110 were men (55%). Obstruction was detected by conventional spirometry in 73 patients (40.1%). Using a FEV1/FVC ratio smaller than 0.7 to detect obstruction with the Air Smart-Spirometer, the kappa index was 0.88, sensitivity (90.4%), specificity (97.2%), PPV (95.7%), NPV (93.7%), positive likelihood ratio (32.29), and negative likelihood ratio (0.10). The ICC and r between FEV1, FVC, and FEV1 / FVC ratio measured by the Air Smart Spirometer and the conventional spirometer were all higher than 0.94. Conclusion The Air-Smart Spirometer is a simple and very precise instrument for detecting obstructive airway diseases. It is easy to use, which could make it especially useful non-specialized care and in other areas. PMID:29474502

Age-related annual decline of lung function in patients with COPD.

PubMed

Kim, Soo Jung; Lee, Jinwoo; Park, Young Sik; Lee, Chang-Hoon; Yoon, Ho Il; Lee, Sang-Min; Yim, Jae-Joon; Kim, Young Whan; Han, Sung Koo; Yoo, Chul-Gyu

2016-01-01

According to the Fletcher-Peto curve, rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1) accelerates as age increases. However, recent studies have not demonstrated that the rate of FEV1 decline accelerates with age among COPD patients. The objective of the study is to evaluate annual rate of FEV1 decline as age increases among COPD patients. In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled COPD patients who were followed up at two tertiary care university hospitals from January 2000 to August 2013. COPD was defined as post-bronchodilator (BD) FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) of <0.7. All participants had more than two spirometries, including BD response. Age groups were categorized as follows: below versus above median age or four quartiles. A total of 518 participants (94.2% male; median age, 67 years; range, 42-90 years) were included. Mean absolute and predictive values of post-BD FEV1 were 1.57±0.62 L and 52.53%±18.29%, respectively. Distribution of Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease groups did not show statistical differences between age groups categorized by two different criteria. After grouping the population by age quartiles, the rate of FEV1 decline was faster among older patients than younger ones whether expressed as absolute value (-10.60±5.57 mL/year, -15.84±6.01 mL/year, -18.63±5.53 mL/year, 32.94±6.01 mL/year, respectively; P=0.048) or predicted value (-0.34%±0.19%/year, -0.53%±0.21%/year, -0.62%±0.19%/year, -1.26%±0.21%/year, respectively, P=0.010). As suggested conceptually by the Fletcher-Peto curve, annual FEV1 decline among COPD patients is accelerated among older patients than younger ones.

Machine Learning Algorithms Utilizing Quantitative CT Features May Predict Eventual Onset of Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome After Lung Transplantation.

PubMed

Barbosa, Eduardo J Mortani; Lanclus, Maarten; Vos, Wim; Van Holsbeke, Cedric; De Backer, William; De Backer, Jan; Lee, James

2018-02-19

Long-term survival after lung transplantation (LTx) is limited by bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), defined as a sustained decline in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ) not explained by other causes. We assessed whether machine learning (ML) utilizing quantitative computed tomography (qCT) metrics can predict eventual development of BOS. Paired inspiratory-expiratory CT scans of 71 patients who underwent LTx were analyzed retrospectively (BOS [n = 41] versus non-BOS [n = 30]), using at least two different time points. The BOS cohort experienced a reduction in FEV 1 of >10% compared to baseline FEV 1 post LTx. Multifactor analysis correlated declining FEV 1 with qCT features linked to acute inflammation or BOS onset. Student t test and ML were applied on baseline qCT features to identify lung transplant patients at baseline that eventually developed BOS. The FEV 1 decline in the BOS cohort correlated with an increase in the lung volume (P = .027) and in the central airway volume at functional residual capacity (P = .018), not observed in non-BOS patients, whereas the non-BOS cohort experienced a decrease in the central airway volume at total lung capacity with declining FEV 1 (P = .039). Twenty-three baseline qCT parameters could significantly distinguish between non-BOS patients and eventual BOS developers (P < .05), whereas no pulmonary function testing parameters could. Using ML methods (support vector machine), we could identify BOS developers at baseline with an accuracy of 85%, using only three qCT parameters. ML utilizing qCT could discern distinct mechanisms driving FEV 1 decline in BOS and non-BOS LTx patients and predict eventual onset of BOS. This approach may become useful to optimize management of LTx patients. Copyright © 2018 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Characterization of pulmonary function impairments in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses--changes with age and treatment.

PubMed

Lin, Shuan-Pei; Shih, Shou-Chuan; Chuang, Chih-Kuang; Lee, Kuo-Sheng; Chen, Ming-Ren; Niu, Dau-Ming; Chiu, Pao Chin; Lin, Shio Jean; Lin, Hsiang-Yu

2014-03-01

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) comprise a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders characterized by deficiencies in enzymes catalyzing the degradation of glycosaminoglycans. Impairment of pulmonary function is an important health problem for patients with MPS. However, there are few published reports on the prevalence and severity of pulmonary dysfunction in relation to age and treatment in this disorder. To evaluate pulmonary function in patients with MPS, we performed spirometry in 35 patients (22 males and 13 females; 1 with MPS I, 12 with MPS II, 16 with MPS IVA, and 6 with MPS VI; mean age, 14.6 ± 5.9 years; age range, 6.4 years to 33 years). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1), FEV1 to FVC ratio (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of FVC (FEF25-75% ) were measured. Mean FVC, FEV1 , PEF, and FEF25-75% were 74.2%, 73.9%, 64.7%, and 37.1% of the predicted values, respectively. By spirometric classification, 32 patients (91%) had small airway disease (FEF25-75%  < 65%), 17 (48%) had restrictive lung disease, and 3 (9%) had obstructive lung disease. Percent predicted FVC, FEV1 , and PEF, as well as FEV1 /FVC, were all negatively correlated with age (P < 0.01), such that pubertal and post-pubertal patients had significantly lower values than younger patients. Of eight attenuated MPS II and VI patients who underwent follow-up pulmonary function testing after receiving enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for 1.5-7.4 years, six showed improvements in % predicted FVC and five improved in % predicted FEV1 . Our additional characterization of the types and prevalence of pulmonary function abnormalities seen in MPS patients should be useful for clinical care. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Plasma Inflammatory Cytokine IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α Levels Correlate with Pulmonary Function in Patients with Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Overlap Syndrome.

PubMed

Huang, Ai-Xia; Lu, Li-Wen; Liu, Wen-Juan; Huang, Mao

2016-08-09

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma inflammatory cytokine levels and their correlations with pulmonary function in patients with asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS). MATERIAL AND METHODS Between January 2013 and December 2014, a total of 96 patients with asthma, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), or ACOS were enrolled, and 35 healthy people were included as a control group. Fasting plasma interleukin (IL)-4, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlations between the plasma inflammatory cytokine levels and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/predicted value ratio (FEV1%pred), and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) were analyzed. RESULTS IL-4 and IL-8 levels showed statistically significant differences among the 3 groups of patients (both P<0.001); IL-4 level was significantly lower, while IL-8 level was significantly higher in the AECOPD group and ACOS group than those in the asthma group (all P<0.05). IL-10 level and TNF-α level were significantly different among the 3 patient groups (both P<0.001). IL-10 level was significantly different between each of the 2 groups (all P<0.001). TNF-α level in the asthma group was higher than in the AECOPD group and ACOS group (both P<0.001). IL-4 and IL-10 were positively and IL-8 and TNF-α were negatively related with FEV1, FEV1%pred, and FEV1/FVC. CONCLUSIONS Plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α are related with severity of airway diseases and could be potential markers for the evaluation of asthma, COPD, and ACOS.

Lung function status of some Nigerian men and women chronically exposed to fish drying using burning firewood.

PubMed

Peters, E J; Esin, R A; Immananagha, K K; Siziya, S; Osim, E E

1999-05-01

To determine the lung function status of some Nigerian men and women chronically exposed to fish drying using burning firewood. Case control study. Ibaka, Utaewa and Ikanga fishing settlements. 183 males and 192 females engaged in fishing, aged 20 to 45 years who have been exposed for a minimum of five years as cases. The control group comprised sex matched male (142) and female (152) Nigerians from the same area who were not exposed to any known air pollutant. Lung function indices: FVC, FEV1, FEV1% and PEFR. Lung function indices were significantly lower in men engaged in fishing than in their controls: FVC [mean (SD): 2.98 (0.20) vs 3.52 (0.29), p < 0.001]; FEV1 [2.08 (0.18) vs 2.82 (0.25), p < 0.001]; FEV1% [69.8 (3.1) vs 80.2 (6.7), p < 0.001]; and PEFR [335 (22) vs 592 (99), p < 0.001], respectively. Similarly, lung function indices were lower in females in the fishing industry than in their controls; FVC [2.42 (0.17) vs 3.02 (0.24), p < 0.001]; FEV1 [1.70 (0.19) vs 2.55 (0.21), p < 0.001]; FEV1% [72.9 (3.2) vs 84.4 (6.7), p < 0.001]; and PEFR [298 (22) vs 418 (34), p < 0.001]. All the lung function indices (except FEV1%) of the fishermen and women declined significantly (p < 0.001) with their duration of exposure. The results showed a predominantly mixed pattern (restrictive and obstructive) of respiratory defect. There were higher prevalences of respiratory and other symptoms among the cases than the controls. The respiratory symptoms included cough with sputum, chest pain, dyspnoea catarrh and sneezing and unproductive cough. Other symptoms were eye and skin irritation, internal heat and headache. Chronic exposure to fish drying using burning firewood can impair lung function and cause respiratory and other symptoms.

ELECTRON IMPACT DISSOCIATION X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} b {sup 3}{Sigma} {sub u} {sup +} AND EXCITATIONS X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} a {sup 3}{Sigma} {sub g} {sup +} AND X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} B {sup 1}{Sigma} {sub u} {sup +} OF MOLECULAR HYDROGEN IN NONTHERMAL ASTROPHYSICAL PLASMAS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ki, Dae-Han; Jung, Young-Dae, E-mail: ydjung@hanyang.ac.kr

We investigate the electronic transitions X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} b {sup 3}{Sigma} {sub u} {sup +}, X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} a {sup 3}{Sigma} {sub g} {sup +}, and X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} B {sup 1}{Sigma} {sub u} {sup +} of molecular hydrogen by studying electron impacts in astrophysical Lorentzian plasmas. Useful fitting formulae for the X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} b {sup 3}{Sigma} {sub u} {sup +}, X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} a {sup 3}{Sigma} {sub g} {sup +}, and X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields}more » B {sup 1}{Sigma} {sub u} {sup +} excitation cross sections are employed in order to obtain the electronic excitation rate coefficients of H{sub 2} as functions of the spectral index and temperature. In low-temperature regions, it is found that the excitation rate coefficients R{sub b{sup 3}{Sigma}{sub u{sup {sub +}}}}, R{sub a{sup 3}{Sigma}{sub g{sup {sub +}}}}, and R{sub B{sub {sup 1}{Sigma}{sub u{sup {sub +}}}}} of H{sub 2} in non-Maxwellian plasmas are smaller than those in Maxwellian plasmas. However, in high-temperature regions, the excitation rate coefficients of H{sub 2} in non-Maxwellian plasmas are greater than those in Maxwellian plasmas. It is also shown that the X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} b {sup 3}{Sigma} {sub u} {sup +} excitation rate coefficient is the main contributor in low-temperature regions. In contrast, it is found that the X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} {yields} B {sup 1}{Sigma} {sub u} {sup +} electronic excitation is dominant in high-temperature regions.« less

Relationship between the baseline alveolar volume-to-total lung capacity ratio and airway responsiveness.

PubMed

Kaminsky, David A; Daud, Anees; Chapman, David G

2014-10-01

Ventilation heterogeneity (VH) has been linked to airway responsiveness (AR) based on various measures of VH involving inert gas washout, forced oscillation and lung imaging. We explore whether VH at baseline, as measured by the simple ratio of single breath alveolar volume to plethysmographically determined total lung capacity (VA/TLC), would correlate with AR as measured by methacholine challenge testing. We analysed data from spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity and methacholine challenge to derive the VA/TLC and the dose-response slope (DRS) of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (DRS-FEV1) during methacholine challenge from 136 patients. We separated out airway closure versus narrowing by examining the DRS for forced vital capacity (DRS-FVC) and the DRS for FEV1/FVC (DRS-FEV1/FVC), respectively. Similarly, we calculated the DRS for sGaw (DRS-sGaw) as another measure of airway narrowing. We performed statistical analysis using Spearman rank correlation and multifactor linear regression using a backward stepwise modelling procedure. We found that the DRS-FEV1 correlated with baseline VA/TLC (rho = -0.26, P < 0.01), and VA/TLC and FEV1 were independently associated with DRS-FEV1 (R(2)  = 0.14, P = 0.01). In addition, VA/TLC was associated with both airway narrowing and closure in response to methacholine. These results confirm that baseline VA/TLC is associated with AR, and reflects both airway closure and airway narrowing following methacholine challenge. © 2014 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

Recovery of baseline lung function after pulmonary exacerbation in children with primary ciliary dyskinesia.

PubMed

Sunther, Meera; Bush, Andrew; Hogg, Claire; McCann, Lauren; Carr, Siobhán B

2016-12-01

Spirometry in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) frequently fails to return to baseline after treatment for a pulmonary exacerbation. It is unclear whether the same is true for children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). To determine in children with PCD treated with intravenous antibiotics for a pulmonary exacerbation: (1) the proportion who recover to baseline forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV 1 ) within 3 months after treatment and (2) to try to identify factors which are associated with failure to regain pre-exacerbation FEV 1 . Cohort study using the PCD database for children at the Royal Brompton Hospital, 2003-2013. We selected the first pulmonary exacerbation treated with intravenous antibiotics. The best FEV 1 within 3 months after treatment was compared to the best FEV 1 in the 12 months before treatment (baseline). Recovery to baseline was defined as any FEV 1 after treatment that was greater than or equal to 90% of the baseline FEV 1 . 32/150 children (21%) had at least one pulmonary exacerbation. 23/30 (77%) regained baseline spirometry within 3 months of treatment. There was no difference between responders and non-responders in any baseline characteristics. Around 25% of children with PCD fail to recover to baseline lung function within 3 months following treatment for a pulmonary exacerbation, similar to CF. Better treatment strategies are needed, and the results also suggest that prevention of exacerbations would be a useful end-point in clinical trials. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1362-1366. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clinical value of CT-based preoperative software assisted lung lobe volumetry for predicting postoperative pulmonary function after lung surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wormanns, Dag; Beyer, Florian; Hoffknecht, Petra; Dicken, Volker; Kuhnigk, Jan-Martin; Lange, Tobias; Thomas, Michael; Heindel, Walter

2005-04-01

This study was aimed to evaluate a morphology-based approach for prediction of postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after lung resection from preoperative CT scans. Fifteen Patients with surgically treated (lobectomy or pneumonectomy) bronchogenic carcinoma were enrolled in the study. A preoperative chest CT and pulmonary function tests before and after surgery were performed. CT scans were analyzed by prototype software: automated segmentation and volumetry of lung lobes was performed with minimal user interaction. Determined volumes of different lung lobes were used to predict postoperative FEV1 as percentage of the preoperative values. Predicted FEV1 values were compared to the observed postoperative values as standard of reference. Patients underwent lobectomy in twelve cases (6 upper lobes; 1 middle lobe; 5 lower lobes; 6 right side; 6 left side) and pneumonectomy in three cases. Automated calculation of predicted postoperative lung function was successful in all cases. Predicted FEV1 ranged from 54% to 95% (mean 75% +/- 11%) of the preoperative values. Two cases with obviously erroneous LFT were excluded from analysis. Mean error of predicted FEV1 was 20 +/- 160 ml, indicating absence of systematic error; mean absolute error was 7.4 +/- 3.3% respective 137 +/- 77 ml/s. The 200 ml reproducibility criterion for FEV1 was met in 11 of 13 cases (85%). In conclusion, software-assisted prediction of postoperative lung function yielded a clinically acceptable agreement with the observed postoperative values. This method might add useful information for evaluation of functional operability of patients with lung cancer.

Impulse oscillometry: a measure for airway obstruction.

PubMed

Vink, Geraldine R; Arets, Hubertus G M; van der Laag, Johan; van der Ent, Cornelis K

2003-03-01

The impulse oscillometry system (IOS) was introduced as a new technique to assess airflow obstruction in patients who are not able to perform forced breathing maneuvers, e.g., subjects with cerebral palsy or severe mental retardation, and young children. This study evaluates the sensitivity and specificity of IOS parameters to quantify changes in airflow obstruction in comparison with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV(1)) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements. Measurements of FEV(1), PEF, and resistance (R) and reactance (X) at frequencies of 5-35 Hz were performed in 19 children with asthma before, during, and after methacholine challenge and subsequent bronchodilatation. All parameters changed significantly during tests. Values of R5 and R10 correlated with FEV(1) (r = -0.71 and -0.73, respectively, P < 0.001), as did values of X5 and X10 (r = 0.52 and 0.57, respectively, P < 0.01). Changes in R preceded changes in PEF and FEV(1) during methacholine challenge. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to predict a 15% fall in FEV(1) showed better sensitivity and specificity for R5 (area under the curve, 0.85) compared to PEF (0.79) or R10 (0.73). We conclude that IOS parameters can be easily used as an indirect measure of airflow obstruction. This might be helpful in patients who are not able to perform forced breathing maneuvers. In individual subjects, R values measured at 5 Hz showed to be superior to PEF measurements in the detection of a 15% fall in FEV(1). Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Correlation of ABO and Rh blood groups with transfusion administration and fever onset after hip surgery in children.

PubMed

Brdar, Radivoj; Petronic, Ivana; Nikolic, Dejan; Golubovic, Zoran; Bukva, Bojan; Radlovic, Vladimir; Abramovic, Dusan; Ducic, Sinisa; Colovic, Hristina

2012-01-01

Aim of our study was to evaluate distribution of ABO and Rh blood type groups in children after hip surgery regarding transfusion administration and fever presence. Four types of ABO blood groups (A; B; AB; O) and 2 types of Rh blood groups (Rh+; Rh-) were evaluated in group with administered transfusion (tr+) and without given transfusion (tr-); and in group with fever (fev+) and without fever (fev-), in 146 children after hip surgery. Tr+ and fev+ groups were divided into 3 groups (0-24h; 25-48h; 49-72h): for tr+ group (Group 1, Group 2, Group 3), and for fev+ group (Group A, Group B, Group C). AB blood group significantly decreased in Group 1 (χ2= 6.44; p<0.05) and A blood group in Group 3 in tr+ group (χ2= 7.68; p<0.01). O blood group significantly increased in Group 3 in tr+ group (χ2= 9.96; p<0.01). AB blood group significantly decreased in Groups B (χ2= 12.2; p<0.01) and C (χ2= 4.2; p<0.05) in fev+ versus fevgroup. B blood group significantly increased in Group C (χ2= 34.4; p<0.01) in fev+group. Administration of transfusion and fever onset in pediatric patients undergoing surgical correction of the hip is not influenced by the ABO and Rh blood groups system in humans. There is correlation between distribution of ABO blood groups with the time of transfusion administration and fever onset in children after hip surgery.

Effect of ivacaftor in patients with advanced cystic fibrosis and a G551D-CFTR mutation: Safety and efficacy in an expanded access program in the United States.

PubMed

Taylor-Cousar, Jennifer; Niknian, Minoo; Gilmartin, Geoffrey; Pilewski, Joseph M

2016-01-01

Ivacaftor is the first therapeutic agent approved for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) that targets the underlying molecular defect. Patients with severe lung disease were excluded from the randomized Phase 3 trials. This open-label study was designed to provide ivacaftor to patients in critical medical need prior to commercial product availability. CF patients aged ≥6 years with a G551D-CFTR mutation and FEV1 ≤ 40% predicted or listed for lung transplant received ivacaftor 150 mg every 12 h. The primary endpoint was safety as determined by adverse events. Secondary endpoints included assessment of lung function and weight. The rate of serious adverse events was consistent with disease severity. At 24 weeks of treatment with ivacaftor, there was a mean absolute increase in percent predicted FEV1 of 5.5 percentage points and a 3.3 kg mean absolute increase in weight from baseline. In patients with severe lung disease, ivacaftor was well tolerated and was associated with improved lung function and weight gain. Copyright © 2015 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Therapeutic equivalence of budesonide/formoterol delivered via breath-actuated inhaler vs pMDI.

PubMed

Murphy, Kevin R; Dhand, Rajiv; Trudo, Frank; Uryniak, Tom; Aggarwal, Ajay; Eckerwall, Göran

2015-02-01

To assess equivalence of twice daily (bid) budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FM) 160/4.5 μg via breath-actuated metered-dose inhaler (BAI) versus pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI). This 12-week, double-blind, multicenter, parallel-group study, randomized adolescents and adults (aged ≥12 years) with asthma (and ≥3 months daily use of inhaled corticosteroids) to BUD/FM BAI 2 × 160/4.5 μg bid, BUD/FM pMDI 2 × 160/4.5 μg bid, or BUD pMDI 2 × 160 μg bid. Inclusion required prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) ≥45 to ≤85% predicted, and reversibility of ≥12% in FEV1 (ages 12 to <18 years) or ≥12% and 200 mL (ages ≥18 years). Confirmation that 60-min postdose FEV1 response to BUD/FM pMDI was superior to BUD pMDI was required before equivalence testing. Therapeutic equivalence was shown by treatment effect ratio of BUD/FM BAI vs BUD/FM pMDI on 60-min postdose FEV1 and predose FEV1 within confidence intervals (CIs) of 80-125%. Mean age of 214 randomized patients was 42.7 years. BUD/FM pMDI was superior to BUD pMDI (60-min postdose FEV1 treatment effect ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.14; p < 0.001). Treatment effect ratios for BUD/FM BAI versus pMDI for 60-min postdose FEV1 (1.01; 95% CI, 0.97-1.05) and predose FEV1 (1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08) were within predetermined CIs for therapeutic equivalence. Adverse event profiles, tolerability, and patient-reported ease of use were similar. BUD/FM 2 × 160/4.5 μg bid BAI is therapeutically equivalent to BUD/FM conventional pMDI. The introduction of BUD/FM BAI would expand options for delivering inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist combination therapy to patients with moderate-to-severe asthma. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01360021. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Pulmonary effects of active smoking and secondhand smoke exposure among adolescent students in Juárez, Mexico.

PubMed

Bird, Yelena; Staines-Orozco, Hugo

2016-01-01

Youth smoking trends among Latin American countries, including Mexico, are on the rise. Notably, although the high prevalence of smoking in teens has been well documented in the literature, few studies have evaluated the impact of smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure on their respiratory system. To investigate the effects of smoking and SHS exposure on the respiratory health and lung function among eighth-grade students in Juárez, Mexico. A cross-sectional study was undertaken on a sample of convenience. The study outcomes centered on evaluating 300 students' lung function by spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio [FEV1/FVC], and forced mid-expiratory flow rate [FEF25%-75%]) and their respiratory health (smoking behavior and SHS exposure) by their self-reported responses to a standardized respiratory questionnaire. The study outcomes were compared among three distinct groups: 1) nonsmokers/nonexposed to SHS; 2) nonsmokers/exposed to SHS; and 3) smokers. The majority of the study participants were 14 years old (85%), females (54%), who attended eighth grade in a public school setting (56%). Approximately, half reported being of low socioeconomic status (49%) and nonsmokers/exposed to SHS (49%). The lung function parameters of smokers were found to be lower (FEV1 =62.88±10.25; FEV1/FVC =83.50±14.15; and FEF25%-75% =66.35±12.55) than those recorded for the nonsmokers/exposed to SHS (FEV1 =69.41±11.35; FEV1/FVC =88.75±15.75; and FEF25%-75% =78.90±14.65) and significantly reduced when compared to the nonsmokers/nonexposed to SHS (FEV1 =79.14±13.61; FEV1/FVC =94.88±21.88; and FEF25%-75% =87.36±17.02) (P<0.001). Similarly, respiratory complaints were more prevalent among smokers and those exposed to SHS when compared to nonsmokers/nonexposed to SHS. Our findings suggest that initiation of cigarette smoking and, to a lesser extent, exposure to SHS in adolescence leads to increased respiratory symptoms and reduction of pulmonary function test values. Public health initiatives that aim to prevent smoking initiation, assist in cessation, and lessen SHS exposure of adolescents need to be school-based and employed as early as middle school.

Heterogeneity in Survival in Adult Patients With Cystic Fibrosis With FEV1 < 30% of Predicted in the United States.

PubMed

Ramos, Kathleen J; Quon, Bradley S; Heltshe, Sonya L; Mayer-Hamblett, Nicole; Lease, Erika D; Aitken, Moira L; Weiss, Noel S; Goss, Christopher H

2017-06-01

Lung transplantation (LTx) is frequently considered for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) when the FEV 1 reaches < 30%. This study estimated transplant-free survival for patients with CF and an FEV 1  < 30% and identified predictors of death without LTx. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the CF Foundation Patient Registry from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2013. Adult patients (≥ 18 years) with FEV 1  < 30% prior to LTx were included. We performed Kaplan-Meier survival estimates censored at LTx. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression identified predictors of mortality. There were 3,340 patients with an FEV 1  < 30%. Death without LTx occurred in 1,250 patients (37.4%); 951 patients (28.5%) underwent LTx; 918 patients (27.5%) remained alive without LTx at the end of follow-up; and 221 patients (6.6%) were lost to follow-up. Median transplant-free survival after FEV 1  < 30% was 6.6 years (95% CI, 5.9-7.0). Adjusted predictors of death without LTx included supplemental oxygen use (hazard ratio [HR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.7-2.6), Burkholderia cepacia infection (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.6), BMI ≤ 18 (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-1.9), female sex (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0), CF-related diabetes in patients receiving insulin (HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8), and ≥ one exacerbation per year (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2 vs. 0 exacerbations). Median survival was > 6.5 years for patients with CF and an FEV 1  < 30%, exceeding prior survival estimates. There was substantial heterogeneity in survival, with some patients with CF dying soon after reaching this lung function threshold and others living for many years. For this reason, we conclude that FEV 1  < 30% remains an important marker of disease severity for patients with CF. Patients with a supplemental oxygen requirement or frequent exacerbations should have prompt referral because of their increased risk of death. Copyright © 2017 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The sigma factors of Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed Central

Haldenwang, W G

1995-01-01

The specificity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase for target promotes is largely due to the replaceable sigma subunit that it carries. Multiple sigma proteins, each conferring a unique promoter preference on RNA polymerase, are likely to be present in all bacteria; however, their abundance and diversity have been best characterized in Bacillus subtilis, the bacterium in which multiple sigma factors were first discovered. The 10 sigma factors thus far identified in B. subtilis directly contribute to the bacterium's ability to control gene expression. These proteins are not merely necessary for the expression of those operons whose promoters they recognize; in many instances, their appearance within the cell is sufficient to activate these operons. This review describes the discovery of each of the known B. subtilis sigma factors, their characteristics, the regulons they direct, and the complex restrictions placed on their synthesis and activities. These controls include the anticipated transcriptional regulation that modulates the expression of the sigma factor structural genes but, in the case of several of the B. subtilis sigma factors, go beyond this, adding novel posttranslational restraints on sigma factor activity. Two of the sigma factors (sigma E and sigma K) are, for example, synthesized as inactive precursor proteins. Their activities are kept in check by "pro-protein" sequences which are cleaved from the precursor molecules in response to intercellular cues. Other sigma factors (sigma B, sigma F, and sigma G) are inhibited by "anti-sigma factor" proteins that sequester them into complexes which block their ability to form RNA polymerase holoenzymes. The anti-sigma factors are, in turn, opposed by additional proteins which participate in the sigma factors' release. The devices used to control sigma factor activity in B, subtilis may prove to be as widespread as multiple sigma factors themselves, providing ways of coupling sigma factor activation to environmental or physiological signals that cannot be readily joined to other regulatory mechanisms. PMID:7708009

Variable thickness double-refracting plate

DOEpatents

Hadeishi, Tetsuo

1976-01-01

This invention provides an A.C., cyclic, current-controlled, phase retardation plate that uses a magnetic clamp to produce stress birefringence. It was developed for an Isotope-Zeeman Atomic Absorption Spectrometer that uses polarization modulation to effect automatic background correction in atomic absorption trace-element measurements. To this end, the phase retardation plate of the invention is a variable thickness, photoelastic, double-refracting plate that is alternately stressed and released by the magnetic clamp selectively to modulate specific components selected from the group consisting of circularly and plane polarized Zeeman components that are produced in a dc magnetic field so that they correspond respectively to Zeeman reference and transmission-probe absorption components. The polarization modulation changes the phase of these polarized Zeeman components, designated as .sigma. reference and .pi. absorption components, so that every half cycle the components change from a transmission mode to a mode in which the .pi. component is blocked and the .sigma. components are transmitted. Thus, the Zeeman absorption component, which corresponds in amplitude to the amount of the trace element to be measured in a sample, is alternately transmitted and blocked by a linear polarizer, while the circularly polarized reference components are continuously transmitted thereby. The result is a sinusoidally varying output light amplitude whose average corresponds to the amount of the trace element present in the sample.

Complex Dipolar Matter

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-10

opportunities for advanced material development and quantum simulators. These molecules include (1) the already quantum degenerate bi- alkali singlet sigma...case potassium-rubidium (KRb) and related molecules; (2) opto-electrically trapped symmetric top molecules soon to reach quantum degeneracy and...rubidium; (C) a correction of phase diagrams for dipolar gases necessary to understand experimental measurements and build accurate quantum simulators

77 FR 11195 - Announcement of Competition Under the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2011: Badges for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-24

....dmlcompetition.net/Competition/4/badges-projects.php?id=2667 . VA does not anticipate that it will issue badges... lean Six Sigma. Law Enforcement, which may include specialties such as criminal investigation and... alternative fuels. Information Technology, including all phases of software development and IT project...

Superfluid-ferromagnet-superfluid junction and the {pi} phase in a superfluid Fermi gas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kashimura, Takashi; Tsuchiya, Shunji; CREST

2010-09-15

We investigate the possibility of a superfluid-ferromagnet-superfluid (SFS) junction in a superfluid Fermi gas. To examine this possibility in a simple manner, we consider an attractive Hubbard model at T=0 within the mean-field theory. When a potential barrier is embedded in a superfluid Fermi gas with population imbalance (N{sub {up_arrow}}>N{sub {down_arrow}}, where N{sub {sigma}} is the number of atoms with pseudospin {sigma}= {up_arrow}, {down_arrow}), this barrier is shown to be magnetized in the sense that excess {up_arrow}-spin atoms are localized around it. The resulting superfluid Fermi gas is spatially divided into two by this ferromagnet, so that one obtains amore » junction similar to the superconductor-ferromagnet-superconductor junction discussed in superconductivity. Indeed, we show that the so-called {pi} phase, which is a typical phenomenon in the SFS junction, is realized, where the superfluid order parameter changes its sign across the junction. Our results would be useful for the study of magnetic effects on fermion superfluidity using an ultracold Fermi gas.« less

High-frequency response of subwavelength-structured metals in the petahertz domain.

PubMed

Weiner, J; Nunes, Frederico D

2008-12-22

Electromagnetic plane waves, incident on and reflecting from a dielectric-conductor interface, set up a standing wave in the dielectric with the B-field adjacent to the conductor. It is shown here how the harmonic time variation of this B-field induces an E-field and a conduction current J (c) within the skin depth of a real metal; and that at frequencies in the visible and near-infrared range, the imaginary term sigmai of the complex conductivity sigma = sigma(r) + isigma(i) dominates the optical response. Continuity conditions of the E-field through the surface together with the in-quadrature response of the conductivity determine the phase relation between the incident E-M field and J(c). If slits or grooves are milled into the metal surface, a displacement current in the dielectric gap and oscillating charge dipoles at the structure edges are established in quadrature phase with incident field. These dipoles radiate into the aperture and launch surface waves from the edges. They are the principle source of light transmission through the apertures.

Duplex stainless steel fracture surface analysis using X-ray fractography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rajanna, K.; Pathiraj, B.; Kolster, B.H.

1997-02-01

The fatigue fracture surface of a duplex stainless steel was analyzed using x-ray fractography. A lower than average austenite content was observed at the fracture surface due to the transformation of austenite into deformation-induced martensite. The influence of fatigue cycling on the transformation was confined to a depth of about 30 {micro}m below the fracture surface. X-ray analyses of both the ferrite-martensite and the austenite phases indicated residual stresses ({sigma}{sub r}) increasing with depth from the fracture surface and reaching a maximum some tens of microns below the fracture surface. The lower {sigma}{sub r} observed at the fracture surface hasmore » been attributed to the stress relaxation effects caused by the new fracture surfaces created in the crack growth process. The observed decrease in full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the ferrite-martensite phase was presumed to be due to the dynamic recovery effect that was likely to occur within the material close to the crack tip as a consequence of fatigue cycling.« less

Microstructure characterization in domestically-made TP310HNbN austenitic stainless steel after creep test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Yan; Lin, Lin; Hou, Shufang; Wang, Bohan

Microstructure characterization of domestically-made TP310HNbN austenitic stainless steel after creep test was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that M23C6 carbides precipitated both inside grains and at the grain boundaries and NbCrN particles were located inside grains for creep-rupture samples. It was clear that sigma phase and NbC particles precipitated inside grains for the creep-rupture sample at 670 C. M23C6 carbides with lattice parameter of three times of the austenite matrix grow in a cube to cube orientation relationship with the matrix. The amount of M23C6 carbide particles obviously increased with the testing time prolonged. Deformation hardening induced an enhanced hardness nearby rupture surface for the creep-rupture samples with a short testing time. For the domestically-made TP310HNbN steel, great attention should be paid to the distribution, size and amount of sigma phase and M23C6 during service.

Processing of the mother-cell sigma factor, sigma K, may depend on events occurring in the forespore during Bacillus subtilis development.

PubMed Central

Lu, S; Halberg, R; Kroos, L

1990-01-01

During sporulation of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, transcription of genes encoding spore coat proteins in the mother-cell compartment of the sporangium is controlled by RNA polymerase containing the sigma subunit called sigma K. Based on comparison of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of sigma K with the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding sigma K (sigK), the primary product of sigK was inferred to be a pro-protein (pro-sigma K) with 20 extra amino acids at the N terminus. Using antibodies generated against pro-sigma K, we have detected pro-sigma K beginning at the third hour of sporulation and sigma K beginning about 1 hr later. Even when pro-sigma K is expressed artificially during growth and throughout sporulation, sigma K appears at the normal time and expression of a sigma K-controlled gene occurs normally. These results suggest that pro-sigma K is an inactive precursor that is proteolytically processed to active sigma K in a developmentally regulated fashion. Mutations that block forespore gene expression block accumulation of sigma K but not accumulation of pro-sigma K, suggesting that pro-sigma K processing is a regulatory device that couples the programs of gene expression in the two compartments of the sporangium. We propose that this regulatory device ensures completion of forespore morphogenesis prior to the synthesis in the mother-cell of spore coat proteins that will encase the forespore. Images PMID:2124700

Dynamical systems approach to the study of a sociophysics agent-based model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Timpanaro, Andre M.; Prado, Carmen P. C.

2011-03-24

The Sznajd model is a Potts-like model that has been studied in the context of sociophysics [1,2](where spins are interpreted as opinions). In a recent work [3], we generalized the Sznajd model to include assymetric interactions between the spins (interpreted as biases towards opinions) and used dynamical systems techniques to tackle its mean-field version, given by the flow: {eta}{sub {sigma}} = {Sigma}{sub {sigma}}'{sup M} = 1{eta}{sub {sigma}}{eta}{sigma}'({eta}{sub {sigma}}{rho}{sigma}'{yields}{sigma}-{sigma}'{rho}{sigma}{yields}{sigma}').Where hs is the proportion of agents with opinion (spin){sigma}', M is the number of opinions and {sigma}'{yields}{sigma}' is the probability weight for an agent with opinion {sigma} being convinced by another agentmore » with opinion {sigma}'. We made Monte Carlo simulations of the model in a complex network (using Barabasi-Albert networks [4]) and they displayed the same attractors than the mean-field. Using linear stability analysis, we were able to determine the mean-field attractor structure analytically and to show that it has connections with well known graph theory problems (maximal independent sets and positive fluxes in directed graphs). Our dynamical systems approach is quite simple and can be used also in other models, like the voter model.« less

Rsd family proteins make simultaneous interactions with regions 2 and 4 of the primary sigma factor.

PubMed

Yuan, Andy H; Gregory, Brian D; Sharp, Josh S; McCleary, Katherine D; Dove, Simon L; Hochschild, Ann

2008-12-01

Bacterial anti-sigma factors typically regulate sigma factor function by restricting the access of their cognate sigma factors to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme. The Escherichia coli Rsd protein forms a complex with the primary sigma factor, sigma(70), inhibits sigma(70)-dependent transcription in vitro, and has been proposed to function as a sigma(70)-specific anti-sigma factor, thereby facilitating the utilization of alternative sigma factors. In prior work, Rsd has been shown to interact with conserved region 4 of sigma(70), but it is not known whether this interaction suffices to account for the regulatory functions of Rsd. Here we show that Rsd and the Rsd orthologue AlgQ, a global regulator of gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, interact with conserved region 2 of sigma(70). We show further that Rsd and AlgQ can interact simultaneously with regions 2 and 4 of sigma(70). Our findings establish that the abilities of Rsd and AlgQ to interact with sigma(70) region 2 are important determinants of their in vitro and in vivo activities.

Airway obstruction related to diacetyl exposure at microwave popcorn production facilities.

PubMed

Lockey, J E; Hilbert, T J; Levin, L P; Ryan, P H; White, K L; Borton, E K; Rice, C H; McKay, R T; LeMasters, G K

2009-07-01

Obstructive lung diseases including bronchiolitis obliterans have been reported among microwave popcorn production employees. Butter flavourings including diacetyl have been associated with these findings. The present study was initiated at four microwave popcorn production plants to determine if exposure to diacetyl was associated with decrements in pulmonary function. Comprehensive diacetyl exposure assessment was undertaken for all job tasks. Spirometry was conducted for 765 full-time employees between 2005 and 2006. Outcomes included decrement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) % predicted, airway obstruction and persistent decline in FEV(1). Inclusion in the high-exposure group (mixers) prior to respirator use was associated with a significantly decreased FEV(1) % pred in non-Asian and Asian males at -6.1 and -11.8% pred, respectively, and an eight-fold increased risk for airway obstruction. Cumulative diacetyl exposure >or=0.8 ppm-yr caused similar results. No significant impact was seen in nonmixers or between current diacetyl exposure and persistent decline in FEV(1). Unprotected exposure as a mixer to butter flavouring including diacetyl resulted in decrements in FEV(1) (% pred) and increased airway obstruction. Control of employee exposure to butter flavouring additives is warranted in regard to both short-term peak and 8-h workday exposure.

Nocturnal Oxygen Desaturation Index is Inversely Correlated with Airflow Limitation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

PubMed

Tamai, Koji; Matsuoka, Hirofumi; Suzuki, Yujiro; Yoshimatsu, Harukazu; Masuya, Daiki; Nakashima, Nariyasu; Okada, Nobuhiko; Oda, Nao; Inoue, Sayaka; Koma, Yasuko; Otsuka, Akiko

2016-01-01

The concurrent diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) (overlap syndrome), can contribute to worsening respiratory symptoms, but whether the severity of COPD is associated with co-morbid SAHS is unknown. We investigated whether the severity of COPD is associated with the complication of SAHS by examination of nocturnal oximetry as an alternative to polysomnography. Patients with COPD concurrently completed nocturnal oximetry, pulmonary function tests, a COPD assessment test, an Epworth sleepiness scale and a hospital anxiety and depression scale to evaluate the severity of COPD and possible concurrent presence of SAHS. We retrospectively analysed the data to assess correlation between the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and each clinical variables and evaluated the predictors of ODI ≥ 15. This study included 103 patients (91 males, 88%) with a mean age of 72 ± 8 years and body mass index of 22 ± 3 kg/m(2). ODI was positively correlated with FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEV1% predicted, which meant that ODI was inversely correlated with airflow limitation. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC were predictors of ODI ≥ 15. ODI is inversely correlated with airflow limitation and milder COPD patients may have co-morbid SAHS.

[Study of the clinical phenotype of symptomatic chronic airways disease by hierarchical cluster analysis and two-step cluster analyses].

PubMed

Ning, P; Guo, Y F; Sun, T Y; Zhang, H S; Chai, D; Li, X M

2016-09-01

To study the distinct clinical phenotype of chronic airway diseases by hierarchical cluster analysis and two-step cluster analysis. A population sample of adult patients in Donghuamen community, Dongcheng district and Qinghe community, Haidian district, Beijing from April 2012 to January 2015, who had wheeze within the last 12 months, underwent detailed investigation, including a clinical questionnaire, pulmonary function tests, total serum IgE levels, blood eosinophil level and a peak flow diary. Nine variables were chosen as evaluating parameters, including pre-salbutamol forced expired volume in one second(FEV1)/forced vital capacity(FVC) ratio, pre-salbutamol FEV1, percentage of post-salbutamol change in FEV1, residual capacity, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide/alveolar volume adjusted for haemoglobin level, peak expiratory flow(PEF) variability, serum IgE level, cumulative tobacco cigarette consumption (pack-years) and respiratory symptoms (cough and expectoration). Subjects' different clinical phenotype by hierarchical cluster analysis and two-step cluster analysis was identified. (1) Four clusters were identified by hierarchical cluster analysis. Cluster 1 was chronic bronchitis in smokers with normal pulmonary function. Cluster 2 was chronic bronchitis or mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with mild airflow limitation. Cluster 3 included COPD patients with heavy smoking, poor quality of life and severe airflow limitation. Cluster 4 recognized atopic patients with mild airflow limitation, elevated serum IgE and clinical features of asthma. Significant differences were revealed regarding pre-salbutamol FEV1/FVC%, pre-salbutamol FEV1% pred, post-salbutamol change in FEV1%, maximal mid-expiratory flow curve(MMEF)% pred, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity per liter of alveolar(DLCO)/(VA)% pred, residual volume(RV)% pred, total serum IgE level, smoking history (pack-years), St.George's respiratory questionnaire(SGRQ) score, acute exacerbation in the past one year, PEF variability and allergic dermatitis (P<0.05). (2) Four clusters were also identified by two-step cluster analysis as followings, cluster 1, COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow limitation; cluster 2, asthma and COPD patients with heavy smoking, airflow limitation and increased airways reversibility; cluster 3, patients having less smoking and normal pulmonary function with wheezing but no chronic cough; cluster 4, chronic bronchitis patients with normal pulmonary function and chronic cough. Significant differences were revealed regarding gender distribution, respiratory symptoms, pre-salbutamol FEV1/FVC%, pre-salbutamol FEV1% pred, post-salbutamol change in FEV1%, MMEF% pred, DLCO/VA% pred, RV% pred, PEF variability, total serum IgE level, cumulative tobacco cigarette consumption (pack-years), and SGRQ score (P<0.05). By different cluster analyses, distinct clinical phenotypes of chronic airway diseases are identified. Thus, individualized treatments may guide doctors to provide based on different phenotypes.

Introduction to Sigma Proteins: Evolution of the Concept of Sigma Receptors.

PubMed

Kim, Felix J

2017-01-01

For over 40 years, scientists have endeavored to understand the so-called sigma receptors. During this time, the concept of sigma receptors has continuously and significantly evolved. With thousands of publications on the subject, these proteins have been implicated in various diseases, disorders, and physiological processes. Nevertheless, we are just beginning to understand what sigma proteins do and how they work. Two subtypes have been identified, Sigma1 and Sigma2. Whereas Sigma1 (also known as sigma-1 receptor, Sig1R, σ1 receptor, and several other names) was cloned over 20 years ago, Sigma2 (sigma-2 receptor, σ2 receptor) was cloned very recently and had remained a pharmacologically defined entity. In this volume, we will focus primarily on Sigma1. We will highlight several key subject areas in which Sigma1 has been well characterized as well as (re)emerging areas of interest. Despite the large number of publications regarding Sigma1, several fundamental questions remain unanswered or only partially answered. Most of what we know about Sigma1 comes from pharmacological studies; however, a clearly defined molecular mechanism of action remains elusive. One concept has become clear; Sigma1 is not a traditional receptor. Sigma1 is now considered a unique pharmacologically regulated integral membrane chaperone or scaffolding protein. A number of landmark discoveries over the past decade have begun to reshape the concept of sigma receptors. With the rapid emergence of new information, development of new tools, and changing conceptual frameworks, the field is poised for a period of accelerated progress.

Design of a 2.4-GHz CMOS monolithic fractional-N frequency synthesizer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, Keliu

The wireless communication technology and market have been growing rapidly since a decade ago. The high demand market is a driving need for higher integration in the wireless transceivers. The trend is to achieve low-cost, small form factor and low power consumption. With the ever-reducing feature size, it is becoming feasible to integrate the RF front-end together with the baseband in the low-cost CMOS technology. The frequency synthesizer is a key building block in the RF front-end of the transceivers. It is used as a local oscillator for frequency translation and channel selection. The design of a 2.4-GHz low-power frequency synthesizer in 0.35mum CMOS is a challenging task mainly due to the high-speed prescaler. In this dissertation, a brief review of conventional PLL and frequency synthesizers is provided. Design techniques of a 2.4-GHz monolithic SigmaDelta fractional-N frequency synthesizer are investigated. Novel techniques are proposed to tackle the speed and integration bottlenecks of high-frequency PLL. A low-power and inherently glitch-free phase-switching prescaler and an on-chip loop filter with capacitance multiplier are developed. Compared with the existing and popular dual-path topology, the proposed loop filter reduces circuit complexity and its power consumption and noise are negligible. Furthermore, a third-order three-level digital SigmaDelta modulator topology is employed to reduce the phase noise generated by the modulator. Suitable PFD and charge-pump designs are employed to reduce their nonlinearity effects and thus minimize the folding of the SigmaDelta modulator-shaped phase noise. A prototype of the fractional-N synthesizer together with some standalone building blocks is designed and fabricated in TSMC 0.35mum CMOS through MOSIS. The prototype frequency synthesizer and standalone prescaler and loop filter are characterized. The feasibility and practicality of the proposed prescaler and loop filter are experimentally verified.

Roflumilast attenuates allergen-induced inflammation in mild asthmatic subjects.

PubMed

Gauvreau, Gail M; Boulet, Louis-Philippe; Schmid-Wirlitsch, Christine; Côté, Johanne; Duong, Mylinh; Killian, Kieran J; Milot, Joanne; Deschesnes, Francine; Strinich, Tara; Watson, Richard M; Bredenbröker, Dirk; O'Byrne, Paul M

2011-10-26

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), leading to regulation of inflammatory cell functions. Roflumilast is a potent and targeted PDE4 inhibitor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of roflumilast on bronchoconstriction, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and airway inflammation in mild asthmatic patients undergoing allergen inhalation challenge. 25 subjects with mild allergic asthma were randomized to oral roflumilast 500 mcg or placebo, once daily for 14 days in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Allergen challenge was performed on Day 14, and FEV1 was measured until 7 h post challenge. Methacholine challenge was performed on Days 1 (pre-dose), 13 (24 h pre-allergen), and 15 (24 h post-allergen), and sputum induction was performed on Days 1, 13, 14 (7 h post-allergen), and 15. Roflumilast inhibited the allergen-induced late phase response compared to placebo; maximum % fall in FEV1 (p = 0.02) and the area under the curve (p = 0.01). Roflumilast had a more impressive effect inhibiting allergen-induced sputum eosinophils, neutrophils, and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) at 7 h post-allergen (all p = 0.02), and sputum neutrophils (p = 0.04), ECP (p = 0.02), neutrophil elastase (p = 0.0001) and AHR (p = 0.004) at 24 h post-allergen. This study demonstrates a protective effect of roflumilast on allergen-induced airway inflammation. The observed attenuation of sputum eosinophils and neutrophils demonstrates the anti-inflammatory properties of PDE4 inhibition and supports the roles of both cell types in the development of late phase bronchoconstriction and AHR. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01365533.

KINETIC ENERGY DISTRIBUTION OF H(1s) FROM H{sub 2} X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} EXCITATION AND LIFETIMES AND TRANSITION PROBABILITIES OF a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu Xianming; Johnson, Paul V.; Malone, Charles P.

Dissociative excitation of molecular hydrogen plays an important role in the heating of outer planet upper thermospheres. This paper addresses the role of one of the triplet states involved in the process. H{sub 2} excited to the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} state, or higher triplet-ungerade states, is dissociated via the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} continuum. The kinetic energy distribution of H(1s) produced from direct X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J) excitation by electrons is investigated by an accurate theoretical evaluation of spontaneous transition probabilities ofmore » the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J)-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} continuum transition. It is shown that the X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(0)-a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J) excitation primarily produces H(1s) atoms with kinetic energies lower than 2 eV. In addition to the continuum a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J)-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} transition probabilities, spontaneous emission lifetimes of the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}(v, J) (v = 0-20, J {<=} 14) levels have been calculated by considering both the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} and a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-c {sup 3}{Pi} {sub u} transitions. The calculated lifetimes show a moderately strong rotational dependence, and the lifetimes for the J = 0 rotational level of the low v levels agree well with previous calculations and experimental measurements. Calculations of the a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-b {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub u} continuum emission spectra from electron impact X {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g}-a {sup 3}{Sigma}{sup +} {sub g} excitation are included.« less

Assurance of Myeloid Growth Factor Administration in an Infusion Center: Pilot Quality Improvement Initiative.

PubMed

Ramirez, Pamela Maree; Peterson, Barry; Holtshopple, Christine; Borja, Kristina; Torres, Vincent; Valdivia-Peppers, Lucille; Harriague, Julio; Joe, Melanie D

2017-12-01

Four incident reports involving missed doses of myeloid growth factors (MGFs) triggered the need for an outcome-driven initiative. From March 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016, at University of California Irvine Health Chao Infusion Center, 116 of 3,300 MGF doses were missed (3.52%), including pegfilgrastim, filgrastim, and sargramostim. We hypothesized that with the application of Lean Six Sigma methodology, we would achieve our primary objective of reducing the number of missed MGF doses to < 0.5%. This quality improvement initiative was conducted at Chao Infusion Center as part of a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Program. Therefore, Lean Six Sigma principles and tools were used throughout each phase of the project. Retrospective and prospective medical record reviews and data analyses were performed to evaluate the extent of the identified problem and impact of the process changes. Improvements included systems applications, practice changes, process modifications, and safety-net procedures. Preintervention, 24 missed doses (20.7%) required patient supportive care measures, resulting in increased hospital costs and decreased quality of care. Postintervention, from June 8, 2016, to August 7, 2016, zero of 489 MGF doses were missed after 2 months of intervention ( P < .001). Chao Infusion Center reduced missed doses from 3.52% to 0%, reaching the goal of < 0.5%. The establishment of simplified and standardized processes with safety checks for error prevention increased quality of care. Lean Six Sigma methodology can be applied by other institutions to produce positive outcomes and implement similar practice changes.

Electro-deposition painting process improvement of cab truck by Six Sigma concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawitu, Kitiya; Chutima, Parames

2017-06-01

The case study company is a manufacturer of trucks and currently facing a high rework cost due to the thickness of the electro-deposited paint (EDP) of the truck cab is lower than standard. In addition, the process capability is very low. The Six Sigma concept consisting of 5 phases (DMAIC) is applied to determine new parameter settings for each significant controllable factor. After the improvement, EDP thickness of the truck cab increases from 17.88μ to 20μ (i.e. standard = 20 ± 3μ). Moreover, the process capability indexes (Cp and Cpk) are increased from 0.9 to 1.43, and from 0.27 to 1.43, respectively. This improvement could save the rework cost about 1.6M THB per year.

Evolution of the transcription complex during sporulation of Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Brevet, J

1976-01-01

Ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in partially purified extract of cells of Bacillus subtilis harvested at different times (t-1, to, t1, and t2) was studied by zone centrifugation. During the course of sporulation, vegetative sigma-factor activity decreased and the transcription complex lost some of its affinity for active sigma factor. The complex underwent a two-stage change in sedimentation value, from 14.5S in vegetative growth phase to a 13S species very early in sporulation to a 16S species at later times. Two SpoO mutants have been studied by zone centrifugation. One strain, a rifampin-resistant (RfmR) mutant, failed to show any modification of the transcription complex, whereas the other, a Rfms strain, underwent a partial evolution of the transcription complex after to.

The efficacy of aclidinium/formoterol on lung function and symptoms in patients with COPD categorized by symptom status: a pooled analysis

PubMed Central

Miravitlles, Marc; Chapman, Kenneth R; Chuecos, Ferran; Ribera, Anna; Gil, Esther Garcia

2016-01-01

Background Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience respiratory symptoms, which impair quality of life. This pooled analysis of two Phase III studies assessed the impact of aclidinium/formoterol on patients with COPD categorized by symptom status. Methods Data were pooled from two 24-week, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of twice-daily aclidinium/formoterol 400/12 µg in moderate-to-severe COPD (ACLIFORM [NCT01462942] and AUGMENT [NCT01437397]). These post hoc analyses evaluated the efficacy of aclidinium/formoterol versus placebo or monotherapies in patients defined as less/more symptomatic by a) Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms (E-RS™) score ≥10/<10 and b) Baseline Dyspnea Index score <7/≥7. Endpoints included trough and 1-hour morning postdose forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Transition Dyspnea Index, E-RS total score, early-morning and nighttime symptom severity, early-morning limitation of activities, and exacerbation rate. Results Data for 3,394 patients were analyzed (mean age: 63.5 years; 60.5% male). In both definitions of less and more symptomatic patients, aclidinium/formoterol improved 1-hour morning postdose FEV1 from baseline at week 24 versus placebo (P<0.001) and both monotherapies (P<0.05). Aclidinium/formoterol improved trough FEV1 from baseline in both groups versus placebo (P<0.05) and formoterol (P<0.05); improvements were greater in more symptomatic patients. Improvements versus aclidinium were also observed in more symptomatic patients (P<0.05). Aclidinium/formoterol improved dyspnea, early-morning symptom severity, and limitation of activities versus placebo in both less and more symptomatic patients (P<0.001). In more symptomatic patients, aclidinium/formoterol also improved E-RS total score and severity of nighttime symptoms from baseline versus placebo and one or both monotherapies (P<0.05). The rate of moderate/severe exacerbations was reduced with aclidinium/formoterol versus placebo in more symptomatic patients. Conclusion Aclidinium/formoterol 400/12 µg provided consistent improvements in bronchodilation and symptoms versus monotherapies and reduced exacerbations versus placebo in more symptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, regardless of the definition used. Furthermore, patients with a low symptom burden achieved benefits with aclidinium/formoterol versus monotherapies in postdose FEV1, dyspnea, and early-morning symptoms. PMID:27621610

Characterization and Computational Modeling of Minor Phases in Alloy LSHR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jou, Herng-Jeng; Olson, Gregory; Gabb, Timothy; Garg, Anita; Miller, Derek

2012-01-01

The minor phases of powder metallurgy disk superalloy LSHR were studied. Samples were consistently heat treated at three different temperatures for long times to approach equilibrium. Additional heat treatments were also performed for shorter times, to assess minor phase kinetics in non-equilibrium conditions. Minor phases including MC carbides, M23C6 carbides, M3B2 borides, and sigma were identified. Their average sizes and total area fractions were determined. CALPHAD thermodynamics databases and PrecipiCalc(TradeMark), a computational precipitation modeling tool, were employed with Ni-base thermodynamics and diffusion databases to model and simulate the phase microstructural evolution observed in the experiments with an objective to identify the model limitations and the directions of model enhancement.

Procedures for estimating confidence intervals for selected method performance parameters.

PubMed

McClure, F D; Lee, J K

2001-01-01

Procedures for estimating confidence intervals (CIs) for the repeatability variance (sigmar2), reproducibility variance (sigmaR2 = sigmaL2 + sigmar2), laboratory component (sigmaL2), and their corresponding standard deviations sigmar, sigmaR, and sigmaL, respectively, are presented. In addition, CIs for the ratio of the repeatability component to the reproducibility variance (sigmar2/sigmaR2) and the ratio of the laboratory component to the reproducibility variance (sigmaL2/sigmaR2) are also presented.

Phase transformations during aging of a nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritter, Ann M.; Henry, Michael F.

1985-10-01

An analytical electron microscopy study was undertaken in order to characterize intergranular and matrix precipitation accompanying intermediate temperature aging in NITRONIC 50, a nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel. Extensive precipitation on most grain boundaries had occurred after aging for 24 hours at 675 °C. The primary intergranular phase at that time was Cr-rich M23C6, and energy dispersive spectra taken on grain boundary segments between these carbides indicated Cr-depletion and Fe- and Ni-enhancement relative to the matrix. After aging for 336 and 1008 hours at 675 °C, M6C (eta-carbide) precipitates were also present on grain boundaries. These precipitates were distinguished from M23C6 on the basis of their lattice parameters and chemistries, with M6C containing less Cr and Fe, and more Ni, Mo, and Si than M23C6. The differences in chemistry were clarified by a statistical treatment of the spectra. The statistical analysis also showed that precipitates with a range of chemistries between M23C6 and M6C coexisted with these phases on the grain boundaries. Associated with this shift in precipitate stoichiometry was an increase in the average concentration of Cr and a decrease in the average concentration of Ni at the grain boundaries. Intergranular sigma phase was also observed after times 24 hours at 675 °C, with sigma precipitating on grain boundaries containing carbides. Intragranular precipitates observed to be stable up to 1008 hours at 675 °C included Z-phase, a complex nitride which had formed during solution annealing; M7C3 carbides, which nucleated at Z-phase/austenite interfaces; M23C6 carbides, which precipitated on incoherent twin boundaries; and Cr-rich MN precipitates, which nucleated on dislocations.

Inflammatory Biomarkers Predict Airflow Obstruction After Exposure to World Trade Center Dust

PubMed Central

Nolan, Anna; Naveed, Bushra; Comfort, Ashley L.; Ferrier, Natalia; Hall, Charles B.; Kwon, Sophia; Kasturiarachchi, Kusali J.; Cohen, Hillel W.; Zeig-Owens, Rachel; Glaser, Michelle S.; Webber, Mayris P.; Aldrich, Thomas K.; Rom, William N.; Kelly, Kerry; Prezant, David J.

2012-01-01

Background: The World Trade Center (WTC) collapse on September 11, 2001, produced airflow obstruction in a majority of firefighters receiving subspecialty pulmonary evaluation (SPE) within 6.5 years post-September 11, 2001. Methods: In a cohort of 801 never smokers with normal pre-September 11, 2001, FEV1, we correlated inflammatory biomarkers and CBC counts at monitoring entry within 6 months of September 11, 2001, with a median FEV1 at SPE (34 months; interquartile range, 25-57). Cases of airflow obstruction had FEV1 less than the lower limit of normal (LLN) (100 of 801; 70 of 100 had serum), whereas control subjects had FEV1 greater than or equal to LLN (153 of 801; 124 of 153 had serum). Results: From monitoring entry to SPE years later, FEV1 declined 12% in cases and increased 3% in control subjects. Case subjects had elevated serum macrophage derived chemokine (MDC), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and interferon inducible protein-10 levels. Elevated GM-CSF and MDC increased the risk for subsequent FEV1 less than LLN by 2.5-fold (95% CI, 1.2-5.3) and 3.0-fold (95% CI, 1.4-6.1) in a logistic model adjusted for exposure, BMI, age on September 11, 2001, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The model had sensitivity of 38% (95% CI, 27-51) and specificity of 88% (95% CI, 80-93). Conclusions: Inflammatory biomarkers can be risk factors for airflow obstruction following dust and smoke exposure. Elevated serum GM-CSF and MDC levels soon after WTC exposure were associated with increased risk of airflow obstruction in subsequent years. Biomarkers of inflammation may help identify pathways producing obstruction after irritant exposure. PMID:21998260

CT densitovolumetry in children with obliterative bronchiolitis: correlation with clinical scores and pulmonary function test results*,**

PubMed Central

Mocelin, Helena; Bueno, Gilberto; Irion, Klaus; Marchiori, Edson; Sarria, Edgar; Watte, Guilherme; Hochhegger, Bruno

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether air trapping (expressed as the percentage of air trapping relative to total lung volume [AT%]) correlates with clinical and functional parameters in children with obliterative bronchiolitis (OB). METHODS: CT scans of 19 children with OB were post-processed for AT% quantification with the use of a fixed threshold of −950 HU (AT%950) and of thresholds selected with the aid of density masks (AT%DM). Patients were divided into three groups by AT% severity. We examined AT% correlations with oxygen saturation (SO2) at rest, six-minute walk distance (6MWD), minimum SO2 during the six-minute walk test (6MWT_SO2), FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and clinical parameters. RESULTS: The 6MWD was longer in the patients with larger normal lung volumes (r = 0.53). We found that AT%950 showed significant correlations (before and after the exclusion of outliers, respectively) with the clinical score (r = 0.72; 0.80), FVC (r = 0.24; 0.59), FEV1 (r = −0.58; −0.67), and FEV1/FVC (r = −0.53; r = −0.62), as did AT%DM with the clinical score (r = 0.58; r = 0.63), SO2 at rest (r = −0.40; r = −0.61), 6MWT_SO2 (r = −0.24; r = −0.55), FVC (r = −0.44; r = −0.80), FEV1 (r = −0.65; r = −0.71), and FEV1/FVC (r = −0.41; r = −0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that AT% correlates significantly with clinical scores and pulmonary function test results in children with OB. PMID:24473764

Pulmonary functions of children with asthma improve following massage therapy.

PubMed

Fattah, Mohammed Abdel; Hamdy, Basant

2011-11-01

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of massage therapy on the pulmonary functions of stable Egyptian children with asthma. This study was an open, randomized, controlled trial. The study was conducted in pediatric allergy and chest unit of the New Children's Hospital of Cairo University, Egypt. Sixty (60) children with asthma were divided randomly into two equal groups: massage therapy group and control group. Subjects in the massage therapy group received a 20-minute massage therapy by their parents at home before bedtime every night for 5 weeks in addition to the standard asthma treatment. The control group received the standard asthma treatment alone for 5 weeks. Spirometry was performed for all children on the first and last days of the study. Forced expiratory flow in first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were recorded. At the end of the study, mean FEV1 of the massage therapy group was significantly higher than controls (2.3-0.8 L versus 1.9-0.9 L, p=0.04). There was no significant difference in FVC (2.5-0.8 L versus 2.7-0.7 L, p=0.43). However, FEV1/FVC ratio showed a significant improvement in the massage therapy group (92.3-21.5 versus 69.5-17, p<0.01). PEF difference was not significant (263.5-39.6 L/minute versus 245.9-32 L/minute, p=0.06). A beneficial role for massage therapy in pediatric asthma is suggested. It improved the key pulmonary functions of the children, namely, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio. However, further research on a larger scale is warranted. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Increased Airway Wall Thickness is Associated with Adverse Longitudinal First-Second Forced Expiratory Volume Trajectories of Former World Trade Center workers.

PubMed

de la Hoz, Rafael E; Liu, Xiaoyu; Doucette, John T; Reeves, Anthony P; Bienenfeld, Laura A; Wisnivesky, Juan P; Celedón, Juan C; Lynch, David A; San José Estépar, Raúl

2018-05-24

Occupational exposures at the WTC site after September 11, 2001 have been associated with several presumably inflammatory lower airway diseases. In this study, we describe the trajectories of expiratory air flow decline, identify subgroups with adverse progression, and investigate the association of a quantitative computed tomography (QCT) imaging measurement of airway wall thickness, and other risk factors for adverse progression. We examined the trajectories of expiratory air flow decline in a group of 799 former WTC workers and volunteers with QCT-measured (with two independent systems) wall area percent (WAP) and at least 3 periodic spirometries. We calculated individual regression lines for first-second forced expiratory volume (FEV 1 ), identified subjects with rapidly declining and increasing ("gainers"), and compared them to subjects with normal and "stable" FEV 1 decline. We used multivariate logistic regression to model decliner vs. stable trajectories. The mean longitudinal FEV 1 slopes for the entire study population, and its stable, decliner, and gainer subgroups were, respectively, - 35.8, - 8, - 157.6, and + 173.62 ml/year. WAP was associated with "decliner" status (OR adj 1.08, 95% CI 1.02, 1.14, per 5% increment) compared to stable. Age, weight gain, baseline FEV 1 percent predicted, bronchodilator response, and pre-WTC occupational exposures were also significantly associated with accelerated FEV 1 decline. Analyses of gainers vs. stable subgroup showed WAP as a significant predictor in unadjusted but not consistently in adjusted analyses. The apparent normal age-related rate of FEV 1 decline results from averaging widely divergent trajectories. WAP is significantly associated with accelerated air flow decline in WTC workers.

Biomarker Surrogates Do Not Accurately Predict Sputum Eosinophils and Neutrophils in Asthma

PubMed Central

Hastie, Annette T.; Moore, Wendy C.; Li, Huashi; Rector, Brian M.; Ortega, Victor E.; Pascual, Rodolfo M.; Peters, Stephen P.; Meyers, Deborah A.; Bleecker, Eugene R.

2013-01-01

Background Sputum eosinophils (Eos) are a strong predictor of airway inflammation, exacerbations, and aid asthma management, whereas sputum neutrophils (Neu) indicate a different severe asthma phenotype, potentially less responsive to TH2-targeted therapy. Variables such as blood Eos, total IgE, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) or FEV1% predicted, may predict airway Eos, while age, FEV1%predicted, or blood Neu may predict sputum Neu. Availability and ease of measurement are useful characteristics, but accuracy in predicting airway Eos and Neu, individually or combined, is not established. Objectives To determine whether blood Eos, FeNO, and IgE accurately predict sputum eosinophils, and age, FEV1% predicted, and blood Neu accurately predict sputum neutrophils (Neu). Methods Subjects in the Wake Forest Severe Asthma Research Program (N=328) were characterized by blood and sputum cells, healthcare utilization, lung function, FeNO, and IgE. Multiple analytical techniques were utilized. Results Despite significant association with sputum Eos, blood Eos, FeNO and total IgE did not accurately predict sputum Eos, and combinations of these variables failed to improve prediction. Age, FEV1%predicted and blood Neu were similarly unsatisfactory for prediction of sputum Neu. Factor analysis and stepwise selection found FeNO, IgE and FEV1% predicted, but not blood Eos, correctly predicted 69% of sputum Eos

Effects of blood lead levels on airflow limitations in Korean adults: Findings from the 5th KNHNES 2011

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chung, Hye Kyung; Chang, Yoon Soo, E-mail: yschang@yuhs.ac; Ahn, Chul Woo

This study aimed to examine whether blood levels of heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and cadmium, are related with pulmonary function in Korean adults. This investigation included 870 Korean adults (≥40 years) who received pulmonary function testing in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) V-2, 2011. Data of blood levels of heavy metals, pulmonary function tests and anthropometric measurements were acquired. Blood lead levels showed inverse correlations with the FEV{sub 1}/FVC ratio before (r=−0.276, p<0.001) and after adjustment of multiple compounding factors (r=−0.115, p=0.001). A logistic multiple regression analysis revealed that blood lead levels were amore » significant influencing factor for the FEV{sub 1}/FVC ratio (β=−0.017, p=0.001, adjusted R{sup 2}=0.267). The odds ratios (ORs) for the FEV{sub 1}/FVC ratio were significantly lower in the highest tertile group of the blood lead levels than in the lowest tertile group in Model 1 (OR=0.007, 95% CI=0.000−0.329) and Model 2 (OR=0.006, 95% CI=0.000−0.286). These findings imply that environmental exposure to lead might be an important factor that may cause airflow limitations in Korean adults. - Highlights: • Blood lead levels showed inverse correlations with the FEV{sub 1}/FVC ratio. • Blood lead level was a significant influencing factor for the FEV{sub 1}/FVC ratio. • ORs for FEV{sub 1}/FVC were lower in the highest blood lead group than in the lowest group. • Environmental exposure to lead might be an important factor for airflow limitations.« less

The NHLBI LAM Registry: Prognostic physiological and radiological biomarkers emerge from a 15-year prospective longitudinal analysis.

PubMed

Gupta, Nishant; Lee, Hye-Seung; Ryu, Jay H; Taveira-DaSilva, Angelo M; Beck, Gerald J; Lee, Jar-Chi; McCarthy, Kevin; Finlay, Geraldine A; Brown, Kevin K; Ruoss, Stephen J; Avila, Nilo A; Moss, Joel; McCormack, Francis X

2018-06-22

The natural history of lymphangioleiomyomatosis is mainly derived from retrospective cohort analyses and remains incompletely understood. A National Institutes of Health LAM Registry was established to define the natural history and identify prognostic biomarkers that can help guide management and decision-making in patients with LAM. A linear mixed effects model was employed to compute the rate of decline of FEV1, and identify variables impacting FEV1 decline among 217 registry patients who enrolled from 1998-2001. Prognostic variables associated with progression to death/lung transplantation were identified using a Cox proportional hazard model. Mean annual decline of FEV1 was 89±53 ml/year, and remained remarkably constant regardless of baseline lung function. FEV1 decline was more rapid in those with greater cyst profusion on CT scan (p=0.02), and in premenopausal subjects (118ml/year) compared to postmenopausal subjects (74ml/year), (p=0.003). There were 26 deaths and 43 lung transplants during the evaluation period. Estimated 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year transplant-free survival rates were 95%, 85%, 75%, and 64%, respectively. Postmenopausal status (hazard ratio 0.30, p=0.0002) and higher baseline FEV1 (hazard ratio 0.97, p=0.008) or DLCO (hazard ratio 0.97, p=0.001) were independently associated with a lower risk of progression to death or lung transplantation. The median transplant-free survival in patients with LAM is greater than 20 years. Menopausal status as well as structural and physiological markers of disease severity significantly affect the rate of decline of FEV1 and progression to death or lung transplantation in LAM. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Efficient screening for COPD using three steps: a cross-sectional study in Mexico City.

PubMed

Franco-Marina, Francisco; Fernandez-Plata, Rosario; Torre-Bouscoulet, Luis; García-Sancho, Cecilia; Sanchez-Gallen, Elisa; Martinez, David; Perez-Padilla, Rogelio

2014-05-20

Underdiagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care can be improved by a more efficient screening strategy. To evaluate a three-step method of screening for COPD consisting of an initial short questionnaire followed by measurement of forced expiratory volume in 1s/forced expiratory volume in 6s (FEV1/FEV6) using an inexpensive pocket spirometer in those with high risk, and diagnostic quality spirometry in those with a low FEV1/FEV6. We analysed two related Mexico City cross-sectional samples. The 2003 Mexico City PLATINO survey (n=542) was used to develop a short questionnaire to determine the risk of COPD and a 2010 survey (n=737) additionally used a pocket spirometer. The discriminatory power of the two instruments was assessed with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves using three COPD definitions. The developed COPD scale included two variables from a simple questionnaire and, in ROC analysis, an area under the curve (AUC) between 0.64 and 0.77 was found to detect COPD. The pocket spirometer had an AUC between 0.85 and 0.88 to detect COPD. Using the COPD scale as a first screening step excluded 35-48% of the total population from further testing at the cost of not detecting 8-18% of those with COPD. Using the pocket spirometer and sending those with a FEV1/FEV6<0.80 for diagnostic quality spirometry is very efficient, and substantially improved the positive predictive value at the cost of not detecting one-third of COPD cases. A three-step screening strategy for COPD substantially reduces the need for spirometry testing when only a COPD scale is used for screening.

Individualized prediction of lung-function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PubMed Central

Zafari, Zafar; Sin, Don D.; Postma, Dirkje S.; Löfdahl, Claes-Göran; Vonk, Judith; Bryan, Stirling; Lam, Stephen; Tammemagi, C. Martin; Khakban, Rahman; Man, S.F. Paul; Tashkin, Donald; Wise, Robert A.; Connett, John E.; McManus, Bruce; Ng, Raymond; Hollander, Zsuszanna; Sadatsafavi, Mohsen

2016-01-01

Background: The rate of lung-function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) varies substantially among individuals. We sought to develop and validate an individualized prediction model for forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) in current smokers with mild-to-moderate COPD. Methods: Using data from a large long-term clinical trial (the Lung Health Study), we derived mixed-effects regression models to predict future FEV1 values over 11 years according to clinical traits. We modelled heterogeneity by allowing regression coefficients to vary across individuals. Two independent cohorts with COPD were used for validating the equations. Results: We used data from 5594 patients (mean age 48.4 yr, 63% men, mean baseline FEV1 2.75 L) to create the individualized prediction equations. There was significant between-individual variability in the rate of FEV1 decline, with the interval for the annual rate of decline that contained 95% of individuals being −124 to −15 mL/yr for smokers and −83 to 15 mL/yr for sustained quitters. Clinical variables in the final model explained 88% of variation around follow-up FEV1. The C statistic for predicting severity grades was 0.90. Prediction equations performed robustly in the 2 external data sets. Interpretation: A substantial part of individual variation in FEV1 decline can be explained by easily measured clinical variables. The model developed in this work can be used for prediction of future lung health in patients with mild-to-moderate COPD. Trial registration: Lung Health Study — ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT00000568; Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer Study — ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT00751660 PMID:27486205

Air Pollution from Livestock Farms Is Associated with Airway Obstruction in Neighboring Residents.

PubMed

Borlée, Floor; Yzermans, C Joris; Aalders, Bernadette; Rooijackers, Jos; Krop, Esmeralda; Maassen, Catharina B M; Schellevis, François; Brunekreef, Bert; Heederik, Dick; Smit, Lidwien A M

2017-11-01

Livestock farm emissions may not only affect respiratory health of farmers but also of neighboring residents. To explore associations between spatial and temporal variation in pollutant emissions from livestock farms and lung function in a general, nonfarming, rural population in the Netherlands. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2,308 adults (age, 20-72 yr). A pulmonary function test was performed measuring prebronchodilator and post-bronchodilator FEV 1 , FVC, FEV 1 /FVC, and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF). Spatial exposure was assessed as (1) number of farms within 500 m and 1,000 m of the home, (2) distance to the nearest farm, and (3) modeled annual average fine dust emissions from farms within 500 m and 1,000 m of the home address. Temporal exposure was assessed as week-average ambient particulate matter <10 μm in diameter and ammonia (NH 3 ) concentrations before lung function measurements. Data were analyzed with generalized additive models (smoothing). A negative association was found between the number of livestock farms within a 1,000-m buffer from the home address and MMEF, which was more pronounced in participants without atopy. No associations were found with other spatial exposure variables. Week-average particulate matter <10 μm in diameter and NH 3 levels were negatively associated with FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC, and MMEF. In a two-pollutant model, only NH 3 remained associated. A 25-μg/m 3 increase in NH 3 was associated with a 2.22% lower FEV 1 (95% confidence interval, -3.69 to -0.74), FEV 1 /FVC of -1.12% (-1.96 to -0.28), and MMEF of -5.67% (-8.80 to -2.55). Spatial and temporal variation in livestock air pollution emissions are associated with lung function deficits in nonfarming residents.

Multiple Antibiotic–Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Lung Function Decline in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

PubMed Central

Ren, Clement L; Konstan, Michael W.; Yegin, Ashley; Rasouliyan, Lawrence; Trzaskoma, Benjamin; Morgan, Wayne J.; Regelmann, Warren

2014-01-01

Background The goal of this study was to determine the association of multiple antibiotic– resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MARPA) acquisition with lung function decline in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods Using data from Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis (ESCF), we identified patients with spirometry data and MARPA, defined as PA (1) resistant to gentamicin and either tobramycin or amikacin and (2) resistant to ≥1 antipseudomonal beta lactam. MARPA had to be detected in a respiratory culture after ≥ 2 years of PA-positive but MARPA-negative respiratory cultures. Multivariable piecewise linear regression was performed to model the annual rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) % predicted 2 calendar years before and after the index year of MARPA detection, adjusting for patient characteristics and CF therapies. Results In total, 4,349 patients with chronic PA and adequate PFT data were identified; 1,111 subsequently developed MARPA, while 3,238 patients were PA positive but MARPA negative. Compared with patients who did not acquire MARPA, MARPA-positive patients had lower FEV1 and received more oral (p<0.013) and inhaled p<0.001) antibiotic therapy. Mean FEV1 decline did not change significantly after MARPA detection (−2.22 % predicted/year before detection and −2.43 after, p=0.45). There was no relationship between persistent infection or FEV1 quartile and FEV1 decline. Conclusions Newly detected MARPA was not associated with a significant change in the rate of FEV1 decline. These results suggest that MARPA is more likely to be a marker of more severe disease and more intensive therapy, and less likely to be contributing independently to more rapid lung function decline. PMID:22445849

Airway wall thickness of allergic asthma caused by weed pollen or house dust mite assessed by computed tomography.

PubMed

Liu, Liping; Li, Guangrun; Sun, Yuemei; Li, Jian; Tang, Ningbo; Dong, Liang

2015-03-01

Little was known about Airway wall thickness of asthma patients with different allergen allergy. So we explored the possible difference of Airway wall thickness of asthma patients mono-sensitized to weed pollen or HDM using high-resolution computed tomography. 85 severe asthma patients were divided into weed pollen group and HDM group according to relevant allergen. 20 healthy donors served as controls. Airway wall area, percentage wall area and luminal area at the trunk of the apical bronchus of the right upper lobe were quantified using HRCT and compared. The values of pulmonary function were assessed as well. There were differences between HDM group and weed pollen group in WA/BSA,WA% and FEF25-75% pred, and no significant difference in FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC and LA/BSA. In weed pollen group, WA/BSA was observed to correlate with the duration of rhinitis, whereas in HDM group, WA/BSA and LA/BSA was observed to correlate with the duration of asthma. In weed pollen group, FEV1/FVC showed a weak but significant negative correlation with WA%, but in HDM group FEV1/FVC showed a significant positive correlation with WA% and a statistical negative correlation with LA/BSA. FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% pred were higher and WA/BSA and LA/BSA were lower in healthy control group than asthma group. FEV1%pred and WA% was no significant difference between asthma patients and healthy subjects. There are differences between HDM mono-sensitized subjects and weed pollen mono-sensitized subjects, not only in airway wall thickness, but also small airway obstruction. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lung clearance index is a repeatable and sensitive indicator of radiological changes in bronchiectasis.

PubMed

Rowan, Stephen A; Bradley, Judy M; Bradbury, Ian; Lawson, John; Lynch, Tom; Gustafsson, Per; Horsley, Alex; O'Neill, Katherine; Ennis, Madeleine; Elborn, J Stuart

2014-03-01

In bronchiectasis there is a need for improved markers of lung function to determine disease severity and response to therapy. To assess whether the lung clearance index is a repeatable and more sensitive indicator of computed tomography (CT) scan abnormalities than spirometry in bronchiectasis. Thirty patients with stable bronchiectasis were recruited and lung clearance index, spirometry, and health-related quality of life measures were assessed on two occasions, 2 weeks apart when stable (study 1). A separate group of 60 patients with stable bronchiectasis was studied on a single visit with the same measurements and a CT scan (study 2). In study 1, the intervisit intraclass correlation coefficient for the lung clearance index was 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 0.97; P < 0.001). In study 2, the mean age was 62 (10) years, FEV1 76.5% predicted (18.9), lung clearance index 9.1 (2.0), and total CT score 14.1 (10.2)%. The lung clearance index was abnormal in 53 of 60 patients (88%) and FEV1 was abnormal in 37 of 60 patients (62%). FEV1 negatively correlated with the lung clearance index (r = -0.51, P < 0.0001). Across CT scores, there was a relationship with the lung clearance index, with little evidence of an effect of FEV1. There were no significant associations between the lung clearance index or FEV1 and health-related quality of life. The lung clearance index is repeatable and a more sensitive measure than FEV1 in the detection of abnormalities demonstrated on CT scan. The lung clearance index has the potential to be a useful clinical and research tool in patients with bronchiectasis.

Diagnostic accuracy of FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio z scores in asthmatic patients.

PubMed

Lambert, Allison; Drummond, M Bradley; Wei, Christine; Irvin, Charles; Kaminsky, David; McCormack, Meredith; Wise, Robert

2015-09-01

The FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio is used as a criterion for airflow obstruction; however, the test characteristics of spirometry in the diagnosis of asthma are not well established. The accuracy of a test depends on the pretest probability of disease. We wanted to estimate the FEV1/FVC ratio z score threshold with optimal accuracy for the diagnosis of asthma for different pretest probabilities. Asthmatic patients enrolled in 4 trials from the Asthma Clinical Research Centers were included in this analysis. Measured and predicted FEV1/FVC ratios were obtained, with calculation of z scores for each participant. Across a range of asthma prevalences and z score thresholds, the overall diagnostic accuracy was calculated. One thousand six hundred eight participants were included (mean age, 39 years; 71% female; 61% white). The mean FEV1 percent predicted value was 83% (SD, 15%). In a symptomatic population with 50% pretest probability of asthma, optimal accuracy (68%) is achieved with a z score threshold of -1.0 (16th percentile), corresponding to a 6 percentage point reduction from the predicted ratio. However, in a screening population with a 5% pretest probability of asthma, the optimum z score is -2.0 (second percentile), corresponding to a 12 percentage point reduction from the predicted ratio. These findings were not altered by markers of disease control. Reduction of the FEV1/FVC ratio can support the diagnosis of asthma; however, the ratio is neither sensitive nor specific enough for diagnostic accuracy. When interpreting spirometric results, consideration of the pretest probability is an important consideration in the diagnosis of asthma based on airflow limitation. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Is the bronchodilator test an useful tool to measure asthma control?

PubMed

Ferrer Galván, Marta; Javier Alvarez Gutiérrez, Francisco; Romero Falcón, Auxiliadora; Romero Romero, Beatriz; Sáez, Antonia; Medina Gallardo, Juan Francisco

2017-05-01

Asthma control includes the control of symptoms and future risk. We sought to evaluate the usefulness of the degree of spirometric reversibility of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ) as the target parameter of control. Patients with bronchial asthma were followed up for one year. The clinical, functional, inflammatory and control parameters of the asthma were collected. The area under the curve (AUC) was estimated to establish the cutoff point of the post-bronchodilator FEV 1 reversibility in relation to non-control asthma. In the univariate analysis, the differences between groups were studied based on the degree of estimated reversibility. Factors with a significance <0.1 were included in the multivariate analysis by binary logistic regression. A total of 407 patients with a mean age of 38.1 ± 16.7 years were included. When the patients were grouped into controlled and non-controlled groups, compared with post-bronchodilator FEV 1 reversibility, the cutoff point obtained for the non-controlled group was ≥10% (sensitivity: 65.8%, specificity: 48.4%, positive predictive value: 69.5%, and AUC: 0.619 [0.533-0.700], p < 0.01). In the year-long follow-up of this group (post-bronchodilator FEV 1 ≥10), an increased use of relief medication was observed, along with a significantly progressive drop in post-bronchodilator FEV 1 and post-bronchodilator FEV 1 /FVC (forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity). Spirometric reversibility can be useful in assessing control in asthmatic patients and can predict future risk parameters. The cutoff point related to the non-control of asthma found in our work was ≥10%. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Changes of Pulmonary Function in COPD During Four-Year Period

PubMed Central

Cukic, Vesna; Lovre, Vladimir; Ustamujic, Aida

2013-01-01

Conflict of interest: none declared. Introduction COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. OBJECTIVE: to show the changes of pulmonary function in COPD during the 4 -year evolution of illness. Material and Methods The research was done on patients suffering from COPD treated at the Clinic “Podhrastovi” during 2006 and 2007. The tested parameters were examined from the date of receiving patient with COPD to hospital treatment in 2006 and 2007 and then followed prospectively until 2010 or 2011 (the follow-up period was 4 years). There were total 199 treated patients who were chosen at random and regularly attended the control examinations. The study was conducted on adult patients of both sexes, different age group. In each patient the duration of illness was recorded so is sex, age, data of smoking habits, information about the regularity of taking bronchodilator therapy during remissions of disease, about the treatment of disease exacerbations, results of pulmonary functional tests as follows: FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) and bronchodilator reversibility testing. All these parameters were measured at the beginning and at the end of each hospital treatment on the apparatuses of Clinic “Podhrastovi”. We took in elaboration those data obtained in the beginning of the first hospitalization and at the end of the last hospitalization or at the last control in outpatient department when patient was in stable state. Patients were divided into three groups according to the number of exacerbations per year. Results airflow limitation in COPD is progressive; both FVC and FEV1 shows the statistically significant decrease during follow-up period of 4 years (p values / for both parameters/ =0.05) . But in patients regularly treated in phases of remission and exacerbations of illness the course of illness is slower. The fall of FVC and FEV1 is statistically significantly smaller in those received regular treatment in phases of remissions and exacerbations of illness (p values / for both parameters/ =0.01). The number of patients responding properly to bronchodilators decreased statistically significantly in patients with COPD during follow-up period (p=0.05). Conclusion COPD is characterized with airflow limitation which is progressive in the course of illness, but that course may be made slower using appropriate treatment during remission and exacerbations of diseases. PMID:24082829

Daily spirometry in an acute exacerbation of adult cystic fibrosis patients.

PubMed

Stephen, Michael J; Long, Alex; Bonsall, Chad; Hoag, Jeffrey B; Shah, Smita; Bisberg, Dorothy; Holsclaw, Douglas; Varlotta, Laurie; Fiel, Stan; Du, Doantrang; Zanni, Robert; Hadjiliadis, Denis

2017-01-01

To help answer the question of length of intravenous antibiotics during an acute exacerbation of cystic fibrosis (CF), we had subjects to follow daily home spirometry while on intravenous antibiotics. CF patients, 18 and older, with an acute exacerbation requiring intravenous antibiotics had a daily FEV1. The average time to a 10% increase over their initial sick FEV1 was calculated, as well as the time to a new baseline. A total of 25 subjects completed the study. Ten of the 25 subjects did not have a sustainable 10% increase in FEV1. Of the 15 subjects with a sustainable 10% increase in FEV1, it took 5.2 days (±4.5) after day 1, while a new baseline was achieved on average at 6.6 days (±4.8) after day 1. Given the wide range of time to a 10% improvement and new baseline, it is recommended there should be flexibility in length of intravenous antibiotics in CF, not by a preset number.

Effect of isoprenaline and cigarette smoking on airways.

PubMed

Mahajan, K K; Reghunandan, V; Maini, B K; Mahajan, S K

1983-01-01

After two hours of abstinence from smoking pulmonary functions were assessed in twenty-seven asymptomatic male smokers by spirometry and Wright Peak Flow Meter, recording FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, FEF25-75%, and FEF75-85% of FVC, MVV and PEFR. These tests were repeated immediately after smoking and again after one hr. Only PEFR decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) and returned to nearly basal level after one hr. Sixteen of these smokers were subjected to further study. Isoprenaline inhalation in these smokers caused a significant improvement in most of the flow rates. Smoking of cigarettes at this stage decreased flow rates. After one hr the effect of smoking was over and most of the parameters were between basal and post-isoprenaline levels. Smoking affects the flow rates more than other parameters. An improvement in FEV1, FEV1%, FEF25-75% and FEF75-85% of FVC, after bronchodilator inhalation suggests the presence of some reversible bronchoconstriction specially of smaller airways basically present in chronic smokers.

Rubberwood dust and lung function among Thai furniture factory workers.

PubMed

Thetkathuek, Anamai; Yingratanasuk, Tanongsak; Demers, Paul A; Thepaksorn, Phayong; Saowakhontha, Sastri; Keifer, Matthew C

2010-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess factors affecting lung function among 685 workers in the rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) furniture industry in the Chonburi and Rayung provinces of eastern Thailand. Study data were gathered using questionnaires, by sampling wood dust, and by spirometry. The mean wood dust exposure level in the factories was 4.08 mg/m3 (SD = 1.42, range: 1.15-11.17 mg/m3). The mean overall percent of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC values were 84 % (SD = 13.41), 86 % (SD = 14.40), and 99% (SD = 10.42), respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between mean dust exposure levels and FVC (p = 0.0008), and FEV1/FVC% (p < 0.001), but not FEV1 (p = 0.074). An association between decline in lung function and wood dust levels among wood workers suggests that rubberwood dust exposure negatively affects lung function.

Effects of a simple prototype respiratory muscle trainer on respiratory muscle strength, quality of life and dyspnea, and oxidative stress in COPD patients: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Leelarungrayub, Jirakrit; Pinkaew, Decha; Puntumetakul, Rungthip; Klaphajone, Jakkrit

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a simple prototype device for training respiratory muscles in lung function, respiratory muscle strength, walking capacity, quality of life (QOL), dyspnea, and oxidative stress in patients with COPD. Thirty COPD patients with moderate severity of the disease were randomized into three groups: control (n=10, 6 males and 4 females), standard training (n=10, 4 males and 6 females), and prototype device (n=10, 5 males and 5 females). Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [PImax] and maximal expiratory pressure [PEmax]), lung function (forced vital capacity [FVC], percentage of FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV 1 ], percentage of FEV 1 [FEV 1 %], and FEV 1 /FVC), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), QOL, and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity [TAC]), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated before and after 6 weeks of training. Moreover, dyspnea scores were assessed before; during week 2, 4, and 6 of training; and at rest after training. All parameters between the groups had no statistical difference before training, and no statistical change in the control group after week 6. FVC, FEV 1 /FVC, PImax, PEmax, QOL, MDA, and NO showed significant changes after 6 weeks of training with either the standard or prototype device, compared to pre-training. FEV 1 , FEV 1 %, 6MWD, TAC, and GSH data did not change statistically. Furthermore, the results of significant changes in all parameters were not statistically different between training groups using the standard and prototype device. The peak dyspnea scores increased significantly in week 4 and 6 when applying the standard or prototype device, and then lowered significantly at rest after 6 weeks of training, compared to pre-training. This study proposes that a simple prototype device can be used clinically in COPD patients as a standard device to train respiratory muscles, improving lung function and QOL, as well as involving MDA and NO levels.

Methacholine challenge testing: improved patient comfort with a 2-tiered protocol.

PubMed

Segel, Michael J; Rabinovich, Einat; Schwarz, Yehuda; Ben-Dov, Issahar

2013-06-01

The methacholine challenge test (MCT) is a test of bronchial hyperreactivity used as an aid in the diagnosis of asthma. MCT results are reported as the provocation concentration at which the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decreases 20% (PC20). The requirement for a 20% or greater decrease in FEV1 results in precipitous decreases in FEV1 in some patients. To improve MCT safety without compromising accuracy. We performed a retrospective analysis of 879 consecutive MCTs (derivation cohort). A novel protocol for MCT was developed and validated in a cohort of 564 MCTs performed in a second institution. In comparison with a PC20 cutoff of less than 8 mg/mL, a provocation concentration at which the FEV1 decreases 10% (PC10) cutoff of 1 mg/mL or less has a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 98%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 91%. We propose a novel 2-tiered protocol for MCT. If the PC10 is 1 mg/mL or less, bronchial hyperreactivity is present; if the PC10 is greater than 1 mg/mL, the test is continued until the provocative concentration is 8 mg/mL or a 20% decrease in FEV1 is achieved. Compared with the standard protocol, the proposed protocol has a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall accuracy of 100%, 98%, 97.6%, 100%, and 99%, respectively. The modified protocol would have enabled us to avoid 26 of 42 cases (62%) in which a 40% or greater decrease in FEV1 occurred and would save 0.65 dose for every MCT performed. The 2-tiered protocol performed well in the validation cohort; sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall accuracy were 100%, 98%, 87%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. The proposed 2-tiered protocol is accurate, saves time, and avoids precipitous decreases in FEV1. Copyright © 2013 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Combined reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peripheral artery disease in sedentary elders with functional limitations.

PubMed

Vaz Fragoso, Carlos A; Hsu, Fang-Chi; Brinkley, Tina; Church, Timothy; Liu, Christine K; Manini, Todd; Newman, Anne B; Stafford, Randall S; McDermott, Mary M; Gill, Thomas M

2014-09-01

Because they are potentially modifiable and may coexist, we evaluated the combined occurrence of a reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), including its association with exertional symptoms, physical inactivity, and impaired mobility, in sedentary elders with functional limitations. Cross sectional. Lifestyle Interventions and Independence in Elder (LIFE) Study. A total of 1307 sedentary community-dwelling persons, mean age 78.9, with functional limitations (Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB] <10). A reduced FEV1 was defined by a z-score less than -1.64 (

NF3: UV Absorption Spectrum Temperature Dependence and the Atmospheric and Climate Forcing Implications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Papadimitriou, Vassileios C.; McGillen, Max R.; Fleming, Eric L.; Jackman, Charles H.; Burkholder, James B.

2013-01-01

Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) is an atmospherically persistent greenhouse gas that is primarily removed by UV photolysis and reaction with O((sup 1)D) atoms. In this work, the NF3 gas-phase UV absorption spectrum, sigma(delta,T), was measured at 16 wavelengths between 184.95 and 250 nm at temperatures between 212 and 296 K. A significant spectrum temperature dependence was observed in the wavelength region most relevant to atmospheric photolysis (200-220 nm) with a decrease in sigma(210 nm,T) of approximately 45 percent between 296 and 212 K. Atmospheric photolysis rates and global annually averaged lifetimes of NF3 were calculated using the Goddard Space Flight Center 2-D model and the sigma(delta,T) parameterization developed in this work. Including the UV absorption spectrum temperature dependence increased the stratospheric photolysis lifetime from 610 to 762 years and the total global lifetime from 484 to 585 years; the NF3 global warming potentials on the 20-, 100-, and 500-year time horizons increased less than 0.3, 1.1, and 6.5 percent to 13,300, 17,700, and 19,700, respectively.

Nuclear physics and cosmology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schramm, David N.

1989-01-01

Nuclear physics has provided one of two critical observational tests of all Big Bang cosmology, namely Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. Furthermore, this same nuclear physics input enables a prediction to be made about one of the most fundamental physics questions of all, the number of elementary particle families. The standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis arguments are reviewed. The primordial He abundance is inferred from He-C and He-N and He-O correlations. The strengthened Li constraint as well as D-2 plus He-3 are used to limit the baryon density. This limit is the key argument behind the need for non-baryonic dark matter. The allowed number of neutrino families, N(nu), is delineated using the new neutron lifetime value of tau(n) = 890 + or - 4s (tau(1/2) = 10.3 min). The formal statistical result is N(nu) = 2.6 + or - 0.3 (1 sigma), providing a reasonable fit (1.3 sigma) to three families but making a fourth light (m(nu) less than or equal to 10 MeV) neutrino family exceedly unlikely (approx. greater than 4.7 sigma). It is also shown that uncertainties induced by postulating a first-order quark-baryon phase transition do not seriously affect the conclusions.

Development of Six Sigma methodology for CNC milling process improvements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismail, M. N.; Rose, A. N. M.; Mohammed, N. Z.; Rashid, M. F. F. Ab

2017-10-01

Quality and productivity have been identified as an important role in any organization, especially for manufacturing sectors to gain more profit that leads to success of a company. This paper reports a work improvement project in Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA Kuantan. It involves problem identification in production of “Khufi” product and proposing an effective framework to improve the current situation effectively. Based on the observation and data collection on the work in progress (WIP) product, the major problem has been identified related to function of the product which is the parts can’t assemble properly due to dimension of the product is out of specification. The six sigma has been used as a methodology to study and improve of the problems identified. Six Sigma is a highly statistical and data driven approach to solving complex business problems. It uses a methodical five phase approach define, measure, analysis, improve and control (DMAIC) to help understand the process and the variables that affect it so that can be optimized the processes. Finally, the root cause and solution for the production of “Khufi” problem has been identified and implemented then the result for this product was successfully followed the specification of fitting.

The Burkholderia cepacia rpoE gene is not involved in exopolysaccharide production and onion pathogenicity.

PubMed

Devescovi, Giulia; Venturi, Vittorio

2006-03-01

Burkholderia cepacia was originally described as the causative agent of bacterial rot of onions, and it has now emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen causing severe chronic lung infections in patients having cystic fibrosis. Burkholderia cepacia is now classified into nine very closely related species (previously designated as genomovars), all of which have been isolated from both environmental and clinical sources and are collectively known as the B. cepacia complex. The alternative extracytoplasmic function sigma factor, sigmaE, has been determined in several bacterial species as making substantial contributions to bacterial survival under stress conditions. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the rpoE gene, encoding sigmaE, of B. cepacia. It is highly similar to sigmaE of other bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Studies using an rpoE knockout mutant of B. cepacia revealed that many stress adaptations, including osmotic, oxidative, desiccation, carbon, and nitrogen stress, were independent of sigmaE. Similarly, biofilm formation; production of exopolysaccharides, N-acyl homoserine lactones, and several exoenzymes; and onion pathogenicity were not affected by the absence of sigmaE. In contrast, sigmaE contributed to the adaptation to heat stress and phosphate starvation.

Practical recursive solution of degenerate Rayleigh-Schroedinger perturbation theory and application to high-order calculations of the Zeeman effect in hydrogen

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Silverstone, H.J.; Moats, R.K.

1981-04-01

With the aim of high-order calculations, a new recursive solution for the degenerate Rayleigh-Schroedinger perturbation-theory wave function and energy has been derived. The final formulas, chi/sup (N/)/sub sigma/ = R/sup () -sigma/summation/sup N/-1/sub k/ = 0 H/sup (sigma+1+k/)/sub sigma+1/chi/sup (N/-1-k), E/sup (N/+sigma) = <0Vertical BarH/sup (N/+sigma)/sub sigma+1/Vertical Bar0> + < 0Vertical Barsummation/sup N/-2/sub k/ = 0H/sup (sigma+1+k/)/sub sigma+1/ Vertical Barchi/sup (N/-1-k)>,which involve new Hamiltonian-related operators H/sup (sigma+k/)/sub sigma/ and H/sup( sigma+k/)/sub sigma/, strongly resemble the standard nondegenerate recursive formulas. As an illustration, the perturbed energy coefficients for the 3s-3d/sub 0/ states of hydrogen in the Zeeman effect have been calculatedmore » recursively through 87th order in the square of the magnetic field. Our treatment is compared with that of Hirschfelder and Certain (J. Chem. Phys. 60, 1118 (1974)), and some relative advantages of each are pointed out.« less

Short communication; Formula for the calculation of ground temperature at 1 M depth in Turkey

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tezcan, A.K.

1992-06-01

This paper reports that the formula has been found by using the yearly averages of the temperatures at 1 m depth measured in 193 meteorological stations, distributed all over Turkey. It has thus become possible to determine the regional temperature value at 1 m depth at any point in Turkey, if the latitude, longitude and elevation are known. The values, calculated by the formula, can contribute to geothermal exploration in Turkey by providing values that can be compared with the observed ones, and, by becoming second values for the calculation of geothermal gradients where only single downhole temperatures are available.more » The formula has been evolved by expressing the temperatures as the linear function of latitude (La), longitude (Lo) and elevation (H): T = a + b [center dot] La + c [center dot] Lo + d [center dot] H. The derived four least square equations are a [center dot] n + b [center dot] [Sigma](La) + c [center dot] [Sigma](lo) + d [center dot] [Sigma]H = [Sigma]T a [center dot] [Sigma](La) + b [center dot] [Sigma](La)[sup 2] + c [center dot] [Sigma](La)(Lo) + d [center dot] [Sigma]H(La) =[Sigma]T(La) a [center dot] [Sigma](Lo) + b [center dot] [Sigma](La)(Lo) + c [center dot] [Sigma](Lo)[sup 2] + d [center dot] [Sigma]H(Lo) = [Sigma]T(Lo) a[center dot] [Sigma]H + b [center dot] [Sigma]H(La) + c [center dot] [Sigma](Lo) + d [center dot] [Sigma]H[sup 2] = [Sigma]TH where n is the number of data sets. The calculation of sigma values and the solution of the set of equations have been performed by means of a personal computer. The resulting formula is: T = 57.487 [minus] 1.078 La + 0.102 Lo [minus] 0.00488H where latitude and longitude are expressed in degrees, and elevation in meters. The regional value at Ankara (latitude 39.9[degrees], longitude 32.9[degrees], elevation 894 m) is calculated as 13.5[degrees]C (the measured value at 1 m depth is 14.6[degrees]C) and at Adana.« less

Six sigma tools for a patient safety-oriented, quality-checklist driven radiation medicine department.

PubMed

Kapur, Ajay; Potters, Louis

2012-01-01

The purpose of this work was to develop and implement six sigma practices toward the enhancement of patient safety in an electronic, quality checklist-driven, multicenter, paperless radiation medicine department. A quality checklist process map (QPM), stratified into consultation through treatment-completion stages was incorporated into an oncology information systems platform. A cross-functional quality management team conducted quality-function-deployment and define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) six sigma exercises with a focus on patient safety. QPM procedures were Pareto-sorted in order of decreasing patient safety risk with failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA). Quantitative metrics for a grouped set of highest risk procedures were established. These included procedural delays, associated standard deviations and six sigma Z scores. Baseline performance of the QPM was established over the previous year of usage. Data-driven analysis led to simplification, standardization, and refinement of the QPM with standard deviation, slip-day reduction, and Z-score enhancement goals. A no-fly policy (NFP) for patient safety was introduced at the improve-control DMAIC phase, with a process map interlock imposed on treatment initiation in the event of FMEA-identified high-risk tasks being delayed or not completed. The NFP was introduced in a pilot phase with specific stopping rules and the same metrics used for performance assessments. A custom root-cause analysis database was deployed to monitor patient safety events. Relative to the baseline period, average slip days and standard deviations for the risk-enhanced QPM procedures improved by over threefold factors in the NFP period. The Z scores improved by approximately 20%. A trend for proactive delays instead of reactive hard stops was observed with no adverse effects of the NFP. The number of computed potential no-fly delays per month dropped from 60 to 20 over a total of 520 cases. The fraction of computed potential no-fly cases that were delayed in NFP compliance rose from 28% to 45%. Proactive delays rose to 80% of all delayed cases. For potential no-fly cases, event reporting rose from 18% to 50%, while for actually delayed cases, event reporting rose from 65% to 100%. With complex technologies, resource-compromised staff, and pressures to hasten treatment initiation, the use of the six sigma driven process interlocks may mitigate potential patient safety risks as demonstrated in this study. Copyright © 2012 American Society for Radiation Oncology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tiotropium in Early-Stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

PubMed

Zhou, Yumin; Zhong, Nan-Shan; Li, Xiaochen; Chen, Shuyun; Zheng, Jinping; Zhao, Dongxing; Yao, Weimin; Zhi, Rongchang; Wei, Liping; He, Bingwen; Zhang, Xiangyan; Yang, Changli; Li, Ying; Li, Fenglei; Du, Juan; Gui, Jianping; Hu, Bin; Bai, Chunxue; Huang, Ping; Chen, Gang; Xu, Yongjian; Wang, Changzheng; Liang, Biao; Li, Yinhuan; Hu, Guoping; Tan, Hui; Ye, Xianwei; Ma, Xitao; Chen, Yan; Hu, Xiwei; Tian, Jia; Zhu, Xiaodan; Shi, Zhe; Du, Xiufang; Li, Minjing; Liu, Shengming; Yu, Ronghuan; Zhao, Jianping; Ma, Qianli; Xie, Canmao; Li, Xiongbin; Chen, Tao; Lin, Yingxiang; Zeng, Lizhen; Ye, Changxiu; Ye, Weishu; Luo, Xiangwen; Zeng, Lingshan; Yu, Shuqing; Guan, Wei-Jie; Ran, Pixin

2017-09-07

Patients with mild or moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rarely receive medications, because they have few symptoms. We hypothesized that long-term use of tiotropium would improve lung function and ameliorate the decline in lung function in patients with mild or moderate COPD. In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that was conducted in China, we randomly assigned 841 patients with COPD of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 1 (mild) or 2 (moderate) severity to receive a once-daily inhaled dose (18 μg) of tiotropium (419 patients) or matching placebo (422) for 2 years. The primary end point was the between-group difference in the change from baseline to 24 months in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) before bronchodilator use. Secondary end points included the between-group difference in the change from baseline to 24 months in the FEV 1 after bronchodilator use and the between-group difference in the annual decline in the FEV 1 before and after bronchodilator use from day 30 to month 24. Of 841 patients who underwent randomization, 388 patients in the tiotropium group and 383 in the placebo group were included in the full analysis set. The FEV 1 in patients who received tiotropium was higher than in those who received placebo throughout the trial (ranges of mean differences, 127 to 169 ml before bronchodilator use and 71 to 133 ml after bronchodilator use; P<0.001 for all comparisons). There was no significant amelioration of the mean (±SE) annual decline in the FEV 1 before bronchodilator use: the decline was 38±6 ml per year in the tiotropium group and 53±6 ml per year in the placebo group (difference, 15 ml per year; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1 to 31; P=0.06). In contrast, the annual decline in the FEV 1 after bronchodilator use was significantly less in the tiotropium group than in the placebo group (29±5 ml per year vs. 51±6 ml per year; difference, 22 ml per year [95% CI, 6 to 37]; P=0.006). The incidence of adverse events was generally similar in the two groups. Tiotropium resulted in a higher FEV 1 than placebo at 24 months and ameliorated the annual decline in the FEV 1 after bronchodilator use in patients with COPD of GOLD stage 1 or 2. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and others; Tie-COPD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01455129 .).

Effect of Secondary Phase Precipitation on the Corrosion Behavior of Duplex Stainless Steels.

PubMed

Chan, Kai Wang; Tjong, Sie Chin

2014-07-22

Duplex stainless steels (DSSs) with austenitic and ferritic phases have been increasingly used for many industrial applications due to their good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in acidic, caustic and marine environments. However, DSSs are susceptible to intergranular, pitting and stress corrosion in corrosive environments due to the formation of secondary phases. Such phases are induced in DSSs during the fabrication, improper heat treatment, welding process and prolonged exposure to high temperatures during their service lives. These include the precipitation of sigma and chi phases at 700-900 °C and spinodal decomposition of ferritic grains into Cr-rich and Cr-poor phases at 350-550 °C, respectively. This article gives the state-of the-art review on the microstructural evolution of secondary phase formation and their effects on the corrosion behavior of DSSs.

Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship.

PubMed

Hamzah, Nurul Ainun; Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri; Ismail, Noor Hassim

2016-07-01

Metallic dust is a heterogeneous substance with respiratory sensitizing properties. Its long term exposure adversely affected lung function, thus may cause acute or chronic respiratory diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a steel factory in Terengganu, Malaysia to assess the metal dust exposure and its relationship to lung function values among 184 workers. Metal dust concentrations values (Co, Cr, and Ni) for each worker were collected using air personal sampling. Lung function values (FEV 1 , FVC, and %FEV 1 /FVC) were determined using spirometer. Exposure to cobalt and chromium were 1-3 times higher than permissible exposure limit (PEL) while nickel was not exceeding the PEL. Cumulative of chromium was the predictor to all lung function values (FEV 1 , FVC, and %FEV 1 /FVC). Frequency of using mask was positively associated with FVC (Adj b = 0.263, P = 0.011) while past respiratory illnesses were negatively associated with %FEV 1 /FVC (Adj b = -1.452, P = 0.026). Only few workers (36.4%) were found to wear their masks all times during the working hours. There was an exposure-response relationship of cumulative metal dust exposure with the deterioration of lung function values. Improvement of control measures as well as proper and efficient use or personal protection equipment while at work could help to protect the respiratory health of workers.

Correlation of sweat chloride and percent predicted FEV1 in cystic fibrosis patients treated with ivacaftor.

PubMed

Fidler, Meredith C; Beusmans, Jack; Panorchan, Paul; Van Goor, Fredrick

2017-01-01

Ivacaftor, a CFTR potentiator that enhances chloride transport by acting directly on CFTR to increase its channel gating activity, has been evaluated in patients with different CFTR mutations. Several previous analyses have reported no statistical correlation between change from baseline in ppFEV 1 and reduction in sweat chloride levels for individuals treated with ivacaftor. The objective of the post hoc analysis described here was to expand upon previous analyses and evaluate the correlation between sweat chloride levels and absolute ppFEV 1 changes across multiple cohorts of patients with different CF-causing mutations who were treated with ivacaftor. The goal of the analysis was to help define the potential value of sweat chloride as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for use in CFTR modulator trials. For any given study, reductions in sweat chloride levels and improvements in absolute ppFEV 1 were not correlated for individual patients. However, when the data from all studies were combined, a statistically significant correlation between sweat chloride levels and ppFEV 1 changes was observed (p<0.0001). Thus, sweat chloride level changes in response to potentiation of the CFTR protein by ivacaftor appear to be a predictive pharmacodynamic biomarker of lung function changes on a population basis but are unsuitable for the prediction of treatment benefits for individuals. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bacterial Sigma Factors and Anti-Sigma Factors: Structure, Function and Distribution

PubMed Central

Paget, Mark S.

2015-01-01

Sigma factors are multi-domain subunits of bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) that play critical roles in transcription initiation, including the recognition and opening of promoters as well as the initial steps in RNA synthesis. This review focuses on the structure and function of the major sigma-70 class that includes the housekeeping sigma factor (Group 1) that directs the bulk of transcription during active growth, and structurally-related alternative sigma factors (Groups 2–4) that control a wide variety of adaptive responses such as morphological development and the management of stress. A recurring theme in sigma factor control is their sequestration by anti-sigma factors that occlude their RNAP-binding determinants. Sigma factors are then released through a wide variety of mechanisms, often involving branched signal transduction pathways that allow the integration of distinct signals. Three major strategies for sigma release are discussed: regulated proteolysis, partner-switching, and direct sensing by the anti-sigma factor. PMID:26131973

Positive and negative feedback regulatory loops of thiol-oxidative stress response mediated by an unstable isoform of sigmaR in actinomycetes.

PubMed

Kim, Min-Sik; Hahn, Mi-Young; Cho, Yoobok; Cho, Sang-Nae; Roe, Jung-Hye

2009-09-01

Alternate sigma factors provide an effective way of diversifying bacterial gene expression in response to environmental changes. In Streptomyces coelicolor where more than 65 sigma factors are predicted, sigma(R) is the major regulator for response to thiol-oxidative stresses. sigma(R) becomes available when its bound anti-sigma factor RsrA is oxidized at sensitive cysteine thiols to form disulphide bonds. sigma(R) regulon includes genes for itself and multiple thiol-reducing systems, which constitute positive and negative feedback loops respectively. We found that the positive amplification loop involves an isoform of sigma(R) (sigma(R')) with an N-terminal extension of 55 amino acids, produced from an upstream start codon. A major difference between constitutive sigma(R) and inducible sigma(R') is that the latter is markedly unstable (t(1/2) approximately 10 min) compared with the former (> 70 min). The rapid turnover of sigma(R') is partly due to induced ClpP1/P2 proteases from the sigma(R) regulon. This represents a novel way of elaborating positive and negative feedback loops in a control circuit. Similar phenomenon may occur in other actinomycetes that harbour multiple start codons in the sigR homologous gene. We observed that sigH gene, the sigR orthologue in Mycobacterium smegmatis, produces an unstable larger isoform of sigma(H) upon induction by thiol-oxidative stress.

Expression of sigma receptor 1 mRNA and protein in rat retina.

PubMed

Liu, L L; Wang, L; Zhong, Y M; Yang, X L

2010-06-02

Sigma receptor (sigmaR), known as a unique nonopiate, nonphencyclidine brain receptor, can bind diverse classes of psychotropic drugs, neurosteroids and other synthetic compounds, such as (+)pentazocine, etc. Two types of sigmaRs have been identified: sigmaR1 and sigmaR2. In this work, we examined the expression of sigmaR1 in rat retina by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactive (RT-PCR) analysis and immunofluorescence double labeling. RT-PCR analysis showed that sigmaR1 mRNA was present in rat retina. Furthermore, labeling for sigmaR1 was diffusely distributed in the outer and inner plexiform layers. The sigmaR1-immunoreactivity (IR) was also observed in many cells in the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer. In the outer retina sigmaR1 was expressed in all horizontal cells labeled by calbindin. In contrast, no sigmaR1-IR was detected in several subtypes of bipolar cells, including rod-dominant ON-type bipolar cells, types 2, 3, 5 and 8 bipolar cells, labeled by protein kinase C (PKC), recoverin and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channel 4 (HCN4) respectively. In the inner retina, most of GABAergic amacrine cells, including dopaminergic and cholinergic ones, stained by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) respectively, expressed sigmaR1. Some glycinergic amacrine cells were also labeled by sigmaR1, but glycinergic AII amacrine cells were not labeled. In addition, sigmaR1-IR was seen in almost all somata of the ganglion cells retrogradely labeled by fluorogold. These results suggest that sigmaR1 may have neuromodulatory and neuroprotective roles in the retina. Copyright 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bacterial two-hybrid analysis of interactions between region 4 of the sigma(70) subunit of RNA polymerase and the transcriptional regulators Rsd from Escherichia coli and AlgQ from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PubMed

Dove, S L; Hochschild, A

2001-11-01

A number of transcriptional regulators mediate their effects through direct contact with the sigma(70) subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP). In particular, several regulators have been shown to contact a C-terminal portion of sigma(70) that harbors conserved region 4. This region of sigma contains a putative helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif that contacts the -35 element of sigma(70)-dependent promoters directly. Here we report the use of a recently developed bacterial two-hybrid system to study the interaction between the putative anti-sigma factor Rsd and the sigma(70) subunit of E. coli RNAP. Using this system, we found that Rsd can interact with an 86-amino-acid C-terminal fragment of sigma(70) and also that amino acid substitution R596H, within region 4 of sigma(70), weakens this interaction. We demonstrated the specificity of this effect by showing that substitution R596H does not weaken the interaction between sigma and two other regulators shown previously to contact region 4 of sigma(70). We also demonstrated that AlgQ, a homolog of Rsd that positively regulates virulence gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can contact the C-terminal region of the sigma(70) subunit of RNAP from this organism. We found that amino acid substitution R600H in sigma(70) from P. aeruginosa, corresponding to the R596H substitution in E. coli sigma(70), specifically weakens the interaction between AlgQ and sigma(70). Taken together, our findings suggest that Rsd and AlgQ contact similar surfaces of RNAP present in region 4 of sigma(70) and probably regulate gene expression through this contact.

Nearly scale invariant spectrum of gravitational radiation from global phase transitions.

PubMed

Jones-Smith, Katherine; Krauss, Lawrence M; Mathur, Harsh

2008-04-04

Using a large N sigma model approximation we explicitly calculate the power spectrum of gravitational waves arising from a global phase transition in the early Universe and we confirm that it is scale invariant, implying an observation of such a spectrum may not be a unique feature of inflation. Moreover, the predicted amplitude can be over 3 orders of magnitude larger than the naive dimensional estimate, implying that even a transition that occurs after inflation may dominate in cosmic microwave background polarization or other gravity wave signals.

Unique Structural Modifications Are Present in the Lipopolysaccharide from Colistin-Resistant Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-10-01

13). Freeze-dried bacteria were resuspended in endotoxin -free water at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. A 12.5-ml volume of 90% phenol was added, and the...temperature for 30 min. The aqueous phase was collected, and an equal volume of endotoxin -free water was added to the organic phase. The sample was...The resultant pel- let was resuspended at a concentration of 10 mg/ml in endotoxin -free water, treated with DNase (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) at 100 g/ml

Application of constrained equilibrium thermodynamics to irradiated alloy systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holloway, James Paul; Stubbins, James F.

1984-05-01

Equilibrium thermodynamics are applied to systems with an excess of point defects to calculate the relative stability of phases. It is possible to model systems with supersaturation levels of vacancies and interstitials, such as those found under irradiation. The calculations reveal the extent to which phase compositional boundaries could shift when one phase or both in a two phase system contain an excess of point defects. Phase boundary shifts in the Ni-Si, Fe-Ni, Ni-Cr, and Fe-Cr systems are examined as a function of the number of excess defects in each phase. It is also found that the critical temperature of the sigma phase in the Fe-Cr system and the fcc-bcc transition in the Fe-Ni are sensitive to excess defect concentrations. These results may apply to local irradiation-induced phase transformations in the presence of solute segregation.

Air-water exchange and dry deposition of polybrominated diphenyl ethers at a coastal site in Izmir Bay, Turkey.

PubMed

Cetin, Banu; Odabasi, Mustafa

2007-02-01

The air-water exchange of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), an emerging class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), was investigated using paired air-water samples (n = 15) collected in July and December, 2005 from Guzelyali Port in Izmir Bay, Turkey. Total dissolved-phase water concentrations of PBDEs (sigma7PBDEs) were 212 +/- 65 and 87 +/- 57 pg L(-1) (average +/- SD) in summer and winter, respectively. BDE-209 was the most abundant congener in all samples, followed by BDE-99 and -47. Average ambient gas-phase sigma7PBDE concentrations were between 189 +/- 61 (summer) and 76 +/- 65 pg m(-3) (winter). Net air-water exchange fluxes ranged from -0.9 +/- 1.0 (BDE-28) (volatilization) to 11.1 +/- 5.4 (BDE-209) ng m(-2) day(-1) (deposition). The BDE-28 fluxes were mainly volatilization while the other congeners were deposited. Gas- and dissolved-phase concentrations were significantly correlated (P = 0.33-0.55, p < 0.05, except for BDE-209, r = 0.05, p > 0.05) indicating thatthe atmosphere controls the surface water PBDE levels in this coastal environment. Estimated particulate dry deposition fluxes ranged between 2.7 +/- 1.9 (BDE-154) and 116 +/- 84 ng m(-2) day(-1) (BDE-209) indicating that dry deposition is also a significant input to surface waters in the study area.

Crystal structure of the Escherichia coli regulator of sigma70, Rsd, in complex with sigma70 domain 4.

PubMed

Patikoglou, Georgia A; Westblade, Lars F; Campbell, Elizabeth A; Lamour, Valérie; Lane, William J; Darst, Seth A

2007-09-21

The Escherichia coli Rsd protein binds tightly and specifically to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) sigma(70) factor. Rsd plays a role in alternative sigma factor-dependent transcription by biasing the competition between sigma(70) and alternative sigma factors for the available core RNAP. Here, we determined the 2.6 A-resolution X-ray crystal structure of Rsd bound to sigma(70) domain 4 (sigma(70)(4)), the primary determinant for Rsd binding within sigma(70). The structure reveals that Rsd binding interferes with the two primary functions of sigma(70)(4), core RNAP binding and promoter -35 element binding. Interestingly, the most highly conserved Rsd residues form a network of interactions through the middle of the Rsd structure that connect the sigma(70)(4)-binding surface with three cavities exposed on distant surfaces of Rsd, suggesting functional coupling between sigma(70)(4) binding and other binding surfaces of Rsd, either for other proteins or for as yet unknown small molecule effectors. These results provide a structural basis for understanding the role of Rsd, as well as its ortholog, AlgQ, a positive regulator of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence, in transcription regulation.

Spectrophotometry of peculiar B and A stars. XVIII - The helium rich variable stars HR 1890, Sigma Orionis E, and HD 37776

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adelman, S. J.; Pyper, D. M.

1985-01-01

Optical region spectrophotometry at 3300-7850 A has been obtained for three helium rich stars, HR 1890, Sigma Ori E, and HD 37776, of the Orion OB1 Association. New uvby-beta photometry of HR 1890 and HD 37776 as well as published data are also used to investigate the variability of these stars. A new period of 1.53862 days was determined for HD 37776. For all three stars H-beta varies in antiphase with strong He I lines. The spectrophotometric bandpass containing the strong He I line at 4471 A varies in phase with the R index of Pedersen and Thomsen (1977). Evidence is found for weak absorption features which appear to be an extension of the 5200 A feature seen in cooler CP stars.

Clonidine Reduces Nociceptive Responses in Mouse Orofacial Formalin Model: Potentiation by Sigma-1 Receptor Antagonist BD1047 without Impaired Motor Coordination.

PubMed

Yoon, Seo-Yeon; Kang, Suk-Yun; Kim, Hyun-Woo; Kim, Hyung-Chan; Roh, Dae-Hyun

2015-01-01

Although the administration of clonidine, an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, significantly attenuates nociception and hyperalgesia in several pain models, clinical trials of clonidine are limited by its side effects such as drowsiness, hypotension and sedation. Recently, we determined that the sigma-1 receptor antagonist BD1047 dose-dependently reduced nociceptive responses in a mouse orofacial formalin model. Here we examined whether intraperitoneal injection of clonidine suppressed the nociceptive responses in the orofacial formalin test, and whether co-administration with BD1047 enhances lower-dose clonidine-induced anti-nociceptive effects without the disruption of motor coordination and blood pressure. Formalin (5%, 10 µL) was subcutaneously injected into the right upper lip, and the rubbing responses with the ipsilateral fore- or hind-paw were counted for 45 min. Clonidine (10, 30 or 100 µg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered 30 min before formalin injection. Clonidine alone dose-dependently reduced nociceptive responses in both the first and second phases. Co-localization for alpha-2A adrenoceptors and sigma-1 receptors was determined in trigeminal ganglion cells. Interestingly, the sub-effective dose of BD1047 (3 mg/kg) significantly potentiated the anti-nociceptive effect of lower-dose clonidine (10 or 30 µg/kg) in the second phase. In particular, the middle dose of clonidine (30 µg/kg) in combination with BD1047 produced an anti-nociceptive effect similar to that of the high-dose clonidine, but without a significant motor dysfunction or hypotension. In contrast, mice treated with the high dose of clonidine developed severe impairment in motor coordination and blood pressure. These data suggest that a combination of low-dose clonidine with BD1047 may be a novel and safe therapeutic strategy for orofacial pain management.

Observational study using the tools of lean six sigma to improve the efficiency of the resident rounding process.

PubMed

Chand, David V

2011-06-01

Recent focus on resident work hours has challenged residency programs to modify their curricula to meet established duty hour restrictions and fulfill their mission to develop the next generation of clinicians. Simultaneously, health care systems strive to deliver efficient, high-quality care to patients and families. The primary goal of this observational study was to use a data-driven approach to eliminate examples of waste and variation identified in resident rounding using Lean Six Sigma methodology. A secondary goal was to improve the efficiency of the rounding process, as measured by the reduction in nonvalue-added time. We used the "DMAIC" methodology: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. Pediatric and family medicine residents rotating on the pediatric hospitalist team participated in the observation phase. Residents, nurses, hospitalists, and parents of patients completed surveys to gauge their attitudes toward rounds. The Mann-Whitney test was used to test for differences in the median times measured during the preimprovement and postimprovement phases, and the Student t test was used for comparison of survey data. Collaborative, family-centered rounding with elimination of the "prerounding" process, as well as standard work instructions and pacing the process to meet customer demand (takt time), were implemented. Nonvalue-added time per patient was reduced by 64% (P  =  .005). Survey data suggested that team members preferred the collaborative, family-centered approach to the traditional model of rounding. Lean Six Sigma provides tools, a philosophy, and a structured, data-driven approach to address a problem. In our case this facilitated an effort to adhere to duty hour restrictions while promoting education and quality care. Such approaches will become increasingly useful as health care delivery and education continue to transform.

Observational Study Using the Tools of Lean Six Sigma to Improve the Efficiency of the Resident Rounding Process

PubMed Central

Chand, David V.

2011-01-01

Background Recent focus on resident work hours has challenged residency programs to modify their curricula to meet established duty hour restrictions and fulfill their mission to develop the next generation of clinicians. Simultaneously, health care systems strive to deliver efficient, high-quality care to patients and families. The primary goal of this observational study was to use a data-driven approach to eliminate examples of waste and variation identified in resident rounding using Lean Six Sigma methodology. A secondary goal was to improve the efficiency of the rounding process, as measured by the reduction in nonvalue-added time. Methods We used the “DMAIC” methodology: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. Pediatric and family medicine residents rotating on the pediatric hospitalist team participated in the observation phase. Residents, nurses, hospitalists, and parents of patients completed surveys to gauge their attitudes toward rounds. The Mann-Whitney test was used to test for differences in the median times measured during the preimprovement and postimprovement phases, and the Student t test was used for comparison of survey data. Results and Discussion Collaborative, family-centered rounding with elimination of the “prerounding” process, as well as standard work instructions and pacing the process to meet customer demand (takt time), were implemented. Nonvalue-added time per patient was reduced by 64% (P  =  .005). Survey data suggested that team members preferred the collaborative, family-centered approach to the traditional model of rounding. Conclusions Lean Six Sigma provides tools, a philosophy, and a structured, data-driven approach to address a problem. In our case this facilitated an effort to adhere to duty hour restrictions while promoting education and quality care. Such approaches will become increasingly useful as health care delivery and education continue to transform. PMID:22655134

THE CENTRAL MOLECULAR GAS STRUCTURE IN LINERS WITH LOW-LUMINOSITY ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI: EVIDENCE FOR GRADUAL DISAPPEARANCE OF THE TORUS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mueller-Sanchez, F.; Prieto, M. A.; Mezcua, M.

2013-01-20

We present observations of the molecular gas in the nuclear environment of three prototypical low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs), based on VLT/SINFONI AO-assisted integral-field spectroscopy of H{sub 2} 1-0 S(1) emission at angular resolutions of {approx}0.''17. On scales of 50-150 pc, the spatial distribution and kinematics of the molecular gas are consistent with a rotating thin disk, where the ratio of rotation (V) to dispersion ({sigma}) exceeds unity. However, in the central 50 pc, the observations reveal a geometrically and optically thick structure of molecular gas (V/{sigma} < 1 and N{sub H} > 10{sup 23} cm{sup -2}) that is likelymore » to be associated with the outer extent of any smaller scale obscuring structure. In contrast to Seyfert galaxies, the molecular gas in LLAGNs has a V/{sigma} < 1 over an area that is {approx}9 times smaller and column densities that are on average {approx}3 times smaller. We interpret these results as evidence for a gradual disappearance of the nuclear obscuring structure. While a disk wind may not be able to maintain a thick rotating structure at these luminosities, inflow of material into the nuclear region could provide sufficient energy to sustain it. In this context, LLAGNs may represent the final phase of accretion in current theories of torus evolution. While the inflow rate is considerable during the Seyfert phase, it is slowly decreasing, and the collisional disk is gradually transitioning to become geometrically thin. Furthermore, the nuclear region of these LLAGNs is dominated by intermediate-age/old stellar populations (with little or no ongoing star formation), consistent with a late stage of evolution.« less

Expression, subcellular localization, and regulation of sigma receptor in retinal muller cells.

PubMed

Jiang, Guoliang; Mysona, Barbara; Dun, Ying; Gnana-Prakasam, Jaya P; Pabla, Navjotsin; Li, Weiguo; Dong, Zheng; Ganapathy, Vadivel; Smith, Sylvia B

2006-12-01

Sigma receptors (sigmaRs) are nonopioid, nonphencyclidine binding sites with robust neuroprotective properties. Type 1 sigmaR1 (sigmaR1) is expressed in brain oligodendrocytes, but its expression and binding capacity have not been analyzed in retinal glial cells. This study examined the expression, subcellular localization, binding activity, and regulation of sigmaR1 in retinal Müller cells. Primary mouse Müller cells (MCs) were analyzed by RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry for the expression of sigmaR1, and data were compared with those of the rat Müller cell line (rMC-1) and the rat ganglion cell line (RGC-5). Confocal microscopy was used to determine the subcellular sigmaR1 location in primary mouse MCs. Membranes prepared from these cells were used for binding assays with [3H]-pentazocine (PTZ). The kinetics of binding, the ability of various sigmaR1 ligands to compete with sigmaR1 binding, and the effects of donated nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) on binding were examined. sigmaR1 is expressed in primary mouse MCs and is localized to the nuclear and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Binding assays showed that in primary mouse MCs, rMC-1, and RGC-5, the binding of PTZ was saturable. [3H]-PTZ bound with high affinity in RGC-5 and rMC-1 cells, and the binding was similarly robust in primary mouse MCs. Competition studies showed marked inhibition of [3H]-PTZ binding in the presence of sigmaR1-specific ligands. Incubation of cells with NO and ROS donors markedly increased sigmaR1 binding activity. MCs express sigmaR1 and demonstrate robust sigmaR1 binding activity, which is inhibited by sigmaR1 ligands and is stimulated during oxidative stress. The potential of Müller cells to bind sigmaR1 ligands may prove beneficial in retinal degenerative diseases such as diabetic retinopathy.

QCD phase-transition and chemical freezeout in nonzero magnetic field at NICA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tawfik, Abdel Nasser

2017-01-01

Because of relativistic off-center motion of the charged spectators and the local momentum-imbalance experienced by the participants, a huge magnetic field is likely generated in high-energy collisions. The influence of such short-lived magnetic field on the QCD phase-transition(s) is analysed. From Polyakov linear-sigma model, we study the chiral phase-transition and the magnetic response and susceptibility in dependence on temperature, density and magnetic field strength. The systematic measurements of the phase-transition characterizing signals, such as the fluctuations, the dynamical correlations and the in-medium modifications of rho-meson, for instance, in different interacting systems and collision centralities are conjectured to reveal an almost complete description for the QCD phase-structure and the chemical freezeout. We limit the discussion to NICA energies.

Mutational analysis of Escherichia coli heat shock transcription factor sigma 32 reveals similarities with sigma 70 in recognition of the -35 promoter element and differences in promoter DNA melting and -10 recognition.

PubMed

Kourennaia, Olga V; Tsujikawa, Laura; Dehaseth, Pieter L

2005-10-01

Upon the exposure of Escherichia coli to high temperature (heat shock), cellular levels of the transcription factor sigma32 rise greatly, resulting in the increased formation of the sigma32 holoenzyme, which is capable of transcription initiation at heat shock promoters. Higher levels of heat shock proteins render the cell better able to cope with the effects of higher temperatures. To conduct structure-function studies on sigma32 in vivo, we have carried out site-directed mutagenesis and employed a previously developed system involving sigma32 expression from one plasmid and a beta-galactosidase reporter gene driven by the sigma32-dependent groE promoter on another in order to monitor the effects of single amino acid substitutions on sigma32 activity. It was found that the recognition of the -35 region involves similar amino acid residues in regions 4.2 of E. coli sigma32 and sigma70. Three conserved amino acids in region 2.3 of sigma32 were found to be only marginally important in determining activity in vivo. Differences between sigma32 and sigma70 in the effects of mutation in region 2.4 on the activities of the two sigma factors are consistent with the pronounced differences between both the amino acid sequences in this region and the recognized promoter DNA sequences.

[Improving inpatient pharmacoterapeutic process by Lean Six Sigma methodology].

PubMed

Font Noguera, I; Fernández Megía, M J; Ferrer Riquelme, A J; Balasch I Parisi, S; Edo Solsona, M D; Poveda Andres, J L

2013-01-01

Lean Six Sigma methodology has been used to improve care processes, eliminate waste, reduce costs, and increase patient satisfaction. To analyse the results obtained with Lean Six Sigma methodology in the diagnosis and improvement of the inpatient pharmacotherapy process during structural and organisational changes in a tertiary hospital. 1.000 beds tertiary hospital. prospective observational study. The define, measure, analyse, improve and control (DMAIC), were deployed from March to September 2011. An Initial Project Charter was updated as results were obtained. 131 patients with treatments prescribed within 24h after admission and with 4 drugs. safety indicators (medication errors), and efficiency indicators (complaints and time delays). Proportion of patients with a medication error was reduced from 61.0% (25/41 patients) to 55.7% (39/70 patients) in four months. Percentage of errors (regarding the opportunities for error) decreased in the different phases of the process: Prescription: from 5.1% (19/372 opportunities) to 3.3% (19/572 opportunities); Preparation: from 2.7% (14/525 opportunities) to 1.3% (11/847 opportunities); and administration: from 4.9% (16/329 opportunities) to 3.0% (13/433 opportunities). Nursing complaints decreased from 10.0% (2119/21038 patients) to 5.7% (1779/31097 patients). The estimated economic impact was 76,800 euros saved. An improvement in the pharmacotherapeutic process and a positive economic impact was observed, as well as enhancing patient safety and efficiency of the organization. Standardisation and professional training are future Lean Six Sigma candidate projects. Copyright © 2012 SECA. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Electromagnetic non-destructive technique for duplex stainless steel characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rocha, João Vicente; Camerini, Cesar; Pereira, Gabriela

2016-02-01

Duplex stainless steel (DSS) is a two-phase (ferrite and austenite) material, which exhibits an attractive combination of mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance, being commonly employed for equipment of petrochemical plants, refining units and oil & gas platforms. The best properties of DSS are achieved when the phases are in equal proportions. However, exposition to high temperatures (e.g. welding process) may entail undesired consequences, such as deleterious phases precipitation (e.g. sigma, chi) and different proportion of the original phases, impairing dramatically the mechanical and corrosion properties of the material. A detailed study of the magnetic behavior of DSS microstructure with different ferrite austenite ratios and deleterious phases content was accomplished. The non destructive method evaluates the electromagnetic properties changes in the material and is capable to identify the presence of deleterious phases into DSS microstructure.

On the phase evolution of AlCoCrCuFeMnSix high entropy alloys prepared by mechanical alloying and arc melting route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Anil; Chopkar, Manoj

2018-05-01

Effect of Si addition on phase formation of AlCoCrCuFeMnSix (x=0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9) high entropy alloy have been investigated in this work. The alloys are prepared by mechanical alloying and vacuum arc melting technique. The X-ray diffraction results reveals the formation of mixture of face centered and body centered cubic solid solution phases in milled powders. The addition of Si favours body centered cubic structure formation during milling process. Whereas, after melting the milled powders, body centered phases formed during milling is partial transformed into sigma phases. XRD results were also correlated with the SEM elemental mapping of as casted samples. Addition of Si favours σ phase formation in the as cast samples.

Phases of unstable conifolds

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Narayan, K.

2007-03-15

We explore the phase structure induced by closed string tachyon condensation of toric nonsupersymmetric conifold-like singularities described by an integral charge matrix Q=(n{sub 1}n{sub 2}-n{sub 3}-n{sub 4}), n{sub i}>0, iQ{sub i}{ne}0, initiated by Narayan [J. High Energy Phys. 03 (2006) 036]. Using gauged linear sigma model renormalization group flows and toric geometry techniques, we see a cascadelike phase structure containing decays to lower order conifold-like singularities, including, in particular, the supersymmetric conifold and the Y{sup pq} spaces. This structure is consistent with the Type II GSO projection obtained previously for these singularities. Transitions between the various phases of these geometriesmore » include flips and flops.« less

Transformation and Precipitation Kinetics in 30Cr10Ni Duplex Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazarinc, Matevz; Terčelj, Milan; Bombač, David; Kugler, Goran

2010-09-01

To improve the microstructure during casting, hot forming, and heat treatment of 30Cr10Ni duplex stainless steel, accurate data on the precipitation and transformation processes at high temperatures are needed. In this article, the precipitation and transformation processes at various aging times in the temperature range 873 K to 1573 K (600 °C to 1300 °C) were studied. The 30Cr10Ni ferrous alloy contains a relatively large amount of Cr, Ni, and C, which results in a complex microstructure. In addition to the ferrite, austenite, and sigma phase, the M23C6 and MC carbides were also observed in the microstructure. The precipitation of the sigma phase was observed after just 3 minutes of aging, and after 30 minutes of aging at approximately 1053 K (780 °C), its fraction exceeded 40 pct. An intensive austenite-to-ferrite transformation was observed above 1423 K (1150 °C). Optical microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as micro-indentation hardness, hardness, impact toughness, and tensile tests, were carried out to evaluate the obtained microstructures of aged samples.

EGRET observations of the BL Lacertae objects 0716+714 and 0521-365

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Y. C.; Bertsch, D. L.; Dingus, B. L.; Esposito, J. A.; Fichtel, C. E.; Hartman, R. C.; Hunter, S. D.; Kanbach, G.; Kniffen, D. A.; Mayer-Hasselwander, H. A.

1995-01-01

During the Compton Observatory's viewing programs Phase 1 (1991 April to 1992 November, also known as the All-Sky Survey) and Phase 2 (1992 November to 1993 September), the BL Lac object 0716+714 was in the field of view of the EGRET telescope a total of six times, three times in Phase 1 and three more times in Phase 2, while the BL Lac object 0521-365 was in the field of view of EGRET only once in Phase 1. The source 0716+714 was detected in high-energy gamma rays by EGRET at a flux level of (2.0 +/- 0.4) x 10(exp -7) photons/sq cm/s for E greater than 100 MeV with a 6 sigma significance when it was first observed by EGRET in 1992 January 10 to 23. The corresponding spectral slope of the photon number distribution is determined to be -2.04 +/- 0.33. The gamma-ray flux of 0716+714 showed considerable time variability in subsequent EGRET observations. But the spectral slope stayed about the same within the statistical uncertainties of the EGRET data. The average spectral slope of the four viewing periods during which the photon flux of 0716+714 stayed above the EGRET detection threshold is found to be -1.85 +/- 0.20 from the combined data. The source 0521+365 was detected by EGRET in 1992 May 14 to June 4 at a flux level of (1.8 +/- 0.5) x 10(exp -7) photons/sq cm/s for E greater than 100 MeV with a 4 sigma significance. The corresponding spectral slope of the photon number distribution is found to be 2.16 +/- 0.36. Details of the observations of these two BL Lac objects with the EGRET telescope are presented.

SigmaS controls multiple pathways associated with intracellular multiplication of Legionella pneumophila.

PubMed

Hovel-Miner, Galadriel; Pampou, Sergey; Faucher, Sebastien P; Clarke, Margaret; Morozova, Irina; Morozov, Pavel; Russo, James J; Shuman, Howard A; Kalachikov, Sergey

2009-04-01

Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of the severe and potentially fatal pneumonia Legionnaires' disease. L. pneumophila is able to replicate within macrophages and protozoa by establishing a replicative compartment in a process that requires the Icm/Dot type IVB secretion system. The signals and regulatory pathways required for Legionella infection and intracellular replication are poorly understood. Mutation of the rpoS gene, which encodes sigma(S), does not affect growth in rich medium but severely decreases L. pneumophila intracellular multiplication within protozoan hosts. To gain insight into the intracellular multiplication defect of an rpoS mutant, we examined its pattern of gene expression during exponential and postexponential growth. We found that sigma(S) affects distinct groups of genes that contribute to Legionella intracellular multiplication. We demonstrate that rpoS mutants have a functional Icm/Dot system yet are defective for the expression of many genes encoding Icm/Dot-translocated substrates. We also show that sigma(S) affects the transcription of the cpxR and pmrA genes, which encode two-component response regulators that directly affect the transcription of Icm/Dot substrates. Our characterization of the L. pneumophila small RNA csrB homologs, rsmY and rsmZ, introduces a link between sigma(S) and the posttranscriptional regulator CsrA. We analyzed the network of sigma(S)-controlled genes by mutational analysis of transcriptional regulators affected by sigma(S). One of these, encoding the L. pneumophila arginine repressor homolog gene, argR, is required for maximal intracellular growth in amoebae. These data show that sigma(S) is a key regulator of multiple pathways required for L. pneumophila intracellular multiplication.

Combined reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peripheral artery disease in sedentary elders with functional limitations

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Objectives: Because they are potentially modifiable and may coexist, we evaluated the combined occurrence of a reduced forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), including its association with exertional symptoms, physical inactivity, and impaired mobility, in s...

Change in Pulmonary Function after Incentive Spirometer Exercise in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Study

PubMed Central

Choi, Ja Young; Rha, Dong-wook

2016-01-01

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of incentive spirometer exercise (ISE) on pulmonary function and maximal phonation time (MPT) in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Materials and Methods Fifty children with CP were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group and the control group. Both groups underwent comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. The experimental group underwent additional ISE. The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and MPT were assessed as outcome measures before and after 4 weeks of training. Results There were significant improvements in FVC, FEV1, PEF, and MPT in the experimental group, but not in the control group. In addition, the improvements in FVC, FEV1, and MPT were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion The results of this randomized controlled study support the use of ISE for enhancing pulmonary function and breath control for speech production in children with CP. PMID:26996580

Correlation between neutral endopetidase (NEP) 3.4.24.11 in serum and the degree of the bronchial hyperreactivity.

PubMed

Ratti, H; Zhang, M; Kunkel, G

2001-03-02

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is described in airways as the major degrading enzyme of tachykinins such as neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP). Due to its localization and mode of action NEP may play a role in the pathophysiology of bronchial reactivity (BR) especially under the aspect of neurogenic inflammation. Serum NEP concentrations were measured by ELISA to investigate if there is a correlation between serum NEP and the degree of bronchial reactivity expressed by PC20-FEV1 histamine(.). PC20-FEV1 histamine was determined in 31 asthmatic patients [age 31.9+/-1.3 years (mean+/-SEM) FEV1=92.1+/-2.4% (mean+/-SEM) 16 females/15 males]. Prior to the histamine challenge blood samples were obtained and stored at -70 degrees C until determination using ELISA. A significant correlation between serum NEP and the PC20-FEV1 (n=31, r=0.49, P<0.01) was found. The results suggest that serum NEP is modulating neuropeptide-induced effects in the pathophysiology of airway responsiveness.

[Pulmonary function in patients with focal pulmonary tuberculosis].

PubMed

Nefedov, V B; Popova, L A; Shergina, E A

2008-01-01

Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/VC%, PEF, MEF25, MEF50, MEF75, TLC, TGV, pulmonary residual volume (PRV), Raw, Rin, Rcx, DLCO-SB, DLCO-SS/VA, PaO2, and PaCO2 were determined in 40 patients with focal pulmonary tuberculosis. Changes were found in lung volumes and capacities in 75%, impaired bronchial patency and pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction were in 57.5 and 25%, respectively. The lung volume and capacity changes appeared mainly as increased TGV and PRV; impaired bronchial patency presented as decreased MEF50, MEF75, and FEV1/VC%; pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction manifested itself as reduced DLCO-SB, PaO2, and PaCO2. The magnitude of the observed functional changes was generally slight. TGV and PRL increased up to 148-187 and 142-223% of the normal values, respectively; MEF50, MEF75, FEV1/VC%, and DLCO decreased to 59-24, 58-26, 78-57, and 78-67% of the normal values and PaO2 and PaCO2 did to 79-69 and 34-30 cm Hg.

Grain boundary character, and carbide size and spatial distribution in a ternary nickel alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, H.; Gao, M.; Harlow, D.G.

1995-06-01

A preliminary investigation of the grain boundary character and its relationship to carbide distribution in a Ni-18Cr-18Fe ternary alloy was conducted. The results showed that there was a strong preference for the formation of {Sigma}3 (44.6%) and twin-related {Sigma}9 and {Sigma}27 CSL boundaries. If the coherent {Sigma}3{sub c} twin and the twin-related boundaries are excluded, then the distribution would consist of nearly 80% random (high angle) boundaries and about 20% CSL (with {Sigma} {<=} 49) boundaries. The size and spacing of grain boundary carbides were influenced by grain boundary {Sigma}; the carbides being smaller and more closely spaced on themore » {Sigma}1, {Sigma}9 and {Sigma}27 boundaries, and none could be resolved on the coherent {Sigma}3 twin boundaries. The results could be understood, in part, in terms of the influence of grain boundary energy, but the understanding is incomplete. Further studies are in progress and will be reported.« less

Sigma1 Pharmacology in the Context of Cancer.

PubMed

Kim, Felix J; Maher, Christina M

2017-01-01

Sigma1 (also known as sigma-1 receptor, Sig1R, σ1 receptor) is a unique pharmacologically regulated integral membrane chaperone or scaffolding protein. The majority of publications on the subject have focused on the neuropharmacology of Sigma1. However, a number of publications have also suggested a role for Sigma1 in cancer. Although there is currently no clinically used anti-cancer drug that targets Sigma1, a growing body of evidence supports the potential of Sigma1 ligands as therapeutic agents to treat cancer. In preclinical models, compounds with affinity for Sigma1 have been reported to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and survival, cell adhesion and migration, tumor growth, to alleviate cancer-associated pain, and to have immunomodulatory properties. This review will highlight that although the literature supports a role for Sigma1 in cancer, several fundamental questions regarding drug mechanism of action and the physiological relevance of aberrant SIGMAR1 transcript and Sigma1 protein expression in certain cancers remain unanswered or only partially answered. However, emerging lines of evidence suggest that Sigma1 is a component of the cancer cell support machinery, that it facilitates protein interaction networks, that it allosterically modulates the activity of its associated proteins, and that Sigma1 is a selectively multifunctional drug target.

Childhood-Onset Asthma in Smokers. Association between CT Measures of Airway Size, Lung Function, and Chronic Airflow Obstruction

PubMed Central

Hardin, Megan E.; Come, Carolyn E.; San José Estépar, Raúl; Ross, James C.; Kurugol, Sila; Okajima, Yuka; Han, MeiLan K.; Kim, Victor; Ramsdell, Joe; Silverman, Edwin K.; Crapo, James D.; Lynch, David A.; Make, Barry; Barr, R. Graham; Hersh, Craig P.; Washko, George R.

2014-01-01

Rationale and Objectives: Asthma is associated with chronic airflow obstruction. Our goal was to assess the association of computed tomographic measures of airway wall volume and lumen volume with the FEV1 and chronic airflow obstruction in smokers with childhood-onset asthma. Methods: We analyzed clinical, lung function, and volumetric computed tomographic airway volume data from 7,266 smokers, including 590 with childhood-onset asthma. Small wall volume and small lumen volume of segmental airways were defined as measures 1 SD below the mean. We assessed the association between small wall volume, small lumen volume, FEV1, and chronic airflow obstruction (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7) using linear and logistic models. Measurements and Main Results: Compared with subjects without childhood-onset asthma, those with childhood-onset asthma had smaller wall volume and lumen volume (P < 0.0001) of segmental airways. Among subjects with childhood-onset asthma, those with the smallest wall volume and lumen volume had the lowest FEV1 and greatest odds of chronic airflow obstruction. A similar tendency was seen in those without childhood-onset asthma. When comparing these two groups, both small wall volume and small lumen volume were more strongly associated with FEV1 and chronic airflow obstruction among subjects with childhood-asthma in multivariate models. Conclusion: In smokers with childhood-onset asthma, smaller airways are associated with reduced lung function and chronic airflow obstruction. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00608764). PMID:25296268

Feasibility of spirometry in preschool children.

PubMed

Veras, Tiago Neves; Pinto, Leonardo Araujo

2011-01-01

To determine the rate at which satisfactory spirometry results are obtained (spirometry success rate) in preschool children. We analyzed the spirometry results of children ≤ 6 years of age. All tests were conducted between June of 2009 and February of 2010 in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory of the Hospital Infantil Jeser Amarante Faria, located in the city of Joinville, Brazil. The spirometry program employed features an animated incentive (soap bubbles). The procedures were performed by a pediatric pulmonologist, in accordance with the reproducibility and acceptability criteria recommended by the American Thoracic Society. We attempted to achieve an expiratory time of at least 1 s. The following parameters were measured: FVC, FEV0.5, FEV1, and the FEV1/FVC ratio. Our sample comprised 74 children. The spirometry success rate was 82%. Although the performance improved with age, the difference between younger and older children was not significant (p > 0.05). An average of 6.6 attempts/test were needed in order to achieve acceptable, reproducible curves. All 61 successful tests produced satisfactory FEV0.5 and FEV1 values. By calculating Z scores, we found that 21.6% of the children presented with an obstructive pattern. In our sample, the spirometry success rate was high, showing that spirometry is a valid method for assessing pulmonary function in preschool children. The high success rate in our sample might be attributable to the use of an incentive and to the fact that the tests were performed by professionals specializing in pediatrics.

Plasma pro-surfactant protein B and lung function decline in smokers.

PubMed

Leung, Janice M; Mayo, John; Tan, Wan; Tammemagi, C Martin; Liu, Geoffrey; Peacock, Stuart; Shepherd, Frances A; Goffin, John; Goss, Glenwood; Nicholas, Garth; Tremblay, Alain; Johnston, Michael; Martel, Simon; Laberge, Francis; Bhatia, Rick; Roberts, Heidi; Burrowes, Paul; Manos, Daria; Stewart, Lori; Seely, Jean M; Gingras, Michel; Pasian, Sergio; Tsao, Ming-Sound; Lam, Stephen; Sin, Don D

2015-04-01

Plasma pro-surfactant protein B (pro-SFTPB) levels have recently been shown to predict the development of lung cancer in current and ex-smokers, but the ability of pro-SFTPB to predict measures of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity is unknown. We evaluated the performance characteristics of pro-SFTPB as a biomarker of lung function decline in a population of current and ex-smokers. Plasma pro-SFTPB levels were measured in 2503 current and ex-smokers enrolled in the Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer Study. Linear regression was performed to determine the relationship of pro-SFTPB levels to changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) over a 2-year period as well as to baseline FEV1 and the burden of emphysema observed in computed tomography (CT) scans. Plasma pro-SFTPB levels were inversely related to both FEV1 % predicted (p=0.024) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (p<0.001), and were positively related to the burden of emphysema on CT scans (p<0.001). Higher plasma pro-SFTPB levels were also associated with a more rapid decline in FEV1 at 1 year (p=0.024) and over 2 years of follow-up (p=0.004). Higher plasma pro-SFTPB levels are associated with increased severity of airflow limitation and accelerated decline in lung function. Pro-SFTPB is a promising biomarker for COPD severity and progression. Copyright ©ERS 2015.

Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship

PubMed Central

Hamzah, Nurul Ainun; Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri; Ismail, Noor Hassim

2016-01-01

Background Metallic dust is a heterogeneous substance with respiratory sensitizing properties. Its long term exposure adversely affected lung function, thus may cause acute or chronic respiratory diseases. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a steel factory in Terengganu, Malaysia to assess the metal dust exposure and its relationship to lung function values among 184 workers. Metal dust concentrations values (Co, Cr, and Ni) for each worker were collected using air personal sampling. Lung function values (FEV1, FVC, and %FEV1/FVC) were determined using spirometer. Results Exposure to cobalt and chromium were 1–3 times higher than permissible exposure limit (PEL) while nickel was not exceeding the PEL. Cumulative of chromium was the predictor to all lung function values (FEV1, FVC, and %FEV1/FVC). Frequency of using mask was positively associated with FVC (Adj b = 0.263, P = 0.011) while past respiratory illnesses were negatively associated with %FEV1/FVC (Adj b = –1.452, P = 0.026). Only few workers (36.4%) were found to wear their masks all times during the working hours. Conclusions There was an exposure-response relationship of cumulative metal dust exposure with the deterioration of lung function values. Improvement of control measures as well as proper and efficient use or personal protection equipment while at work could help to protect the respiratory health of workers. PMID:27392157

Relationship of Antibiotic Treatment to Recovery after Acute FEV1 Decline in Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

PubMed

Morgan, Wayne J; Wagener, Jeffrey S; Pasta, David J; Millar, Stefanie J; VanDevanter, Donald R; Konstan, Michael W

2017-06-01

Children with cystic fibrosis often experience acute declines in lung function. We previously showed that such declines are not always treated with antibiotics, but we did not assess whether treatment improves the likelihood of recovery. To determine whether new antibiotic treatment was associated with recovery from acute FEV 1 decline. We studied episodes of FEV 1 decline (≥10% from baseline) in the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis. Treatments were hospitalization, home intravenous antibiotic, new inhaled oral quinolone, or other oral antibiotic. We used logistic regression to evaluate whether treatment was associated with recovery to baseline or near baseline. Logistic regression of 9,875 patients showed that new antibiotic treatment was associated with an increased likelihood of recovery to 90% of baseline (P < 0.001), especially for hospitalization compared with no new antibiotic (odds ratio [OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval, 2.41-3.23). All four outpatient treatments were associated with greater likelihood of recovery compared with no treatment (OR, 1.27-1.64). Inpatient treatment was better than outpatient treatment (OR, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.68-2.23). Treatment-type ORs were similar across recovery criteria and levels of baseline lung function. New antibiotic therapy, and especially inpatient treatment, is associated with greater likelihood of recovery after acute decline in FEV 1 . Benefits extend across all disease stages and are especially important in patients with high lung function, who are at greatest risk for FEV 1 decline.

Childhood-onset asthma in smokers. association between CT measures of airway size, lung function, and chronic airflow obstruction.

PubMed

Diaz, Alejandro A; Hardin, Megan E; Come, Carolyn E; San José Estépar, Raúl; Ross, James C; Kurugol, Sila; Okajima, Yuka; Han, MeiLan K; Kim, Victor; Ramsdell, Joe; Silverman, Edwin K; Crapo, James D; Lynch, David A; Make, Barry; Barr, R Graham; Hersh, Craig P; Washko, George R

2014-11-01

Asthma is associated with chronic airflow obstruction. Our goal was to assess the association of computed tomographic measures of airway wall volume and lumen volume with the FEV1 and chronic airflow obstruction in smokers with childhood-onset asthma. We analyzed clinical, lung function, and volumetric computed tomographic airway volume data from 7,266 smokers, including 590 with childhood-onset asthma. Small wall volume and small lumen volume of segmental airways were defined as measures 1 SD below the mean. We assessed the association between small wall volume, small lumen volume, FEV1, and chronic airflow obstruction (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7) using linear and logistic models. Compared with subjects without childhood-onset asthma, those with childhood-onset asthma had smaller wall volume and lumen volume (P < 0.0001) of segmental airways. Among subjects with childhood-onset asthma, those with the smallest wall volume and lumen volume had the lowest FEV1 and greatest odds of chronic airflow obstruction. A similar tendency was seen in those without childhood-onset asthma. When comparing these two groups, both small wall volume and small lumen volume were more strongly associated with FEV1 and chronic airflow obstruction among subjects with childhood-asthma in multivariate models. In smokers with childhood-onset asthma, smaller airways are associated with reduced lung function and chronic airflow obstruction. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00608764).

Usefulness of inspiratory capacity measurement in COPD patients in the primary care setting

PubMed Central

Madueño, Antonio; Martín, Antonio; Péculo, Juan-Antonio; Antón, Esther; Paravisini, Alejandra; León, Antonio

2009-01-01

Objective: To determine if inspiratory capacity (IC) assessment could be useful for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient management in the primary care setting. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 93 patients diagnosed with COPD according to Spanish Thoracic Society (SEPAR) criteria. Patients were recruited in eight primary care centers in Andalusia, Spain. Anthropometric, sociodemographic, resting lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], forced vital capacity, synchronized vital capacity, IC), and quality of life data based on the Spanish version of Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were obtained. Results: Lung function results expressed as percentages of the predicted values were as follows: FEV1, 49.04 (standard deviation [SD]: 16.23); IC, 61.73 (SD: 15.42). The SGRQ mean total score was 47.5 (SD 17.98). The Spearman’s Rho correlation between FEV1 and SGRQ was r = −0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.529 to −0.166), between IC and SGRQ was r = −0.329 (95% CI −0.502 to −0.131), and between FEV1 and IC was r = −0.561. Conclusions: Measurement of IC at rest could be used as a complementary functional exploration to forced spirometry in the monitorization of patients with COPD in the primary care setting. We found a poor correlation between IC and quality of life at the same level as in FEV1. PMID:20360907

Assessing exposure risk for dust storm events-associated lung function decrement in asthmatics and implications for control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsieh, Nan-Hung; Liao, Chung-Min

2013-04-01

Asian dust storms (ADS) events are seasonally-based meteorological phenomena that exacerbate chronic respiratory diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess human health risk from airborne dust exposure during ADS events in Taiwan. A probabilistic risk assessment framework was developed based on exposure and experimental data to quantify ADS events induced lung function decrement. The study reanalyzed experimental data from aerosol challenge in asthmatic individuals to construct the dose-response relationship between inhaled dust aerosol dose and decreasing percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (%FEV1). An empirical lung deposition model was used to predict deposition fraction for size specific dust aerosols in pulmonary regions. The toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic models were used to simulate dust aerosols binding kinetics in lung airway in that %FEV1 change was also predicted. The mask respirators were applied to control the inhaled dose under dust aerosols exposure. Our results found that only 2% probability the mild ADS events were likely to cause %FEV1 decrement higher than 5%. There were 50% probability of decreasing %FEV1 exceeding 16.9, 18.9, and 7.1% in north, center, and south Taiwan under severe ADS events, respectively. Our result implicates that the use of activated carbon of mask respirators has the best efficacy for reducing inhaled dust aerosol dose, by which the %FEV1 decrement can be reduced up to less than 1%.

Reduction of Pulmonary Function After Surgical Lung Resections of Different Volume

PubMed Central

Cukic, Vesna

2014-01-01

Introduction: In recent years an increasing number of lung resections are being done because of the rising prevalence of lung cancer that occurs mainly in patients with limited lung function, what is caused with common etiologic factor - smoking cigarettes. Objective: To determine how big the loss of lung function is after surgical resection of lung of different range. Methods: The study was done on 58 patients operated at the Clinic for thoracic surgery KCU Sarajevo, previously treated at the Clinic for pulmonary diseases “Podhrastovi” in the period from 01.06.2012. to 01.06.2014. The following resections were done: pulmectomy (left, right), lobectomy (upper, lower: left and right). The values of postoperative pulmonary function were compared with preoperative ones. As a parameter of lung function we used FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second), and changes in FEV1 are expressed in liters and in percentage of the recorded preoperative and normal values of FEV1. Measurements of lung function were performed seven days before and 2 months after surgery. Results: Postoperative FEV1 was decreased compared to preoperative values. After pulmectomy the maximum reduction of FEV1 was 44%, and after lobectomy it was 22% of the preoperative values. Conclusion: Patients with airway obstruction are limited in their daily life before the surgery, and an additional loss of lung tissue after resection contributes to their inability. Potential benefits of lung resection surgery should be balanced in relation to postoperative morbidity and mortality. PMID:25568542

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Jingbo; Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academic Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing; Cao, Jianzhong

Purpose: Poor pulmonary function (PF) is often considered a contraindication to definitive radiation therapy for lung cancer. This study investigated whether baseline PF was associated with radiation-induced lung toxicity (RILT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving conformal radiation therapy (CRT). Methods and Materials: NSCLC patients treated with CRT and tested for PF at baseline were eligible. Baseline predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were analyzed. Additional factors included age, gender, smoking status, Karnofsky performance status, coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary diseasemore » (COPD), tumor location, histology, concurrent chemotherapy, radiation dose, and mean lung dose (MLD) were evaluated for RILT. The primary endpoint was symptomatic RILT (SRILT), including grade ≥2 radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis. Results: There was a total of 260 patients, and SRILT occurred in 58 (22.3%) of them. Mean FEV1 values for SRILT and non-SRILT patients were 71.7% and 65.9% (P=.077). Under univariate analysis, risk of SRILT increased with MLD (P=.008), the absence of COPD (P=.047), and FEV1 (P=.077). Age (65 split) and MLD were significantly associated with SRILT in multivariate analysis. The addition of FEV1 and age with the MLD-based model slightly improved the predictability of SRILT (area under curve from 0.63-0.70, P=.088). Conclusions: Poor baseline PF does not increase the risk of SRILT, and combining FEV1, age, and MLD may improve the predictive ability.« less

Effect of Secondary Phase Precipitation on the Corrosion Behavior of Duplex Stainless Steels

PubMed Central

Chan, Kai Wang; Tjong, Sie Chin

2014-01-01

Duplex stainless steels (DSSs) with austenitic and ferritic phases have been increasingly used for many industrial applications due to their good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in acidic, caustic and marine environments. However, DSSs are susceptible to intergranular, pitting and stress corrosion in corrosive environments due to the formation of secondary phases. Such phases are induced in DSSs during the fabrication, improper heat treatment, welding process and prolonged exposure to high temperatures during their service lives. These include the precipitation of sigma and chi phases at 700–900 °C and spinodal decomposition of ferritic grains into Cr-rich and Cr-poor phases at 350–550 °C, respectively. This article gives the state-of the-art review on the microstructural evolution of secondary phase formation and their effects on the corrosion behavior of DSSs. PMID:28788129

Consequences of Expiratory Flow Limitation at Rest in Subjects with Cystic Fibrosis.

PubMed

Vilozni, Daphna; Lavie, Moran; Ofek, Miryam; Sarouk, Ifat; Bar-Aluma, Bat-El; Dagan, Adi; Ashkenazi, Moshe; Segel, Michael J; Efrati, Ori

2016-06-01

Expiratory flow limitation at resting tidal volume (EFLTV) presents a severe mechanical constraint in chronic lung diseases and has not yet been studied longitudinally in cystic fibrosis. To study the effect of EFLTV as it emerged from simple spirometry on lung function and clinical status in cystic fibrosis. Best year spirometry that included tidal flow/volume curves and the related clinical data were retrospectively collected over 12 ± 3.0 yr/person from 108 subjects with cystic fibrosis. The year in which forced expiratory flow, midexpiratory phase (FEF25-75%, L/s) was equal to tidal peak expiratory flow (L/s) was defined as EFLTV-onset year. EFLTV occurred in 55 (51%) subjects, at age 23 ± 6 years. At EFLTV onset, tidal peak expiratory flow and FEF25-75% values were 1.44 ± 0.23 L/s and FEV1 was 62 ± 10% predicted. Within the following 2 years, FEV1 dropped to 48 ± 11% predicted, and 35 (63%) of the subjects reported shortness of breath at rest. Hospital days increased from 5.3 ± 24.6 to 24.12 ± 9.0 d/yr (P = 0.0001). Of the 55 subjects, 29 (53%) received transplant or died, with survival time being 6.9 ± 3.9 years. EFLTV onset may be an important pathophysiological event that could influence the natural history of lung function decline in subjects with cystic fibrosis. This may lead to a significant deterioration in lung function in the following 2 years alongside an increase in the number of hospitalization days. The monitoring of FEV1 alone does not offer as good a threshold signal, because values are only moderately reduced. Therefore, identifying EFLTV appearance is potentially a signal for therapeutic intervention. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

Development and initial test of the University of Wisconsin global isentropic-sigma model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zapotocny, Tom H.; Johnson, Donald R.; Reames, Fred M.

1994-01-01

The description of a global version of the University of Wisconsin (UW) hybrid isentropic-sigma (theta-sigma) model and the results from an initial numerical weather prediction experiment are presented in this paper. The main objectives of this initial test are to (1) discuss theta-sigma model development and computer requirements, (2) demonstrate the ability of the UW theta-sigma model for global numerical weather prediction using realistic orography and parameterized physical processes, and (3) compare the transport of an inert trace constituent against a nominally 'identical' sigma coordinate model. Initial and verifying data for the 5-day simulations presented in this work were supplied by the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-1) data assimilation system. The time period studied is 1-6 February 1985. This validation experiment demonstrates that the global UW theta-sigma model produces a realistic 5-day simulation of the mass and momentum distributions when compared to both the identical sigma model and GEOS-1 verification. Root-mean-square errors demonstrate that the theta-sigma model is slightly more accurate than the nominally identical sigma model with respect to standard synoptic variables. Of particular importance, the UW theta-sigma model displays a distinct advantage over the conventional sigma model with respect to the prognostic simulation of inert trace constituent transport in amplifying baroclinic waves of the extratropics. This is especially true in the upper troposphere and stratosphere where the spatial integrity and conservation of an inert trace constituent is severely compromised in the sigma model compared to the theta-sigma model.

Biologic lung volume reduction in advanced upper lobe emphysema: phase 2 results.

PubMed

Criner, Gerard J; Pinto-Plata, Victor; Strange, Charlie; Dransfield, Mark; Gotfried, Mark; Leeds, William; McLennan, Geoffrey; Refaely, Yael; Tewari, Sanjiv; Krasna, Mark; Celli, Bartolome

2009-05-01

Biologic lung volume reduction (BioLVR) is a new endobronchial treatment for advanced emphysema that reduces lung volume through tissue remodeling. Assess the safety and therapeutic dose of BioLVR hydrogel in upper lobe predominant emphysema. Open-labeled, multicenter phase 2 dose-ranging studies were performed with BioLVR hydrogel administered to eight subsegmental sites (four in each upper lobe) involving: (1) low-dose treatment (n = 28) with 10 ml per site (LD); and (2) high-dose treatment (n = 22) with 20 ml per site (HD). Safety was assessed by the incidence of serious medical complications. Efficacy was assessed by change from baseline in pulmonary function tests, dyspnea score, 6-minute walk distance, and health-related quality of life. After treatment there were no deaths and four serious treatment-related complications. A reduction in residual volume to TLC ratio at 12 weeks (primary efficacy outcome) was achieved with both LD (-6.4 +/- 9.3%; P = 0.002) and HD (-5.5 +/- 9.4%; P = 0.028) treatments. Improvements in pulmonary function in HD (6 mo: DeltaFEV(1) = +15.6%; P = 0.002; DeltaFVC = +9.1%; P = 0.034) were greater than in LD patients (6 mo: DeltaFEV(1) = +6.7%; P = 0.021; DeltaFVC = +5.1%; P = 0.139). LD- and HD-treated groups both demonstrated improved symptom scores and health-related quality of life. BioLVR improves physiology and functional outcomes up to 6 months with an acceptable safety profile in upper lobe predominant emphysema. Overall improvement was greater and responses more durable with 20 ml per site than 10 ml per site dosing. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00435253 and NCT 00515164).

Effects of Respiratory Training on Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex Sensitivity in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.

PubMed

Legg Ditterline, Bonnie E; Aslan, Sevda C; Randall, David C; Harkema, Susan J; Castillo, Camilo; Ovechkin, Alexander V

2018-03-01

To evaluate the effects of pressure threshold respiratory training (RT) on heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Before-after intervention case-controlled clinical study. SCI research center and outpatient rehabilitation unit. Participants (N=44) consisted of persons with chronic SCI ranging from C2 to T11 who participated in RT (n=24), and untrained control subjects with chronic SCI ranging from C2 to T9 (n=20). A total of 21±2 RT sessions performed 5 days a week during a 4-week period using a combination of pressure threshold inspiratory and expiratory devices. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), and beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure and heart rate changes during the 5-second-long maximum expiratory pressure maneuver (5s MEP) and the sit-up orthostatic stress test, acquired before and after the RT program. In contrast to the untrained controls, individuals in the RT group experienced significantly increased FVC and FEV 1 (both P<.01) in association with improved quality of sleep, cough, and speech. Sympathetically (phase II) and parasympathetically (phase IV) mediated baroreflex sensitivity both significantly (P<.05) increased during the 5s MEP. During the orthostatic stress test, improved autonomic control over heart rate was associated with significantly increased sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation (low- and high-frequency change: P<.01 and P<.05, respectively). Inspiratory-expiratory pressure threshold RT is a promising technique to positively affect both respiratory and cardiovascular dysregulation observed in persons with chronic SCI. Copyright © 2017 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

THE L{proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 8} CORRELATION FOR ELLIPTICAL GALAXIES WITH CORES: RELATION WITH BLACK HOLE MASS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kormendy, John; Bender, Ralf, E-mail: kormendy@astro.as.utexas.edu, E-mail: bender@mpe.mpg.de

We construct the Faber-Jackson correlation between velocity dispersion {sigma} and total galaxy luminosity L{sub V} separately for elliptical galaxies with and without cores. The coreless ellipticals show the well-known, steep relationship dlog {sigma}/dlog L{sub V} = 0.268 or L{sub V} {proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 3.74}. This corresponds to dlog {sigma}/dlog M = 0.203, where M is the stellar mass and we use M/L{proportional_to}L {sup 0.32}. In contrast, the velocity dispersions of core ellipticals increase much more slowly with L{sub V} and M: dlog {sigma}/dlog L{sub V} = 0.120, L{sub V} {proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 8.33}, and dlog {sigma}/dlog M = 0.091. Dissipationless major galaxy mergers aremore » expected to preserve {sigma} according to the simplest virial-theorem arguments. However, numerical simulations show that {sigma} increases slowly in dry major mergers, with dlog {sigma}/dlog M {approx_equal} +0.15. In contrast, minor mergers cause {sigma} to decrease, with dlog {sigma}/dlog M {approx_equal} -0.05. Thus, the observed relation argues for dry major mergers as the dominant growth mode of the most massive ellipticals. This is consistent with what we know about the formation of cores. We know no viable way to explain galaxy cores except through dissipationless mergers of approximately equal-mass galaxies followed by core scouring by binary supermassive black holes. The observed, shallow {sigma}{proportional_to}L{sub V}{sup +0.12} relation for core ellipticals provides further evidence that they formed in dissipationless and predominantly major mergers. Also, it explains the observation that the correlation of supermassive black hole mass with velocity dispersion, M{sub .}{proportional_to}{sigma}{sup 4}, ''saturates'' at high M{sub .} such that M{sub .} becomes almost independent of {sigma}.« less

Adenosine monophosphate is not superior to histamine for bronchial provocation test for assessment of asthma control and symptoms.

PubMed

Wu, Fan; Guan, Wei-Jie; Gao, Yi; An, Jia-Ying; Xie, Yan-Qing; Liu, Wen-Ting; Yu, Xin-Xin; Zheng, Jin-Ping

2017-07-01

Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) may reflect airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, but relationship between AMP and histamine (His, a conventional stimulus) bronchial provocation test (BPT) in asthma is not fully elucidated. To compare both BPTs and determine their utility in reflecting changes of asthmatic symptoms. BPTs were performed in a cross-over fashion, at 2-4 day intervals. Cumulative doses eliciting 20% FEV 1 fall (PD 20 FEV 1 ), diagnostic performance and adverse events (AEs) were compared. Patients with PD 20 FEV 1 lower than geometric mean were defined as responders, otherwise poor responders. Patients with uncontrolled and partly controlled asthma, who maintained their original inhaled corticosteroids therapy, underwent reassessment of airway responsiveness and asthmatic symptoms 3 and 6 months after. Nineteen uncontrolled, 22 partly controlled and 19 controlled asthmatic patients and 24 healthy subjects were recruited. Lower PD 20 FEV 1 geometric means were associated with poorer asthma control in His-BPT (0.424 μmol vs 1.684 μmol vs 3.757 μmol), but not AMP-BPT (11.810 μmol vs 7.781 μmol vs 10.220 μmol). Both BPTs yielded similar overall diagnostic performance in asthma (area under curve: 0.842 in AMP-BPT vs 0.850 in His-BPT). AEs, including wheezing and tachypnea, were similar and mild. Ten patients with uncontrolled and 10 partly controlled asthma were followed-up. At months 3 and 6, we documented an increase in PD 20 FEV 1 -AMP and PD 20 FEV 1 -His, which did not correlate with reduction asthmatic symptom scores. This overall applied in responders and poor responders of AMP-BPT and His-BPT. Despite higher screening capacity of well-controlled asthma, AMP-BPT confers similar diagnostic performance and safety with His-BPT. AMP-BPT might not preferentially reflect changes asthmatic symptoms. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Decreased response to inhaled steroids in overweight and obese asthmatic children.

PubMed

Forno, Erick; Lescher, Rachel; Strunk, Robert; Weiss, Scott; Fuhlbrigge, Anne; Celedón, Juan C

2011-03-01

The mechanisms and consequences of the observed association between obesity and childhood asthma are unclear. We sought to determine the effect of obesity on treatment responses to inhaled corticosteroids in asthmatic children. We performed a post hoc analysis to evaluate the interaction between body mass index (BMI) and treatment with inhaled budesonide on lung function in the Childhood Asthma Management Program trial. Participants were then stratified into overweight/obese and nonoverweight groups, and their response to inhaled budesonide was analyzed longitudinally over the 4 years of the trial. There was a significant interaction between BMI and budesonide for prebronchodilator FEV(1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (P = .0007) and bronchodilator response (BDR; P = .049) and a nonsignificant trend for an interaction between BMI and budesonide on prebronchodilator FEV(1) (P = .15). Nonoverweight children showed significant improvement with inhaled budesonide in lung function (FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC ratio, and BDR) during the early (years 1-2) and late (years 3-4) stages of the trial. Overweight/obese children had improved FEV(1) and BDR during the early but not the late stage of the trial and showed no improvement in FEV(1)/FVC ratio. When comparing time points at which both groups showed a significant response, the degree of improvement among nonoverweight children was significantly greater than in overweight/obese children at most visits. Nonoverweight children had a 44% reduction in the risk of emergency department visits or hospitalizations throughout the trial (P = .001); there was no reduction in risk among overweight/obese children (P = .97). Compared with children of normal weight, overweight/obese children in the Childhood Asthma Management Program showed a decreased response to inhaled budesonide on measures of lung function and emergency department visits/hospitalizations for asthma. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessment of airway hyperreactivity: comparison of forced spirometry and body plethysmography for methacholine challenge tests

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Introduction Bronchial challenge tests by inhalation of aerosolized methacholine (MCH) are commonly used in the clinical diagnosis of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). While the detection of airway narrowing relies on the patient's cooperation performing forced spirometry, body plethysmographic measurements of airway resistance are less depending on the patient's cooperation and do not alter the respiratory tract by maximal maneuvers. Hence we compared both methods concerning their clinical value and correlation during MCH challenges in patients with asthma. Materials and Methods Cumulative MCH challenges test, consisting of up to 5 steps, evaluated with body plethysmography on each step were performed in 155 patients with bronchial asthma. Airway responses were recorded at each step of MCH application (Master-Screen Body, Cardinal Health, Höchberg). At the baseline test and after crossing the provocation dose (PD) threshold in body plethysmography (PD+100 sReff), forced expirations were performed and FEV1, FVC, and FEV1 %FVC were measured. Using regression analysis of the airway parameters and taking the MCH dose as the covariate, we could extrapolate to missing spirometric values and interpolate the estimated MCH dose when crossing the PD threshold (PD-20 FEV1) between two consecutive measurements. The administered PD+100 MCH doses for specific airway resistance, sRtot, and sReff were compared with resistance parameters Rtot and Reff, and to PD-20 of FEV1 and FEV1 %FVC. Results Regarding sReff we found a mild, moderate, or severe AHR in 114 patients (75%), but only 50 (32%) according to FEV1. A statistical analysis showed strongly linear correlated parameters of airway resistance, but no significant correlation between the results of body plethysmography and forced spirometry Conclusions Using MCH challenges, we found specific airway resistance to be the most sensitive parameter to detect AHR. Raw is largely independent of height and gender facilitating the interpretation of measurements carried out longitudinally. PMID:20156751

Pulmonary function disparities exist and persist in Hispanic patients with cystic fibrosis: A longitudinal analysis.

PubMed

McGarry, Meghan E; Neuhaus, John M; Nielson, Dennis W; Burchard, Esteban; Ly, Ngoc P

2017-12-01

Hispanic patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have decreased life expectancy compared to non-Hispanic white patients. Pulmonary function is a main predictor of life expectancy in CF. Ethnic differences in pulmonary function in CF have been understudied. The objective was to compare longitudinal pulmonary function between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white patients with CF. This cohort study of 15 018 6-25 years old patients in the CF Foundation Patient Registry from 2008 to 2013 compared FEV 1 percent predicted and longitudinal change in FEV 1 percent predicted in Hispanic to non-Hispanic white patients. We used linear mixed effects models with patient-specific slopes and intercepts, adjusting for 14 demographic and clinical variables. We did sub-analyses by CFTR class, F508del copies, and PERT use. Hispanic patients had lower FEV 1 percent predicted (79.9%) compared with non-Hispanic white patients (85.6%); (-5.8%, 95%CI -6.7% to -4.8%, P < 0.001), however, there was no difference in FEV 1 decline over time. Patients on PERT had a larger difference between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white patients in FEV 1 percent predicted than patients not on PERT (-6.0% vs -4.1%, P = 0.02). The ethnic difference in FEV 1 percent predicted was not statistically significant between CFTR classes (Class I-III: -6.1%, Class IV-V: -5.9%, Unclassified: -5.7%, P > 0.05) or between F508del copies (None: -7.6%, Heterozygotes: -5.6%, Homozygotes: -5.3%, P > 0.05). Disparities in pulmonary function exist in Hispanic patients with CF early in life and then persist without improving or worsening over time. It is valuable to investigate the factors contributing to pulmonary function in Hispanic patients with CF. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pulmonary function in individuals who underwent liver transplantation: from the US cystic fibrosis foundation registry.

PubMed

Miller, Melissa R; Sokol, Ronald J; Narkewicz, Michael R; Sontag, Marci K

2012-05-01

Severe liver disease affects 4.5% to 10% of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and is the third-leading cause of death. Liver transplantation (LT) is an accepted therapy, but the effects of liver disease and LT on pulmonary function in patients with CF are controversial. Our aim was to characterize changes in pulmonary function in LT patients with CF. Using mixed effect models, we analyzed pulmonary function before and after transplantation in 168 LT patients and 840 non-LT patients with CF who were matched by age, sex, pancreatic status, infections with US CF Foundation Patient Registry data (1989-2007). The primary outcome was the change in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1); percent predicted) in LT and non-LT in the 3-years periods before or after transplantation; second we compared FEV(1) changes. In the 3 years before transplantation, LT had lower initial FEV(1) values (71.5% ± 1.9%, P < 0.001) and a slower decline (+0.1% ± 0.4%/year, P < 0.001) than non-LT (79.6% ± 1.3% and -1.3% ± 0.2%/year, respectively). There was no difference in the FEV(1) decline after transplantation (-1.4% ± 0.4%/year for LT versus -2.1% ± 0.2%/year for non-LT, P = 0.14). Both the (P = 0.003) and (P = 0.001) had a slower FEV(1) decline in the period before transplantation versus after transplantation. In conclusion, pulmonary function is lower and declines more slowly in patients with CF before LT versus, but parallels the decline in non-LT after transplantation. LT is neither beneficial nor detrimental to pulmonary function in CF but returns FEV(1) decline to the same trajectory found for matched non-LT individuals with CF. Copyright © 2012 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Impulse oscillometry at preschool age is a strong predictor of lung function by flow-volume spirometry in adolescence.

PubMed

Lauhkonen, Eero; Riikonen, Riikka; Törmänen, Sari; Koponen, Petri; Nuolivirta, Kirsi; Helminen, Merja; Toikka, Jyri; Korppi, Matti

2018-05-01

The transition from early childhood wheezing to persistent asthma is linked to lung function impairment over time. Little is known how the methods used to study lung function at different ages correlate longitudinally. Sixty-four children with a history of hospitalization for bronchiolitis before 6 months of age were prospectively studied with impulse oscillometry (IOS) at the mean age of 6.3 years and these preschool IOS results were compared with flow-volume spirometry (FVS) measurements at mean age of 11.4 years. The baseline respiratory system resistance at 5 Hz (Rrs5) showed a modest statistically significant correlation with all baseline FVS parameters except FVC. The post-bronchodilator (post-BD) Rrs5 showed a modest statistically significant correlation with post-BD FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC. The bronchodilator-induced decrease in Rrs5 showed a modest statistically significant correlation with the percent increase in FEV 1 . Baseline and post-BD respiratory reactance at 5 Hz (Xrs5) showed a modest statistically significant correlation with baseline and post-BD FVS parameters except post-BD FEV 1 /FVC, respectively, and post-BD Xrs5 showed a strong correlation with post-BD FVC (ρ = 0.61) and post-BD FEV 1 (ρ = 0.59). In adjusted linear regression, preschool Xrs5 remained as a statistically significant independent predictor of FVS parameters in adolescence; the one-unit decrease in the Z-score of preschool post-BD Xrs5 predicted 9.6% lower post-BD FEV 1 , 9.3% lower post-BD FVC, and 9.7% lower post-BD MEF 50 when expressed as %-predicted parameters. Persistent post-BD small airway impairment in children with a history of bronchiolitis detected with IOS at preschool age predicted FVS results measured in early adolescence. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tracheal wheezes during methacholine airway challenge (MAC) in workers exposed to occupational hazards.

PubMed

Bohadana, A B; Massin, N; Teculescu, D; Peslin, R

1994-09-01

Methacholine airway challenge (MAC) is a simple and useful means to assess bronchial hyperreactivity in workers exposed to various occupational hazards. Recently, wheeze detection by tracheal auscultation has been proposed as an indicator of bronchial responsiveness during bronchial provocation test in children. Our aim was to examine the relationship between the appearance of wheezes and the concurrent changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) observed during MAC test in adults. Three cumulative doses of a methacholine solution (100 micrograms, 500 micrograms and 1500 micrograms) were inhaled by 45 workers with occupational exposure to flour dust. Spirometry was done using an electronic spirometer. Tracheal sounds were recorded with an electronic stethoscope placed over the anterior cervical triangle, 2 cm above the sternal notch. The amplified sounds were stored on magnetic tape, band-pass filtered (50-2000 Hz), and digitized at a sampling rate of 4096 Hz into a GenRad Vibration Control System. Wheezes were detected by fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis and their presence compared to a 20% fall in FEV1. A positive MAC test by spirometry was found in 12 subjects whereas wheezes were identified in 14 subjects. Among the wheezing subjects, nine had a positive MAC test (range of fall in FEV1 = 20.6 to 42.3%) and five had a negative one (range of fall in FEV1 = 3.6 to 16.9%). Moreover, no wheezes were found in the remaining three subjects with a positive MAC test (range of fall in FEV1 = 20.7 to 27.4%). Taking a 20% fall in FEV1 as reference, wheezes were 75% sensitive and 84.8% specific to detect airflow obstruction. In conclusion, since it carries a significant although small false-negative rate, the acoustic technique based upon wheeze detection cannot, at the present time, fully replace spirometry during airway challenge testing in subjects with suspected asthma.

Association Between ADRB2 Genetic Polymorphisms and the Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Case-Control Study in a Chinese Population.

PubMed

Zhao, Hui; Wu, Xuan; Dong, Chun-Ling; Wang, Bi-Ying; Zhao, Jiao; Cao, Xian-E

2017-08-01

This study was designed to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a Chinese population. From January 2010 to October 2014, 261 COPD patients were selected as the case group and 239 healthy subjects were selected as the control group. Pulmonary function tests were performed to detect forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-s forced expiratory volume (FEV 1 ), and FEV 1 /FVC (%). rs1042711, rs1042714, and rs1042718 were selected as tagSNPs of the ADRB2 gene from the HapMap database in accordance with previous studies. The ADRB2 genotypes were established by real-time polymerase chain reaction assays using TaqMan-labeled probes. The relationships between the ADRB2 polymorphisms and COPD risk were estimated using logistic regression analyses. The frequency of the genotypes and alleles of rs1042711 in ADRB2 showed a significant difference between the COPD and control groups (p < 0.05); compared with the CC genotype, the non-CC genotypes showed an increased COPD risk (p = 0.002). Compared with the CC haplotype, the TG haplotype increased COPD risk, while the CG haplotype reduced COPD risk for normal individuals. Compared with the CC genotype, the TT genotype showed significantly lower FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC (p = 0.022, p = 0.0191, respectively). Both the TC and TG haplotypes showed lower FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC in comparison with the CC haplotype (both p < 0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that rs1042711 of ADRB2 and smoking history were associated with COPD risk (both p < 0.05). It is indicated that the TT genotype of rs1042711 and smoking pack years are both risk factors for COPD.

Obstructive Airways Disease With Air Trapping Among Firefighters Exposed to World Trade Center Dust

PubMed Central

Weiden, Michael D.; Ferrier, Natalia; Nolan, Anna; Rom, William N.; Comfort, Ashley; Gustave, Jackson; Zeig-Owens, Rachel; Zheng, Shugi; Goldring, Roberta M.; Berger, Kenneth I.; Cosenza, Kaitlyn; Lee, Roy; Webber, Mayris P.; Kelly, Kerry J.; Aldrich, Thomas K.

2010-01-01

Background: The World Trade Center (WTC) collapse produced a massive exposure to respirable particulates in New York City Fire Department (FDNY) rescue workers. This group had spirometry examinations pre-September 11, 2001, and post-September 11, 2001, demonstrating declines in lung function with parallel declines in FEV1 and FVC. To date, the underlying pathophysiologic cause for this has been open to question. Methods: Of 13,234 participants in the FDNY-WTC Monitoring Program, 1,720 (13%) were referred for pulmonary subspecialty evaluation at a single institution. Evaluation included 919 full pulmonary function tests, 1,219 methacholine challenge tests, and 982 high-resolution chest CT scans. Results: At pulmonary evaluation (median 34 months post-September 11, 2001), median values were FEV1 93% predicted (interquartile range [IQR], 83%-101%), FVC 98% predicted (IQR, 89%-106%), and FEV1/FVC 0.78 (IQR, 0.72-0.82). The residual volume (RV) was 123% predicted (IQR, 106%-147%) with nearly all participants having normal total lung capacity, functional residual capacity, and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide. Also, 1,051/1,720 (59%) had obstructive airways disease based on at least one of the following: FEV1/FVC, bronchodilator responsiveness, hyperreactivity, or elevated RV. After adjusting for age, gender, race, height and weight, and tobacco use, the decline in FEV1 post-September 11, 2001, was significantly correlated with increased RV percent predicted (P < .0001), increased bronchodilator responsiveness (P < .0001), and increased hyperreactivity (P = .0056). CT scans demonstrated bronchial wall thickening that was significantly associated with the decline in FEV1 post-September 11, 2001 (P = .024), increases in hyperreactivity (P < .0001), and increases in RV (P < .0001). Few had evidence for interstitial disease. Conclusions: Airways obstruction was the predominant physiologic finding underlying the reduction in lung function post-September 11, 2001, in FDNY WTC rescue workers presenting for pulmonary evaluation. PMID:19820077

Effect of occupational silica exposure on pulmonary function.

PubMed

Hertzberg, Vicki Stover; Rosenman, Kenneth D; Reilly, Mary Jo; Rice, Carol H

2002-08-01

To assess the effect of occupational silica exposure on pulmonary function. Epidemiologic evaluation based on employee interview, plant walk-through, and information abstracted from company medical records, employment records, and industrial hygiene measurements. Drawn from 1,072 current and former hourly wage workers employed before January 1, 1986. Thirty-six individuals with radiographic evidence of parenchymal changes consistent with asbestosis or silicosis were excluded. In addition, eight individuals whose race was listed as other than white or black were excluded. Analysis of spirometry data (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC) only using the test results that met American Thoracic Society criteria for reproducibility and acceptability shows decreasing percent-predicted FVC and FEV1 and decreasing FEV1/FVC in relationship to increasing silica exposure among smokers. Logistic regression analyses of abnormal FVC and abnormal FEV1 values (where abnormal is defined as < 95% confidence limit for predicted using the Knudson prediction equations) show odds ratios of 1.49 and 1.68, respectively, for occurrence of abnormal result with 40 years of exposure at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-allowable level of 0.1 mg/m3. Longitudinal analyses of FVC and FEV1 measurements show a 1.6 mL/yr and 1.1 mL/yr, respectively, decline per milligram/cubic meter mean silica exposure (p = 0.011 and p = 0.001, respectively). All analyses were adjusted for weight, height, age, ethnicity, smoking status, and other silica exposures. Systematic problems leading to measurement error were possible, but would have been nondifferential in effect and not related to silica measurements. There is a consistent association between increased pulmonary function abnormalities and estimated measures of cumulative silica exposure within the current allowable OSHA regulatory level. Despite concerns about the quality control of the pulmonary function measurements use in these analyses, our results support the need to lower allowable air levels of silica and increase efforts to encourage cessation of cigarette smoking among silica-exposed workers.

The association of genetic polymorphisms of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor with increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case-control study.

PubMed

Yu, Zhen-Gang; Wang, Bing-Zhe; Cheng, Zhao-Zhong

2017-09-01

Accumulated data over the years have suggested that hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and its downstream vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene may be linked with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aims to investigate the association of HIF-1α and VEGF genetic polymorphisms and their correlated risks with COPD. COPD patients (case group) and healthy individuals (control group) were recruited. DNA was extracted to detect HIF-1α and VEGF genetic polymorphisms. Basal lung volume and forced expiratory capacity in 1st second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV 1 /predicted value (pred)% were calculated. Genotype and allele distributions in HIF-1α and VEGF genes were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curves and logistic regression model were used for analysis of survival and COPD risk factors. Haplotypes for HIF-1α rs11549465 and rs11549467 were analyzed. FEV 1 /FVC and FEV1/pred% in the case group were lower than the control group. Frequencies of HIF-1α rs11549465 CT + TT genotype and T allele, and rs11549467 GA + AA genotype and A allele were higher in the case group than the control group. Patients with rs11549465 CT + TT had higher COPD risk than those with the CC genotype. Patients with rs11549467 GA + AA showed higher COPD risk and lower FEV 1 /FVC and FEV 1 /pred% than those with the GG genotype. Patients with HIF-1α TA haplotype showed higher COPD risk than those with the CG haplotype. Survival rate of patients with HIF-1α rs11549467 GG genotype was higher than those with the GA + AA genotype. HIF-1α rs11549467 polymorphism may be associated with COPD risk. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Taiwan.

Metabolic Syndrome Biomarkers Predict Lung Function Impairment

PubMed Central

Naveed, Bushra; Weiden, Michael D.; Kwon, Sophia; Gracely, Edward J.; Comfort, Ashley L.; Ferrier, Natalia; Kasturiarachchi, Kusali J.; Cohen, Hillel W.; Aldrich, Thomas K.; Rom, William N.; Kelly, Kerry; Prezant, David J.

2012-01-01

Rationale: Cross-sectional studies demonstrate an association between metabolic syndrome and impaired lung function. Objectives: To define if metabolic syndrome biomarkers are risk factors for loss of lung function after irritant exposure. Methods: A nested case-control study of Fire Department of New York personnel with normal pre–September 11th FEV1 and who presented for subspecialty pulmonary evaluation before March 10, 2008. We correlated metabolic syndrome biomarkers obtained within 6 months of World Trade Center dust exposure with subsequent FEV1. FEV1 at subspecialty pulmonary evaluation within 6.5 years defined disease status; cases had FEV1 less than lower limit of normal, whereas control subjects had FEV1 greater than or equal to lower limit of normal. Measurements and Main Results: Clinical data and serum sampled at the first monitoring examination within 6 months of September 11, 2001, assessed body mass index, heart rate, serum glucose, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), leptin, pancreatic polypeptide, and amylin. Cases and control subjects had significant differences in HDL less than 40 mg/dl with triglycerides greater than or equal to 150 mg/dl, heart rate greater than or equal to 66 bpm, and leptin greater than or equal to 10,300 pg/ml. Each increased the odds of abnormal FEV1 at pulmonary evaluation by more than twofold, whereas amylin greater than or equal to 116 pg/ml decreased the odds by 84%, in a multibiomarker model adjusting for age, race, body mass index, and World Trade Center arrival time. This model had a sensitivity of 41%, a specificity of 86%, and a receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.77. Conclusions: Abnormal triglycerides and HDL and elevated heart rate and leptin are independent risk factors of greater susceptibility to lung function impairment after September 11, 2001, whereas elevated amylin is protective. Metabolic biomarkers are predictors of lung disease, and may be useful for assessing risk of impaired lung function in response to particulate inhalation. PMID:22095549

Comparison of the fixed ratio and the Z-score of FEV1/FVC in the elderly population: a long-term mortality analysis from the Third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey.

PubMed

Oh, Dong Kyu; Baek, Seunghee; Lee, Sei Won; Lee, Jae Seung; Lee, Sang-Do; Oh, Yeon-Mok

2018-01-01

Despite the ongoing intense debate on the definition of airflow limitation by spirometry in the elderly population, there have only been few studies comparing the fixed ratio and the Z -score of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 )/forced vital capacity (FVC) in terms of long-term mortalities. In this study, we aimed to identify the proper method for accurately defining the airflow limitation in terms of long-term mortality prediction in the elderly population. Data were collected from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the US. Non-Hispanic Caucasians aged 65-80 years were included. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of both methods were plotted and compared for 10-year all-cause, respiratory, and COPD mortalities. Of 1,331 subjects, the mean age was 71.7 years and 805 (60.5%) were males. For the 10-year all-cause mortality, the area under the curve (AUC) of the fixed ratio was significantly greater than that of the Z -score of FEV 1 /FVC, but both showed poor prediction performance (0.633 vs 0.616, p <0.001). For the 10-year respiratory and COPD mortalities, both the fixed ratio and the Z -score of FEV 1 /FVC showed comparable prediction performance with greater AUCs (0.784 vs 0.778, p =0.160, and 0.896 vs 0.896, p =0.971, respectively). Interestingly, the conventional cutoff of 0.7 in the fixed ratio was consistently higher than the optimal for the 10-year all-cause, respiratory, and COPD mortalities (0.70 vs 0.69, 0.62, and 0.61, respectively), whereas that of -1.64 in the Z -score of FEV 1 /FVC was consistently lower than the optimal cutoff (-1.64 vs -1.31, -1.47, and -1.41, respectively). In the elderly population, both the fixed ratio and the Z -score of FEV 1 /FVC showed comparable prediction performance for the 10-year respiratory and COPD mortalities. However, the conventional cutoff of neither 0.70 in the fixed ratio nor -1.64 in the Z -score of FEV 1 /FVC was optimal for predicting the long-term mortalities.

Work related decrement in pulmonary function in silicon carbide production workers.

PubMed Central

Osterman, J W; Greaves, I A; Smith, T J; Hammond, S K; Robins, J M; Thériault, G

1989-01-01

The relation between pulmonary function, cigarette smoking, and exposure to mixed respirable dust containing silicon carbide (SiC), hydrocarbons, and small quantities of quartz, cristobalite, and graphite was evaluated in 156SiC production workers using linear regression models on the difference between measured and predicted FEV1 and FVC. Workers had an average of 16 (range 2-41) years of employment and 9.5 (range 0.6-39.7) mg-year/m3 cumulative respirable dust exposure; average dust exposure while employed was 0.63 (range 0.18-1.42) mg/m3. Occasional, low level (less than or equal to 1.5 ppm) sulphur dioxide (SO2) exposure also occurred. Significant decrements in FEV1 (8.2 ml; p less than 0.03) and FVC (9.4 ml; p less than 0.01) were related to each year of employment for the entire group. Never smokers lost 17.8 ml (p less than 0.02) of FEV1 and 17.0 (p less than 0.05) of FVC a year, whereas corresponding decrements of 9.1 ml (p = 0.12) in FEV1 and 14.4 ml (p less than 0.02) in FVC were found in current smokers. Similar losses in FEV1 and FVC were related to each mg-year/m3 of cumulative dust exposure for 138 workers with complete exposure information; these findings, however, were generally not significant owing to the smaller cohort and greater variability in this exposure measure. Never smokers had large decrements in FEV1 (40.7 ml; p less than 0.02) and FVC (32.9 ml; p = 0.08) per mg-year/m3 of cumulative dust exposure and non-significant decrements were found in current smokers (FEV1: -7.1 ml; FVC: -11.7 ml). A non-significant decrement in lung function was also related to average dust exposure while employed. No changes were associated with SO(2) exposure or and SO(2) dust interaction. These findings suggest that employment in SiC production is associated with an excessive decrement in pulmonary function and that current permissible exposure limits for dusts occurring in this industry may not adequately protect workers from developing chronic pulmonary disease. PMID:2818959

WE-AB-BRA-06: 4DCT-Ventilation: A Novel Imaging Modality for Thoracic Surgical Evaluation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vinogradskiy, Y; Jackson, M; Schubert, L

Purpose: The current standard-of-care imaging used to evaluate lung cancer patients for surgical resection is nuclear-medicine ventilation. Surgeons use nuclear-medicine images along with pulmonary function tests (PFT) to calculate percent predicted postoperative (%PPO) PFT values by estimating the amount of functioning lung that would be lost with surgery. 4DCT-ventilation is an emerging imaging modality developed in radiation oncology that uses 4DCT data to calculate lung ventilation maps. We perform the first retrospective study to assess the use of 4DCT-ventilation for pre-operative surgical evaluation. The purpose of this work was to compare %PPO-PFT values calculated with 4DCT-ventilation and nuclear-medicine imaging. Methods:more » 16 lung cancer patients retrospectively reviewed had undergone 4DCTs, nuclear-medicine imaging, and had Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) acquired as part of a standard PFT. For each patient, 4DCT data sets, spatial registration, and a density-change based model were used to compute 4DCT-ventilation maps. Both 4DCT and nuclear-medicine images were used to calculate %PPO-FEV1 using %PPO-FEV1=pre-operative FEV1*(1-fraction of total ventilation of resected lung). Fraction of ventilation resected was calculated assuming lobectomy and pneumonectomy. The %PPO-FEV1 values were compared between the 4DCT-ventilation-based calculations and the nuclear-medicine-based calculations using correlation coefficients and average differences. Results: The correlation between %PPO-FEV1 values calculated with 4DCT-ventilation and nuclear-medicine were 0.81 (p<0.01) and 0.99 (p<0.01) for pneumonectomy and lobectomy respectively. The average difference between the 4DCT-ventilation based and the nuclear-medicine-based %PPO-FEV1 values were small, 4.1±8.5% and 2.9±3.0% for pneumonectomy and lobectomy respectively. Conclusion: The high correlation results provide a strong rationale for a clinical trial translating 4DCT-ventilation to the surgical domain. Compared to nuclear-medicine, 4DCT-ventilation is cheaper, does not require a radioactive contrast agent, provides a faster imaging procedure, and has improved spatial resolution. 4DCT-ventilation can reduce the cost and imaging time for patients while providing improved spatial accuracy and quantitative results for surgeons. YV discloses grant from State of Colorado.« less

The association of lung function and St. George's respiratory questionnaire with exacerbations in COPD: a systematic literature review and regression analysis.

PubMed

Martin, Amber L; Marvel, Jessica; Fahrbach, Kyle; Cadarette, Sarah M; Wilcox, Teresa K; Donohue, James F

2016-04-16

This study investigated the relationship between changes in lung function (as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and economically significant outcomes of exacerbations and health resource utilization, with an aim to provide insight into whether the effects of COPD treatment on lung function and health status relate to a reduced risk for exacerbations. A systematic literature review was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify randomized controlled trials of adult COPD patients published in English since 2002 in order to relate mean change in FEV1 and SGRQ total score to exacerbations and hospitalizations. These predictor/outcome pairs were analyzed using sample-size weighted regression analyses, which estimated a regression slope relating the two treatment effects, as well as a confidence interval and a test of statistical significance. Sixty-seven trials were included in the analysis. Significant relationships were seen between: FEV1 and any exacerbation (time to first exacerbation or patients with at least one exacerbation, p = 0.001); between FEV1 and moderate-to-severe exacerbations (time to first exacerbation, patients with at least one exacerbation, or annualized rate, p = 0.045); between SGRQ score and any exacerbation (time to first exacerbation or patients with at least one exacerbation, p = 0.0002) and between SGRQ score and moderate-to-severe exacerbations (time to first exacerbation or patients with at least one exacerbation, p = 0.0279; annualized rate, p = 0.0024). Relationships between FEV1 or SGRQ score and annualized exacerbation rate for any exacerbation or hospitalized exacerbations were not significant. The regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between improvements in FEV1 and SGRQ score and lower risk for COPD exacerbations. Even in cases of non-significant relationships, results were in the expected direction with few exceptions. The results of this analysis offer health care providers and payers a broader picture of the relationship between exacerbations and mean change in FEV1 as well as SGRQ score, and will help inform clinical and formulary-making decisions while stimulating new research questions for future prospective studies.

The effects of marijuana exposure on expiratory airflow. A study of adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Study.

PubMed

Kempker, Jordan A; Honig, Eric G; Martin, Greg S

2015-02-01

Given the inconclusive science on the long-term effects of marijuana exposure on lung function, the increasing tetrahydrocannabinol composition of marijuana over time, and the increasing legal accessibility of the substance, continued investigation is needed. To determine the independent association between recent and chronic marijuana smoke exposure with spirometric parameters of lung function and symptoms of respiratory health in a large cohort of U.S. adults. This is a cross-sectional study of U.S. adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles from 2007-2008 and 2009-2010, using the data from standardized spirometry and survey questions performed during these years. In the combined 2007-2010 cohort, 59.1% replied that they had used marijuana at least once, and 12.2% had used in the past month. For each additional day of marijuana use in the prior month, there were no changes in percent predicted FEV1 (0.002 ± 0.04%; P = 0.9), but there was an associated increase in percent predicted FVC (0.13 ± 0.03%, P = 0.0001) and decrease in the FEV1/FVC ratio (-0.1 ± 0.04%; P < 0.0001). In multivariable regressions, 1-5 and 6-20 joint-years of marijuana use were not associated with an FEV1/FVC less than 70% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.7-1.6, P = 0.8, and OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.8-1.8, P = 0.4, respectively), whereas over 20 joint-years was associated with an FEV1/FVC less than 70% (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.1-3.9; P = 0.02). For each additional marijuana joint-year smoked, there was no associated change in the mean percent predicted FEV1 (0.02 ± 0.02%; P = 1.00), an increase in percent predicted FVC (0.07 ± 0.02%; P = 0.004), and a decrease in FEV1/FVC (-0.03 ± 0.01%; P = 0.02). In a large cross-section of U.S. adults, cumulative lifetime marijuana use, up to 20 joint-years, is not associated with adverse changes in spirometric measures of lung health. Although greater than 20 joint-years of cumulative marijuana exposure was associated with a twofold increased odds of a FEV1/FVC less than 70%, this was the result of an increase in FVC, rather than a disproportional decrease in FEV1 as is typically associated with obstructive lung diseases.

Bioaccumulation of organochlorine contaminants in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) from Barrow, Alaska.

PubMed

Hoekstra, P F; O'Hara, T M; Pallant, S J; Solomon, K R; Muir, D C G

2002-05-01

Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) blubber (n = 72) and liver (n = 23) samples were collected during seven consecutive subsistence harvests (1997-2000) at Barrow, Alaska, to investigate the bioaccumulation of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) by this long-lived mysticete. The rank order of OC group concentrations (geometric mean, wet weight) in bowhead blubber samples were toxaphene (TOX; 455 ng/g) > polychlorinated biphenyls (SigmaPCBs; 410 ng/g) > dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-related compounds (SigmaDDT; 331 ng/g) >or= hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (SigmaHCHs; 203 ng/g) >or= chlordanes and related isomers (SigmaCHLOR; 183 ng/g) > chlorobenzenes (SigmaCIBz; 106 ng/g). In liver, SigmaHCH (9.5 ng/g; wet weight) was the most abundant SigmaOC group, followed by SigmaPCBs (9.1 ng/g) >or= TOX (8.8 ng/g) > SigmaCHLOR (5.5 ng/g) > SigmaCIBz (4.2 ng/g) >or= SigmaDDT (3.7 ng/g). The dominant analyte in blubber and liver was p,p'-DDE and alpha-HCH, respectively. Total TOX, SigmaPCBs, SigmaDDT, and SigmaCHLOR concentrations in blubber generally increased with age of male whales (as interpreted by body length), but this relationship was not significant for adult female whales. Biomagnification factor (BMF) values (0.1-45.5) for OCs from zooplankton (Calanus sp.) to bowhead whale were consistent with findings for other mysticetes. Tissue-specific differences in OC patterns in blubber and liver may be attributed to variation of tissue composition and the relatively low capacity of this species to biotransform various OCs. Principal component analysis of contaminants levels in bowhead blubber samples suggest that proportions of OCs, such as beta-HCH, fluctuate with seasonal migration of this species between the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.

Characterization of 4-Nitrophenylpropyl-N-alkylamine Interactions with Sigma Receptors

PubMed Central

Chu, Uyen B.; Hajipour, Abdol R.; Ramachandran, Subramaniam; Ruoho, Arnold E.

2011-01-01

Sigma receptors are small membrane proteins implicated in a number of pathophysiological conditions including drug addiction, psychosis and cancer; thus, small molecule inhibitors of sigma receptors have been proposed as potential pharmacotherapeutics for these diseases. We previously discovered that endogenous monochain N-alkyl sphingolipids including D-erythro-sphingosine, sphinganine, and N,N-dimethyl sphingosine bind to the sigma-1 receptor at physiologically relevant concentrations [Ramachandran et al. 2009 Eur J Pharmacol. 609(1–3):19–26]. Here, we investigated several N-alkylamines of varying chain lengths as sigma receptor ligands. Although the KI values for N-alkylamines were found to be in the micromolar range, when N-3-phenylpropyl and N-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propyl derivatives of butyl- (1a and 1b), heptyl- (2a and 2b), dodecyl- (3a and 3b), and octadecyl-amine (4a and 4b) were evaluated as sigma receptor ligands we found that these compounds exhibited nanomolar affinities with both sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors. A screen of the high affinity ligands 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b against a variety of other receptors/transporters confirmed these four compounds to be highly selective mixed sigma-1 and sigma-2 ligands. Additionally, in HEK293 cells reconstituted with Kv1.4 potassium channel and the sigma-1 receptor, these derivatives were able to inhibit the outward current from the channel – consistent with sigma receptor modulation. Finally, cytotoxicity assays showed that 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b were highly potent against a number of cancer cell lines, demonstrating their potential utility as mixed sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptor anti-cancer agents. PMID:21790129

Studies of the Escherichia coli Rsd-sigma70 complex.

PubMed

Westblade, Lars F; Ilag, Leopold L; Powell, Andrew K; Kolb, Annie; Robinson, Carol V; Busby, Stephen J W

2004-01-16

Escherichia coli Rsd protein was previously identified on the basis of its binding to the RNA polymerase sigma(70) subunit. The Rsd-sigma(70) complex has been studied using different methods. Our data show that Rsd associates with sigma(70) to form a complex with a stoichiometry of 1:1. Alanine scanning and deletion mutagenesis were used to locate regions of sigma(70) that are required for the formation of the Rsd-sigma(70) complex.

A DYNAMIC NONLINEAR MODEL OF OZONE-INDUCED FEV1 RESPONSE UNDER CHANGING EXPOSURE CONDITIONS

EPA Science Inventory

A Dynamic Nonlinear Model of Ozone-induced FEV1 Response under Changing Exposure Conditions. 1WF McDonnell, 2PW Stewart, 3MV Smith. 1Human Studies Division, NHEERL, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC. 2University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. 3ASI, Durham, NC.

Ozone exposure result...

A cross-sectional study of pulmonary function in autobody repair workers.

PubMed Central

Parker, D L; Waller, K; Himrich, B; Martinez, A; Martin, F

1991-01-01

This study evaluated pulmonary function in workers from 39 autobody repair shops. Based on 152 White male workers with known smoking status, the mean percent predicted FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were 93.6, 96.8, and 96.6, respectively. Twenty-three percent of workers had a FEV1/FVC ratio less than the fifth percentile. Isocyanate levels ranged from nondetectable to 0.06 parts per million (STEL = 0.02 ppm). No shop had an adequate respiratory protection program. We concluded that there was an increase in abnormal pulmonary function in autobody workers. Three recommendations were made to shop owners: functional paint booths should be maintained, respiratory protection programs should be developed, and isocyanate-free paints should be used. PMID:2029053

Running Head: Implementing Six Sigma Efforts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindsay, Jamie Eleaitia Mae

2005-01-01

Six Sigma is an organization wide program that provides common set of goals, language, and methodology for improving the overall quality of the processes within the organization (Davis & Heineke 2004). Six Sigma main concern is for the customer. What will the customers want? Need? Six Sigma has a model that helps Sigma get implemented DMAIC model…

Regulation of antimicrobial resistance by extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors

PubMed Central

Woods, Emily C.; McBride, Shonna M.

2017-01-01

Extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors are a subfamily of σ70 sigma factors that activate genes involved in stress-response functions. In many bacteria, ECF sigma factors regulate resistance to antimicrobial compounds. This review will summarize the ECF sigma factors that regulate antimicrobial resistance in model organisms and clinically relevant pathogens. PMID:28153747

Radiometric errors in complex Fourier transform spectrometry.

PubMed

Sromovsky, Lawrence A

2003-04-01

A complex spectrum arises from the Fourier transform of an asymmetric interferogram. A rigorous derivation shows that the rms noise in the real part of that spectrum is indeed given by the commonly used relation sigmaR = 2X x NEP/(etaAomega square root(tauN)), where NEP is the delay-independent and uncorrelated detector noise-equivalent power per unit bandwidth, +/- X is the delay range measured with N samples averaging for a time tau per sample, eta is the system optical efficiency, and Aomega is the system throughput. A real spectrum produced by complex calibration with two complex reference spectra [Appl. Opt. 27, 3210 (1988)] has a variance sigmaL2 = sigmaR2 + sigma(c)2 (Lh - Ls)2/(Lh - Lc)2 + sigma(h)2 (Ls - Lc)2/(Lh - Lc)2, valid for sigmaR, sigma(c), and sigma(h) small compared with Lh - Lc, where Ls, Lh, and Lc are scene, hot reference, and cold reference spectra, respectively, and sigma(c) and sigma(h) are the respective combined uncertainties in knowledge and measurement of the hot and cold reference spectra.

Experimental and Coupled-channels Investigation of the Radiative Properties of the N2 c4 (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - X (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) Band System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Xianming; Shemansky, Donald E.; Malone, Charles P.; Johnson, Paul V.; Ajello, Joseph M.; Kanik, Isik; Heays, Alan N.; Lewis, Brenton R.; Gibson, Stephen T.; Stark, Glenn

2008-01-01

The emission properties of the N2 c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) band system have been investigated in a joint experimental and coupled-channels theoretical study. Relative intensities of the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u)(0) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g)(v(sub i)) transitions, measured via electron-impact-induced emission spectroscopy, are combined with a coupled-channel Schroedinger equation (CSE) model of the N2 molecule, enabling determination of the diabatic electronic transition moment for the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) system as a function of internuclear distance. The CSE probabilities are further verified by comparison with a high-resolution experimental spectrum. Spontaneous transition probabilities of the c(sup prime)(sub 4) (sup 1)Sigma+(sub u) - Chi (sup 1)Sigma+(sub g) modeling atmospheric emission, can now be calculated reliably.

Close encounters of the third-body kind. [intruding bodies in binary star systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davies, M. B.; Benz, W.; Hills, J. G.

1994-01-01

We simulated encounters involving binaries of two eccentricities: e = 0 (i.e., circular binaries) and e = 0.5. In both cases the binary contained a point mass of 1.4 solar masses (i.e., a neutron star) and a 0.8 solar masses main-sequence star modeled as a polytrope. The semimajor axes of both binaries were set to 60 solar radii (0.28 AU). We considered intruders of three masses: 1.4 solar masses (a neutron star), 0.8 solar masses (a main-sequence star or a higher mass white dwarf), and 0.64 solar masses (a more typical mass white dwarf). Our strategy was to perform a large number (40,000) of encounters using a three-body code, then to rerun a small number of cases with a three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code to determine the importance of hydrodynamical effects. Using the results of the three-body runs, we computed the exchange across sections, sigma(sub ex). From the results of the SPH runs, we computed the cross sections for clean exchange, denoted by sigma(sub cx); the formation of a triple system, denoted by sigma(sub trp); and the formation of a merged binary with an object formed from the merger of two of the stars left in orbit around the third star, denoted by sigma(sub mb). For encounters between either binary and a 1.4 solar masses neutron star, sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.7 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 0.3 sigma(sub ex). For encounters between either binary and the 0.8 solar masses main-sequence star, sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.50 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 1.0 sigma(sub ex). If the main sequence star is replaced by a main-sequence star of the same mass, we have sigma(sub cx) approx. 0.5 sigma(sub ex) and sigma(sub mb) + sigma(sub trp) approx. 1.6 sigma(sub ex). Although the exchange cross section is a sensitive function of intruder mass, we see that the cross section to produce merged binaries is roughly independent of intruder mass. The merged binaries produced have semi-major axes much larger than either those of the original binaries or those of binaries produced in clean exchanges. Coupled with their lower kick velocities, received from the encounters, their larger size will enhance their cross section, shortening the waiting time to a subsequent encounter with another single star.

Measurement of the differential and double-differential Drell-Yan cross sections in proton-proton collisions at sqrt{s} = 7 TeV

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chatrchyan, Serguei; et al.,

2013-12-01

Measurements of the differential and double-differential Drell-Yan cross sections are presented using an integrated luminosity of 4.5(4.8) inverse femtobarns in the dimuon (dielectron) channel of proton-proton collision data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC at sqrt{s} = 7 TeV. The measured inclusive cross section in the Z-peak region (60-120 GeV) is \\sigma(\\ell \\ell) = 986.4 +/- 0.6 (stat.) +/- 5.9 (exp. syst.) +/- 21.7 (th. syst.) +/- 21.7 (lum.) pb for the combination of the dimuon and dielectron channels. Differential cross sectionsmore » $$d\\sigma/dm$$ for the dimuon, dielectron, and combined channels are measured in the mass range 15 to 1500 GeV and corrected to the full phase space. Results are also presented for the measurement of the double-differential cross section d^2\\sigma/dm d |y| in the dimuon channel over the mass range 20 to 1500 GeV and absolute dimuon rapidity from 0 to 2.4. These measurements are compared to the predictions of perturbative QCD calculations at next-to-leading and next-to-next-to-leading orders using various sets of parton distribution functions.« less

Analysis of sigma receptor (sigmaR1) expression in retinal ganglion cells cultured under hyperglycemic conditions and in diabetic mice.

PubMed

Ola, M Shamsul; Moore, Pamela; Maddox, Dennis; El-Sherbeny, Amira; Huang, Wei; Roon, Penny; Agarwal, Neeraj; Ganapathy, Vadivel; Smith, Sylvia B

2002-11-15

The type 1 sigma receptor (sigmaR1) is a nonopiate and nonphencyclidine binding site that has numerous pharmacological and physiological functions. In some studies, agonists for sigmaR1 have been shown to afford neuroprotection against overstimulation of the NMDA receptor. sigmaR1 expression has been demonstrated recently in retinal ganglion cells (RGC). RGCs undergo apoptosis early in diabetic retinopathy via NMDA receptor overstimulation. In the present study we asked whether RGCs cultured under hyperglycemic conditions and RGCs of diabetic mice continue to express sigmaR1. RGCs were cultured 48 h in RPMI medium containing either 45 mM glucose or 11 mM glucose plus 34 mM mannitol (osmolar control). C57BL/6 mice were made diabetic using streptozotocin. The retina was dissected from normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice 3, 6 and 12 weeks post-onset of diabetes. sigmaR1 was analyzed in cells using semiquantitative RT-PCR and in tissues by semiquantitative RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blot analysis and immunolocalization. The RT-PCR analysis of cultured RGCs showed that sigmaR1 mRNA is expressed under hyperglycemic conditions at levels similar to control cells. Similarly, analysis of retinas of diabetic mice showed no difference in levels of mRNA encoding sigmaR1 compared to retinas of control mice. In situ hybridization analysis showed that expression patterns of sigmaR1 mRNA in the ganglion cell layer were similar between diabetic and control mice. Western blot analysis suggested that levels of sigmaR1 in retina were similar between diabetic and control retinas. Immunohistochemical analysis of sigmaR1 showed a similar pattern of sigmaR1 protein expression between control and diabetic retina. These studies demonstrate that sigmaR1 is expressed under hyperglycemic conditions in vitro and in vivo.

Mapping of the Rsd contact site on the sigma 70 subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.

PubMed

Jishage, M; Dasgupta, D; Ishihama, A

2001-05-01

Rsd (regulator of sigma D) is an anti-sigma factor for the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase sigma(70) subunit. The contact site of Rsd on sigma(70) was analyzed after mapping of the contact-dependent cleavage sites by Rsd-tethered iron-p-bromoacetamidobenzyl EDTA and by analysis of the complex formation between Ala-substituted sigma(70) and Rsd. Results indicate that the Rsd contact site is located downstream of the promoter -35 recognition helix-turn-helix motif within region 4, overlapping with the regions involved in interaction with both core enzyme and sigma(70) contact transcription factors.

LINE ABSORPTION OSCILLATOR STRENGTHS FOR THE c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}(0-5) BANDS IN N{sub 2}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lavin, C.; Velasco, A. M., E-mail: clavin@qf.uva.es

Theoretical absorption oscillator strengths and emission branching ratios for rotational lines of the c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}(0-5) bands of molecular nitrogen are reported. The calculations have been performed with the molecular quantum defect orbital method, which has proved to be reliable in previous studies of rovibronic transitions in diatomic molecules. The strong interaction between c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3) and b' {sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(10) states has been analyzed through an interaction matrix that includes rotational terms. Owing to the perturbation, the c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}(0), c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{supmore » +}{sub g}(1), and c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3)-X{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub g}(5) bands are not weak, in contrast to what would be expected on the basis of the Franck-Condon principle. Moreover, the intensity distribution of the rotational lines within each of the vibronic bands deviates from considerations based on Hoenl-London factors. In this work, we provide data that may be useful to interpret spectra from atmospheres of the Earth, Titan, and Triton, in which transitions from the c'{sub 4}{sup 1}{Sigma}{sup +}{sub u}(3) level have been detected.« less

Detection and period measurements of GX1+4 at hard x ray energies with the SIGMA telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laurent, PH.; Salotti, L.; Lebrun, F.; Paul, J.; Denis, M.; Barret, D.; Jourdain, E.; Roques, J. P.; Churazov, E.; Gilfanov, M.

1992-01-01

The galactic Low Mass X ray Binary GX1+4 was detected by the coded aperture hard X ray gamma ray SIGMA telescope during the Feb. to April 1991 observations of the galactic center regions. The source, whose emission varied during the survey of a factor greater than 40 pct., reached a maximum luminosity in the 40 to 140 energy range of 1.03 x 10(exp 37) erg/s (D = 8.5 kpc), thus approaching the emission level of the 1970 to 1980 high state. Two minute flux pulsations were detected on Mar. 22 and on Mar. 31 and Apr. 1. Comparison with the last period measurements shows that the current spin-down phase of GX1+4 is ending. Concerning the proposed association of this source with the galactic center 511 keV annihilation emission, upper limits were derived.

The second phase in creating the cardiac center for the next generation: beyond structure to process improvement.

PubMed

Woods, J

2001-01-01

The third generation cardiac institute will build on the successes of the past in structuring the service line, re-organizing to assimilate specialist interests, and re-positioning to expand cardiac services into cardiovascular services. To meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive marketplace and complex delivery system, the focus for this new model will shift away from improved structures, and toward improved processes. This shift will require a sound methodology for statistically measuring and sustaining process changes related to the optimization of cardiovascular care. In recent years, GE Medical Systems has successfully applied Six Sigma methodologies to enable cardiac centers to control key clinical and market development processes through its DMADV, DMAIC and Change Acceleration processes. Data indicates Six Sigma is having a positive impact within organizations across the United States, and when appropriately implemented, this approach can serve as a solid foundation for building the next generation cardiac institute.

Microwave background distortions from domain walls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goetz, Guenter; Noetzold, Dirk

1990-01-01

Domain walls arising in a cosmic phase transition after decoupling were recently proposed as seeds for the formation of large scale structure. The distortion induced in the microwave background radiation is calculated in dependence of the wall thickness, surface density, scalar field potential, cosmic redshift and the velocity of the wall. It was found that the maximal redshift distortion for both spherical and planar walls is of the order pi G sigma H(sup -1)(sub 0), where sigma is the surface energy density and H(sup -1)(sub 0) the Hubble parameter. It was also found that, for a wall thickness smaller than the horizon, walls can be treated as infinitely thin, i.e., the redshift distortion is independent of the wall thickness and the specific form of the scalar potential. For planar walls moving with a Lorentz-factor gamma the redshift distortion is enhanced by gamma cubed.

Nonlinear spatial evolution of inviscid instabilities on hypersonic boundary layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wundrow, David W.

1996-01-01

The spatial development of an initially linear vorticity-mode instability on a compressible flat-plate boundary layer is considered. The analysis is done in the framework of the hypersonic limit where the free-stream Mach number M approaches infinity. Nonlinearity is shown to become important locally, in a thin critical layer, when sigma, the deviation of the phase speed from unity, becomes o(M(exp -8/7)) and the magnitude of the pressure fluctuations becomes 0(sigma(exp 5/2)M(exp 2)). The unsteady flow outside the critical layer takes the form of a linear instability wave but with its amplitude completely determined by the nonlinear flow within the critical layer. The coupled set of equations which govern the critical-layer dynamics reflect a balance between spatial-evolution, (linear and nonlinear) convection and nonlinear vorticity-generation terms. The numerical solution to these equations shows that nonlinear effects produce a dramatic reduction in the instability-wave amplitude.

The low-lying {pi}{sigma}* state and its role in the intramolecular charge transfer of aminobenzonitriles and aminobenzethyne

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Jae-Kwang; Fujiwara, Takashige; Kofron, William G.

2008-04-28

Electronic absorption spectra of the low-lying {pi}{pi}* and {pi}{sigma}* states of several aminobenzonitriles and 4-dimethylaminobenzethyne have been studied by time-resolved transient absorption and time-dependent density functional theory calculation. In acetonitrile, the lifetime of the {pi}{sigma}*-state absorption is very short (picoseconds or subpicosecond) for molecules that exhibit intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), and very long (nanoseconds) for those that do not. Where direct comparison of the temporal characteristics of the {pi}{sigma}*-state and the ICT-state transients could be made, the formation rate of the ICT state is identical to the decay rate of the {pi}{sigma}* state within the experimental uncertainty. These results aremore » consistent with the {pi}{sigma}*-mediated ICT mechanism, L{sub a} ({pi}{pi}*){yields}{pi}{sigma}*{yields}ICT, in which the decay rate of the {pi}{sigma}* state is determined by the rate of the solvent-controlled {pi}{sigma}*{yields}ICT charge-shift reaction. The {pi}{pi}*{yields}{pi}{sigma}* state crossing does not occur in 3-dimethylaminobenzonitrile or 2-dimethylaminobenzonitrile, as predicted by the calculation, and 4-aminobenzonitrile and 4-dimethylaminobenzethyne does not exhibit the ICT reaction, consistent with the higher energy of the ICT state relative to the {pi}{sigma}* state.« less

Quantitative application of sigma metrics in medical biochemistry.

PubMed

Nanda, Sunil Kumar; Ray, Lopamudra

2013-12-01

Laboratory errors are result of a poorly designed quality system in the laboratory. Six Sigma is an error reduction methodology that has been successfully applied at Motorola and General Electric. Sigma (σ) is the mathematical symbol for standard deviation (SD). Sigma methodology can be applied wherever an outcome of a process has to be measured. A poor outcome is counted as an error or defect. This is quantified as defects per million (DPM). A six sigma process is one in which 99.999666% of the products manufactured are statistically expected to be free of defects. Six sigma concentrates, on regulating a process to 6 SDs, represents 3.4 DPM (defects per million) opportunities. It can be inferred that as sigma increases, the consistency and steadiness of the test improves, thereby reducing the operating costs. We aimed to gauge performance of our laboratory parameters by sigma metrics. Evaluation of sigma metrics in interpretation of parameter performance in clinical biochemistry. The six month internal QC (October 2012 to march 2013) and EQAS (external quality assurance scheme) were extracted for the parameters-Glucose, Urea, Creatinine, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Albumin, Uric acid, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Chloride, SGOT, SGPT and ALP. Coefficient of variance (CV) were calculated from internal QC for these parameters. Percentage bias for these parameters was calculated from the EQAS. Total allowable errors were followed as per Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) guidelines. Sigma metrics were calculated from CV, percentage bias and total allowable error for the above mentioned parameters. For parameters - Total bilirubin, uric acid, SGOT, SGPT and ALP, the sigma values were found to be more than 6. For parameters - glucose, Creatinine, triglycerides, urea, the sigma values were found to be between 3 to 6. For parameters - total protein, albumin, cholesterol and chloride, the sigma values were found to be less than 3. ALP was the best performer when it was gauzed on the sigma scale, with a sigma metrics value of 8.4 and chloride had the least sigma metrics value of 1.4.

Probability of fixation under weak selection: a branching process unifying approach.

PubMed

Lambert, Amaury

2006-06-01

We link two-allele population models by Haldane and Fisher with Kimura's diffusion approximations of the Wright-Fisher model, by considering continuous-state branching (CB) processes which are either independent (model I) or conditioned to have constant sum (model II). Recent works by the author allow us to further include logistic density-dependence (model III), which is ubiquitous in ecology. In all models, each allele (mutant or resident) is then characterized by a triple demographic trait: intrinsic growth rate r, reproduction variance sigma and competition sensitivity c. Generally, the fixation probability u of the mutant depends on its initial proportion p, the total initial population size z, and the six demographic traits. Under weak selection, we can linearize u in all models thanks to the same master formula u = p + p(1 - p)[g(r)s(r) + g(sigma)s(sigma) + g(c)s(c)] + o(s(r),s(sigma),s(c), where s(r) = r' - r, s(sigma) = sigma-sigma' and s(c) = c - c' are selection coefficients, and g(r), g(sigma), g(c) are invasibility coefficients (' refers to the mutant traits), which are positive and do not depend on p. In particular, increased reproduction variance is always deleterious. We prove that in all three models g(sigma) = 1/sigma and g(r) = z/sigma for small initial population sizes z. In model II, g(r) = z/sigma for all z, and we display invasion isoclines of the 'mean vs variance' type. A slight departure from the isocline is shown to be more beneficial to alleles with low sigma than with high r. In model III, g(c) increases with z like ln(z)/c, and g(r)(z) converges to a finite limit L > K/sigma, where K = r/c is the carrying capacity. For r > 0 the growth invasibility is above z/sigma when z < K, and below z/sigma when z > K, showing that classical models I and II underestimate the fixation probabilities in growing populations, and overestimate them in declining populations.

HOW UNIVERSAL IS THE {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} RELATION?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feldmann, R.; Gnedin, N. Y.; Kravtsov, A. V., E-mail: feldmann@fnal.gov

It is a well-established empirical fact that the surface density of the star formation rate, {Sigma}{sub SFR}, strongly correlates with the surface density of molecular hydrogen, {Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}}, at least when averaged over large ({approx}kpc) scales. Much less is known, however, about whether (and how) the {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation depends on environmental parameters, such as the metallicity or the UV radiation field in the interstellar medium (ISM). Furthermore, observations indicate that the scatter in the {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation increases rapidly with decreasing averaging scale. How the scale-dependent scatter is generated and how one recovers amore » tight {approx} kpc scale {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub 2} relation in the first place is still largely debated. Here, these questions are explored with hydrodynamical simulations that follow the formation and destruction of H{sub 2}, include radiative transfer of UV radiation, and resolve the ISM on {approx}60 pc scales. We find that within the considered range of H{sub 2} surface densities (10-100 M{sub sun} pc{sup -2}), the {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation is steeper in environments of low-metallicity and/or high-radiation fields (compared to the Galaxy), that the star formation rate (SFR) at a given H{sub 2} surface density is larger, and the scatter is increased. Deviations from a 'universal' {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation should be particularly relevant for high-redshift galaxies or for low-metallicity dwarfs at z {approx} 0. We also find that the use of time-averaged SFRs produces a large, scale-dependent scatter in the {Sigma}{sub SFR}-{Sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} relation. Given the plethora of observational data expected from upcoming surveys such as ALMA, the scale-scatter relation may indeed become a valuable tool for determining the physical mechanisms connecting star formation and H{sub 2} formation.« less

Surface roughness in XeF{sub 2} etching of a-Si/c-Si(100)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stevens, A.A.E.; Beijerinck, H.C.W.

2005-01-01

Single wavelength ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been applied in a well-calibrated beam-etching experiment to characterize the dynamics of surface roughening induced by chemical etching of a {approx}12 nm amorphous silicon (a-Si) top layer and the underlying crystalline silicon (c-Si) bulk. In both the initial and final phase of etching, where either only a-Si or only c-Si is exposed to the XeF{sub 2} flux, we observe a similar evolution of the surface roughness as a function of the XeF{sub 2} dose proportional to D(XeF{sub 2}){sup {beta}} with {beta}{approx_equal}0.2. In the transition region from the pure amorphous to themore » pure crystalline silicon layer, we observe a strong anomalous increase of the surface roughness proportional to D(XeF{sub 2}){sup {beta}} with {beta}{approx_equal}1.5. Not only the growth rate of the roughness increases sharply in this phase, also the surface morphology temporarily changes to a structure that suggests a cusplike shape. Both features suggest that the remaining a-Si patches on the surface act effectively as a capping layer which causes the growth of deep trenches in the c-Si. The ellipsometry data on the roughness are corroborated by the AFM results, by equating the thickness of the rough layer to 6 {sigma}, with {sigma} the root-mean-square variation of the AFM's distribution function of height differences. In the AFM data, the anomalous behavior is reflected in a too small value of {sigma} which again suggests narrow and deep surface features that cannot be tracked by the AFM tip. The final phase morphology is characterized by an effective increase in surface area by a factor of two, as derived from a simple bilayer model of the reaction layer, using the experimental etch rate as input. We obtain a local reaction layer thickness of 1.5 monolayer consistent with the 1.7 ML value of Lo et al. [Lo et al., Phys. Rev. B 47, 648 (1993)] that is also independent of surface roughness.« less

Reconstruction and topological characterization of the sigma factor regulatory network of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

PubMed Central

Chauhan, Rinki; Ravi, Janani; Datta, Pratik; Chen, Tianlong; Schnappinger, Dirk; Bassler, Kevin E.; Balázsi, Gábor; Gennaro, Maria Laura

2016-01-01

Accessory sigma factors, which reprogram RNA polymerase to transcribe specific gene sets, activate bacterial adaptive responses to noxious environments. Here we reconstruct the complete sigma factor regulatory network of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis by an integrated approach. The approach combines identification of direct regulatory interactions between M. tuberculosis sigma factors in an E. coli model system, validation of selected links in M. tuberculosis, and extensive literature review. The resulting network comprises 41 direct interactions among all 13 sigma factors. Analysis of network topology reveals (i) a three-tiered hierarchy initiating at master regulators, (ii) high connectivity and (iii) distinct communities containing multiple sigma factors. These topological features are likely associated with multi-layer signal processing and specialized stress responses involving multiple sigma factors. Moreover, the identification of overrepresented network motifs, such as autoregulation and coregulation of sigma and anti-sigma factor pairs, provides structural information that is relevant for studies of network dynamics. PMID:27029515

Mass spectrometry of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase: interactions of the core enzyme with sigma70 and Rsd protein.

PubMed

Ilag, Leopold L; Westblade, Lars F; Deshayes, Caroline; Kolb, Annie; Busby, Stephen J W; Robinson, Carol V

2004-02-01

The E. coli RNA polymerase core enzyme is a multisubunit complex of 388,981 Da. To initiate transcription at promoters, the core enzyme associates with a sigma subunit to form holo RNA polymerase. Here we have used nanoflow electrospray mass spectrometry, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, to probe the interaction of the RNA polymerase core enzyme with the most abundant sigma factor, sigma70. The results show remarkably well-resolved spectra for both the core and holo RNA polymerases. The regulator of sigma70, Rsd protein, has previously been identified as a protein that binds to free sigma70. We show that Rsd also interacts with core enzyme. In addition, by adding increasing amounts of Rsd, we show that sigma70 is displaced from holo RNA polymerase, resulting in complexes of Rsd with core and sigma70. The results argue for a model in which Rsd not only sequesters sigma70, but is also an effector of core RNA polymerase.

Small-Molecule Sigma1 Modulator Induces Autophagic Degradation of PD-L1.

PubMed

Maher, Christina M; Thomas, Jeffrey D; Haas, Derick A; Longen, Charles G; Oyer, Halley M; Tong, Jane Y; Kim, Felix J

2018-02-01

Emerging evidence suggests that Sigma1 ( SIGMAR1 , also known as sigma-1 receptor) is a unique ligand-regulated integral membrane scaffolding protein that contributes to cellular protein and lipid homeostasis. Previously, we demonstrated that some small-molecule modulators of Sigma1 alter endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein homeostasis pathways in cancer cells, including the unfolded protein response and autophagy. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a type I integral membrane glycoprotein that is cotranslationally inserted into the ER and is processed and transported through the secretory pathway. Once at the surface of cancer cells, PD-L1 acts as a T-cell inhibitory checkpoint molecule and suppresses antitumor immunity. Here, we demonstrate that in Sigma1-expressing triple-negative breast and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, PD-L1 protein levels were suppressed by RNAi knockdown of Sigma1 and by small-molecule inhibition of Sigma1. Sigma1-mediated action was confirmed by pharmacologic competition between Sigma1-selective inhibitor and activator ligands. When administered alone, the Sigma1 inhibitor decreased cell surface PD-L1 expression and suppressed functional interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 in a coculture of T cells and cancer cells. Conversely, the Sigma1 activator increased PD-L1 cell surface expression, demonstrating the ability to positively and negatively modulate Sigma1 associated PD-L1 processing. We discovered that the Sigma1 inhibitor induced degradation of PD-L1 via autophagy, by a mechanism distinct from bulk macroautophagy or general ER stress-associated autophagy. Finally, the Sigma1 inhibitor suppressed IFNγ-induced PD-L1. Our data demonstrate that small-molecule Sigma1 modulators can be used to regulate PD-L1 in cancer cells and trigger its degradation by selective autophagy. Implications: Sigma1 modulators sequester and eliminate PD-L1 by autophagy, thus preventing functional PD-L1 expression at the cell surface. This posits Sigma1 modulators as novel therapeutic agents in PD-L1/PD-1 blockade strategies that regulate the tumor immune microenvironment. Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/16/2/243/F1.large.jpg Mol Cancer Res; 16(2); 243-55. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: H2 d3{Pi}u excitation by elec

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, X.; Shemansky, D. E.; Yoshii, J.; Johnson, P. V.; Malone, C. P.; Ajello, J. M.

2016-05-01

Electron-impact excitation of H2 triplet states plays an imp role in the heating of outer planet upper thermospheres. The d3{Pi}u state is the third ungerade triplet state, and the d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+ emission is the largest cascade channel for the a3{Sigma}g+ state. Accurate energies of the d3{Pi}u-(v, J) levels are calculated from an ab initio potential energy curve. Radiative lifetimes of the d3{Pi}u(v,J) levels are obtained by an accurate evaluation of the d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+ transition probabilities. The emission yields are determined from experimental lifetimes and calculated radiative lifetimes and are further verified by comparing experimental and synthetic d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+ spectra at 20eV impact energy. Spectral analysis revealed that multipolar components beyond the dipolar term are required to model the X1{Sigma}g+-d3{Pi}u excitation, and significant cascade excitation occurs at the d3{Pi}u (v=0,1) levels. Kinetic energy (Ek) distributions of H atoms produced via predissociation of the 3{Pi}u state and the d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+-b3{Sigma}u+ cascade dissociative emission are obtained. Predissociation of the d3{Pi}u state produces H atoms with an average Ek of 2.3+/-0.4 eV/atom, while the Ekdistribution of the d3{Pi}u-a3{Sigma}g+-b3{Sigma}u+ channel is similar to that of the X1{Sigma}g+-a3{Sigma}g+-b3{Sigma}u+ channel and produces H(1s) atoms with an average Ek of 1.15+/-0.05eV/atom. On average, each H2 excited to the d3{Pi}u state in an H2-dominated atmosphere deposits 3.3+/-0.4eV into the atmosphere, while each H2directly excited to the a3{Sigma}g+ state gives 2.2-2.3eV to the atmosphere. The spectral distribution of the calculated a3{Sigma}g+-b3{Sigma}u+ continuum emission due to the X1{Sigma}g+-d3{Pi}u excitation is significantly different from that of direct a3{Sigma}g+ excitation. (2 data files).

Theoretical Study of the B(sup 3) Sigma(sup -, sub u) - X(sup3)Sigma(sub g, sup -) and B"(sup 3)Pi(sub u) - X(sup 3)Sigma(sub g, sup -) Band Systems of S(sub 2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pradhan, Atul D.; Partridge, Harry; Langhoff, Stephen R. (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

Multireference configuration-interaction (MRCI) wavefunctions and potential energy curves have been calculated for the X(sup 3)Sigma(sub g,sup -), B(sup 3)Sigma(sub u, Sup -) and B"(sup 3)Pi((sub u) states of S(sub 2) using correlation consistent Gaussian basis sets. These wavefunctions are utilized to compute the the transition dipole moments of the B(sup 3)Sigma(sub g, sup -) - X(sup 3) Sigma(sub g, sup -) and B"(sup 3)Pi(sub u) - X(sup 3)Sigma(sub g, sup -) systems. Oscillator strengths, transition probabilities, and radiative lifetimes are computed for the X-B system and comparison is made with experimental data.

An evaluation of the rate of absorption of solar radiation in the O2(X3Sigma-g - b1Sigma-g) transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mlynczak, Martin G.

1993-01-01

The rate at which molecular oxygen absorbs radiation in the O2(X3Sigma-g - b1Sigma-g) transition is calculated using a line-by-line radiative transfer model. This rate is critical to the determination of the population of the O2(b1Sigma-g) state required for studies of the O2(b1Sigma-g - X3Sigma-g) dayglow, the O2(a1Delta-g - X3Sigma-g) dayglow, and possibly the rates of oxidation of H2 and N2O. Previous evaluations of this rate (which is sometimes called the g-factor) have significantly overestimated its value. The rate is tabulated as a function of altitude, pressure, and solar zenith angle.

The Hallucinogen N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Is an Endogenous Sigma-1 Receptor Regulator

PubMed Central

Fontanilla, Dominique; Johannessen, Molly; Hajipour, Abdol R.; Cozzi, Nicholas V.; Jackson, Meyer B.; Ruoho, Arnold E.

2010-01-01

The sigma-1 receptor is widely distributed in the central nervous system and periphery. Originally mischaracterized as an opioid receptor, the sigma-1 receptor binds a vast number of synthetic compounds but does not bind opioid peptides; it is currently considered an orphan receptor. The sigma-1 receptor pharmacophore includes an alkylamine core, also found in the endogenous compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT acts as a hallucinogen, but its receptor target has been unclear. DMT bound to sigma-1 receptors and inhibited voltage-gated sodium ion (Na+) channels in both native cardiac myocytes and heterologous cells that express sigma-1 receptors. DMT induced hypermobility in wild-type mice but not in sigma-1 receptor knockout mice. These biochemical, physiological, and behavioral experiments indicate that DMT is an endogenous agonist for the sigma-1 receptor. PMID:19213917

The hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an endogenous sigma-1 receptor regulator.

PubMed

Fontanilla, Dominique; Johannessen, Molly; Hajipour, Abdol R; Cozzi, Nicholas V; Jackson, Meyer B; Ruoho, Arnold E

2009-02-13

The sigma-1 receptor is widely distributed in the central nervous system and periphery. Originally mischaracterized as an opioid receptor, the sigma-1 receptor binds a vast number of synthetic compounds but does not bind opioid peptides; it is currently considered an orphan receptor. The sigma-1 receptor pharmacophore includes an alkylamine core, also found in the endogenous compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT acts as a hallucinogen, but its receptor target has been unclear. DMT bound to sigma-1 receptors and inhibited voltage-gated sodium ion (Na+) channels in both native cardiac myocytes and heterologous cells that express sigma-1 receptors. DMT induced hypermobility in wild-type mice but not in sigma-1 receptor knockout mice. These biochemical, physiological, and behavioral experiments indicate that DMT is an endogenous agonist for the sigma-1 receptor.

A structural model of anti-anti-[sigma] inhibition by a two-component receiver domain: the PhyR stress response regulator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herrou, Julien; Foreman, Robert; Fiebig, Aretha

2012-05-09

PhyR is a hybrid stress regulator conserved in {alpha}-proteobacteria that contains an N-terminal {sigma}-like (SL) domain and a C-terminal receiver domain. Phosphorylation of the receiver domain is known to promote binding of the SL domain to an anti-{sigma} factor. PhyR thus functions as an anti-anti-{sigma} factor in its phosphorylated state. We present genetic evidence that Caulobacter crescentus PhyR is a phosphorylation-dependent stress regulator that functions in the same pathway as {sigma}{sup T} and its anti-{sigma} factor, NepR. Additionally, we report the X-ray crystal structure of PhyR at 1.25 {angstrom} resolution, which provides insight into the mechanism of anti-anti-{sigma} regulation. Directmore » intramolecular contact between the PhyR receiver and SL domains spans regions {sigma}{sub 2} and {sigma}{sub 4}, likely serving to stabilize the SL domain in a closed conformation. The molecular surface of the receiver domain contacting the SL domain is the structural equivalent of {alpha}4-{beta}5-{alpha}5, which is known to undergo dynamic conformational change upon phosphorylation in a diverse range of receiver proteins. We propose a structural model of PhyR regulation in which receiver phosphorylation destabilizes the intramolecular interaction between SL and receiver domains, thereby permitting regions {sigma}{sub 2} and {sigma}{sub 4} in the SL domain to open about a flexible connector loop and bind anti-{sigma} factor.« less

A structural model of anti-anti-[sigma];#963; inhibition by a two-component receiver domain: the PhyR stress response regulator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herrou, Julien; Foreman, Robert; Fiebig, Aretha

2012-03-30

PhyR is a hybrid stress regulator conserved in {alpha}-proteobacteria that contains an N-terminal {sigma}-like (SL) domain and a C-terminal receiver domain. Phosphorylation of the receiver domain is known to promote binding of the SL domain to an anti-{sigma} factor. PhyR thus functions as an anti-anti-{sigma} factor in its phosphorylated state. We present genetic evidence that Caulobacter crescentus PhyR is a phosphorylation-dependent stress regulator that functions in the same pathway as {sigma}{sup T} and its anti-{sigma} factor, NepR. Additionally, we report the X-ray crystal structure of PhyR at 1.25 {angstrom} resolution, which provides insight into the mechanism of anti-anti-{sigma} regulation. Directmore » intramolecular contact between the PhyR receiver and SL domains spans regions {sigma}{sub 2} and {sigma}{sub 4}, likely serving to stabilize the SL domain in a closed conformation. The molecular surface of the receiver domain contacting the SL domain is the structural equivalent of {alpha}4-{beta}5-{alpha}5, which is known to undergo dynamic conformational change upon phosphorylation in a diverse range of receiver proteins. We propose a structural model of PhyR regulation in which receiver phosphorylation destabilizes the intramolecular interaction between SL and receiver domains, thereby permitting regions {sigma}{sub 2} and {sigma}{sub 4} in the SL domain to open about a flexible connector loop and bind anti-{sigma} factor.« less

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FRACTION OF EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE AND SPIROMETRY DATA AND CLINICAL CONTROL OF ASTHMA IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

PubMed Central

Salviano, Luanda Dias da Silva; Taglia-Ferre, Karla Delevedove; Lisboa, Sandra; da Costa, Ana Carolina Carioca; Campos, Hisbello da Silva; March, Maria de Fátima Pombo

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the association between fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) values and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the level of asthma control, as proposed by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), in asthmatic children and adolescents attended at the National Institute of Women, Children and Adolescents Health Fernandes Figueira of Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IFF/FIOCRUZ). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, with a review of medical records of 90 asthmatics between 7 and 17 years old, who were followed up at the IFF/FIOCRUZ Asthma Outpatient Clinic and were referred to perform respiratory function tests (RFT)between March 2013 and September 2014. After classification according to GINA, patients performed complete spirometry and FeNO measurement. Subsequently, they were separated into two groups: regular and non-regular inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use, regardless of the ventilatory pattern in spirometry. Results: The association between FEV1 values and the degree of asthma control according to GINA (p=0.001) was observed in all patients, regardless of ICS use, but there was no association between FEV1 and levels of FeNO. Conclusions: The correlation observed between GINA and FEV1 reinforces the importance of spirometry in the clinical follow-up of these patients. Although no association was found between the value of FeNO and the degree of asthma control and FEV1, FeNO may be an early method to detect airway inflammation, even before the symptoms and spirometric changes. PMID:29412429

Functional improvement in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis undergoing single lung transplantation *

PubMed Central

Rubin, Adalberto Sperb; Nascimento, Douglas Zaione; Sanchez, Letícia; Watte, Guilherme; Holand, Arthur Rodrigo Ronconi; Fassbind, Derrick Alexandre; Camargo, José Jesus

2015-01-01

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the changes in lung function in the first year after single lung transplantation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with IPF who underwent single lung transplantation between January of 2006 and December of 2012, reviewing the changes in the lung function occurring during the first year after the procedure. Results: Of the 218 patients undergoing lung transplantation during the study period, 79 (36.2%) had IPF. Of those 79 patients, 24 (30%) died, and 11 (14%) did not undergo spirometry at the end of the first year. Of the 44 patients included in the study, 29 (66%) were men. The mean age of the patients was 57 years. Before transplantation, mean FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio were 1.78 L (50% of predicted), 1.48 L (52% of predicted), and 83%, respectively. In the first month after transplantation, there was a mean increase of 12% in FVC (400 mL) and FEV1 (350 mL). In the third month after transplantation, there were additional increases, of 5% (170 mL) in FVC and 1% (50 mL) in FEV1. At the end of the first year, the functional improvement persisted, with a mean gain of 19% (620 mL) in FVC and 16% (430 mL) in FEV1. Conclusions: Single lung transplantation in IPF patients who survive for at least one year provides significant and progressive benefits in lung function during the first year. This procedure is an important therapeutic alternative in the management of IPF. PMID:26398749

Differences in spirometry interpretation algorithms: influence on decision making among primary-care physicians.

PubMed

He, Xiao-Ou; D'Urzo, Anthony; Jugovic, Pieter; Jhirad, Reuven; Sehgal, Prateek; Lilly, Evan

2015-03-12

Spirometry is recommended for the diagnosis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in international guidelines and may be useful for distinguishing asthma from COPD. Numerous spirometry interpretation algorithms (SIAs) are described in the literature, but no studies highlight how different SIAs may influence the interpretation of the same spirometric data. We examined how two different SIAs may influence decision making among primary-care physicians. Data for this initiative were gathered from 113 primary-care physicians attending accredited workshops in Canada between 2011 and 2013. Physicians were asked to interpret nine spirograms presented twice in random sequence using two different SIAs and touch pad technology for anonymous data recording. We observed differences in the interpretation of spirograms using two different SIAs. When the pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC (forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity) ratio was >0.70, algorithm 1 led to a 'normal' interpretation (78% of physicians), whereas algorithm 2 prompted a bronchodilator challenge revealing changes in FEV1 that were consistent with asthma, an interpretation selected by 94% of physicians. When the FEV1/FVC ratio was <0.70 after bronchodilator challenge but FEV1 increased >12% and 200 ml, 76% suspected asthma and 10% suspected COPD using algorithm 1, whereas 74% suspected asthma versus COPD using algorithm 2 across five separate cases. The absence of a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC decision node in algorithm 1 did not permit consideration of possible COPD. This study suggests that differences in SIAs may influence decision making and lead clinicians to interpret the same spirometry data differently.

Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and lung function in US adolescents with and without asthma.

PubMed

Forno, Erick; Han, Yueh-Ying; Muzumdar, Radhika H; Celedón, Juan C

2015-08-01

Obesity increases both the risk of asthma and asthma severity and is a well-known risk factor for insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome (MS) in children and adolescents. We aimed to examine the association among obesity, insulin sensitivity, MS, and lung function in US adolescents with and without asthma. We performed a cross-sectional study of 1429 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adjusted regression was used to assess the relationships among obesity, insulin sensitivity/resistance, MS, and lung function in children with and without asthma. Insulin resistance was negatively associated with FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) in adolescents with and without asthma, whereas MS was associated with lower FEV1/FVC ratios, with a more pronounced decrease found among asthmatic patients; these associations were driven by overweight/obese adolescents. Higher body mass index was associated with a decrease in FEV1/FVC ratios among adolescents with insulin resistance. Compared with healthy participants, adolescents with MS had an approximately 2% decrease in FEV1/FVC ratios, adolescents with asthma had an approximately 6% decrease, and those with MS and asthma had approximately 10% decreased FEV1/FVC ratios (P < .05). Insulin resistance and MS are associated with worsened lung function in overweight/obese adolescents. Asthma and MS synergistically decrease lung function, as do obesity and insulin resistance. These factors might contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma severity in obese patients and warrant further investigation. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spirometry: a predictor of lung cancer among asbestos workers.

PubMed

Świątkowska, Beata; Szeszenia-Dąbrowska, Neonila

2017-01-01

The significance of lung function as an independent risk factor for lung cancer remains unclear. The objective of the study is to answer the question if spirometry can identify patients at risk for lung cancer among people occupationally exposed to asbestos dust in the past. In order to identify a group of individuals with the highest risk of lung cancer incidence based on lung function levels of FEV 1 % predicted value, we examined 6882 subjects enrolled in the health surveillance program for asbestos related diseases over the years 2000-2014. We found a total of 110 cases confirmed as primary lung cancer. Using Cox's proportional hazards model after adjustment for age, gender, number of cigarettes, duration of smoking and cumulative asbestos exposure, we estimated that compared with the subjects with FEV 1 ≥90% pred, the HR of lung cancer was 1.40 (95%CI: 0.94-2.08) for the subjects with FEV 1 less than 90% and 1.95 (HR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.12-3.08) for those with FEV 1 less than 70%. In addition, probability of the occurrence of lung cancer for FEV 1 <90% of the predicted value was HR = 2.19 (95%CI: 1.04-4.61) in the subjects whose time since spirometry and cancer diagnosis was three years or less. The results strongly support the hypothesis that spirometry can identify patients at a risk of lung cancer development. Regular spirometry should be offered to all patients with a history of asbestos exposure, at least once every three years.

Lung function changes in coke oven workers during 12 years of follow up

PubMed Central

Wu, J; Griffiths, D; Kreis, I; Darling, C

2004-01-01

Aims: To investigate the effect of exposure to coke oven emissions on the lung function of coke oven workers. Methods: The study population, followed from 1978 and 1990, was 580 male workers with at least two sets of lung function measurements (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25–75%). An annual rate of change (time slope) for age and height adjusted lung function index was estimated for each subject. This "time slope" was then treated as the response variable in a weighted multiple regression analysis with selected predictors. Results: For all 580 subjects, each year of working in the "operation" group (the most exposed) was found to increase the FVC decline by around 0.7 ml/year (95% CI 0.1 to 1.3 ml/year). After the exclusion of 111 subjects without detailed work history, the above finding was confirmed and each year of exposure in "operation" was also found to increase the FEV1 decline by around 0.8 ml/year (95% CI 0.1 to 1.4 ml/year). Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the results of previous cross-sectional studies. Work duration in the most exposed position in the coke ovens was associated with increased annual decline for FVC and FEV1. The estimated effect of one year of work exposure in "operation" is equivalent, in terms of the reduction in lung function, to an estimated 2.1 pack-years of smoking for FVC and 1.2 pack-years of smoking for FEV1. PMID:15258275

Clustering patterns of LOD scores for asthma-related phenotypes revealed by a genome-wide screen in 295 French EGEA families.

PubMed

Bouzigon, Emmanuelle; Dizier, Marie-Hélène; Krähenbühl, Christine; Lemainque, Arnaud; Annesi-Maesano, Isabella; Betard, Christine; Bousquet, Jean; Charpin, Denis; Gormand, Frédéric; Guilloud-Bataille, Michel; Just, Jocelyne; Le Moual, Nicole; Maccario, Jean; Matran, Régis; Neukirch, Françoise; Oryszczyn, Marie-Pierre; Paty, Evelyne; Pin, Isabelle; Rosenberg-Bourgin, Myriam; Vervloet, Daniel; Kauffmann, Francine; Lathrop, Mark; Demenais, Florence

2004-12-15

A genome-wide scan for asthma phenotypes was conducted in the whole sample of 295 EGEA families selected through at least one asthmatic subject. In addition to asthma, seven phenotypes involved in the main asthma physiopathological pathways were considered: SPT (positive skin prick test response to at least one of 11 allergens), SPTQ score being the number of positive skin test responses to 11 allergens, Phadiatop (positive specific IgE response to a mixture of allergens), total IgE levels, eosinophils, bronchial responsiveness (BR) to methacholine challenge and %predicted FEV(1). Four regions showed evidence for linkage (P

Indicators of asthma control among students in a rural, school-based asthma management program

PubMed Central

Rasberry, Catherine N.; Cheung, Karen; Buckley, Rebekah; Dunville, Richard; Daniels, Brandy; Cook, Deborah; Robin, Leah; Dean, Blair

2015-01-01

Objective The evaluation sought to determine if a comprehensive, school-based asthma management program in a small, rural school district helped students improve asthma control. Methods To determine if students in the asthma program demonstrated better asthma control than students in a comparison school district, the evaluation team used a quasi-experimental, cross-sectional design and administered questionnaires assessing asthma control (which included FEV1 measurement) to 456 students with asthma in the intervention and comparison districts. Data were analyzed for differences in asthma control between students in the two districts. To determine if students in the intervention experienced increased asthma control between baseline and follow-up, the evaluation team used a one-group retrospective design. Program records for 323 students were analyzed for differences in percent of predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) between baseline and follow-up. Results Students with asthma in the intervention district exhibited significantly better asthma control than students with asthma in the comparison district. Percent of predicted FEV1 did not change significantly between baseline and follow-up for the intervention participants; however, post hoc analyses revealed students with poorly-controlled asthma at baseline had significantly higher FEV1 scores at follow-up, and students with well-controlled asthma at baseline had significantly lower FEV1 scores at follow-up. Conclusions Findings suggest the comprehensive school-based program led to improvements in asthma control for students with poorly controlled asthma at baseline, and school-based programs need mechanisms for tracking students with initially well-controlled asthma in order to ensure they maintain control. PMID:24730771

South African and international reference values for lung function and its relationship with blood pressure in Africans.

PubMed

van Rooyen, Yolandi; Huisman, Hugo W; Schutte, Aletta E; Eloff, Fritz C; Du Plessis, Johan L; Kruger, Annamarie; Van Rooyen, Johannes M

2015-06-01

In South Africa respiratory diseases are highly prevalent, with cardiovascular disease being a manifestation. However, international reference values for lung function are commonly used, which may not be appropriate to correctly identify reduced lung function. An inverse relationship exists between lung function and blood pressure (BP) but is not investigated extensively in black South Africans. We included 2010 Africans from the PURE (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology) study (aged > 35 years) in the North West Province. Spirometry was performed and predicted values for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were calculated from South African, European and United States prediction equations. With the exception of the European predicted values, all other predicted mean FEV1 and FVC were above 80%. South African reference values displayed the highest percentages of the predicted values for FEV1 and FVC (87.9 and 99.7%, respectively.) BP increased from quintiles five to one for both FEV1 and FVC, (p for trend <0.001). After adjustment the differences remained (p<0.05). South African reference values yielded higher percentages of predicted FEV1 and FVC values than European and US equations suggesting that South African prediction equations may be more useful when investigating lung function in black South Africans. Elevated BP is related to reduced lung function, highlighting the importance in managing both respiratory- and cardiovascular disease. Copyright © 2015 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Farm environment during infancy and lung function at the age of 31: a prospective birth cohort study in Finland.

PubMed

Lampi, Jussi; Koskela, Heikki; Hartikainen, Anna-Liisa; Ramasamy, Adaikalavan; Couto Alves, Alexessander; Järvelin, Marjo-Riitta; Pekkanen, Juha

2015-07-22

Farming as an occupation is considered a risk factor for asthma and reduced lung function. By contrast, living on a farm during infancy has been reported to be associated with lower risk of asthma in adulthood. However, little is known about the association between farming environment during infancy and lung function in adulthood. We aimed to study the prospective longitudinal association between farming environment during infancy and lung function in adulthood. A prospective birth cohort study. Northern Finland. 5666 participants born in 1966 were followed up at the age of 31 years. Spirometry at the age of 31 years. To be born into a farmer's family was associated with higher forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (36 mL; 95% CI 6 to 67 mL) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (40 mL; 95% CI 5 to 75 mL) at the age of 31 years. Contact with farm animals during infancy was associated with higher FEV1. No associations were seen with FEV1/FVC (FEV1/FVC ratio). Having dogs in childhood revealed similar associations. There was a suggestive dose-dependent association with the number of animal species during childhood and higher FEV1 and FVC at adulthood, especially among women. Farming environment in early life may have a positive impact on lung function in adulthood. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Variability of spirometry in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results from two clinical trials.

PubMed

Herpel, Laura B; Kanner, Richard E; Lee, Shing M; Fessler, Henry E; Sciurba, Frank C; Connett, John E; Wise, Robert A

2006-05-15

Our goal is to determine short-term intraindividual biologic and measurement variability in spirometry of patients with a wide range of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity, using datasets from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) and the Lung Health Study (LHS). This may be applied to determine criteria that can be used to assess a clinically meaningful change in spirometry. A total of 5,886 participants from the LHS and 1,215 participants from the NETT performed prebronchodilator spirometry during two baseline sessions. We analyzed varying criteria for absolute and percent change of FEV(1) and FVC to determine which criterion was met by 90% of the participants. The mean +/- SD FEV(1) for the initial session was 2.64 +/- 0.60 L (75.1 +/- 8.8% predicted) for the LHS and 0.68 +/- 0.22 L (23.7 +/- 6.5% predicted) for the NETT. The mean +/- SD number of days between test sessions was 24.9 +/- 17.1 for the LHS and 85.7 +/- 21.7 for the NETT. As the degree of obstruction increased, the intersession percent difference of FEV(1) increased. However, the absolute difference between tests remained relatively constant despite the severity of obstruction (0.106 +/- 0.10 L). Over 90% of participants had an intersession FEV(1) difference of less than 225 ml irrespective of the severity of obstruction. Absolute changes in FEV(1) rather than percent change should be used to determine whether patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have improved or worsened between test sessions.

Influence of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Lung Function Changes After the Lung Resection for Primary Lung Cancer in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

PubMed

Mujovic, Natasa; Mujovic, Nebojsa; Subotic, Dragan; Ercegovac, Maja; Milovanovic, Andjela; Nikcevic, Ljubica; Zugic, Vladimir; Nikolic, Dejan

2015-11-01

Influence of physiotherapy on the outcome of the lung resection is still controversial. Study aim was to assess the influence of physiotherapy program on postoperative lung function and effort tolerance in lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that are undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy. The prospective study included 56 COPD patients who underwent lung resection for primary non small-cell lung cancer after previous physiotherapy (Group A) and 47 COPD patients (Group B) without physiotherapy before lung cancer surgery. In Group A, lung function and effort tolerance on admission were compared with the same parameters after preoperative physiotherapy. Both groups were compared in relation to lung function, effort tolerance and symptoms change after resection. In patients with tumors requiring a lobectomy, after preoperative physiotherapy, a highly significant increase in FEV1, VC, FEF50 and FEF25 of 20%, 17%, 18% and 16% respectively was registered with respect to baseline values. After physiotherapy, a significant improvement in 6-minute walking distance was achieved. After lung resection, the significant loss of FEV1 and VC occurred, together with significant worsening of the small airways function, effort tolerance and symptomatic status. After the surgery, a clear tendency existed towards smaller FEV1 loss in patients with moderate to severe, when compared to patients with mild baseline lung function impairment. A better FEV1 improvement was associated with more significant loss in FEV1. Physiotherapy represents an important part of preoperative and postoperative treatment in COPD patients undergoing a lung resection for primary lung cancer.

Evaluation of impulse oscillometry during bronchial challenge testing in children.

PubMed

Bailly, Carole; Crenesse, Dominique; Albertini, Marc

2011-12-01

The impulse oscillation system (IOS) allows easy measurement of respiratory system impedance (Zrs). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of IOS parameters obtained during methacholine challenge by comparison with "the gold standard" forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). Measurements of FEV1 and resistances at 5 and 20 Hz, reactance at 5 Hz, impedance at 5 Hz and resonant frequency were performed in 227 children with suspected asthma, before and during methacholine challenge. Data were analyzed in the overall population and in three subgroups according to the final diagnosis: asthma (n = 72), chronic cough and nonspecific respiratory symptoms (n = 122), allergic rhinitis (n = 33). All IOS parameters changed significantly during the tests but only changes in X5 were significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Moreover, changes in IOS parameters were not correlated with changes in FEV1 apart from a weak correlation for X5. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for changes in X5 (to predict a 20% decrease in FEV1 showed a best decision level for a 50% decrease in X5 with a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 85%. Results were not different in the asthma group. The accuracy of measurements by IOS during methacholine bronchial challenge in children was not suitable when compared with FEV1 . It could be assumed that spirometry and IOS, while both providing indirect indices of airway patency, are exploring different mechanisms, each with its own methodological potentials and limitations. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Non-atopic males with adult onset asthma are at risk of persistent airflow limitation.

PubMed

Amelink, M; de Nijs, S B; Berger, M; Weersink, E J; ten Brinke, A; Sterk, P J; Bel, E H

2012-05-01

Patients with asthma have on average a more rapid decline in FEV (1) as compared with the general population. Recent cluster analysis has revealed different asthma phenotypes that can be distinguished by age of onset and reversibility of airflow limitation. This study aimed at detecting risk factors associated with persistent airflow limitation in patients with the adult onset asthma phenotype. We recruited 88 patients with adult onset (≥ 18 years) asthma from an academic pulmonary outpatient clinic in the Netherlands. The associations of age, age of asthma onset, asthma duration, gender, race, atopy, smoking pack-years, BMI, use of oral corticosteroids with post-bronchodilator FEV (1) /FVC were investigated. Multiple linear regression analysis showed an association of absence of atopy (r = -0.27, B = -0.26, P = 0.01) and male gender (r = 0.31, B = 0.30, P = 0.004) with post-bronchodilator FEV (1) /FVC. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that male patients were 10.8 (CI: 2.6-45.2) times the odds than women to have an FEV (1) /FVC < 0.7, and non-atopic patients were 5.2 (CI: 1.3-20.3) times the odds to have an FEV (1) /FVC < 0.7 than atopic patients. We conclude that in patients with adult onset asthma, male gender and absence of atopy are associated with persistent airflow limitation. This might suggest that amongst patients with adult onset asthma, non-atopic male patients are at increased risk of accelerated decline in lung function. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.