Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics Approach Characterizes the Dual Functionality of miR-328 in Monocytes.

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs which control the expression of target genes by either translational repression or RNA degradation, known as canonical miR functions. The recent discovery that miR-328 has a noncanonical function and can activate gene expression by antagonizing the activity of heterogeneous ribonuclear protein E2 (hnRNP E2) opens an unexplored and exciting field of gene expression regulation. The global importance of such noncanonical miR function is not yet known.

Factors associated with experience of fatigue, and functional limitations due to fatigue in patients with stable COPD.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of selected physiological, psychological and situational factors on experience of fatigue, and functional limitations due to fatigue in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: In total 101 patients with COPD and 34 control patients were assessed for experience of fatigue, functional limitation due to fatigue (Fatigue Impact Scale), physiological [lung function, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), body mass index (BMI), dyspnoea, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), surfactant protein D], psychological (anxiety, depression, insomnia), situational variables (age, sex, smoking, living alone, education), and quality of life.

Results: Fatigue was more common in patients with COPD than in control patients (72% versus 56%, p < 0.

Factors associated with low physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Low physical activity (PA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with poor prognosis. In addition, physical activity seems to be low early in the disease. The aim of this study was to describe the level of PA in patients with stable COPD and to explore factors associated with low PA, with a focus on fatigue, symptom burden and body composition

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 101 patients (52 women) with COPD were classified having low, moderate or high PA according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short.

Shared immunological targets in the lungs and joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: identification and validation.

Objectives: Immunological events in the lungs might trigger production of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies during early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the presence of shared immunological citrullinated targets in joints and lungs of patients with RA.

Patients And Methods: Proteins extracted from bronchial (n=6) and synovial (n=7) biopsy specimens from patients with RA were investigated by mass spectrometry-based proteomics.

Experience of fatigue, and its relationship to physical capacity and disease severity in men and women with COPD.

Introduction: Several differences have been reported in the clinical characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between men and women. Differences have been found in the association between respiratory symptoms and lung function, and in the factors associated with dyspnea. This raises the question of whether there are differences between the sexes in the relationship between fatigue, the second most prevalent symptom, and the variables of physical capacity and disease severity.

Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on fatigue, functional status and health perceptions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To test the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on fatigue, functional status and health perceptions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Pulmonary outpatient department.

Severity of fatigue is related to functional limitation and health in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In research as well as in clinical practise, fatigue and its influence on functioning and health has not been in focus. The aim of this study was to compare fatigue, functional limitations owing to fatigue and health between patients with COPD and individuals from the general population to assess the differences between patients experiencing no, moderate and severe fatigue.

High prevalence of emphysema and its association with BMI: a study of smokers with normal spirometry.

Objectives: To evaluate to what extent emphysema was evident, as identified by High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT), in smokers with normal lung function and to relate age, gender, smoking history, and body mass index (BMI) to the HRCT results. A secondary aim was to study to what extent emphysema was present in smokers with lower normal values of lung function defined as FEV(1)/FVC ratio percentage of predicted value (89-93% of predicted value for males and 90-93% for females) or FEF(50) < or = 60% of predicted compared with smokers without this definition.

Methods: Fifty-nine smokers, with a mean age of 53 years and with normal lung function, were examined with HRCT.

Creatine supplementation and physical training in patients with COPD: a double blind, placebo-controlled study.

Study Objectives: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have low exercise capacity and low content of high energetic phosphates in their skeletal muscles. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether creatine supplementation together with exercise training may increase physical performance compared with exercise training in patients with COPD.

Design: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 23 patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] < 70% of predicted) were randomized to oral creatine (n = 13) or placebo (n = 10) supplementation during an 8-week rehabilitation programme including exercise training.

Fatigue Impact Scale: Its validation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and shorten the questionnaire. The empirically developed FIS, which comprised three subscales (cognitive, physical and psychosocial), was tested originally on Pipers' theoretical framework of subjective manifestations of fatigue, including behavioural, physical, emotional and cognitive expressions. The data analysed here consisted of responses from 296 patients with COPD who reported fatigue.

The impact of repeated spirometry and smoking cessation advice on smokers with mild COPD.

Background: Smoking cessation is the most important therapeutic intervention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and the health benefits are immediate and substantial. Major efforts have been made to develop methods with high smoking cessation rates.

Objectives: To study whether a combination of spirometry and brief smoking cessation advice to smokers with COPD, annually for three years, increased their smoking cessation rate in comparison with groups of smokers with normal lung function.

Effects of long-term nocturnal oxygen treatment in patients with severe heart failure.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and leads to disturbed sleep. The objective of this study was to determine the persistent effects of long-term nocturnal oxygen treatment in patients with severe HF regarding (1) objective outcomes, such as sleep, SDB, cardiac function, and functional capacity; (2) subjective outcomes, such as self-assessed sleep difficulties, daytime sleepiness, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL); and (3) the relationship between objective and subjective outcomes. In this open nonrandomized experimental study, 22 patients, median age 71 years, with severe HF were studied before and after 3 months of receiving nocturnal oxygen.

Early detection of COPD in primary care: screening by invitation of smokers aged 40 to 55 years.

Background: The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing in developed countries, as is the mortality rate. The main cause of COPD is smoking, and COPD is usually diagnosed at a late stage.

Aim: To evaluate a method to detect COPD at an early stage in smokers in a young age group (40-55 years).

Molecular and catalytic properties of three rat leukotriene C(4) synthase homologs.

The committed step in the biosynthesis of cysteinyl-leukotrienes is catalyzed by leukotriene C(4) synthase as well as microsomal glutathione S-transferase (MGST) type 2 and type 3, which belong to a family of membrane-associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism (MAPEG). We cloned and characterized these three enzymes from the rat to allow a side-by-side comparison of structural and catalytic properties. The proteins are 79.

Human mast cells express two leukotriene C(4) synthase isoenzymes and the CysLT(1) receptor.

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are potent smooth muscle contracting agents, especially in the respiratory tract and microcirculation, and play a key role in inflammatory and allergic diseases. The final step in the biosynthesis of LTC(4), the parent compound of cys-LTs, is catalyzed by a specific GSH transferase termed LTC(4) synthase, which is typically expressed in certain bone marrow-derived cells such as eosinophils and mast cells. Here we report that the human mast cell line HMC-1 as well as human mast cells derived from cord blood (CBMC) express a second enzyme capable of synthesizing leukotriene C(4), i.